ES - Heal Thyself first
Richard Threlkeld
rjt at acm.org
Mon Feb 14 18:33:40 PST 2000
Very well said.
Caelin
>
> Baroness Xene here,
>
> It is my belief that the discussion of declining memberships and
> pay-to-play
> are just a symptom of a greater problem within the Society for Creative
> Anachronism. Like any group, we are bound to have some internal strife and
> factionalism, but it has become the mainstay and topic of
> discussion in most
> of the groups throughout the Known World.
>
> I liken the SCA to a living tree with many branches. However, when one of
> the branches withers and dies, all of the tree is affected. I
> have had many
> friends leave the SCA because of personal disputes. I have
> others that left
> simply because they got involved in other things. That is OK, but
> most leave
> when they get tired of the unhappiness and bitterness that they
> get wound up
> in.
>
> Bickering over paid memberships is just a side issue. No one
> expects a new
> person in a church to tithe or pay to belong. Neither should we. I will
> encourage paid membership, as it supports the business side of this
> organization, but I won't penalize those people who choose not to become
> paid members, for whatever reason.
>
> We are dying as a group because of internal strife, gossip-mongering, and
> acting like children in a sand-lot, always fighting over who is in charge.
> We should be in this group to have fun, to research, to learn, to
> share, and
> to fight with honor and chivalry on the field of battle. We should not be
> in this group to have a small area in which to boss others around, and to
> seek revenge on others for past slights, either intentional or accidental.
>
> Grow-up, people. Get a Clue. If you have a problem with someone, or feel
> that they are doing something wrong, talk directly to the person involved.
> Don't go around trying to gather a consensus with your friends
> about who is
> in the wrong, and who is right. Too many groups have been torn apart by a
> shark-like feeding frenzy on one of its members.
>
> And when you do work on a problem with someone, and you have done
> something
> wrong, admit it, apologize, call the blow, and move on. The words "I'm
> sorry" can do a lot to heal a group. And once an apology is given, learn
> from the mistakes, and move on. Forgive others. Forgive yourselves.
>
> I love this group, and I am very proud to be an Ansteorran. I
> have traveled
> throughout the Kingdom and seen a great deal of Love and
> happiness. Please
> share this love and chilvary with each other. Treat each other with honor
> and honesty. Welcome new people and encourage them to be a part of your
> group.
>
> And try to have fun. That way, others will want to join, and have fun.
> Then they will want to make the fun happen, and join. We cannot treat the
> symptom. We must cure the wounds from within first.
>
> Bless you all and keep you well,
>
> Baroness Xene, OL
>
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