[MR] garb, events and newcomers

[Beverly Robinson-Curry]

Luce wrote:

>Even then, there will still be newcomers who will want to play the part of
observer initially, and not wear >garb -- they should be encouraged, but not
forced or berated or embarassed.  We are a society of courtesy (I >like to
think, anyway) so a generous-minded approach should be second nature to us.

I have to disagree with this point, as the requirement to wear garb at
events is quite clearly stated as a regulation in our governing documents,
e.g. Corpora.

"II. Events
B. Requirements for Participants at Society events
Anyone may attend Society events provided he or she wears an attempt at
pre-17th century clothing,
conforms to the provisions in Corpora, and complies with any other
requirements (such as site fees or
waivers) which may be imposed. At business meetings and informal classes,
the requirement to wear pre-17th
century dress may be waived. All participants are expected to behave as
ladies or gentlemen."

There are a variety of opportunities for newcomers to "check out" the SCA in
non-garb formats, such as fighter practices, demos, A&S workshops, prior to
attending an event.  However, once they take the step to actually attend an
event, they must follow the rules and regulations of the Society just like
the rest of us.  Just because they are new, doesn't mean they can pick up a
sword and enter the field unauthorized and unarmored, or come to the event
without paying.  And they cannot attend events without making "an attempt".
A t-tunic thrown over their jeans would be sufficient to fulfill the letter
of the law.

To be honest, in most cases of violation of the garb thing, it hasn't been
newcomers I've seen who refuse to put it on.  I remember one event in South
Carolina, where Dame Anne and I watched the event staff repeatedly tell a
long-time member to either put on garb or leave, and were ignored.  (Guess
we should have interceded on behalf of the staff, and for that, I apologize.
Sometimes, you don't realize you ought to involve yourself until after the
fact.)  _Most_ newcomers are accepting of the fact that garb is necessary to
attend an event and are more concerned about how to get some than whether or
not they'll feel uncomfortable.

If you tell newcomers it's o.k. to violate this requirement, then how do you
enforce their compliance later?  What about everyone else?  How do you make
them follow the rules?

As someone who has donated closets-full of GOOD garb over the years (and
seen some of it on people as far away as Maryland; how loaner garb
disappears is another topic for another day), I wholly support the
chatelaines and their attempt to get newcomers clothed and integrated.  And
I expect someone who has introduced a newcomer to the SCA to be responsible
for making sure they have what they need to have that first event
experience.  Bringing a newcomer to an event and not making sure they have
garb, a place to sit, something to drink/eat and feast gear (if staying for
feast), is inexcusable.  Even if you personally cannot provide those things,
you can ask for assistance within your group or the host group.  For that
day, that newcomer is like your child.  You should provide for them, just as
you would your own kid.

Rhiannon

Mistress Rhiannon ui Neill
Triton Principal Herald
House Corvus, Atlantia