[MR] Chatelaine Article

[Tracey Duncan]

Sorry, everyone!  I didn't know you couldn't do attachments.  Here is the 
article:


EVERYONE IS A CHATELAINE!
 
By Lady Rosanella Vespucci
 
Ummm… excuse me?  I thought that YOU were the Chatelaine, Lady Rose?  Well, yes, 
I am!  I do hold the Office of Baronial Chatelaine and as such I am responsible 
for welcoming newcomers and getting them started in the SCA.  But no matter how 
hard you work to welcome someone, if you aren’t doing any work toward RETENTION, 
your efforts can be futile.  RETENTION is the key to keeping newcomers 
interested and involved so that our Society grows and flourishes.  There has 
been much discussion on the Merry Rose and in other forums about the dwindling 
membership numbers in the SCA.  Some believe it is because of the economy—people 
cannot afford to travel to events, cannot afford site fees, etc.  This is most 
certainly a factor as regards participation.  Some believe it is because we have 
become an “old timers’ club” and have nothing to offer the younger generation so 
we are basically “dying out.”  Like any organization, there are probably many 
factors that affect membership roles off and on during the life of the 
organization.  

 
I would argue, however, that a positive and welcoming attitude by the populace 
at large has a huge impact on our membership.  That’s why I say EVERYONE IS A 
CHATELAINE!  Think about it.  Have you ever gone to an event (SCA or otherwise) 
and had no one say hello?  Or you stood there wanting to get involved in 
something you were observing and no one invited you to participate?  Or asked 
someone for more information and you never got it?  Or worse—you were new to the 
club/group/organization and heard people talking about all the things they HATED 
about the group or some of the members?  I cannot tell you how many times I have 
spoken with someone who no longer attends and the reason was “the politics” or 
“I just never felt like I was a part of the group.”  So what can you do?  Be 
mindful of people you see at events—if you don’t recognize them, introduce 
yourself!  Or point them out to the Chatelaine to be sure they’ve been 
welcomed.  If you are fighting/talking/crafting/dancing/singing—make sure that 
everyone around you has been invited to participate!  

 
And most importantly, WATCH WHAT YOU SAY.  We are a large group of diverse 
humans.  We WILL disagree at times.  But the ears of a newcomer are NOT the 
place those disagreements should fall.  Let’s be positive and remember always to 
share the love of the Dream that got US started in the SCA!  Vivat the Dream!!
 

 Lady Rosanella Vespucci  
Argent, a hummingbird rising to sinister vert between three roses gules within 
an orle purpure
Chatelaine, Barony of Windmasters' Hill
Pursuivant Herald-at-Large, Kingdom of Atlantia
Queen's Royal Bard, Kingdom of Atlantia
Deputy of Performing Arts, Kingdom of Atlantia