[Steppes] An informal poll and February Populace

Wed Feb 14 11:15:13 PST 2007

Count Gunthar,

Archery draws far more than you think. We hold some of the largest archery tournaments in the Kingdom. Our Novice tournament typically draws 30-40 individuals from all over the kingdom. We have had close to 50 at times. Our Steppes Archer contest draws 30-35, ditto we draw archers from all over the kingdom because of the quality of our shoots. The central location also makes it accessible for archers from all parts of the realm. There is a little bit of overlap, but not much, perhaps 10 at the maximum. Children's archery draws another 15-20. Some of whom may be here with their parents for other activities, but some not. 60-70 is far closer to 20% just for archery than the 5% that you mention. These figures are just for the participants in the tourneys, when you add in the families, we may be closer to 30%. Perhaps you should wander out our direction once in a while.

The showers are not always just a pleasant refreshment. I know of more people than myself that have been very close to serious heat illness and were able to avoid troubling the chiurgeons because of the cooling showers that they took. I have worked as an RN and an EMT in my adult life and am well aware of the signs and symptoms. When I feel myself getting in trouble, I head to the showers. Not all of us tolerate the heat very well. If we don't have the air conditioning and/or the showers, we will probably lose attendance. Same for the hotels. I know of several who, without the hotels, would day trip for a single day or not come at all. We are trying to increase our attendance, not reduce it.

Camping is a great thing at events, and I encourage it, but there are a lot of people who require the ability to plug in medical devices without worrying about the equipment getting damaged by rain, or disturbing their neighbors with the noise of their equipment. Others prefer getting a decent night's sleep in a cooler environment which greatly enhances their enjoyment of the event. Many of the hotelers are those who want to be assured of a safe place to sleep rather than take pot luck on camp sites if they cannot get to the site early. 

You say that Warlord is about the armored championship primarily. Once upon a time, that may be true, but this is the event where ALL or our champions are chosen with the exception of A & S, not just armored. By singling out one championship, you denigrate a large number of those who participate in our fair Barony. To exclude even one member is unacceptable. We have two 'Kingdom Calendar' events per year. These have been Steppes Artisan and Warlord. Twelfth Night has gotten under the category wire because we have hosted Eisteddfodd. So when do you plan to hold the other championships of the Steppes; Archery and Equestrian? Do they not deserve Crown presence, too, or is that just for, as you called them, "stick jocks?"

"We did without them for many years," Yes, you did, but our membership has increased, our interests have grown, and a large portion of our membership is greying. Some of the things that we did at 20 are things that we can't all do at 50. Yes we need to encourage younger membership, but do we put the others out to pasture. 

The vast majority that you mention would seem to include primarily the heavy and light fighters. I'm guessing that they are about 50% of the attendance anymore. I know that when the heavies migrate off site in great numbers after Steppes Champion, there is a noticeable loss, but we still manage to have a large event going for another day. The large majority stick around to enjoy the second day of the event.

I notice that you don't mention getting rid of the alcohol. There have been sites mentioned that would provide all the space we need if we didn't have alcohol on site. In the heat of late May, drinking alcohol isn't very healthy anyway. 

Widen your view of what makes up this Barony, Count Gunthar. The 'minority' is much larger than you think.

Linet Grey

> From: countgunthar at hotmail.com> To: steppes at lists.ansteorra.org> Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:31:26 -0600> Subject: Re: [Steppes] An informal poll and February Populace> > >Pros:> >1. All of Warlord fits there.> >2. A large list field,> >3. Parking for over 600,> >4. Camping for over 400,> >5. An air-conditioned hall big enough for court,> >6. Nearby hotel rooms for over 200, that are normally empty on a holiday> >weekend.> >7. A safe archery range,> >8. A big enough place for equestrian events (and the right to have horses> >onsite),> >9. the right to drink alcohol, and> >10. enough showers for 400.> >> >These are all absolute requirements. If any one of them is missing, the> >site is unacceptable for Warlord.> > >Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin> > Okay. I know I will get horribly flamed for this but I really have to ask.> Why are these items non-negotiable?> Why are hotel rooms so necessary? Camping may be a bit uncomfortable> but it's kind of part of what we do.> We held a lot of courts in non-air conditioned surroundings. It's hot.> We deal with it.> Why are archery or equestrian so important that a site is to be negated> if they can't be accomodated? Less than 5% of the attendees combined> pay much attention to these. I'm not saying they aren't part of the> SCA or important in their own right. But we lose a great site because> 5% of people can't play their game for one event that isn't focused> on them?> Warlord is about the armored championship primarily. The rapier> second. The courts. The bardic. Ect...> If there is space for the archery or equestrian and such I love having> them there. I also like motels and air conditioning. But why are these> required? We did quite well without them for many years.> Some people will say it is for health reasons for some of our members.> Fine. But if it is that important I'm sure hotels are within a half hour> of anywhere near the metroplex.> We can't disregard the vast majority of populace because a small> percentage may feel left out. We have become so PC in all of our> dealings that one voice has more power than one hundred. We can> try to accomodate everyone and I'm really all for that. But to totally> disregard something at the risk of offending someone then we just> hogtie ourselves.> > And this isn't being said because I'm some bigoted stickjock.> I'm looking at attendance and what people are doing as well> as what the event is about. If we find a great site for 12th Night> but there is no room for armored combat, I'm all for it. 12th Night> isn't about fighting. The main concern for 12th Night is kitchen> facilities and seating.> > I don't hate archery or equestrian or air conditioning or nice halls.> I LOVE equestrian. But that isn't the focus of the event. Armored> combat, rapier, bardic, dancing, courts, etc...can all be utilized in> the same space. Equestrian and archery demand a large area that> may not be available. So we lose a good site because of this?> > Okay. I'll put on my flame proof suit and hide under a rock now.> > Gunthar> > _________________________________________________________________> Check out all that glitters with the MSN Entertainment Guide to the Academy > Awards® http://movies.msn.com/movies/oscars2007/?icid=ncoscartagline2> 