[MR] Challenge

[Towey, Brian]

Duke Logan just observed:

"the end result is this, the sca as a living history organization is a joke.
the sca is, and has been for some time, a social club were some people dress
up.  but thats not what the charter of the organization says."

Ouch! 

I don't know anyone who wants the SCA to become like some Civil War groups,
where they quite literally inspect the inside of your hat to make sure that
it has the right label and has the correct amount of dirt and horse hair on
it.  But, neither do I know anyone who wants us to be a laughingstock.

The puzzle appears to be how to become less of a joke, historically, without
alienating those of limited means or knowledge.

Atlantia includes some of the most wonderfully bright and creative people I
have ever had the privilege to know.  If ever a group could solve that
puzzle, surely this one can.

I'd like to challenge the Tavern to name ten ways to make authenticity more
desirable and attainable.

We have already heard a great one: 

1) "Nimenfeld had an "adopt-a-fighter" program where the sewers picked one
particular fighter to make tabards, etc. for."

Since the same people who grumble at new regulations will often knock
themselves out to win an honor or a contest, I'll suggest two more: 

2) What if each new monarch selected a "color guard" to bear the Atlantian
banner?  A Viking king could choose Norse guards; a HYW king could choose
14th C guards, etc.  In exchange for the honor, the color guard would strive
to have an authentic "dress uniform" that was list-legal.

3) When planning for wars, what if one war point were to be awarded in a
period Pas, where the contestants had to meet a high level of authenticity?
Or, to raise the ante, what if that same Pas was closed, except to
spectators who were equally well dressed?

Let's hear it, folks!  I'm sure there are more ideas out there, many of them
better than mine.

Your servant,

Lord Charles Fleming
"Miror Otium Negotium Multum Requirere"