[Archers] Recommendation

[John Atkins]

"Few of us are every likely to earn an Opal..."  I would fundamentally
disagree with this.  Individuals often receive Opals for service in a
specific area.  I believe the reason not many archers, or rapier, or heavy
have received Opals is because we all are too closely linked to the activity
and our efforts are thus seen as benefiting only that group of individuals
instead of "service to the kingdom".  And thus, for archery, we are
considered "only" for Missilier or Yewbow (other arguments aside).  But, if
I may use an example, Janyn's efforts in taking the lead for the St.
Sebastian Shoot at Pennsic last year and then again this year.  Does this
effort not bring a very positive light to the Kingdom of Atlantia?  Would
that not be perceived as "service to the Kingdom"?  I believe it would.  I
don't believe, regardless of the personal trauma Janyn undergoes leading
this effort, that a once a year great effort would merit an Opal.  But in
the case of Janyn that is hardly the case.  I only mention the St. Sebastian
shoot because of its SCA wide positive effect.  But service is service, be
it to the scribal community, laying out the hospitality table at events,
being the autocrat who never rests, whatever.  It's all service and it is up
to us to write the recommendations and bring these folks to the attention of
those who can recognize them.  I would add that one major problem with the
archery community is that we are too often stuck in the back 40 and totally
out of sight.  Not like the heavies and rapier who get to "do their thing"
in front of the populace.  All the more reason we should be vigilant and
write those recommendations for service awards as well as our activity
awards.

cog

-----Original Message-----
From: archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Garth Groff
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 12:27 PM
To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [Archers] Recommendation

Noble Friends of the Bow,

I must agree with Lord Christophe and Lady Esperanza. Entrance into the
Missliers and Yew Bow ranks should include some sort of proficiency with
their chosen weapon. These orders are about archery, not administration. 
That said, I would expect that any candidate to have also made some
contributions to the archery community through teaching, marshaling, running
a tournament, etc. Few of us are ever likely to earn an Opal or whatever,
but our two orders are our own way recognizing our members and are good
incentives to practice and share.

Yours Aye,


Mungo

On 4/5/2012 11:34 AM, lady_esperanza at cox.net wrote:
> Service to Archery is Service. I know of a few archers that have Opal's
for service to Archery. I'm not saying that you have to be a great archer to
get a Kings Missilier but in my mind they should "distinguish themselves by
their effort with bow and arrow." or at least trying to.
>
> Esperanza
>

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