<DIV>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.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Id be willing to help out with this as well</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Frosty<BR><BR><B><I>matthiasthebrewer@cox.net</I></B> wrote:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">Isobel,<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>Matthias <BR>> <BR>> From: Isobel de Kirkbryde <KIRKBRYDE@YAHOO.COM><BR>> Date: 2004/10/21 Thu AM 02:37:02 EDT<BR>> To: Barony of Namron <NAMRON@ANSTEORRA.ORG><BR>> Subject: Re: [Namron] Re: The Black Death<BR>> <BR>> As a newbie, I probably have no "right" to say what I<BR>> am about to, but I'm going to put my head on the<BR>> chopping block anyway.<BR>> <BR>> I wasn't at Protectorate and as far as I am concerned,<BR>> the situation is over whether it was handled well or<BR>> poorly. End of discussion. I certainly don't want to<BR>> hear any more about it. I can't do anything to fix it<BR>> and the griping is getting on my nerves. <BR>> <BR>> I have actively been trying to play in the SCA for<BR>> well over a year. (I wanted to 20 years ago, but my<BR>> first husband would have none of it.) I have had no<BR>>
guidance and pretty much had to figure things out on<BR>> my own. I have asked to work, been promised I could<BR>> and then no one ever called to assign a task. So, I<BR>> find events very boring. I am not a fighter. I am<BR>> not an archer. I am not a drinker -- at least of beer<BR>> and ale. So, I sit and watch people who know each<BR>> other congregate in little groups. I sit and watch<BR>> people walk by me and never say hello. I sit and<BR>> watch, but I don't belong. <BR>> <BR>> I have tried to do more to participate. I tried<BR>> attending populace meetings, but the building echoes,<BR>> the acoustics are terrible and my hearing aids get<BR>> over loaded to the point I am a shaking mess at the<BR>> end. Okay, I can't handle that. <BR>> <BR>> I attended Waytes and Measures. In fact, they played<BR>> for my wedding. But, I can no longer play the viola<BR>> because of my neck and back. I don't know how to play<BR>> other
"period" instruments, so it got pretty boring to<BR>> sit and watch every time I went.<BR>> <BR>> I tried dancing. I love it, but my back doesn't and<BR>> sadly I had to quit that activity.<BR>> <BR>> I tried "stich -n- bitch" hoping to have some guidance<BR>> on garb for my persona. I discovered instead it was<BR>> handwork that I was totally unfamiliar with and I felt<BR>> very uncomfortable being there. So that one was out.<BR>> <BR>> I tried attending a heraldry meeting in the hopes of<BR>> learning more about what is appropriate to develop my<BR>> persona around. Instead it was a bitch session about<BR>> people who had filed things that couldn't be accepted<BR>> for this reason or that one and was way over my head. <BR>> Next?<BR>> <BR>> I attended charter painting. I have never done this<BR>> in my life. The first time I walked in I was shown<BR>> the paints, samples to work on, given instructions, a<BR>> chair,
shown where the goodies and drinks were and was<BR>> expected to participate. I did one sample during the<BR>> session. It wasn't great, but I was learning. The<BR>> next time, I was welcome back. There was laughter and<BR>> stories and taking turns at the table because so many<BR>> people were there. I went back again. On the third<BR>> visit, I am treated like I belong and have always<BR>> belonged. Hallelujah! I finally found a place to<BR>> feel wanted.<BR>> <BR>> I am stubborn and don't give up easily. How many<BR>> other newbies would go through all those things, feel<BR>> totally unwelcome and keep on trying? I was lucky<BR>> enough to have a Laurel to guide me. When I said this<BR>> didn't work or that didn't work, he knew of other<BR>> things to offer me.<BR>> <BR>> If the organization is going to survive, it must<BR>> welcome newbies openly. It must offer something fun<BR>> to do. It must offer educational
opportunities. <BR>> There must NOT be an assumption that everyone who is<BR>> in garb knows the rules, the game, the options, who is<BR>> in charge of what, how to become an active<BR>> participant, etc. Mentoring is desperately needed. <BR>> When someone new comes into the fold a mentor should<BR>> be assigned to help them through all the steps<BR>> necessary to not make a fool of themselves, to feel<BR>> welcome, and to learn more about how to play to have<BR>> fun. <BR>> <BR>> I sure wish someone other than my husband had<BR>> befriended me and taken me under their wing. Learning<BR>> all this on my own is hard. That's OK. I'm a tough<BR>> old bird. I wanted to play in the SCA for 20 years. <BR>> Now that I have my chance, being ignored isn't going<BR>> to stop me. I will find a way. But, how many other<BR>> newbies are you going to lose by ignoring them and<BR>> then they have to observe these nasty word battles? <BR>>
<BR>> Leave the fighting for the field and reach out and<BR>> help someone else have fun, too. They might be<BR>> grateful. <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> =====<BR>> Isobel de Kirkbryde married to a Laurel (Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay)<BR>> <BR>> Mundanes: Mike and Melody Andrews<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> _______________________________<BR>> Do you Yahoo!?<BR>> Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!<BR>> http://vote.yahoo.com<BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> Namron mailing list<BR>> Namron@ansteorra.org<BR>> http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/namron<BR>> <BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Namron mailing list<BR>Namron@ansteorra.org<BR>http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/namron<BR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>__________________________________________________<br>Do You Yahoo!?<br>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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