[Ansteorra] ideas was Presentation at Round Table

[Frank Schalles]

Greetings Ansteorra!

This Lady has wisely put forth an idea that needs to be recognized, that
is, not everyone wants to be a fighter. To add to that, most of us are
older and SHOULD not be heavy fighting. This is the premise I have had when
we re-started the Archery program in the Barony of Bonwicke. After the
Archery program started we doubled our populace. Dont take my word for it,
check the records. Archery started in June of 2012, look at it today.

Archery is the ideal program, we have members 10 to 65 participating. I
repeat, paid members young and old. We like archery, we are starting to
travel outside of the Barony to shoot archery, including the Outlands. This
is not a easy thing when everything is at least a two hour drive in any
direction. Provide more Archery programs, get more members. Why? It does
not take alot of investment and special experience to participate and have
fun. Moms can bring thier children, the wise and aged can still participate
- fully.

My 2 pence. Thank You for reading.

Yours In Service to Ansteorra,
and to Ansteorran Archery.
Francois de Lion
Bonwicke

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 7:59 AM, Sonja Crocker <sonja.crocker at gmail.com>wrote:

> When I first played in the SCA (in 1989) I was 17. I was given my first
> garb and feast gear. A friend took me to my first event and paid my way. I
> was hooked. I went to fighter practice every week but never saw the
> fighters. They were in the gym. Everyone else hung out in the rec room and
> talked about past events and upcoming activities. I loved it. I would watch
> people work with looms or sing or dance. Then I went to college. I found
> the SCA again and attended dance classes and became an officer.
> Later I got married and had kids and moved. I had a baby and found the SCA
> again. I wanted to introduce my family to a wonderful organization. We
> attended an event and a revel. All I saw was fighting. Everyone begged my
> husband (6 ft 4 and strength to match) to be a fighter. He has a bad knee
> and would rather wire weave. It was hard for people to believe. He was
> convinced to give it a try but he didn't like it.
> At night, there were too many drunks singing bawdy tales. We don't drink
> and I did not want my children anywhere near that. So we left - for years.
> My teen daughter heard me talk about it one evening and asked if we could
> go check it out. So we came back by attending our first Gulf Wars. It was
> so fun. We have been every year since.
> The problem now is money. Events are way to expensive for a family of four
> to go to. We either cannot afford it or our van breaks down (again). So we
> attend only one or two events a year.
>
> Anyway... I have seen so many male newcomers leave because they were
> pressured into fighting. Not all guys like that. I think we, as a populace,
> need to find out where a newcomer's passion lies. What does s/he do in the
> mundane world? Can we find an equivalent in the SCA? Also, send that person
> to get outfitted with garb and feast gear. Help them out any way possible.
> And this isn't just for the adults. My daughter came into the SCA and was
> pushed into boffer. That was all there was for kids. As an MoC I am tryng
> to come up with alternate programs for kids.
> I also think that technology could really help us as an organization.
> Outside of an event we could have online classes. I have created an online
> warranting class for all MoCs to take. I know many people are broke or they
> just can't make it to Round Table (like me). So I did this to help them
> out. We introduce people to the SCA where they are - online. Then we entice
> them to come out and play for real. If I had a ride or the money I would.
>
> Anyway...That is just my two cents, for what it's worth.
>
> Cait
>
> SNIP
-- 
Change is a function of the Universe, embrace it.