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<P>You have just recieved the 10th Century Computer Virus. Because we do not have computers in the 10th century, and can not have programing experience on something that does not exist, this Virus works on the Honor system.</P>
<P>Please delete all the files from your hard drive, and hand deliver this Virus to everyone on your mailing list. Thank you for your Co-operation.</P>
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<P>Sincerely,</P>
<P>10th Century Computer Engineering Department</P>
<P>A Division of 10th Century Fox Communications<BR><BR></P><BR><BR><BR>
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<P>Thank you good gentles <BR><STRONG>Radei Drchevich </STRONG></P><STRONG></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG>DISCLAIMER: The previous statements are ment as my personal opinion and are in not way to be considered fact. Any resembalance to persons living of dead is purly coincidental.<BR></STRONG>
<P><BR><BR><BR><BR><FONT color=#ff0000 size=4>"Pray for the best, Plan for the worst" - </FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#ff0000 size=4>Old Russian Proverb</FONT></P></DIV>>From: Isobel de Kirkbryde <kirkbryde@yahoo.com> >Reply-To: Barony of Namron <namron@ansteorra.org> >To: Barony of Namron <namron@ansteorra.org> >Subject: Re: [Namron] Re: [Ansteorra] Newcomers >Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 07:34:00 -0800 (PST) > >I am beginning to see a pattern from those who respond >about what helps to fit in quickly. These are just >observations and points I am finding in the process of >evaluating how to best resolve the newbie/veteran >comfort level question. > >1. Those who approach the game fearlessly seem to >become active more quickly than those who are afraid >of being embarrased or are generally shy in nature. >Some people don't appear shy after you get to know >them, but really are and are afraid of making a social >faux pas --
afraid to get egg on their faces. No one >can change someone else's talents or basic >personality. > >I may not appear shy once you get to know me. But I >have an anxious personality and am terrified of being >embarrassed. Add to that, that I tend to be a >perfectionist, and jumping off a cliff just isn't an >easy thing for me to do. My natural tendency in an >unfamiliar setting is to hang back, observe, and hope >that someone will notice that I don't fit in. It may >not be a very productive approach, but I'd bet my next >dollar that I'm not the only one with that type of >shyness which contributes to feeling left out. > >2. Those who know what they want to do in the Society >seem to be more active more quickly than those who >have to hunt around for a place to fit. Some people >know from day one what they want to do in the Society
>-- such as becoming a fighter or an archer, or a >brewer, or to cook wonderful feasts. Others have to >find things that aren't quite as "out there" initially >to do that suits talents and personality. This means >the run before the jump may be quite a bit longer. > >I know I can't fight. I'm physically not capable of >playing in that arena. I tried Medieval dance and I >love it, but my body doesn't. So that's out for me. >I also can't spend hours on my feet in a kitchen for >the same reason. The "handwork" I know how to do is >far from period. Yes, I can make a simple set of >garb, but I don't knit, I don't do needlepoint, I >don't weave. While I like music, I am not a star >musician who can play many instruments and teach >others to do the same. I am coming to understand >that while I'm out there exploring and trying to find >my
niche, just because I haven't found my spot yet, >doesn't mean I have been rejected. The exploration >takes some time. I wonder if some who feel rejected >really are just having a hard time finding where their >talents and personality fit into the puzzle. I think >that is where the veterans are saying be persistent, >be patient. Okay, so how do we get this message to >the newbies -- make them feel welcome while the search >for their own way to play takes awhile? How to we >perpetuate the message of "If at first you don't >succeed, try, try again?" > >I love the suggestion of not only mentoring, but >different mentors at different times to show the many >faces of the SCA to newbies. That's a marvelous idea. > It just has to be orchestrated and I am concerned >that in general the hospitalers seem overwhelmed >already and that they may not
be the best ones to set >up and run a mentoring program even though their >knowledge and assistance may be essential to its >success. > >3. I know EVERY organization no matter how big or how >small has people that are difficult to get along with, >the anal retentive zealot, those who would give of >themselves until they fall over in a heap, and those >who want to participate and don't know how to get in >the door. I have seen this everywhere -- schools, >politics, churches, other non-profits, etc. > >I checked the results of the poll that the SCA >sponsored and there is a dramatic drop off in >participation after just a few years and then some >stray peaks of older hands. If we want to avoid the >initial drop off of persons we need to make access >easier and participation easier so that the ones who >are working don't burn out. I
think often the >veterans don't just become more issue focused, they >work themselves to death and are tired. If we lose >them, then who will sponsor and mentor the newbies? >We need them to stay in to continue the game, too. It >is a balancing act. > >All these questions pique my interest in finding ways >to answer the questions, and more questions to ask. > >If this were a problem easily resolved, it would have >happened a long time ago and we wouldn't still be >discussing it on both sides. Obviously, there are >lots of complicating factors which need to be taken >into consideration. > >Keep the ideas coming. The more information I can >gather, the clearer the picture becomes. > >Thanks to all who have responded. It really is >helping to spark ideas and encourage me to keep trying >to find a way to help with this. > >
> >===== >Isobel de Kirkbryde married to a Laurel (Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay) > >Mundanes: Mike and Melody Andrews > > > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >Yahoo! Mail - now with 250MB free storage. Learn more. >http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 >_______________________________________________ >Namron mailing list >Namron@ansteorra.org >http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/namron </DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBEN/2743??PS=47575" target="_top">MSN Messenger</a> Download today it's FREE!</html>