[Steppes] Part 2 <Longish> Autocratting/Stewarding Events--Thoughts on Change

[Aaron Robb]

--- Patrick Cuccurello <pat at adtelusa.com> wrote:

> With this being a difficult job, and many times with a minimal thanks
> and
> recognition, I can see where people might think that "having their way"
> might be the best reward.  I do not believe that to be the case.  In my
> experience the best Stewards and Administrators in the SCA do this
> because
> the end result is reward enough.  Whether that is an event that you
> planned
> from its inception, or whether it's something that was dropped into you
> lap
> to make work.  When that event is over, the site is clean, every bone in
> your body aches, you're wife has threatened to divorce you for the fifth
> time, and the last car drives off--the driver smiles at you as they
> drive by
> and the kids in the back seat with dirty faces wave at you--that is your
> reward.

I'd suggest having some say over the event (theme, styling, etc.) might
not be a "reward" but rather an *incentive*. Speaking from personal
experience, 12th Night this year was something I got involved in because
Philip and I came up with some way cool ideas and we wanted to see if we
could make them work. I wouldn't have been able to reach that level of
excitement without the bid/proposal process. Things got changed as it went
on (as happens with any event) but that initial energy was really
necessary to pull things off (for me at any rate). I've worked setup for
12th night for the last 7ish years, but it took something more than "here,
follow these directions and do this event" to get me to want to autocrat.



> smiling.    Think about it......next time in Court when they call up the
> Steward......they *are* smiling, but why?

Punch drunk, probablly :) 48 hours, no sleep X)

> If they can have some control over an events beginning, it is a
> plus.
> In the end however, a Steward can take what they are given and make
> something magic out of it.  Not because the magic comes from them, but
> because the magic comes from everyone they get to touch that event and
> give a portion of themselves to it--giving it life.

I'd totally agree here. I think part of the initial quesiton was getting
more people involved to do stewarding/autocrating and getting new ideas
into the event. Again, speaking from personal experience, I won't go into
something (and anyone who know me outside of the SCA knows what a
sucker...er...I mean good volunteer I am) that I don't see some way of
making things better for the participants. I want to be a chef, not a line
cook, if that anology isn't too tortured...

> If you've read this far, you are probably masochistic enough to become a
> Steward :)  I would like to however apologize to the poor gentle who's
> reply
> I hijacked for my drivel.  Nothing personnel  <<grin>>>  really
> <<<waving>>>
> your post just happened to be in the right place at the right time :)

Heh. :) 'sok. I think this is important to talk about...I think my level
of fun in the SCA is higher when I'm working on stuff and not just
'vacationing', but this doesn't hold true for everyone. It's how to reach
like spirited people and encourage them that we need to work on...

YIS,

Philo

=====
---
Aaron D. Robb, M.Ed., NCC, LPC

Malo periculosan libertaten quan quietun servitium.
Better freedom with danger than peace with slavery.
                                        -Palatine of Posen

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