CR - Prerequisites To Principality

[S. Bairrington]

For those of us who have just walked into the middle of this thread, what
groups are considered central and likely to become this widely discussed
principality?

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From: Lee Martindale <lmartin at airmail.net>
To: Central at Ansteorra.ORG
Subject: Re: CR - Prerequisites To Principality
Date: Friday, January 30, 1998 4:34 PM

Galen again...

> Fair enough.  But you didn't answer the second question...

I have to write pay copy sometime!

> > 1) A "project period" of between one and two years, with
> > the "project" being the facilitation of regional identity
> > and the aforementioned cooperation and coordination.

> Possible, but this is harder to do in a regional framework.
> That "regional identity" this has practical aspects, as well
> as symbolic ones, like a name and a coat of arms.  Regions
> can't have these, says the Star Principal Herald.

Perhaps.  But that seems to indicate that the only thing the
project would have going for it is symbolism, bell and whistles.
One of the thing I look to this project to prove to me is that
it has "legs" - actual, grassroots, solid backing that can
actually achieve some of the goals being promoted.

> > 2) Give the "project" a fair chance to stand or fail on
> > its own merits.  Promote the regional goals for all
> > they're worth, but don't muddy the waters with promotion
> > of principality.

> Again, I am highly dubious that the regional goals can
> be accomplished by a region, in the long term.  The
> incentives and rewards for people taking this on aren't
> there.  That's why I want a principality in the first
> place.

Muddying the waters so soon, Galen?  See what I said above.
Also remember that you asked me what it would take for me
to back a move toward a principality.  I've told you what that
would be.  Now you seem to be telling me it can't be done?

> > 3) Prove that local chapters can work together by *doing*
> > it.  Establish that Regional Council that was mentioned,
> > put together two or more cooperative, regional events to
> > show it can be done and how well it works.  Go for broke
> > and make one of them a Kingdom-level event.

> You mean kingdom-sponsored?  Like a Crown Tourney?  Easily
> done.
>  Or do you mean an event that the whole Kingdom comes
> to, like a Steppes 12th Night?  I have an idea for that,
> too.

Either or both.  The goal of the project is to prove a
regional entity can work.  A successful, region-generated
event or two would certainly look good in the "plus" column.

> > 4) Track and report the effect of the "project" on all
> > local groups in the region.

> Fair enough.  But while I can collect stats on population
> and officer turnover in the local groups over the project
> period, I'm not sure I can do more than claim that the
> improvements are due to the project.

And the failures likewise?  I'm not a statistician, but
if a local group is better (or worse) off post-project than
it was pre-project, that would indicate that the project had
affected it in some form.  Talking to local group officers
and populace might also give supporting information.

> > 5) Track and report the effect of the "project" on
> > membership and participation as a whole.

> > Ibid.

As with mine.

> > Don't just tell me it will work - show me.  Give me
> > the evidence of success with the "project" and, in
> > doing so, give me solid reasons to change my mind.

> > Fair enough?

> Quite fair, my objections above notwithstanding.  So,
> wanna be on the Regional Council?  I'm willing to
> take this on for, say 18 months.  Are you?

Galen, I truly wish you hadn't asked me that in public.


You force me to answer you in similar venue.

1) However willing the spirit might be, the flesh remains that
of a paraplegic.  I currently travel as much as I am able,
within the constraints of my own strength and the hardship
placed on those who have to travel with me.  Having already
been forced to lay down a Regional office due to physical
limitations and increased travel requirements, I know I do not
want to be placed in that position again.

2) In the case of "volunteer burn-out", the last thing the
patient needs is "hair of the dog".  At present, I am only
gently smoldering.  A full-blown firestorm is not something
I wish my household to see.

3) The concept of "inner focus", which has been so greatly
villified of late, does have its practical and beneficial
uses.  It allows for balance in resources vs. commitments.
To upset my personal balance at this time would not be wise.

4) You have said that the time you spend on this would be at
the expense of time spent on Kingdom-level pursuits.  Mine
would be at the expense of local group efforts.  As you recall,
one of my objections has been that such efforts would leech
resources from local groups.
 
I trust you can understand why I must decline.

>  We'd
> > need a sceptic.

On the contrary, a "sceptic" is the last thing you need for
this project.  The purpose of this project is to give the best
possible shot at proving that the region can do what you say
it can.  That council needs to be comprised entirely of people
who believe in it, are emotionally committed to it, and who
will "give it their best shot".

--
Lee Martindale / Llereth Wyddffa an Myrddin / The Copper Bard
email: lmartin at airmail.net
http://web2.airmail.net/lmartin

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