[Loch-Ruadh] populis

[j_greywolf at earthlink.net]

by Jove  i think we have finally got it . . i understand about  the ground 
camping we are in the same shape  wolfie

Lord j_greywolf at earthlink.net
to the kingdom and ,
the one from who all blessings flow


> [Original Message]
> From: Madelina de Lindesay <lymadelina at earthlink.net>
> To: <loch-ruadh at lists.ansteorra.org>
> Date: 9/6/2007 8:57:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [Loch-Ruadh] populis
>
> I must have missed the first part of this discussion, but I think the
gist of what you are saying, Wolfie, is that recruiting and retaining new
members is a problem exacerbated by older members allowing mundanity to
creep into our gatherings.
>
> I think that if that is a problem, it is just a small issue compared to
other things such as not being open enough.  I guess what I mean is that
new members (and even some older members who play very infrequently) don't
stay or don't get very involved because they don't feel welcome.  I think
there is also a perception that if one isn't part of a certain group (such
as the fighters or a household or nobility), then there just isn't much for
that person to do.
>
> People want to feel like they belong, and when someone approaches a
lively group only to have it go quiet or shut down the minute he enters the
circle, he immediately feels he is intruding and is unwelcome.  Someone may
feel excluded because his garb can't compete with that of the laurel
standing in front of him (Could we make an effort to offer loaner garb or
give newcomers a costuming handout with tips and ideas?) or because he
doesn't know any of the songs being sung in a bardic circle (Could we put
together a newcomer's song book we automatically hand out?).  There are any
number of situations like this that can happen without anyone taking notice
that they have just lost an opportunity to help bring someone "into the
fold".
>
> Another opportunity to encourage newcomers is in planning events.  If
someone feels like the same people always do the same tasks, he may feel
like the market is cornered and never volunteers to help out, which in
turn, may increase feelings of not belonging.  But if there was a concerted
effort to take newcomers in hand and ask if they have some new ideas or if
they would like to be such-and-such in training, then they may feel more a
sense of belonging because they are able to be a part of the action without
having the burden or responsibility of having a particular task weighing
solely upon their shoulders.
>
> Things that can help are offering rides or car pooling to events, giving
newcomers tips on camping (which they may never have done before), and
having communal encampments and making a real effort to put out the welcome
mat.  (Communal meals can help with this, especially at "away" events.) 
And as far as younger members go, there need to be more opportunities for
them to shine.  They shouldn't feel like they can't fully participate until
they are old enough to fight.  Some things my kids remember fondly are the
heraldic coloring books, the scavenger hunts where they had to find certain
people at an event to have a story told or a question answered, and
competitions (such as bardic) just for their age groups, where people who
are experts aren't allowed to enter.
>
> I realize these are just my perceptions and beliefs, and that I'm pretty
much out of the loop these days, but I've been a newcomer who became fairly
active at one point because of how the group received me.  Nowadays,
though, the one giant beastie that always rears his ugly head to interfere
with participating is the obligation to mundane happenings.  My kids are
heavily into band, and that pretty much consumes all our free time, but
health concerns are a big issue.  Logan and I are both unable to set up a
decent campsite, and neither of us can sleep on an air mattress on the
ground.  Until we get a travel trailer, we're pretty much limited to local
events.
>
> Madelina
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: "j_greywolf at earthlink.net" <j_greywolf at earthlink.net>
> >Sent: Sep 5, 2007 10:34 PM
> >To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra SCA Inc. Shire of Loch Ruadh"
<loch-ruadh at ansteorra.org>
> >Subject: [Loch-Ruadh] populis
> >
> >   i may be all wrong but as kaz said  we need more young people . and i
seem to hear less & less speaking Forsoothly (sp)  not to mention  our
personas   as i get older it seems  harder for me to do  and i guess it is
harder   for all of us .especially  when we get excited  and forget .  all 
though we are not bound  to do  it just seems  that some of us are missing
our mark.  i know that i am guilty 
> > and i was just wondering if any one else felt the same way     wolfie
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