[Steppes] An informal poll and February Populace

[Carolle M. Cox]

Oh, Gunther, take off that silly suit, will you? And put the rock down, or
someone will get hurt.   LOL!  These are good discussion points, and as long
as people remember to send in their bulleted lists of pros and cons, too, I
see no reason to deny discussion of them.

The biggest reason that we require a site that allows archery, equestrian,
and thrown weapons along with Chivalric and Rapier fighting and Bardic, A&S,
Youth, and other competitions is that a) titles are decided for them, too,
and b)we don't have another site that allows all disciplines in one place
(at present).Sometimes it's just nice to all be together in one place.

Hotel rooms are 'needed' because some of our handicapped members really
cannot take the heat and don't own air-conditioned travel trailers. Also, we
have had guests from as far away (to my knowledge) as East who flew in
without camping gear.  That particular truly incredible individual also
dresses in high Elizabethan, and truly needed a room rather than a tent.  An
extreme example, but I'm sure you get the picture.  I see a 30 minute drive
as the maximum to get to an inn - other than that, the driving back and
forth becomes tedious.

As it stands, the groups around us hold outdoor events that many of us
"differently abled" cannot attend due to mobility or other issues.  Steppes'
Warlord event is one  we can put on the calendar and know we can manage at
the site.  You are correct in saying the disabled are still in a minority in
the SCA but, as the group ages, that minority continues to grow.  Especially
with all the brouhaha about growing the membership, it does seem odd to
chase away people that have been around for quite awhile by not considering
their needs one event each year.  Although 'chase away' is a pretty tough
term, if folks cannot attend at least a few events per year due to
disabilities, they will definitely feel chased away - particularly if
Steppes Warlord goes to a site that is inhospitable to them after so many
years of being accessible.  

However - your comment about one voice having more power than one hundred is
right on target.  If Warlord has to move and I cannot manage at the new
site, I simply will not attend.  I doubt I'd be missed.

Gerita


Carolle Cox
Japanese Chin Rescue and Care Volunteer
Dallas North-west coordinator
 
The years that a woman subtracts from her age are not lost.  They are added
to the ages of other women.  -- Diane de Poitiers (1499 - 1566)
 
This is a private message.  Not to be forwarded without separately requested
consent from Carolle Cox


-----Original Message-----
From: steppes-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:steppes-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Michael Gunter
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 12:31 PM
To: steppes at lists.ansteorra.org
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

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