NR - Court & Herald Idea

[Phillip L. Stallcup]

I liked the idea of giving everyone a short stretch break, it worked out
well, and it seemed to cut down on the background chatter that had been
building. Yes, it was a disruption, but I think it was a constructive
one.

Llygoden

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Scott Powers [SMTP:spowers at telepath.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, February 26, 1998 12:49 PM
> To:	northern
> Subject:	Re: NR - Court & Herald Idea
> 
> >Since I started this thread, I'd like to say that I actually prefer
> awards
> >done in pre-posted courts.  I missed Lord Guillame's Thistle at NRT
> since it
> >was handed out at an impromptu court during the dancing.  Though I
> know this
> >wasn't planned, it is an example of what happens with unannounced
> courts.
> >
> >Since the majority of us seem to favor doing business at the main
> court and
> >let's put up with the length, what is the feeling about what belongs
> in
> >court and what doesn't?
> >
> >I think all awards and announcements of general interest.  I don't
> think
> >squire/apprenticing at the main court, but perhaps at a morning
> court?  I
> >think presentations from other kingdoms (or other baronies in a
> baronial
> >court), but not from shires, individuals, etc.  And no household
> business!
> >If a household wishes to give a gift or a presentation, take it
> private.  I
> >think households are the glue of the society, but they have no
> official
> >function within the SCA and shouldn't take time from the business of
> the
> >court.  Keep them in the background, where they do their best work
> anyway.
> 
> While I pretty much agree with you, I would stipulate that this would
> only
> be the rule in what are expected to be long courts.  I have no problem
> with
> whatever business one wants to do, as long as the entire court is kept
> short.  In the case of some very short courts, this sort of thing
> could
> actually add some interest.
> 
> Except for household stuff.  I think that should never be done in
> court.  I
> belong to no household, have no interest in joining one, and am
> utterly
> uninterested in what goes on in someone's household.  Keep household
> stuff
> in your household.
> 
> Actually, I think the problem is not that court is ever too long.  The
> problem is restlessness.  If the events going on in court are of
> interest
> to everyone, then everyone will stay interested and attentive, even
> for a
> five hour court.  But if there are a number of private jokes, personal
> presentations, apprenticships or whatever, which are of interest to
> only a
> few people, then it is difficult for people to stay interested in what
> is
> going on.  And once the attention slips, then it starts to get noisy.
> Then
> nobody can hear, and attention drops even more.  Then you have people
> yelling "ATTEND" every couple of minutes.  That's my personal favorite
> thing in the world.  :-}
> 
> Of course, you could argue that people who are bored should go
> outside.
> But for a very long court, that might be almost everyone.  A better
> solution would be to break it up into a couple of smaller courts, or
> move
> some functions to other courts as discussed above.  And for special
> occasions like NRT, I don't mind in the least sitting still for a long
> court.  There was lots to be done.  I just don't want to make a habit
> of it.
> 
> On a related note, I have noticed that Master Lucaise never has to
> yell
> attend while he is speaking, because he is so good at keeping people's
> attention.  So if you start to do a presentation, and immediately
> everyone
> loses interest and start talking among themselves, then get a clue.
> You
> might want to keep it short.  I have to watch this myself from time to
> time
> when giving an officer's report or something.  I watch the populace
> carefully.  If they are not riveted to what I am saying (which is most
> of
> the time.  How interesting can a treasurer's report get, anyway.),
> then
> they get the short version.
> 
> Rumil
> 
> 
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