[Ravensfort] Brians Letter to the Raven's Fort list.

[Jeff Girard]

There is a standard rule that everyone should keep in mind when posting to a
mailing list or a message board. Especially when the people who are going to
read it are people that you know and will see in real life.

Simply put, never post anything that you would not be willing to say to
someone's face. And if it is inflammatory, derogative, insulting or the
like, then wait to say it to their face. Believe me, the rest of us do not
want to hear the cacophony of dozens of axes being ground. Settle private
matters in private.

I may be far from home, but Raven's Fort is my home and it pains me to see
and read this kind of thing happening. Thank you Brian for saying what you
have said.

Don Henri Molineaux

-----Original Message-----
From: ravensfort-admin at ansteorra.org
[mailto:ravensfort-admin at ansteorra.org]On Behalf Of Brian du Val
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 8:19 PM
To: ravensfort at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ravensfort] Brians Letter to the Raven's Fort list.


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
  I have taken the opportunity to read the last few weeks of postings from
this list and have reflected on the events of the last few years at some of
our tournaments and meetings.
      I can tell you of good deeds and of honor but that would only jade the
whole truth about what is felt and heard.
 Some members of this barony feel that they are wronged at times and use the
public list to post their opinions. Others have been ridiculed and
criticized on this list and in private. Some have supported the act of
threats, sarcasm and defamation of character by reading silently and not
posting, possibly in fear of what others may think and say on
 the list and privately. Some just ignore it and hope that it will go away.
When asked to not post inflammatory statements to the list and are warned
not to encourage such acts, some lash out and complain that they are being
bullied. As if this was not enough, the postings continue, and finally, some
one gets banned from the list, and again the supporters and the gossipers
all talk privately and publicly as to who did what and who was wrong.

     At events members of our barony work hard at supporting the tournament
by working together and being civil to one  another. We work together
raising the Big Green Tents, White pavilions, running activities and even
heralding the days
 activities so that our guests may be well informed. Some cut grass, paint
buildings, clean the kitchen and even pull cow patty and potty patrol. Not
once have I seen some one get upset and leave or have to be pulled off of
each other. But just as some view quietly on the Raven's Fort List, so do
others with their own reasons choose not to lift a finger to assist the
Autocrat or Feastocrat with their responsibilities. I see members of the
visiting Nobility assisting,  New comers to our group, and the few usual
folk who always are working at our events sweating and giving all they can
muster to insure that the event will run smooth and without difficulty.
There are some who work hard and feel hurt when questioned about their
actions. I, myself, have felt the sting of my error as I was given the
perspective of another's position on issues of great importance to the
barony and my friends. I have learned to be open minded, patient, forgiving,
helpful, and most of all willing to listen to even those who I felt were
working against the best interest of the group, for whatever reason.

     When I swore fealty to my Barony by recognizing the Baron and Baroness
as the voice of my King, I did so without care to my personal needs. I do
give my word that I will work toward the betterment of my Barony through
hard work and loyalty without conditions. This loyalty is not blind by any
means, but it's a bond of trust that I offer all who call  themselves
members of Raven's Fort. The Baron and Baroness stand as our voice to the
King and Queen.The King trusts them and so must I or the very fiber of what
we call chivalry and honor is weakened. My love for my Barony is without
condition. To sit and read the posts on this list without concern is the
same as not lifting a finger to help.

     Some of you will read these words and call me a mindless twit who will
do as he is told and be obedient to who ever sits up top. I wish you to know
that it is not I who will feel this pain, but all the other members who work
hard to support this Barony. If you feel offended by my words then I ask
that you weigh yourself carefully and reflect upon why the officers perform
their duties. The only answer to this question is that they do it for you,
and it is called sacrifice. Each officer holds their office with out payment
for services and is obligated by acceptance of their position to serve the
Barony by performing their duty as best as they can.  The one officer that
answers for the condition of the Barony is the Seneschal. The Seneschal
receives reports from all the officers and must assist the Reeve with the
financial activities. The Seneschal gives reports to the Kingdom Seneschal
at the end of each reign so that the Kingdom will be aware of our status and
strength. The Seneschal is there to serve you, the members of the Barony, as
an organizer and administrator. Did I mention sacrifice? I can without
question say that the current Seneschal has put up with a lot more problems
than I ever did when I was in her shoes. When members of the Barony can't
abide by simple rules that once were common courtesies, she has to take
charge. In some cases she to exert her authority and resort to the last
possible measure by asking some members to not post to our public forum. At
times the seneschal has to collect documents from local mundane authorities
to process banishments as I have done.

     As for the recent progress of posts to this list I wish to point this
out; If Lady Clarissima has given you a warning for what you have posted
then she was letting you know that some thing about your post was not fair
to some one. The fact of which she will point out.  It is not a bad thing
but an attention getter to help keep the list friendly. The new policy of
warnings and being band from the list is around eight months old and a lot
of us are still getting used to being told they can not say certain things
on the list. Try to remember; if you act like children, expect to be put in
time out if you can not play by the rules and be courteous to one another.

     There is more that can be said but its late.

                        In service......


                H.E. Brian du Val


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