[Northkeep] Fw: Fighter Practice Guidelines

[Kevinkeary]

Something occurs to me I'd like to run by the parties with decision-making power here.

The right side of the building is reserved for the heavy (specifically) fighters, as it is the most appropriate for fighting (of any stripe), and as the building was originally obtained for their use.

On the first Tuesday of the month, the left side of the building, which is otherwise open for any and all 'period or SCA-related' activities OTHER THAN heavy fighting, is used by the owners of the building and not available for our use, but still must be cleaned by us (specifically those of us who are not heavy fighters) as part of the arrangement originally made by and for the heavy fighters.

In times past, as during Gulf War for instance, or the week before crown tourney when the fighters are wanting to NOT wear themselves out or risk injury, fighter practice has been canceled, BUT the building still had to be cleaned as part of that same agreement.

No judgement there, those are all bare facts.

Would it be possible for the building, perhaps the whole of it, to be open on nights that heavy fighter practice is canceled, for use by some of the other interests that currently NEVER get to use it, court dancers or bards or musicians, as quick examples off the top of my head. Allowing for the fact that if it's the first Tuesday it would only be the right half of the building, and that someone the owners and the heavy fighters found acceptable would have to have charge of the keys, and possibly other considerations.

This would not spoil the atmosphere, ambiance or "mind set", would not "detract from (anyone's) fighter practice", because no fighter practice would be going on. And it WOULD create a higher attendance to fuel the cleaning that has to be done that night whether the building is used or not.

Maybe there are reasons this won't work. But I'd like it considered, by those who have the power and right to do so.

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: Tamara Britton <zeurburt2003 at yahoo.com>
To: northkeep <northkeep at lists.ansteorra.org>
Sent: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 10:31 am
Subject: [Northkeep] Fw: Fighter Practice Guidelines



Greetings Northkeep, 

 figured some of the guidelines may need further explanation, which is why I 
tated to ask any questions for clarification, and have received some in a 
ersonal email. So, I extend my answer and explanations to the public.
Here's an expansion of the thoughts that went behind these guidelines and some 
larification. Keep in mind that the meeting was quite long, so there is no way 
or me to say everything, or remember it all for that matter, but it's some of 
he main points behind the decisions. Feel free to ask for even further 
xplanation if I haven't covered something good enough.

 large problem that arose during the explosion of emails that both me and the 
&B received personally before the meeting was that some of the fighters wanted 
o close fighter
ractice to the public as they felt everyone else was just making things more
ifficult for them. The one main purpose for FP is for fighters to practice and 
hey shouldn't have to "babysit" others, as one pointed out. Another stated that 
hen they had to fight in a park outdoors
n cold weather, no one came but the fighters; however, when they acquired an
xcellent location, lots of people came, but as you can see, there were
roblems. Some were stated outright, others were kept quiet until now. We really 
eed to keep FP open to the public, so we sought advice from each other, and 
ven Regional and Kingdom officers.

he Society Corpora states, “As a living history group, the
ociety provides an environment in which members can recreate various aspects
f the culture and technology of the period, as well as doing more traditional
istorical research.” This recreation should be extended to FP since “‘Society
vent’ refers to tournaments, feasts, and other activities . . . It also refers
o educational activities” which includes FP and educating the public (4). So,
f our excuse to keep FP open to the public is that we invite newcomers there 
nd to educate,
e should be there to represent the SCA. This meas we would
ay our site fee, attempt to wear garb and do SCA or period activities. 

t doesn't mean that we can only be there if working on activities; it just 
eans if we are doing activities, they should be related to the SCA. We can 
till come and hang out and talk, but if we're to be open to the public and 
ewcomers are invited to FP, which is where we usually tell them to go, they 
hould be able to see SCA.

he only day where we would only come to clean is the one day that the 
on-fighting side is closed, the first Tuesday of the month, because the VFW is 
aving a meeting on that side and keep it closed to our group. In fact, they 
ven ask to halt fighting for a bit, so they can hear during their meeting. On 
hat day, just like when fighters go off to an event, cleaning still needs to 
appen after the VFW meeting is over. For this one, since it's not an open 
ractice, there is no need to wear garb though. It's not the fighter's fault the 
FW needs that space that day, and we can still arrive around 8-8:30 to talk a 
it before cleaning. But that one day a month is a closed FP for reasons you 
ill read in the next paragraph.

bout the fighter side, it says that you can be a sig other, parent, educational 
bserver, or someone in training. You don't have to only be attached to a 
ighter. The reason for this 
as that at our last FP the VFW was having their meeting. Everyone who 
ame clustered on the fighter side. It was chaos. There were too many 
eople crowded around the ballroom where the fighters were fighting. The non 
ighting part of the fighter side is not very large as it also stores stacks of 
ables and chairs. With so many people there, it was an accident or injury 
aiting to happen.
here is usually only one table set out over there since there is limited space, 
o we're just asking that you allow the ones who really want to be on that side 
o support or watch the fighters be 
ver there, not just anybody who wants to work on a project. If you're on the 
ighter side, be on that side to support them.

s for "reserved" parking, it is a request for courtesy. Some fighters have 
topped coming to FP because they know when they arrive a little late, they will 
e all the way around back and have to make several trips to their vehicle. 
ince the main purpose of FP is so that fighters can practice, we should extend 
ourtesy to them.
I hope this clarifies some things. I would have loved to put clarifying 
tatements on the guidelines as well, but we didn't want a 4 page paper that no 
ne would want to read. We wanted them to be brief and precise.
So, the nutshell version is attempt to wear garb, do SCA stuff, and be 
ourteous. No one would complain if you took off your garb to clean. Wait...okay 
aybe they would...let me clarify here too...switch garb for regular clothes to 
lean :) 
I hope this makes sense and clarifies things. Feel free to ask questions if 
ecessary.

ervilia
Seneschal
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