RF - Unto the Populace (1of 2)
aodhfionn at unforgettable.com
aodhfionn at unforgettable.com
Tue Jul 13 06:38:17 PDT 1999
Unto the small portion of the populace of Raven's Fort that receives this list, and
guests,
There are two portions to this letter. This, the first part will contain my
personal opinions and observations. I will attempt to be as non-accusatory as
possible. I apologize in advance to anyone who sees any portion of this as a
personal attack. The second part will contain few of my own words, but instead,
will be a collection of information I have managed to gather together after several
hours of research. I will also point out what information i was *not* able to find.
I do not expect this second post to clear up any confusion, but at least, to clear
up *why* there was confusion.
As has been noted in a previous letter, there was at least one acceptable
reason for recent venomous posts, if not for the degree of venom in them or that
venom's direction. This barony is having a problem with recognizing those
members who *need* recognition. I will state now that I am *not* one of those
that needs recognition. Actually, I feel it better to state that the Barony needs to
recognize them, for the Barony as much as for the individual. Many reasons for
why this recognition is not forthcoming have been pointed out. I will now point
out another: Those who might recommend others for awards do not know that
they can, much less how to go about it. Those who know the acceptable form
and method for recommendations are not making them, nor are they sharing this
information with others. And, at least in one instance, those who have suggested
awards have had those awards refused without adequate explanation. The
following is not personal, I use the highest ranking example in our barony
because it is the best example, not because it is the only one, but the Baroness
said to me that every attempt is made to surprise the individual who is receiving
the award. I've noticed many surprised individuals lately. Some had been so
long doing that which they achieved the award for that many thought they had
already received it or that there was no award for it. "It's about time." Is indeed
being said way too seriously by way too many people of late.
If it were only the lack of awards that is disturbing, I don't think I'd bother
with this, but it seems we also have a lack of populace and populace
communication. The size of our populace meetings are pitifully small compared to
what I remember. Some of this is due to unavoidable changes in location - some
to unavoidable requirements of mundane life. But a glance at the Domesday list
shows me many times more names than I see at those meetings. Also, we have
the same lack of attendance at other baronial non-event gatherings, and indeed,
our events are somewhat underpopulated. At bardic gatherings that have been
held I was disappointed that our Ravenskald was not in attendance. So much so,
that I asked our previous Ravenskald why. He told me he hadn't known about
them. There are many people who are in this Barony, paid members or not, who
we *need* for support and growth. For many reasons, some of them miss out
on one or more lines of communication. Some do not receive the Quoth, others
have no online access, and more do not or cannot attend populace meetings.
Those who miss out on two or more of these information sources seem to miss
out on two thirds or more of our activities. I attend populace every possible time,
receive the Quoth, and have had semi-reliable internet access for about two years
now, and I have still missed things because I didn't know about them until it was
too late. I don't know how people found out in the past, nor do I know if there is
any standardized method of informing the populace in a timely manner that is left
over from the pre-modem days, but I'm starting a list. I'm going to contact every
single person in this Barony I can get my hands on (and some that are not, but do
give us their allegiance), in whatever way is possible, and let them know what is
happening. If I can't attend, I'll try even harder to make sure others do. Many of
these people are long distance to me or may have inconvenient contact methods,
those who wish to help may feel more than welcome to do so. If we happen to
hit a person more than once, maybe they'll feel *real* wanted. And for those
who may know of upcoming events that those who are making the calls might
have missed, make sure the callers know, call them. I was going to start this next
month, but I realize now I was being lazy. I've been lazy for far too long. I think
a lot of us have.
Anyone who knows about the last time I attended TRF as a member of
the SCA and got into a dispute knows that I am not worried about political
suicide. If asked, I'll say more in person, even to the individual the dispute was
with. However, I do not wish to be committing said suicide here, and if what I
say next is taken wrong, it could turn out that way. The following is *not* a
political attack, but is an observation:
In any group with an acknowledged leader or leaders, it is incredibly
difficult not to look to them when there is a problem. In the best of times they are
looked to for a solution and know that one must be found. The best of times
rarely happen. The worst of times find personal grievances and a lack of
realization that cause accusations and insults. Those who find themselves in the
position of leader are never perfect, but are often held to a higher standard.
Those who look to the leaders should try their utmost to allow for human failings.
And the leaders should be willing to admit to them. My apologies to the author
for lack of credit, but I once read that if you be quick to offend, be quicker to
apologize. I don't expect the long standing grievances, mostly personal, to be
solved in this manner now by anyone, but I hope we can avoid new ones.
In closing (yay), much of the argument that has occurred of late has
occurred because *no one* has seen everything that has occurred, much less
known how *all* others who did see it interpreted it. Remember that an event
may be seen in two dramatically different ways. Such as...
There was a merchant once that had many goods to take to market, and
he loaded his cart and harnessed his mule, but the mule would not heed his kindly
urging to begin the trek. determining that something was wrong, he examined his
wagon and decided the load was too heavy and would need to be hauled in two
trips. After halving the load, he again found the mule would not pull the load, so
he examined the wagon again. This time, he replaced the worn wheels, but still
the wagon did not move. After having regreased and cleared the axles with no
success, he decided the mule was at fault. His gentler methods were replaced
with lashings of the reins and colorfully abusive phrases, but the mule showed no
reaction at all. Finally, disgusted, he carried his goods back inside and left the
wagon on the side of the road, deciding the trip was not worth the trouble. Some
hours later, a traveler wandered by and saw an opportunity for a ride. He
approached the merchant's door and inquired if the merchant would be so kind as
to allow him a ride if he helped the merchant bury his dead mule and hitch
another.
No, the mule and merchant and traveler do *not* serve as allegories of
any specific people. Let's just find the problems and fix them.
In service,
Tiarna Aodhfionn Mac Cormaic
(Lowly Lord) Finn Barony of Raven's Fort, Kingdom of Ansteorra, Land of the
Knowne World, Planet called Terra, Plane of Midgaard... well, you get the
point.
*group hug*
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