[Namron] Re: The Black Death

Katie A Mosely kawhispers at juno.com
Thu Oct 21 11:19:54 PDT 2004


We worked on a similar sort of idea a few years ago. we took the Phone
numbers of people who were interested in the SCA at Medieval fair. THen
we used those numbers and addresses to invite people to several new comer
days. We had at those days, things like how to make a basic T-tunic, and
court etiquette, dancing and other topics that they could participate in
and have sort of a mini lesson and make connections. I would like to see
this happen again and perhaps some sort of mentor type program.
By the way we still have members from the new comer days, who stayed
because they felt welcomed and had a lot of fun. Plus felt that they were
not left out on their own.
Katyana
On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 13:36:45 -0400 <matthiasthebrewer at cox.net> writes:
> 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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> 
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