ST - Edwin's comments on Steppes dynamics

[Mordock von Rugen]

I'll agree that consistency on the part of our officers is crucial to 
getting people to actively participate.  However, I'd like to note that 
consistency isn't enough.

In the case of fighter practice, Francesca's consistency would have been 
relatively unnoticed, if not for the initiative taken by Duncan, Connor, 
Don, Hosey, and others to actively try to get folks on the hill - and to 
echo Francesca's consistency with their own.

As you say - it can be hard to be noticed in a Barony so heavy with awards.  
It nonetheless remains a truism that one person can't make a group activity 
happen alone.

The example of fighter practice applies to all the rest of our activities - 
those that are ongoing, active concerns are that way because of the 
populace's interest and active participation.

To go out on a limb, I think that such active participation comes from 
finding out what people want, and doing what we can to give it to them 
(within reason, of course).  We need to pay attention to the fun of our 
populace, and make sure that the things we offer are what people want.  If 
we do that, we'll have active participation.  If we worry too much about 
trying to satisfy all the "hats", even though they are usually playing at 
the Kingdom level, we find ourselves paralyzed by conflicting desires.  And 
even when we *are* able to satisfy the "hats", what we end up with doesn't 
necessarily mean anything to those we are trying to get involved.

So, going farther out on the limb, I would suggest that (again, within 
reason) we try to make our game fun for the new folks, the folks with 
relatively few awards, and for those with awards who choose to play at the 
Baronial level.  In other words, try to please those who are already 
participating, or likely to participate if it's fun for them - and don't 
worry so much about soliciting input or participation from those who've 
already indicated that they are more concerned with Kingdom level things.

Besides, if it's fun, they'll join in anyway.

My two cents.  I'm putting on my flame-proof suit now....

Dux

>From: Sue Rogers <wjwakefield at juno.com>
>Reply-To: steppes at ansteorra.org
>To: steppes at ansteorra.org
>Subject: Re: ST - Edwin's comments on Steppes dynamics
>Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 16:12:23 -0500
>
>Vivat to HE Master Edwin fitzLloyd for the best description of Steppes
>dynamics that I have seen!!!  Having observed the Steppes for *many*
>years, he brings us the benefit of his experience.
>
>My additional comment would be that in a top-heavy barony, it is
>sometimes difficult for us poor and simple folk to be noticed - which
>could be considered either advantage or disadvantage!
>
>For those that complain that fighter practice is not a showplace for us,
>at one time it was.  Over time, we had knight marshals that did not show
>up regularly, people, especially the Baron and fighters, travelled more,
>and eventually people stopped coming to fighter practice.  When we had a
>knight marshal and hospitaler that showed up regularly [Lady Francesca],
>over time, people returned to fighter practice.  The point is
>*consistency* is very important to maintaining our presence at fighter
>practice.  Consistency in people being there, consistency in being in one
>place and not moving around a lot.  Consistency in having a hospitaler or
>deputy, as well as a knight marshal, to be there regularly.  We have only
>just recently gotten our fighter practice back into a relatively healthy
>state.  We *all* need to work on keeping it that way....
>
>just my 2 cents worth
>Suzanna, herbalist
>
>
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