ES - Are we welcoming enough?

[House Connections]

I have participated in the SCA for nigh on to years now - off and on, more
off than on - and have found the smaller groups to be more hospitable. As
for Elfsea, I have been to defender on several occasions and found your
group to be very friendly.

My lord of only a year was introduced to the SCA by me in the Steppes area,
and has not been impressed. We have been planning on coming out to your
fighter practise and visit with you, just not had the chance.

I hope that he recieves a warmer welcome here, or he is not likely to play
much longer. As this would be a great disappointment to me, I look forward
to a warm welcome SOMEWHERE!

Can you honestly say that your group has the warmest greetings?

Kiriandra
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Dittrich <dittrich at flash.net>
To: elfsea at Ansteorra.ORG <elfsea at Ansteorra.ORG>
Date: Thursday, May 14, 1998 10:35 PM
Subject: Re: ES - Are we welcoming enough?


Galen and friends--



    You know, I have been thinking about this same phenomena.  I know that I
haven't made it to many events since I started dental school last fall, but
I
have noticed some things at the few events I have been at that bothers me a
little bit.  Many of you know me who are on this list, and they know that I
am
fairly new to Elfsea (1 1/2 years).  But I have noticed at events lately
that
people don't seem to want to walk up to people they don't know or who are
newcomers and say hello.  I know I have been guilty of this sometimes, but I
would hope that it is not just the hospitaler's job to welcome people to
this
game.  Not everyone who shows an interest in the SCA has a personality like
me,
who will walk up to people and talk to them whether it's her first event or
her
20th.  I have admired Mara's ideas of sponsoring of newcomers, but I would
really hope that more members of our Barony could walk up to someone who is
unfamilar and find out where they're from and what drew them to this event.
You
might meet the King of another Kingdom, or the person who in 5 years will be
your own King.  I have watched a person very close to me get disgruntled
with
the SCA because very few people ever even came to him to say "Hi," let alone
invite him to their camp.  He is a very talented archer, knife thrower,
leather
worker, and is a gentleman.  And he has told me he will never return to an
SCA
event.  I'm not trying to get on a soapbox here, and I'm not trying to trash
our
Barony.  All I'm asking is for each of you to approach someone who looks
lost,
or whom you have never met and introduce yourself and welcome them to
whatever
you are doing.  Make it your business to never meet a stranger at an event.
It's something my future father-in-law has taught me.  He never meets a
stranger, and can honestly wave at just about anyone in his hometown and say
their name.  Can you do that?


Just my two cents worth.


In service,

Lady Genevieve de la Gamba
Matron, House Silver Moon

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