[Namron] Re: The Black Death
Zach Greggs
chrisfroste at yahoo.com
Thu Oct 21 10:43:34 PDT 2004
Matthias, I think thats a good idea actually. Although in your case I would expect you to want to mentor all the pretty young ladies.....
Id be willing to help out with this as well
Frosty
matthiasthebrewer at cox.net wrote:
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
> Date: 2004/10/21 Thu AM 02:37:02 EDT
> To: Barony of Namron
> 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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