[Namron] Re: The Black Death

[matthiasthebrewer at cox.net]

Isobel,

You bring a great point up.  Newbies are often left to find their own way.  I joined because a friend of mine was involved, and held my hand for a few months until I found a "group" to play with.  

Many of you won't beleive this, but I am very shy and quiet in new situations.  Unless my smartass side can't restrain itself any more.

But a formal mentoring program (or semi-professinal hand holders in my case) would ease things.  Very few people are able to just step forward and jump into things when they don't know anyone.

I think establishment of a group/circle of mentors would be a wonderful idea.  Given the varied activities, I don't think it would be best to assign a single mentor to a new player.  But a varied group would allow the new player to meet different mentors, and participate with different people/groups.

While I don't have the time to organize a group like this, I'd be delighted to help new players as a "guide" through the events I go to.  

Matthias 
> 
> From: Isobel de Kirkbryde <kirkbryde at yahoo.com>
> Date: 2004/10/21 Thu AM 02:37:02 EDT
> To: Barony of Namron <namron at ansteorra.org>
> Subject: Re: [Namron] Re: The Black Death
> 
> As a newbie, I probably have no "right" to say what I
> am about to, but I'm going to put my head on the
> chopping block anyway.
> 
> I wasn't at Protectorate and as far as I am concerned,
> the situation is over whether it was handled well or
> poorly.  End of discussion.  I certainly don't want to
> hear any more about it.  I can't do anything to fix it
> and the griping is getting on my nerves. 
> 
> I have actively been trying to play in the SCA for
> well over a year.  (I wanted to 20 years ago, but my
> first husband would have none of it.) I have had no
> guidance and pretty much had to figure things out on
> my own.  I have asked to work, been promised I could
> and then no one ever called to assign a task.  So, I
> find events very boring.  I am not a fighter.  I am
> not an archer.  I am not a drinker -- at least of beer
> and ale.  So, I sit and watch people who know each
> other congregate in little groups.  I sit and watch
> people walk by me and never say hello.  I sit and
> watch, but I don't belong. 
> 
> I have tried to do more to participate.  I tried
> attending populace meetings, but the building echoes,
> the acoustics are terrible and my hearing aids get
> over loaded to the point I am a shaking mess at the
> end.  Okay, I can't handle that. 
> 
> I attended Waytes and Measures.  In fact, they played
> for my wedding.  But, I can no longer play the viola
> because of my neck and back.  I don't know how to play
> other "period" instruments, so it got pretty boring to
> sit and watch every time I went.
> 
> I tried dancing.  I love it, but my back doesn't and
> sadly I had to quit that activity.
> 
> I tried "stich -n- bitch" hoping to have some guidance
> on garb for my persona.  I discovered instead it was
> handwork that I was totally unfamiliar with and I felt
> very uncomfortable being there.  So that one was out.
> 
> I tried attending a heraldry meeting in the hopes of
> learning more about what is appropriate to develop my
> persona around.  Instead it was a bitch session about
> people who had filed things that couldn't be accepted
> for this reason or that one and was way over my head. 
> Next?
> 
> I attended charter painting.  I have never done this
> in my life.  The first time I walked in I was shown
> the paints, samples to work on, given instructions, a
> chair, shown where the goodies and drinks were and was
> expected to participate.  I did one sample during the
> session.  It wasn't great, but I was learning.  The
> next time, I was welcome back.  There was laughter and
> stories and taking turns at the table because so many
> people were there.  I went back again.  On the third
> visit, I am treated like I belong and have always
> belonged.  Hallelujah!  I finally found a place to
> feel wanted.
> 
> I am stubborn and don't give up easily.  How many
> other newbies would go through all those things, feel
> totally unwelcome and keep on trying?  I was lucky
> enough to have a Laurel to guide me.  When I said this
> didn't work or that didn't work, he knew of other
> things to offer me.
> 
> If the organization is going to survive, it must
> welcome newbies openly.  It must offer something fun
> to do.  It must offer educational opportunities. 
> There must NOT be an assumption that everyone who is
> in garb knows the rules, the game, the options, who is
> in charge of what, how to become an active
> participant, etc.  Mentoring is desperately needed. 
> When someone new comes into the fold a mentor should
> be assigned to help them through all the steps
> necessary to not make a fool of themselves, to feel
> welcome, and to learn more about how to play to have
> fun.  
> 
> I sure wish someone other than my husband had
> befriended me and taken me under their wing.  Learning
> all this on my own is hard.  That's OK.  I'm a tough
> old bird.  I wanted to play in the SCA for 20 years. 
> Now that I have my chance, being ignored isn't going
> to stop me.  I will find a way.  But, how many other
> newbies are you going to lose by ignoring them and
> then they have to observe these nasty word battles?  
> 
> Leave the fighting for the field and reach out and
> help someone else have fun, too.  They might be
> grateful. 
> 
> 
> 
> =====
> Isobel de Kirkbryde married to a Laurel (Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay)
> 
> Mundanes:  Mike and Melody Andrews
> 
> 
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