[Bryn-gwlad] Archery at BG Baronial

[ysabeau]

I've been following this thread but I'm not an archer or a 
combatant of any type. 

A lot of people ask me what the difference is between going to an 
SCA event and going to a renaissance fair. One of the key things I 
point out is that each group HOSTS events for other people to come 
and enjoy. An event is a lot of work and requires a group to pull 
together and bond as a group. 

I don't know about everyone else, but when I host a party and 
invite a lot of friends over...I plan activities that I may not 
necessarily plan on participating in but I do facilitate them. It 
may even be something I really enjoy doing, but because I'm the 
host I don't participate, I facilitate. That is what a host does, 
in my opinion. Yes, I do enjoy myself and participate as I can, 
but I know that my primary role is as facilitator. 

When I go to an event hosted by another group, I try to be a good 
guest and volunteer to help as needed (not all groups are as lucky 
as Bryn Gwlad is population-wise). However, my role is as a guest 
(unless asked to do something otherwise). 

The convoluted process of becoming authorized as a combat archer 
is not ideal. I can understand frustration at not being able to do 
something you want to do RIGHT NOW. However, there are other ways 
to enjoy yourself at the event. If you want to have a target 
shooting competition formatted as hunt like Jason pointed out, 
then write up a proposal and send it to the event steward and it 
will be processed through the chain. As it has been pointed out, 
other groups have done so and met with success. 

I am personally looking forward to the hunt. To be honest, 
watching people shoot at targets isn't that terribly exciting to 
me. However, having archers shooting at live targets that respond 
as an animal would adds a bit of excitement to the tourney. It 
will make it much more of a spectator sport and might get more 
people interested in watching the tourney and getting interested 
in combat archery. 

If you are truly frustrated with the process of becoming 
authorized, then take Master Pug's suggestion and become involved 
in the local marshallate and at the kingdom level to enact change. 

I love quotes, so I shall close with a few that aren't period but 
still apply, IMO:

They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change 
them yourself. - Andy Warhol

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before 
starting to improve the world. - Anne Frank

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, 
since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be. - Thomas A Kempis

Regards,
Ysabeau





---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Susan Scott" <gwenneth40 at gmail.com>
Reply-To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad <bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org>
Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 09:56:42 -0500

>> To exclude a significant element of OUR populace from having
>> something for them at OUR biggest event of the year is very
>> disappointing...........
>>
>> William of Lockesley
>
>There is always PLENTY for everyone to do at every event.  If all
>events try to be all things for all people, they get really busy 
and
>really tedious, really fast.  There are plenty of events you can 
go to
>that have a heavy list, a rapier list, an archery competition, a
>bardic competition, an A&S competition, a thrown weapons 
competition,
>a youth boffer competition, a youth rapier competition, a middle
>eastern dance competition, etc.  We've done that.  It requires a 
huge
>amount of work from the populace, so that few people are actually 
able
>to participate in anything.  There isn't enough space.  All of the
>activities end up feeling cramped and shortchanged.  The Baron 
winds
>up with champions in activities he wasn't even able to watch.  
This
>time, the Barony decided to do something different.  Six months 
ago.
>If you have problems with it, why did you not address them at that
>time?
>
>When we host an event, we all work together to make it happen.  
All of
>us.  Rapier people marshal heavy lists so heavy fighters are free 
to
>fight.  Fighters work gate at Kingdom Dance & Music Symposium to 
allow
>dance and music people to take classes.  We don't just decide to 
help
>only when our particular little piece of the pie is at stake.  If 
you
>can't think of anything to do, why not try helping the Barony?  
Work a
>gate shift.  Help with setup.  Do water bearing.  Be a herald.  
Watch
>the tournaments.  Enjoy the ambience.  Talk to people you haven't 
met
>before.  You know, get INVOLVED.
>
>And the operative word here is "host."  We're putting on this 
event
>for the Kingdom, not for ourselves.
>
>Gwenneth
>_______________________________________________
>Bryn-gwlad mailing list
>Bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org
>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bryn-gwlad-ansteorra.org
>
 

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