[Ansteorra-archery] missile carpool , long , was Re: Third Quarter 2008 Royal Round Keeper Report

[Lawrence]

Hi all, 
 
I have only recently been able to get back into archery....having twins does
that to you!.....for my own enjoyment and as a archery marshal. So here are
my 2 cents (and its probably worth about as much!) on what i have seen when
attending events and shoots.
 
Target Archery isnt seen as important to most people as the other
activities......but the light weapons fighting wasnt as important as the
heavy fighting not so long ago. The same goes with all of the other
activities. All of them were small to start out with and it was because of
the people who really loved that aspect to keep them going and to make them
grow.  To make anything grow it has to get peoples attention. 
 
To get attention it has to appeal to the masses. It has to be something that
makes people say...."Yeah i want to do that!" It also has to have dedicated
people to take on the challenge and do the work.
 
It has to be brought to the attention and supported by the people with
higher stations. "Especially" any "titled" competition.
 
It has to be promoted. If the general populace isnt even aware of what is
happening down on the archery field then they will not show up to see if it
is something that they want to get involved in.
 
It is going to be up to all of us that are passionate about this to make it
happen. 
 
Here are my ideas of how to improve things....there has got to be more
people to help run a range or shoot. If it is left up to one poor soul to
provide the targets, haul them there, set them up, run the thing and then
take it all down......of course they wont have the energy or desire to spend
any more time out there! 
 
We need more certified marshals that are willing to help run an event. If
the work load is broken up then it wont all fall on just a few peoples
shoulders. 
 
The details of the shoots and tourneys need to be planned out and made known
far in advance so it can be listed on the event sites and in the upcoming
event publications. 
 
The details of the archery shoots need to be announced at every Morning
Court so the populace will know what is going on for that weekend and people
encouraged to go take part or just to loan their support by attending. The
children really need to be encouraged to attend. You could even make up a
sign with all of the details listed and place it somewhere that gets more
foot traffic. 
 
If there is going to be a Titled shoot then it should be held at this or
that time to fit along with the schedule for all of the other Titled
activates.....but lets face it, not everyone wants to go to all of
those....so why not have the range open? Have a fun shoot....a new persons
shoot....a Royal Round, ect....ect. If you get enough marshals to help out
then the range could be up and running the whole weekend. Even if someone
only runs it for 30 minutes it will give the others a chance to go see other
things, to take a break.......or even be able to participate!!!
 
As for a Titled shoot....i completely understand that this should be a
challenging shoot to determine who the winner will be....but i have seen far
to many events with only a titled shoot and if you are a new comer.... are
knocked out the first round and dont get to shoot the rest of the entire
event.......then why travel the 4 hours to attend? (except of course to
attend other things)  but i for one am mostly there for the archery and i am
sure there are allot of others that are the same.
 
Make up some fun targets!!! Go to your archery practice and ask everyone
what they think would be fun to do at the event that your area is going to
do. If you all come up with some really cool targets then make sure you
announce what they are going to be to get as much attention as possible!!!
Figure out what materials or help you would need, get as many of your local
archers willing to help get it all made up.....this will also make them feel
more part of the event....and if you need extra help or funds announce it at
your populace meetings and post about it on the mailing list.
 
Funds for all of this is one of the biggest problems....have raffles, or
fund raisers to help pay for materials and equipment. Ask any and all local
artisans to donate something if they can. Again...announce it in the
populace meetings and mailing list! You can have a fund raiser at your local
event....but you can also plan a fun shoot at your local practice range and
have one.....get the word out that you are having a special fund raising
shoot or raffle if you can get a nice prize donated. 
 
I am probably forgetting allot of other ideas but i am tired! and may pester
you all with yet another rambling post! LOL
 
Lance 
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