[MR] event attendence

[Carolyn Cox]

 i feel certain that the lower numbers seen at events is influenced by the economy as well as the increase in gas prices.  I also want to point out that we have been through the worst winter in a long time and are now into a scalding hot summer.  Both are factors that also strongly affect event participation.  There's nothing we can do about these things, which I believe are more influential that what is or isn't happening at our events  I also strongly disagree with the oft mentioned idea that we have too many "cookie cutter events."  I think that having frequent happenings in a given area increases membership and participation in that area.  I have certainly seen this to be so in my home area.  Those who believe that frequent events in one region of the kingdom is why participation is low in their region are wrong.  In this economic climate, people are not going to drive several hours to an event often, even if that means they don't get to play much.  There's a good reason why the kingdom has long held to that 150 mile rule.  When one meets a new and interested person, telling them that in two or three months there will be an event hours away somewhere is not going to bring them in.  Saying that in a few weeks there will be an event an hour or so away is much more likely to  bring them in.  And the exterienced are more likely to keep their interest up if they have plenty of events locally while waiting for the big, exciting events.  Revels, parties, cook-outs, fighter practices, etc. help a lot too.  In short, the more SCA happenings in an area, the better for that area.  If things are down in your region, try having more going on, not less.  YIS, Averey