[Steppes] State of the Barony

[Mordock von Rugen]

I'm glad to see these objectives - they are measurable, attainable, and
clear.  Now, we have to start working on the ways we're going to meet these
objectives.

I think it is very important to note that fighting is our most visible
activity, and the one that generally is our biggest draw for newcomers.  And
that growth will thus depend on trying to increase both the visibility and
the attendance for fighter practice (both heavy and light).

Visibility can be increased by doing demos, occasionally moving fighter
practice to other parks for a weekend or two, working to make fighters look
better on the field at practice (less duct tape, more tabards and tunics,
better looking armor, etc), and having non-fighting folks come in garb
and/or bring projects to work on while fighters are fighting.

Attendance can be increased by the simple expedient of getting more people
in garb at the practice.  We also have a lot of folks who have armor to
don't come to practice for various reasons - polling them to find what would
bring them to practice might be useful in making practice more
accessible/fun/whatever.  Perhaps we could start another practice, to
accomodate schedules, distance concerns, etc.  Regardless, more people in
garb will mean more people in armor, and vice versa.

I would also suggest making a one-time expenditure (outside the KM's budget)
for a good armor repair kit, some good loaner helms that can be purchased by
newbies, and some additional plastic armor for use (and purchase) by
newbies.  The existing leather armor is aging and some pieces are marginal
in terms of protection, anyway.  Shelling out money for three sets of good
loaner gear would make a big difference in terms of our ability to get
newbies interested, and kitted up so they don't have to keep borrowing the
loaner stuff.

And might I suggest one more objective?  Training and supporting at least
two new autocrats this coming year.  I'm talking people who have never
autocratted or held an office.  We need to foster our new blood, and we need
to train folks as they come into the SCA, if we are going to grow.  Let's
concentrate on getting new folks into office, autocrating events, and so on,
so we can tap into their fresh insights, energetic approaches, and new
visions.

The Dream is ever renewed and fresh, or it dies a slow death of stagnation.
I'm looking forward to helping this renewed focus and energized vision
revitalize our Barony.

Dux

>From: Kellie Hardy <khemail at swbell.net>
>Reply-To: steppes at ansteorra.org
>To: mary rush <maeva at timecastle.net>, steppes <steppes at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: [Steppes] State of the Barony
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 23:36:54 -0500
>
>Greetings, Steppesfolk, from Lord and Lady Steppes,
>
>We would like to share with you the (much edited to fit the running time
>allowed) results of the State of the Barony meeting held this past
>Friday.  We were gratified to have so much thoughtful response from so
>many of you.  Please keep those cards and letters coming!  You will see
>that the Steppes has set for itself some auspicious goals.  These are
>all goals that are measureable;  we will, at the end of twelve months,
>report our progress at next year's State of the Barony meeting.  We know
>that all of these things are perfectly achieveable in the coming year,
>if each of us gives our fair share of effort.  We look forward to
>working alongside all of you to grow this Barony in the coming months,
>From Within and From Without.
>
>Vivat Steppes!
>
>Fritz  Catrin
>Steppes
>
>
>The Goals of the Barony of the Steppes for the Coming Year, as Agreed
>Upon by the People:
>
>1.  We agree to work to increase the paid membership of this Barony (new
>and renewing; sustaining and family) by 25%.
>
>2. We agree to fill and maintain a full slate of officers (with
>deputies), having said full slate in place or rolling over to active
>applicants by this time next year.
>
>3.  We agree to each and all of us doing our utmost to support our
>Cantons, by our prescence at their events and our service to their
>activities.
>
>4.  We agree to increase activity in our Guilds, by supporting them with
>our presence and by teaching where we are able.
>
>5.  We agree to hold at least two mini-A&S events by this time next
>year.  Baron Master Fritz will teach the first one.
>
>6.  We agree to have a minimum total of four designs submitted for
>Baronial Cloaks by Fall Court of this year, and to comple those cloaks
>by Warlord of 2002.
>
>7.  We agree to complete a new Full Achievement Banner by Warlord of
>2002.
>
>8.  We agree that we will double the average number of article
>submissions to the Steppesletter, to six on a regular basis.  We agree
>that each of us will offer at least one submission in the coming year.
>
>_______________________________________________
>Steppes mailing list
>Steppes at ansteorra.org
>http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/steppes

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