[MR] new members, cost and retentioin -- RE: Atlantia Digest, Vol 102, Issue 52

[Rick Allison]

Good gentles,
I too have read the census and agree we are losing folks and need to do a better job of retention.
Perhaps each one should look to their own status and behavior within the dream of the SCA.
 
We are all considered lords and ladies.
We have members with AOA level awards who are Lords and Ladies
We have squires, students and protogees
There are GOA members who are Honourable Lords and Ladies
Memebers hold fealty for their gtroups and lands as Barons and Baroneses
We Knights, Laurels and Pelicans who are peers (the nobles of the SCA)
The Princes and Princesses
and of course the Knigs and Queens
 
every level of participation and award within the dream has responsibilities that go with it per the traditions of Chivalry.
The , (IMHO) preminant virtue we should all show which will hlep grow and retain members is
Franchisement and Charity.
 
Franchisement
I know of Knights, Squires, Peers and Lords that take this to heart and gift both newcomers and older members with garb, jewels, armor and other acoutrements.
To welcome the recipients or acknowledge their having made the dream more real of pleasurable.
THis virtue extends to groups, clean and check your "loaner" armor and Gold key supplies.  Are they old, rusty, ill fitting, badly made?
Do you garb a newcomer or new fighter as a serf or cheap "knock-off"?
If one wishes to play and enjoy one gets from the dream what one puts into it, try being more chivalrious and perhaps within your means parctice franchisement.
 
Charity
This is not giving money or gifts, but the practice of attention and concern.
Listen to others, discuss and conceed when you can.
Invite those whom you do not know to join you.
Share your table.
Give willingly of your knowledge.
Accept service and assistance with grace, offer service in any small way you can.
 
Just my two cents from an old style Squire...
 
Laird Seanne Alansyn,
aka Rich Allison
threeallisons at hotmail.com 
Cell 240/463-3956
Please consider the environment before printing this email
Per bend argent and azure, a sinister hand and a Maltese cross counterchanged.
 

> From: atlantia-request at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> Subject: Atlantia Digest, Vol 102, Issue 52
> To: atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:10:30 -0700
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