[MR] Membership new and retaining

[RIKKER]

     I have for years tried to get members in charge in the SCA  to see that our tendency to be moving away from recruiting college and military personnel is counter productive.  A very large percentage of our current populace was drawn from those sources.  But we seem to be more interested in drawing in only those that have the same interests as we do.  We are "responsible adults now" and don't want our children around all of that "activity" that a younger crowd practices.  We sure didn't have a problem with it when we were younger.  We need to recognize that if we are going to have a wide range of ages and interests, we need to nourish newbies whether they follow in our foot steps or choose another path.  I have seen quite a few instances of long time members "lording it over" newbies.  The SCA has become so entrenched in our lives that we sometimes forget that it is a game.  I have seen incidents where someone with "power" in the SCA
 thought that gave them some mundane authority over others away from our events.  It doesn't.  I have found over the years that a gentle explanation of SCA protocol has gone a long way to sooth a misunderstanding.  A newbie will not know what has gone into the title or rank a person carries.  That rank or title has not yet "earned" their respect because they haven't seen it in action.  If we want the respect of the newbies we have to show our best side.  Let's show them the Chivalry, Respect and Courtesy we profess to practice.  Err on the side of kindness and we will seldom go wrong.  Treat them as we wish to see them treat us.  A LONG time ago I heard this quote "Treat you lessers as your equals and your equals as your betters" .  I have found that practice to have served me well.  

 

When all is said and done,the less said and the more done the better! 

Rikker
per pale counter ermine and ermine a Lion sejant efronte bearing a sheath of arrows a bag of coin a chief Or with three thistles proper.