[Northkeep] Canditate or not, food for thought for all of us. [long]

[Dennis England]

Thank you Damon.  Truly well reasoned and relevant thoughts on this issue.

Balvin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Niewoehner, Hugh" <hughn at SSD.FSI.com>
To: <northkeep at ansteorra.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 2:57 PM
Subject: [Northkeep] Canditate or not, food for thought for all of us.
[long]


> With all the questions floating around, I want to post the following text.
> It may bring up some new questions or put a different angle on what some
of
> the candidates have to say or think about.
> These are excerpts of a discussion between myself and someone who has
> _recently_ held the offices of Coronet and Crown.  I believe these to be
> applicable to those who seek not only a Coronet or Crown, but those who
> would hold office as well.
>
> I've omitted some stuff that has already been said, etc.
>
>        Damon Notacandidateheimer
> -offlist
>
>
> *** Begin included text ****
>
> Though many people are willing to serve the Baronage, it is important to
> always remember that the Baronage is there to serve the group.  It will
feel
> like work - it should feel like work.  But that's okay - work can be fun
if
> done right.
> >
> There are new folks whose idea of "nobility" in the SCA will be their
> Baronage.  The Baronage should represent everything that's cool about the
> SCA. There will be people who will look up to the new baronage the same
way
> we did to Steven and Arwen when we were new.  That sense of awe is
> important. But so is the sense that they are people.
> >
> The Baronage is the chief cheerleader.  The power you can have to inspire
> people is scary.  Use it to help them enjoy more of the SCA.  Widen your
> horizons and drag them with you. If you make something sound fun, others
> will believe you - and that can make it fun - even if its a shitload of
> work.
> >
> Work with your officers. Build a team that moves in the same direction and
> there is little that you can't do. Support them, work with them.  The
> Baronages are more than just ceremonial  position.  They are leaders.
Lead.
> People typically want to be lead - but they don't want to be ordered.
> Persuade and convince with your tone, your words and your smile and you'll
> be amazed what can happen.
> >
> Be the Baron for everyone.  Not just your friends, or the folks who think
> like you, but for the new goob who clearly has no clue, for the old peer
who
> resists any change, for the lady in the corner who's not sure why she's
> here, and for the knight who barely plays in his own barony.
> >
> A barony divided can and will hurt the game.  There will always be
politics,
> but make it the politics of looking to work together.
> The politics of finding the best and most fun solution for everyone.
> >
> There is no doubt that a ruler in the SCA can make things nice for
> themselves.  With some effort they can often get almost everything _they_
> want.  But that's not why they were given the position - the position is
> there to get what the _people_ want or perhaps what they need in those
times
> when they are not the same.  Sometimes (perhaps even often) that means the
> baronage (or the Crown) must sacrifice their personal desires for those of
> the group.
> >
> Showmanship.  Court is theater - never forget that.  It is hard to keep
> courts interesting - but always try.  Give the old timers a reason to
> listen to _another_ baronial court. Make them smile, or laugh from time to
> time.  Do things to break the pattern or monotony. At the same time,
explain
> things for the newer members so they feel part of things.
> >
> 98% of your words in court should be loud enough for everyone to hear
> clearly even from the back. Make people part of court by some things that
> allow then to move, act, or speak. The old golden turkey for new officers
is
> that kind of thing.  Stock phrases they can respond to also help.  I used
> "Its not just an event - its a war" so often that the populace would shout
> the second half back.
> >
> The people want "tags" they can pin on their rulers.  Lyriel's "well
known"
> love of shopping was just such a thing. Everyone knew
> that she _loved_ to shop, so they became part of her by enjoying this as
> well. Baronial shopping expeditions at wars, etc... Our Royal shopping
> muster as Crown, was a play on this same thing.
> >
> Some of the people called into a baronial court will never be called
before
> the Crown.  This is their one moment in the spotlight.
> Make it special for each one. Talk to them, but also talk to the people
> about them.  Make them smile or even cry.
> >
> One of the coolest things of being Baron and King was getting to watch the
> looks on peoples faces when they get an award.  Cherish that.  The look on
> someone's face when they get an AoA may help keep you in perspective so it
> never becomes "just an AoA"
> >
> Don't bore the Kingdom with your local awards.   Hold your courts for
_your_
> people.  If you do business before the Kingdom, make it special.  The
> barony's top awards, or a cool award for a well loved person. The only
thing
> more boring than a local court is someone else's local court. If you are
> doing more than 2 or 3 things before the Kingdom you should be thinking
> pretty hard about why.
> >
> The Baronage is the first link from the people of your land to the Crown.
> Keep good relations with your Crowns.  Send award recs for your people and
> you will find them regularly acted on.  If you don't, don't count on
anyone
> else doing it.
> >
> Get out and about your Barony regularly.  Go to a variety of local
> activities. Occasionally show up to things that are not in your normal
> fields of interest - sewing night, or whatever.
> >
> Don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong - you will be.  Learn and move
> on.
> >
> Have fun.  Laugh at yourself from time to time and don't be afraid to
play.
> BUT, be sure you can turn the switch to more serious so its obvious to
> everyone for the more serious aspects of your job.  The Clown prince idea
is
> fun for a while but then it gets old and perhaps embarrassing.  Laugh when
> its appropriate and be regal when it matters.
> >
> It's a really really cool job, but it is certainly work.  And if it
> ceases to be fun, and becomes nothing but work, be prepared to step aside.
>
> It's better to go out on top and still enjoy the game than to burn out and
> hurt yourself and your Barony.
> >
> I've already written more than I intended and rambled quite a bit.  I'm
sure
> I have forgotten important things as well, but let me include here the
> advice which was given me in our Coronation ceremony.  It applies to a
Baron
> as well as a King.
> >
>
>        This crown, a circlet, the sign of our land
>        The sign of the king, the sacrificed man
>        He thinks first of his men, their beasts, their land
>        And last of the pride that flows from sword hand.
>        A child may play in a castle tower
>        The king who does soon sees the hour
>        The land he rules has lost all power
>        The glory once sweet is spoiled and sour.
> >
>        By law and by custom is the king bound
>        No one beyond these limits may be found
>        We turn for justice to those who are crowned.
>        The King respects what the people hold dear
>        Though he like it not, to their hopes gives ear
>        He champions their cause and stands against fear
>        If the people prosper, that is his cheer.
> >
>        The greatest of burdens falls to the king
>        In times of woe, he must cheerfully sing
>        In times of crisis, a level head bring
>        The first to battle but last retreating
>        By each of their subjects, kingdoms are known
>        Before us that mirror of honor is shown
>        A circlet of metal, polished and honed
>        On the brow of a man, one of our own.
> >
>
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