[MR] Queen's Corner - Peerage discussion

[Jen Thies]

Good People,

Let us take a step back a bit and look at the bigger picture. Do not focus
on what it takes to be a Laurel, but what it takes to be laurel-like.

The things we admire in our Laurels is not only their mastery of an art, but
their willingness to share and teach, spread the word about their art and
infect others with their passion for the art itself. One of the ideals of
our game is that we are "a non-profit educational organization devoted to
study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance." As an educational organization
some consider it our duty to share the results of our devoted study, and
with modern technology, a website is an effective means of doing so. It
helps spread the knowledge. You don't have to focus on infecting just the
members of your local group with your passion, you can infect others half a
world away.

I have a small website myself. I would like to be a Laurel one day, but more
importantly I try to strive to be laurel-like. In this endeavor I know I
have a long road yet to travel, and am content with that path. But even my
small site has reached folks from all over, and that gives me a warmer
feeling than any medallion ever could. I've been asked to use a picture of
mine from a lady in AnTir. I've been thanked for sharing the information I
do with the handouts and little bits of information I've made available.
I've even been contacted by a lady in the Netherlands who shares a passion
for some of the fiber arts I've done. THIS is what it is about. Not the end
goal of a journey, but the steps along that journey that is sharing of your
knowledge and receiving assistance back from folks all over the world.

I would encourage folks to create a website if they have something to share.
It can be a bit frustrating at times to set-up, and you do need to remember
to date and update as you are able, but the benefits that trickle in are
worth it. The thanks you may receive from others and the missing piece of
information someone may pass onto you when they know you share their
interest is immeasurable. GooglePages, PbWiki, and other free site hosts
exist to help you present your information to others, and Atlantians
specifically will no doubt be grateful to learn of such an expert in their
midst.

Sharing and increasing your knowledge and skill may not get you an Award,
but will give you Reward, and ultimately that is more important.

Genevieve d'Aquitaine
http://genvieve.net/sca.html


On Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:55 AM, The Sheltons <sheltons at sysmatrix.net>
wrote:

> From: "Shannon Smith" <sorchadeglys at cox.net>
>
>
> << And then there's the dreaded, "To become "X" in Atlantia, you have to
> have a web page." I have found that being accused of peerage hunting has
> kept many from sharing their knowledge with the world via the Internet.  On
> the other hand, I've also seen many who've been ignored for peerages for
> years until they've "published" online - and then it
> was a very short trip.>>
>
> Speaking from the Laurel perspective I've never heard of this alleged
> requirement.  However, I think I understand how you can get such an
> impression.
>
> Laurel candidates must not only demonstrate mastery of an art or science,
> but should impact the overall knowledge and
> skills set of the Society.  Artistic ability is wonderful but until you are
> sharing your knowledge with others you're not going to be looked on
> favorably by the Order.
>
> Despite what anyone may tell you, there are no mandatory requirements like
> "you have to  have a web page."  Each candidate is evaluated individually,
> particularly given the variety of arts practiced within the SCA.  There are
> multiple ways to share your knowledege, including teaching classes (both
> formally and informally), publishing articles (Oak, TI, local), mentoring
> others, and, more recently, making your research available on-line for
> others to view.
>
> I would suggest that the people that Sorcha states were ignored for years
> didn't suddenly become Laurels just because they met a reputed requirement
> to set up a web page.  At any given time we are watching numerous
> candidates
> throughout the Kingdom but it is difficult for the Order members to be
> equally familiar with each one's works.  Instead it is possible that these
> people were already under consideration but the information they provided
> in
> their web page was sufficient to tip the scale in their favor on a polling
> [note that the decision to actually make peers rests with Their Majesties,
> not the Order].
>
> Personally, I enjoy looking at SCA websites and have been amazed at some of
> the web pages I've seen.  It's a convenient way to disseminate your
> personal
> information, particularly if you live at a far end of the Kingdom or can't
> attend many events.  However, I don't have a web page myself and I would
> never consider that to be a requirement for a peerage.
>
> Hopefully this explanation is helpful.
>
> John le Burguillun OL OP
>
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