[MR] Scribal Education

[Shannon D. Combs-Bennett]

Greetings,

I have been reading this list with interest of late, go figure, and
would like to say a couple things.  Nothing bad I promise.

As the College of Heralds and Scribes Education Deputy if you would like
to see classes or other types of education going on please let me know.
I am more than willing to help coordinate these types of activities,
locate teachers in areas, give you ideas on what interests lay where and
etc.  In fact I solicit classes for the University tracks that are for
Heralds and Scribes. (hint, hint you will be hearing from me soon)

There will never be enough scribes for a Kingdom for several reasons,
which I will not go into here.  However, if you are interested in the
scribal arts, want to know where to get started, need help being pointed
in a specific direction or etc. I and the clerk signet are here to help.
We, along with all the active pockets of scribes in this kingdom, are
eager and willing to promote the scribal arts and get giddy at the
notion of someone wanting to come and play with us.  Much like a new
fighter showing up at a practice who is immediately descended upon by
all the fighters who want this person to love what they do as much as
they do.  

On the topic of scrolls, all I have to say is give what you can give.
Yes it can be expensive, but there are ways around that.  Yes, it can be
time consuming, so let the clerk signet know what you can/can't do.
Yes, it can be a thankless job, but there are TONS of jobs in the SCA
that are overlooked, overworked, underfunded that don't get thanks'
either.  We each have our strengths and weaknesses.  All scribes know
their limits an no one should ever feel like they are going to be made
to do things they don't think are within their limits.  There is a place
for everyone in this community, we provide personal art for the award
recipients and a service for the crown, there should be pride in that.

I encourage all scribes to contact the clerk signet and let her know you
are there.  Even if you think she knows you are, touching bases with her
every so often is a good way to show that you want work to do.  Let her
know where you are, what you like to do, if you are going to large
events with a royal presence, if you want to work on the backlog, or
anything else.

I also encourage all scribes to contact their local Baronage, they too
are in need of talented artisans to help with award scrolls.  This is a
nice place for newer scribes to get their feet wet as well, do something
nice for a local award recipient and create a scroll for them.

True story time:  I started doing C&I the fall of 2006 because 1) I am
Rhonwen and I have a service problem, and 2) I had always wanted to
learn C&I but was never given the right opportunity to foster it.  That
fall I moved to Atlantia, meet an eager and excited woman who as soon as
she heard I wanted to learn this had a brush in my hand.  Within one
month I was cranking out illuminated boarders and by the next spring I
was adding much of the calligraphy too.  I just needed a reason and
someone to get me started down that path. I have done the combat scribe
thing, I have taken months to make a peerage scroll, I have turned one
out in a few days, doesn't matter.  The thing that does matter is that I
did it because I wanted to, there was a need, and it made me happy doing
it. 

I am not saying that everyone has to be like me, but I would like to
help anyone who is interested (or who has stalled) find the reason and
imitative to get it going.  The Kingdom needs you.  Your friends need
you.  If you can help in any way to make this kingdom beautiful I
encourage you to do so.  

Yours,

Rhonwen Baroness of Stierbach
Sea Stag Pursuivant