[Ansteorra] Newbie's perspective on NMS and other things

[Charles Netterville]

WOW !!!! Thank you for putting all of this into perspective in such a wonderful way. 
Very well said !!!!... Welcome to the family... 
In service, Elrique

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Alexandra Shahan <acshahan at att.net> wrote:


From: Alexandra Shahan <acshahan at att.net>
Subject: [Ansteorra] Newbie's perspective on NMS and other things
To: Ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 2:29 PM


Hello. First post, newbie and all. (waves to all). Let me just say, I attended my first event because a friend insisted I go. Practically dragged me and my kids. Oh, by the way, she also arranged for us to borrow clothes and helped with gear. She told me what to expect for fees and a few details about the camping. When we arrived to pay (my first event was War Lord last summer) I saw the NMS and just thought it was the way things were done. Makes sense - I was not a member. Didn't really think much more about it. Had no idea where the  money went or what it was used for. Really not on  my mind. However, getting set up and acclimated was a bit daunting. 
 
In moments  of starting to unload the car, help arrived (in the form a teenager a his friend) who helped us unload and set up the tent (all the while telling my kids all about the cool stuff they could do). The trotted off to help others, leaving us to arrange things inside. Moements later another soul came by and offered help and advice and welcome. He even came back later that evening to make sure I was not alone and clueless  (well, I'm still a bit clueless, but for that evening I had an informative friend). 
 
The friend I came with had her hands full renewing old friendships and catching up and endeavored to introduce me to the entire organization in one weekend. To say the least, it was overwhelming, but in a good way. 
 
On the downside, during the full day on Saturday, it was a couple recently moved here from out of kingdom that made me and my family the most welcome. Unfortunate as they said it was normal where they came from to locate newbies and make sure they were taken care of. I realize it is easy for newbies to get lost in the shuffle, and they were a tremendous help and have become good friends. 
 
On the postive side, at my next event a month later (30 year) we arrived late and my friend had to rush off to meet an obligation - leaving me and my kids to set up this huge tent and stuff. I was so lost. But wait! My sister (who has been in for years) sent a rescue party - within in 30 minutes of our arrival, half a dozen really great guys showed up and in less than an hour the tent was up, the van unloaded and the cars moved. Wow!!! And then they were off to their own persuits. Still, a few moments of attention and this newbie felt so much less than lost. 
 
Soooo - point is, from my viewpoint, don't worry so much about the NMS. Want newbies? Invite someone and help make it easy for them to attend an event. Get a small group together to help them out their first event or two. That way there is no undue burden on any one person or family to fully shepherd or sponsor a newbie. Don't worry so much about the money (seriously, it's not even as expensive as taking all the kids to dinner and a movie once, even scout camping trips cost more sometimes). Help newbies by making them feel welcome, check on them and make sure they are gtting a clue (yes that is a shameles plug for if you see me wandering aimlessly, I probably am still  clueless, feel free to clue me in). 
 
Yes I finally joined (waves new blue cards for all to see). Gave the membership to my kids as part of their Christmas present. 
 
okay probably way more than $0.02!
 
Alexandra McNeil NottClaire
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