ARCH - Ranking System

[Eadric Anstapa]

Bob Dewart <gilli at seacove.net> said: 

> Does it really mater if we use the names from 95 or 
> not?  If I'm not mistaken, here at the half way in the 
> season point, I'm the only one in the
> Kingdom that has shot enough to have a rating.  I have 
> 3 Period and 4 Open scores.
> 
> Are more folks going to shoot for score?  Or can we put 
> this back on the
> shelf for another 5 years?
> 
> Deeds not words folks.


Can we try to stay positive here and not say pessimistic 
things like "Does it really matter"?  I think is would be 
better to encourage people to shoot rather than berate 
them for not shooting or to be pessimistic because only 
one person has submitted enough scores so far for an 
complete average.

Lets face it many people have no desire to compete and as 
strange as it may seem some don't even have a desire to 
keep score.  Some people are too intimidated to shoot for 
score or to compete and sometimes it seems like that the 
feeling in this forum is that if you are not going to 
compete in the IKAC/IKCAC or participate as a combat 
archer in the wars then you are not really needed or 
wanted.  I have also read and heard comments like "I 
didn't help the kingdom average"  or "No need to submit 
the scores because it wouldn't help the kingdom 
average".  This is entirely too much emphasis on 
IKAC/IKCAC.  Personally, I feel we need to promote 
personal achievements.  I have personal goals set because 
they are meaningful for me and will help me enjoy this 
game more.  I hope that in meeting my goals I can help 
other people enjoy the game a bit more also.
  
As bizarre as this sounds, perhaps the best archer in our 
canton won't even keep score.  He comes out at shoots at 
most practices and shoots a LOT when he does show up but 
he wont keep score.  I watched him closely last weekend 
and I think he might have a 60 Roryal Round average if we 
kept score.  Score or not we want him to continue to show 
up and enjoy himself and share our fellowship.  His goals 
for archery are different than my own

Let me say that I am against calling what we hare trying 
to put in place a "Ranking" system.  I don't like the 
idea that someone should feel out-ranked or that because 
someone is a "Marksman" and another a "Bowman" that 
someone should feel that the Marksman should be in charge 
or have precedence at the range.

If we attach names to the various levels I would prefer 
to call this an "Achievement" system.  I thought this was 
also the concensus of those gathered at Gilli's on July 1.

The whole purpose of an achievement system is to 
encourage people to shoot and to encourage them in a 
positive manner.  The purpose should not be to rank 
individuals against one another (but I realize despite 
better intentions it will happen anyway).

If a person sees that their average is just a few points 
shy of the next achievement level, then that is positive 
encouragement for them to shoot a little more and work 
just a little harder to reach that next level.  When they 
do, someone once again gives some positive reinforcement 
by presenting them with appropriate tassels for them to 
display.

With or without a system of defined achievement levels in 
place Iaen and I will have Royal Round averages on the 
web next week.  For those who have not yet submitted 
three scores their current average will be posted but 
will be marked as incomplete.  Once we get this going and 
scores are being submitted regularly we will stop posting 
the incomplete averages.  

Marshals, if you have been in charge of any shoot this 
calendar year and still have records for Royal Rounds 
scores that Iaen does not have please email then to him 
ASAP.

In Service,

Eadric




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