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<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Robin,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>This
list is a wonderful tool for communication, but it definitely has its
drawbacks, as well. If we were all in a room having this discussion, it
might last a couple of hours. We would have all shared our stories, talked
about what we think works and what doesn't, and moved on to the planning
stage. Unfortunately, we must instead check our e-mail sporadically
throughout the day, type out a quick response before we dash off to work, get
the kids breakfast, or whatever other task we have to do today. And with
all that we're trying to maintain a dialog on a rather touchy subject.
Throw into that the fact that you sometimes get the response before the question
appears on your screen, and you've got a pretty frustrating
situation.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I get
the impression that most of us are in favor of the college - we just need to
voice our concerns and personal experiences before we're ready to move
forward.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006></SPAN><SPAN
class=246422713-03112006></SPAN><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I
don't think any of us expect the college to be flawless, but we do need to know
both how it worked and how it didn't, so we can make the effort to
improve.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Will
we fail? In some things, yes.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Can we
help both current and future bards, and the kingdom as a whole?
Absolutely.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Will
the college be a vehicle through which we can all enjoy fun, fellowship, and
personal growth? I think so.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>You
found in the college a nurturing group that helped you grow as a performer, and
enabled you to help others. That's fabulous! Let's replicate
it!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006>Others found within the college a group that
appeared unapproachable or snobbish. Let's be aware of that history, and
try not to repeat it.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006></SPAN> </DIV>The fact is that with or
without a college, we will have people who take "baby bards" under their wings,
and also those who feel compelled to dole out not-so-positive criticism to
others. I met a lady at Defender of the Fort who had steered clear of
bardic because she'd been told by some bards that her performances weren't
suitable for the SCA. She's a professional opera singer, with a degree in
early music, and she blew the socks off me!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I
directed that lady to this e-group, and to the bardic website. But
wouldn't it be wonderful if I could have directed her to a college website, and
from there she could have found a list of bards willing to help newcomers in her
area. (Hey, Alden - can you add that to the website real quick!) Or
if I could have told her about the upcoming Collegium?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Once we establish a college, it
becomes our responsibility to try and <SPAN
class=246422713-03112006>promote a welcoming bardic community, and </SPAN>curb
the negative criticism. Will we catch everyone? No, some will fall
through the cracks. But hopefully it will be fewer than if we do
nothing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>With a strong online presence the college will be more available to more
people. When I started performing, I found support outside of the
college. But it would have been nice to know that the college
existed. I'm not blaming anyone for that - just pointing out that once we
create this fellowship, we should make it very easy to find.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Off
the top of my head, we could:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* make up "business cards" with the college website
address to hand out with largess ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* have flyers for the college on a back table at bardic
circles ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Fly the banners, wear the favors, and in general
increase visibility ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Building on the success of others, help promote local
baronial/shire/canton bardic groups ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Help publish "Voices of the Star" on a regular basis
...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Encourage bards to follow a fighter's progress in the
Crown list. That used to be a tradition, and how wonderful would it be if
every new prince had a piece performed for him/her the night the won crown,
detailing their feats that day. (Kein cried when Ihon, Avatar and I did
this for him.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Create a "bardic hospitaler" - someone who's willing
to post their contact information on the college website and be available to
help newcomers ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Teach, teach, teach ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006></SPAN><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Remind people to submit award recommendations to the
Crown ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Point out new talent to the local nobility
...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Be available as a group of volunteers who can help
the current Kingdom Bard and MoAS Deputy with an annual Collegium
...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Offer to host or assist with bardic circles at local
events and interkingdom wars ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>* Work with other kingdoms' bardic colleges/guilds to
promote interkingdom events ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>The
list could go on and on ...</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>My
concerns have been aired, and I am confident that we will at least try not to
repeat mistakes of the past - I'm ready to move
forward!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I'll
be at Three Kings this weekend. Who wants to do some
firewalking?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Kat</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=246422713-03112006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
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