[Ravensfort] Possible B&B Candiates...my thoughts

[Kief av Kiersted]

Heilsa the list...

Most of you folks know that I am Baron Raven's Fort...and, no, I'm *not*
seeking a second term...... What I am writing this missive about is those
things I believe a good candidate for Baron / Baroness need to have to be
effective and successful in the office.

First and foremost...patience. The duties don't diminish with time. The term
of service isn't limited. Crown Heirs come and go in 3-4 months. Crowns
leave after 6 months. Officers last no longer than 24 - 30 months
usually...but the duties and responsibilities of a Baron and Baroness in
Fief can last for *years*. In Ansteorra there have been a couple of folk
that remained in place for a decade or more. *You* have to be in this job
for the long haul. Through thick and thin...heady days of great joy and the
darkest days of disappointment and even despair. The ability to nod and
smile and laugh at the same story or joke heard for the umpteenth time... To
*not* rip the head off the foolish person that has aggravated you after the
worst day of your life. To eat *cold* stew and like it. To sit for hours, at
times, in Court while *everyone* else (except your consort) gets to go the
privy...and eat...and socialize... Repeat after me...Patience....*is* a
virtue.

Public relations and management... Shameless promotion of the Society and
the Barony...in the everyday world and the realm of the Current Middle Ages.
The ability to keep your officers on track and working together...and your
event stewards and their crews...and the on-again / off-again feuding of
various individuals and households. The knowledge of the ins and outs of
intra-Kingdom and inter-Baronial politics. Cross Regional and long distance
efforts for major events and wars. Even as far away as Pennsic...if the
Crown needs you there...and you have *just* enough days off from work for
this year.....

Travel...sometimes...lots of travel. Crown Tournaments... Coronations...
major Kingdom events... major Regional events... major Baronial events...
and all the surrounding group's events... Demos and fairs and parades Oh
My...... This is a large Kingdom. Not every event certainly. not even most
of them. But a goodly number...and, perhaps, to take folks with you...as
friends and/or entourage.

Ah...MoNeY...$$$ Have some! Be ready to spend some...*smile* Being Baron and
Baroness is *not* as expensive as being Crown... But...it will empty your
purse quicker that most realize... (Trust me on this point...*wry smile*)
New clothes... Good camping gear...(period-if-you-please) Gas!! Food.
Tires...oil changes...repairs!! Hosting your Most Noble Cousins to table at
Raven's Fort events. Largesse...trinkets...prizes...gifts... And the list
goes on. For a *long* time....years even....

Honesty....but *not* blunt honesty. How to *not* say the right thing in the
wrong way...

Court-Fu...it will come with time. The ability to speak in public and
inspire your populace. The ability to see what *everyone* is doing behind
the scenes...how to request information without being obvious. How to stay
cool and calm when there is a spider on your lap and a *beautiful* bardic
piece is being performed for Your Pleasure. To be able to write letters of
recommendation for your deserving populace and how to hide your
disappointment when yet another deserving individual *does not* get an
award. Cultivating good Heralds...and improving fledgling heralds...

Did I mention patience...?

The drive to succeed...(very necessary this!) The ability to work *with* the
populace on common projects. The capacity to *follow* as well as lead when
necessary...and to know just *when* to guide and when to step back and
observe. How *NOT* to micro-manage...!!

Leadership ability and *not* passing the buck... Accept responsibility
quietly, success humbly, and defeat or disaster gracefully. Success and
defeat go hand in hand on the battlefield *and* most certainly in the world
of Landed Nobility.

Be able to laugh uproariously, chuckle quietly, and smile a lot...reserve
frowns for those *special* occasions... Look thoughtful (a lot!) even if
your mind is numb from *hours* of worry over the way the event is
running...(are the lights on in the privies yet?!)...(did someone find that
lost cat...?)...(did I turn the iron off at home!!!?) And *don't* forget to
LISTEN to each person that has business with you. Feelings hurt can take a
*long* time to heal...even among the dearest of companions... (Trust me on
this point too...*sigh*)

What do I want to see in our new Baroness and Baron?

Love...friendliness...experience...confidence...honesty...compassion.

Industriousness...steadfastness...a true sense of Nobility *not* just a role
to take up and put down... A good work ethic... A "Can Do!" attitude...

The ability to calm a lost and terrified child... talk to a Crown Head...
dissuade an angry person... speak their mind... and hold their peace.

Lofty goals? No doubt... But I know that within this Barony reside several
people that fit most all these desires of mine...perhaps even exceed them.
We, Raven's Fort, *will* have a new Baron and Baroness. They *will* be the
best choice for the job...especially if *we* all do our part and allow Them
to do Their's...

I'll see all of you this Thursday evening. Be there, if you please. And if
you cannot...then be sure to send your poll to the Regional Seneschal, good
my Sister in Service, Clarissa.

Hail the Baron! Hail the Baroness! Hail the Fort! Hail Ansteorra!


Wæs Þu Hæl in TroÞ and FriÞ...!
Arenvald Kief av Kiersted, Baron Raven's Fort
"Better the Hammer than the nail..."

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