[Bryn-gwlad] Newcomers and Introductions

[Robin Craig]

I believe that is the pervue of the NewComer's Guild and that Lady  
Mot and Lord Douglas have banners and everything (unless it has been  
passed on to whoever is taking over that role).  For the last couple  
of years they have made a point of having a NewComer's Pavilion and  
Table at feasts (which are both open to all).  As an old timer to the  
barony I have attended a couple of the NewComer's guild meetings and  
sat at the newcomer's table at feasts and found it to be very  
enjoyable and has allowed me to meet some of our newer folks before  
anyone else (Like Colblaith and her family)!  I haven't attended  
lately due to my pregnancy.

I think that adding this touch to our PIP is also a very good idea.   
Several years ago, the Historian (Alina, I believe) would also bring  
out photo albums and old copies of the It Cometh so new people could  
look at them to see what an event was like.

Generally, when I am at PIP and I see someone who looks confused and  
is standing apart, I try very hard to introduce myself and strike up  
a conversation.  Sometimes they are old-timers from other places  
(like you were Master Anton) and sometimes they are new.   I find the  
easiest way to tell is to just say, "Hi, I am Robin and I don't  
recall having met you before."   I find most people are forgiving of  
my short memory if we have met and I just don't remember.   Usually  
the person will tell me if they are new to the SCA or not.

I think we should not expect the Hospitaler to be the only greeter,  
however once we learn someone is new and has questions we don't have  
all the answers to, it is a good thing to seek out the Hospitaler and  
introduce them to the newcomer so he/she can provide the newcomer  
with the appropriate handouts. Sometimes I can answer their questions  
and sometimes I cannot, however, I can usually find someone who can  
answer the question.

I can sometimes be a shy person too, and some days I admit that I can  
be in a mood that is hardly hospitable and so I avoid introducing  
myself, however, most of the time I try to suck it up and overcome my  
personal issues so that I can make new friends.  I love making new  
friends and I know that if I am too shy to introduce myself, I cannot  
expect them to do so either.

Since I have not been out in a while, and there are many of you  
posting here that I do not recognize, I would love to meet you!   
Since I cannot post a photo to this list, I will post my website and  
if you see myself or my husband at PIP or at an event, please please  
please come and say 'Hello'.    I am always willing to chat and  
Conner also likes to meet new folks and is willing to teach what  
knowledge he has about rapier fighting.

http://homepage.mac.com/conner/SCA/Menu10.html

-Robin Anderson


On Jul 4, 2006, at 2:02 PM, Celeste Shelton wrote:

> Several of us were discussing this very thing the other night about  
> people who show up but do not know with whom to speak, because  
> quite frankly, I do not often know who is a newcomer and who is  
> just someone from our very large group that I have not yet met.   
> Remember that I have only been here for two years myself.  A banner  
> over a table at PiP that says, newcomers welcome here, would also  
> be helpful for those weeks when we do not have announcements.  I  
> believe that someone on this very list has volunteered to paint  
> such a sign.  In addition, I would love to see that very same sign  
> posted at the newcomers pavilion when it is at events so that a  
> person "knows" such a place exists.  (Not my idea, but a great one  
> none the less) Finally, wouldn't it be great to see personal  
> pavilions decorated in such a manner if someone were to feel so  
> inclined.  :)
>
> Saundra
>
> Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.  
> Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
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