[Elfsea] Newcomer's Opinions

[Charlie Ribron II]

The first events I when to was in 1980 because I wanted to go see a young
lady that told me about the SCA and she said it was OK to go. I wasn't told
to bring anything I just showed up. It was at the scarbough faire site. Ldy
Esabell(sp?) of the twin towers gave me a tent and blankets with a pillow,
his Maj. Sigmen the wingfooted let me use feast gear. With everything going
all around me I forget why I when, and found the dream that first event. I
went to a few other events before going off to college I when to a few other
events in the next few years before going into the army and that's when I
started playing around the world before seattling back down in ansteorra. I
played more and then I when back on the road. I have always found most
SCAers to be helpful and nice. I normally try to get newcomers to the right
people.
What I'm trying to say is things happen and we need to keep on going and try
and help each other.
Ld Carlos Ritchey
also known has Gosa the Mountian Scout
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Hawkwood <Rbnew5 at netscape.net>
To: elfsea at ansteorra.org <elfsea at ansteorra.org>
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Elfsea] Newcomer's Opinions


>--
>[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
>Well, let me put my 10 bucks worth in here. You asked!
>I've done a bit of  "recruiting" myself and I've dealt with new comers.
>I've even been a new comer!
>
>I began playing not quite 10 years ago. You know what made me feel
>welcome?  People offering me a
>chair to sit in when I didn't know to bring my own; someone offering to
>loan me feast gear because I didn't know I was supposed to bring it;
>someone offering me a place to camp at an event.
>
>I, personally, owe a large debt of gratitude to Innes because that's
>exactly what she taught me. To keep on a lookout for those that look out
>of place, then to share my chairs, my feast gear, my campsite, and much
>more. And she NEVER made me feel stupid when I said, did, or wore the
>wrong thing. Instead, she always made me feel welcome as she nutured me
>along. Now, I am able to give back.
>
>I also feel this strongly about the Canton of Loch Ruadh.  They are a
>great bunch of folks who believe in nuturing new comers on the new
>comer's level. They make them feel welcome and like they're an important
>part of the group.NOTHING is done without populace vote, which makes
>everyone feel important and needed.
>
>No, you haven't seen me at Elfsea's fighter practices lately. I don't
>fight (well, at least not with armor and swords). I do, however, support
>my Canton's fighter practice as do about 25-30 other people. We even
>hold special classes and games so everyone is included in something of
>interest. I really can't say I remember anyone being recuited from being
>at or watching a fighter practice.
>
>Most of my recruiting has not been at events. My recruiting has been
>mostly by "word of mouth;" what I do when I'm NOT at an event is usually
>an open door for someone to ask me about the SCA. Such questions as:
>"Why do you cut down trees and make bows?"  "Why are you buying all that
>wire?"  "Chainmaile? What's chainmaile?" "What in the world are you
>going to use that fabric for?"  "Why do you need 40 lbs. of carrots and
>20 lbs of broccoli?" "You're cooking a medieval feast for HOW MANY???"
>I also have cards advertising my personal Website that I pass out. From
>those, I've had responses that should benefit Steppes, as well as
>whatever group(s) is/are in South Texas.
>
>And, I have no problem (as Innes has taught me) to call someone up and
>say, "Hey - there's a meeting tonight, want me to pick you up?" or "You
>need a ride to SpringFaire? I have an extra tent if you don't have one...".
>I've recruited people from work (Hello, Maria!) who have done really
>well. I've also recruited some people who've no longer wish to be
>associated with the Barony. (One lady felt at home in Loch Ruadh but
>after making her first and only posting to this E-mail list she was
>blasted so severely that she returned her garb, gave me all the fabric
>she'd bought for garb, and left.)
>
>In Loch Ruadh, if there's a problem with someone/something in the group,
>it is dealt with honestly, privately, and without delay and then it is
>clear that, once the matter is settled, FORGIVENESS is implemented
>immediately. Future caution may be required, but forgiveness is imperative.
>
>There's a bunch of us that have been attending a Middle Eastern Dance
>class on  Thursday nights. We have a blast. And, you know what?  Other
>than the Baron/Baroness' daughter and Thora from Dragonsfire Tor (yes,
>all the way from Granbury!) most of the women there on a regular basis
>are from Loch Ruadh and they've either come with me in my vehicle or
>followed me.
>
>In short, it takes an individual effort from each of us to do one thing:
>Toof.
>    THINK OF OTHERS FIRST
>
>//Lady Elizabeth Hawkwood
>Life is Good in Elfse, but Loch Ruadh Rocks!
>
>timothy at elfsea.net wrote:
>
>>>Newcomers would rather avoid arguments exactly like this one and keep
>their mouth shuts until they've been around awhile unless they are
>specificly asked about something as a newcomer.
>>>
>>
>>Alright ... Good newcomer, please tell me what you think.  I personally
believe that everyone should feel welcome to voice their opinion, be they
new or old.  Share with us your thoughts please?
>>
>>Timothy
>>
>
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