[Western] The death of the Western Region

[King Walker]

A dark cloud has come over us.  This news about the snuffing out of many a shire in the region is hard to take.  Even harder when you look at the kingdom's own figures.
    Western Region was tied for second in new members (16) with Central, behind Coastal (33), but ahead of Northern (10) or Southern (4). For being the smallest populated group, this accomplishment actually places Western Region in first place percentage wise with better than a 10% increase. This is in strong opposition to Southern’s increase of less than 1%. 
Western Region also lost fewer members (36) than any other region (Central -48, Coastal -41, Northern -87, and Southern -114). After adding new members to the total losses, Western Region was second (-20) only to Coastal (-8). Central lost 32, Northern 77, and Southern 110.
Percentage wise, Western Region lost fewer members overall (1 in 7) than Northern (about 1 in 6.5) or Southern (about 1 in 4.5). Coastal’s overall losses were less at 1 in 15. Central’s losses were only 1 in 52.
Only one shire had fewer than the 9 required members. Am Loch’s figures showed only 7 members. This was a direct result of a great loss of members (16).
Only one other shire in the Western Region sustained such a loss of members. Addlerrsruhe lost 15 members. This places their member count at the bare minimum of 9.
Western Region acknowledges that the drastic loss of personnel in these two shires places them at risk; however, members of other shires are willing to move membership in an effort to sustain these shires. Moreover, while Blacklake, Mendersham, and Crossrode Keep have small membership (10-12), they lost only 1 or 2 members. They are presently viable shires.
Maintaining only one shire in the north and one in the south of the Western Region puts undue travel expenses and time constraints on displaced members. While it is not uncommon for some members to travel great distances for events, it is really unreasonable to ask members to travel 2-4 hours just to attend populous or officer meetings. When the kingdom shows loss of membership in all regions, it is not the time to loss even more members.
May the Lord show us the way.
For King and Country,
Phillip of Trelac
 
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