[Archers] Youth Target Archery Marshal Program

[deallac at juno.com]

Enough lurking behind the lines :)   Some comments are geared specifically
at the Youth proposal, and some pertain to the MiT program overall.

I agree with Nuala, in that 15 might be really pushing it.  I was surprised to
see it that low.  Yes, there might be a few who show the maturity to handle 
the responsibility, but those should be exceptions, not a guaranteed minimum.

On the other hand, there is nothing that says that 3 MIT sessions is hard and 
fast.  I do believe that it is a MINIMUM.  If either the MIT, or the sponsor feels
that the perspective marshal is not ready, then as many additional events
can be required.  There have been many MITs who have helped behind the
scenes 'forever' or have other background,  for whom the 3 sessions is 
more than enough :).  That said, maybe for the YMiT, the number makes 
sense to probably increase.

Not everyone has access to 'large' events.  Not everyone travels, but that 
shouldn't be a reason to prevent them from becoming a marshal.  But.....
what IS a large event?  On Target?  Crescent Guard?  SAAD?  (at the recent
CG games, there were very few crossbows, so it wouldn't have helped all
that much.

2 of the specifics under the YMiT have me concerned or raise 
questions (some have somewhat been addressed in this thread)
- Automatic warranting at age 18 - I feel that this needs to be a bit 
    more specific.  If someone starts the program at 17.5, somehow
   gets in all the minimums, shouldn't be automagically warranted.  They
   still need to be reviewed as to all parties having agreed that the candidate
   would be deemed okay if they had started as an adult
- 2 'events' per year and who can supervise.  I think that if all of the
   other requirements have been met under non-parental supervision,
   that things like a practice under parental supervision should be an
   option.  There are areas where the number of marshals are low
   (yes hard to believe within our community where we usually see a 
   higher marshall/non ration than any other discipline), and if the 
   parent is the local marshal, s/he may be the only one at a practice 
  with whom the MiT could otherwise work.

Oh, and one other thing that this thread has dissolved to :) -badges
baldrics  - The approved marshal badge is crossed swords (rapier 
uses swords, they are just a different type :)).  This has been a 
debate for a while.   The baldrics used at Pennsic are not Society 
sanctioned (though I know that the East has been trying to get them 
through)

Back to lurking :)

YIS

Dealla
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Holly Gibbons <holly0920 at yahoo.com>
To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [Archers] Youth Target Archery Marshal Program
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2011 11:33:40 -0700 (PDT)


 Ok, so here's my humble opinion.    Have we checked with the Thrown Weapons Marshallate? They have had just such a program in place for years. I believe they do this at age 17.
 I love the concept of letting the capable and mature 16 and 17 year olds get ready to hit the ground running. I actually do not think that 15 year olds have the
 judgement thing down yet, but it truely depends so much on the kid.  

 I think archery marshals in general need more training, lots more, no matter their age. No way are three MIT sessions enough whether you are 16 or 56. I felt woefully 
underprepared with that so I did tons of MITing before submitting paperwork. It's one thing to co-man a line, another to inspect bows, and another entirely to design and 
run a shoot. I try not to run lines if I can help it because I haven't got the voice and I am distractable. I'm a lot better at inspections and my fav thing to do is make targets. 
So we have to know ourselves and our weak suits, also, and that takes time and experience.   I think MITs should have more training in running shoots - - they should 
have to be an assistant to someone experienced in putting on a shoot, setting up the course properly, making the targets, etc, before they can do one themselves. I have
 seen too many safety issues crop up with new Marshals putting on their first shoots! I had lots of help, I remember that. As far as inspections, every MIT should have to 
spend a day at Pennsic or another huge archery event and inspect every crowwbow under a watchful eye, if they themselves shoot a handbow, and vice versa. Sheer 
numbers is what you need.   One other thing that has been really helpful to me is to have another set of eyes and ears. Whenever I put on an event I want another 
experienced marshal tagging me. I can take the ultimate responsibility but it is incredibly valuable to have a backup to talk things over with.   It's a little like graduated drivers' 
licences. So definitely bring on the mature youth, but re-amp the overall requirements! Thanks for a cool discussion, everybody.    
... Nuala        


____________________________________________________________
Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat!
http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210