The job of Baron and Baroness is no small task. Doing the job well requires time and energy dedicated to the Barony. Some of our friends have been asking; "are you sure you have the time for all this?". We have thought about it very carefully and our answer is an enthusiastic "Yes"!
For one thing, we both like to be very busy. Even before we found the SCA we both filled our evenings and weekends with meetings and special events in other organizations. That is why we have a long history of volunteer jobs and successful projects. With the addition of a baby to the family we have re-organized the way we participate, but now that we are in the swing of things as parents, the total amount of time we can spend on the SCA really has not dropped. For example, we used to spend more time traveling far away to other Baronies and other Kingdoms for specialty events. Now we spend more of our time right here in Skraeling Althing enjoying our favourite activities closer to home. This is one of the reasons we feel that now is a good time for us to serve the Barony as Baron and Baroness.
As well; both of us are stepping down from other volunteer offices or roles and so would be able to dedicate that time to Baronial responsibilities. Otherwise we would just have to go hunting for other ways to spend our volunteer hours.
Another important skill we believe we have developed is knowing our own limits. Careful scheduling, sharing tasks and occasionally saying 'no' to something we really would enjoy; help us avoid exhaustion. As an example, this weekend, work and family obligations have us traveling to Hamilton. We thought "great we can also go to the Kingdom Twelfth Night" but after thinking it all through we decided that was one too many things to fit into the trip. Instead we are spending time with our families now so that they will be understanding when we breeze through on our way to an SCA event in the future.
Please rest assured that we have set aside enough of our volunteer time to properly fulfill the duties of Baron and Baroness. So if you think we would be the kind of Baron and Baroness you would like to have, choose us on polling day.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
History Is Fun
A recent e-mail came to us expressing concern that traveling down the path of historical accuracy meant sacrificing fun. However we see historical examples as a door to fun and games that we would not find anywhere else but in the SCA. People of the middle-ages and Renaissance liked to have fun. Have you heard about some of the big parties thrown by Royalty through the ages? Historically events such as the SCA's would likely be feast days, or fairs, which would have had a lot of excitement and games and coming together of different people. We think more celebrating is just what many SCA events need.
So to combat one of our least favourite misconceptions; here is a list of some of our favourite, fun, things to do at events (that also happen to be perfectly period):
1. Dance. Nothing makes people feel like they are amongst friends like joining hands and dancing around in a circle together. Bumping shoulders, a little flirting, and scrambling back to spot are all part of the fun.
2. Play games, the sillier the better. Boulles, Counting Stick,
Stool Ball, Hoodman and Jinggles are all easy, portable and bound to make you laugh. If Wilhelm can play with a drink in one hand it's even better.
Cristabell playing Norse Games
at Bonfield
3. Sing. Neither of us sing very well, but we like to try. Not all songs from the past were meant to be sung by a trained choir (although we love to listen to some of that kind of music too).
4. Make stuff. Sewing, painting, carving, casting, building, baking are all terrific fun, even more so when done in a group. Working with others to sew a garment by hand at Bonfield was a very fun activity. It provided a perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends, learn more about new friends, and feel terrific about making a gift for a well deserving recipient.
We have always been able to have fun doing historical activities, this is why we joined the SCA. Part of the excitement of the SCA is to explore having fun in medieval ways. Historical accuracy and fun are not opposite ends of the same scale.
So to combat one of our least favourite misconceptions; here is a list of some of our favourite, fun, things to do at events (that also happen to be perfectly period):
1. Dance. Nothing makes people feel like they are amongst friends like joining hands and dancing around in a circle together. Bumping shoulders, a little flirting, and scrambling back to spot are all part of the fun.
2. Play games, the sillier the better. Boulles, Counting Stick,
Stool Ball, Hoodman and Jinggles are all easy, portable and bound to make you laugh. If Wilhelm can play with a drink in one hand it's even better.
Cristabell playing Norse Games
at Bonfield
3. Sing. Neither of us sing very well, but we like to try. Not all songs from the past were meant to be sung by a trained choir (although we love to listen to some of that kind of music too).
4. Make stuff. Sewing, painting, carving, casting, building, baking are all terrific fun, even more so when done in a group. Working with others to sew a garment by hand at Bonfield was a very fun activity. It provided a perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends, learn more about new friends, and feel terrific about making a gift for a well deserving recipient.
We have always been able to have fun doing historical activities, this is why we joined the SCA. Part of the excitement of the SCA is to explore having fun in medieval ways. Historical accuracy and fun are not opposite ends of the same scale.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How to Find New Members
On Sunday at the TorBrant all Candidates meeting, one of the topics that was discussed at length was the need to attract new members. As Lady Brennit pointed out, all of the candidates have expressed some desire to increase membership. However she wanted some concrete ideas about how to actually go about attracting new members. These are some of our ideas:
-Put up posters in public places advertising practices or events that a new person could attend. Libraries, sewing shops, game shops, community centers, and even the grocery store are good places to reach potential members. It is simple and it works.
-Hand out an easy to update flyer, like the one Wilhelm wrote and has shared with a number of SCA groups. It makes use of current popular references to the things we do and contains local information about where and when we meet. For example, describe our activities as being similar to those found in a recent movie, or popular book.
-Make media contact regularly before events and demos. A press release kit could help chatelaines and/or event stewards know what to say and who to send it to.
-Continued and increased participation in public demos at gathering and festivals where our potential members are likely to be found. Always do something active, let the on lookers give it a try, and have them write down their contact information so some one can follow up with an invite to an SCA activity soon after the demo.
-Invite clubs and groups with overlapping interests to attend an activity or event relevant to their existing interests. Local historical or fantasy fiction clubs, craft guilds, marshal arts schools, folk dance clubs, and sewing schools are all full of people just itching to find a new place to expand their interests. They don't have to leave the group we found them in to also enjoy and enrich the SCA. Many current members participate in multiple organizations.
-Use our web pages as advertising to potential members not just to deliver info to current members. Re-orienting our existing web pages to put the non-member first, with quick directions to contact a real person could have a big impact.
-Develop an integration plan for new members, so we don't loose that connection before we even know it. I'm sure you will hear more about what we mean by this suggestion in a future post.
Of course some of these ideas are already being used successfully by some people, in some Cantons. Harrowgate Heath has had local reporters visit many of their demos and events. Greyfells has been participating in a spring demo with multiple clubs for a number of years running. Judith Quiet Seeker helped organize a television appearance for some of our fighters last spring before the Osgood Township Festival. Sperry, and his team of Archers, spent three days shooting and chatting up the crowds at the Upper Canada Medieval Festival. All of this activity was in addition to the many people who have made one on one contact with friends, co-workers, or complete strangers who just happened to strike up a conversation. Each contact with the public makes a difference.
Our "Renaissance Baby" was a big hit
at the NAC Demo
Last spring and summer was a flurry of demonstration activity. However, since we didn't quite have a complete package in place we did not turn many of those first contacts into active members. All the parts of a great recruitment campaign take a lot of work. However it is work that Wilhelm and I enjoy and are dedicated to. When we all share our resources and techniques we can lessen the work load for each volunteer and improve our collective chances of success. There are a number of exciting opportunities for demo's on the horizon, if we are ready to make the most of them. By working together to raise public awareness of SCA activity across the region; we can find new members living in each of the four Cantons. Who knows we might even be able to inspire the growth of new Cantons in currently "unpopulated" lands.
We understand that this job is a big one. We intend to make our contribution to the effort. As Baron and Baroness we hope to be in a position to help co-ordinate a long term plan that includes the goals of all the Cantons. We also promise to attend demos and new member gatherings and to help make them a success. If this is the kind of leadership you would like to see from your Baron and Baroness please make us your number one choice on polling day.
-Put up posters in public places advertising practices or events that a new person could attend. Libraries, sewing shops, game shops, community centers, and even the grocery store are good places to reach potential members. It is simple and it works.
-Hand out an easy to update flyer, like the one Wilhelm wrote and has shared with a number of SCA groups. It makes use of current popular references to the things we do and contains local information about where and when we meet. For example, describe our activities as being similar to those found in a recent movie, or popular book.
-Make media contact regularly before events and demos. A press release kit could help chatelaines and/or event stewards know what to say and who to send it to.
-Continued and increased participation in public demos at gathering and festivals where our potential members are likely to be found. Always do something active, let the on lookers give it a try, and have them write down their contact information so some one can follow up with an invite to an SCA activity soon after the demo.
-Invite clubs and groups with overlapping interests to attend an activity or event relevant to their existing interests. Local historical or fantasy fiction clubs, craft guilds, marshal arts schools, folk dance clubs, and sewing schools are all full of people just itching to find a new place to expand their interests. They don't have to leave the group we found them in to also enjoy and enrich the SCA. Many current members participate in multiple organizations.
-Use our web pages as advertising to potential members not just to deliver info to current members. Re-orienting our existing web pages to put the non-member first, with quick directions to contact a real person could have a big impact.
-Develop an integration plan for new members, so we don't loose that connection before we even know it. I'm sure you will hear more about what we mean by this suggestion in a future post.
Of course some of these ideas are already being used successfully by some people, in some Cantons. Harrowgate Heath has had local reporters visit many of their demos and events. Greyfells has been participating in a spring demo with multiple clubs for a number of years running. Judith Quiet Seeker helped organize a television appearance for some of our fighters last spring before the Osgood Township Festival. Sperry, and his team of Archers, spent three days shooting and chatting up the crowds at the Upper Canada Medieval Festival. All of this activity was in addition to the many people who have made one on one contact with friends, co-workers, or complete strangers who just happened to strike up a conversation. Each contact with the public makes a difference.
Our "Renaissance Baby" was a big hitat the NAC Demo
Last spring and summer was a flurry of demonstration activity. However, since we didn't quite have a complete package in place we did not turn many of those first contacts into active members. All the parts of a great recruitment campaign take a lot of work. However it is work that Wilhelm and I enjoy and are dedicated to. When we all share our resources and techniques we can lessen the work load for each volunteer and improve our collective chances of success. There are a number of exciting opportunities for demo's on the horizon, if we are ready to make the most of them. By working together to raise public awareness of SCA activity across the region; we can find new members living in each of the four Cantons. Who knows we might even be able to inspire the growth of new Cantons in currently "unpopulated" lands.
We understand that this job is a big one. We intend to make our contribution to the effort. As Baron and Baroness we hope to be in a position to help co-ordinate a long term plan that includes the goals of all the Cantons. We also promise to attend demos and new member gatherings and to help make them a success. If this is the kind of leadership you would like to see from your Baron and Baroness please make us your number one choice on polling day.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thank You to Lady Brennait and Family
Thank You from Wilhelm, Cristabell and Lillyana
Also thank you to Donnet and Raimund for their recommendation on the restaurant for dinner. The pizza and service was excellent, we have to remember Danny's restaurant for the next time we are going out for a meal in Petawawa.
The members of Tor Brant had excellent and insightful questions for all the candidates, and quickly focused on topics of particular importance to their Canton. There was some excellent discussion arround how to address issues in their Canton and how each candidate saw the role of Baron or Baroness. The time went by very quickly and pleasently, I'm sure we could have continued the discussion much longer but dinner time required us to wrap it up.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Our Top Three Favorite Topics
As we have discussed the possibility of being chosen as the next Baron and Baroness of Skraeling Althing we have discovered that our conversations tend to be dominated by three important topics: Baronial unity, membership numbers, and enjoying history. We have enjoyed spending a fair amount of our SCA time and energy on encouraging unity and cooperation between members of the Barony, recruiting and encouraging new members, and sharing our enjoyment of the time period recreated with in the SCA. We also feel that these three areas will continue to be important to us in the future.
Baronial unity, in our opinion, is very important in Skraeling Althing because the barony is remote from the center of the Kingdom and spread thinly over a wide area. Working together is the best way to combat dwindling membership and apathy. Many a member has commented that no matter what the reason they joined the SCA, the reason they stay is because of the friends they have made. Providing opportunities to develop friendships between cantons can only strengthen our Barony and increase everyone’s enjoyment of the SCA. Such opportunities may come in the form of joint projects, friendly competitions, and inclusive decision making. Both of us have been pleased to be involved in a number of inter-Canton activities in the past, such as co-operative demos in three Cantons, co-hosting Kingdom events and volunteering at events in other cantons. Cristabell’s direction as the Editor of the Chronicle is to deliberately include news from all corners of the Barony and seek out writers who may not normally have considered submitting articles. In the future we both hope to see the development of a more functional and co-operative event planning process or policy to help alleviate the current difficulty caused by events competing for attendance and volunteers. If members in all the Cantons will reach out to each other to work together more we could tackle larger, more satisfying projects that we have not yet dreamed up. We see a healthy SCA group as one which is cohesive, inclusive and inviting. We have been and will continue to work toward this vision.
Our second, but no less important area of focus, is the attraction of new members and the retention of current members. Complaints can be heard across the Kingdom, and indeed around the Known World – “our numbers are shrinking”. It also seems that every group thinks that they are alone in facing this problem. We believe that active steps need to be taken toward generating growth. New methods, tried and true methods as well as old, but possibly forgotten, methods of attracting new members must be used. If chosen as Baron and Baroness we would consider it part of our Baronial duty to be in the public view. We enjoy participating in public demonstrations and have learned quite a bit about what makes them work well. Once someone has decided to join the SCA they must be made to feel welcome and equipped to fit in. We plan to support the efforts of the Chatelaines across the Barony. One of the great duties of a Baron and Baroness is to provide opportunities for public recognition in court. We understand that timely and meaningful recognition is one key to membership retention. Both by awarding Baronial accolades as appropriate and recommending Skraels for Kingdom awards, we would help insure that members feel appreciated and want to stay. We have also learned that there are many small ways to show appreciation that are not attached to an award. Words of thanks, small tokens and praise for a job well done can be generously distributed as a part of our contribution toward strengthening the membership across the Barony.
The third area of focus is what we enjoy most about the SCA – the recreation of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. One misconception that occasionally comes up is that being historically accurate is at odds with having fun. Another is that it must be perfect from the start. We believe in neither of these statements. While both of us have a lot of fun at being historically accurate as possible we love the process of striving for accuracy. We truly feel that a great deal of fun springs directly from learning, trying, and being ‘into’ history. Personally, we love to research and create historically accurate, well fitted clothes because it makes us feel good and therefore look better. We also love to encourage the same in others, but not just in clothes, in all sort of disciplines. We also like games and entertainment from the middle ages and renaissance that are quirky, funny, and easy to have fun participating in. Every person in the SCA has their own individual focus in terms of historical recreation and they all should be encouraged to have fun learning about, using and sharing knowledge that they think is fun. The SCA is a big game of make-believe, and participants who have the right building blocks can have a lot more fun playing. We like to share our knowledge with those who wish to learn more. We like to encourage others with different areas of expertise. However we do know that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing so we try to respect the limits of each individual. Whether we are chosen as Baron and Baroness or not, we will continue to strive to share the fun of pretending to be a fine Lord or Lady from a real place in history.
We look forward to being able to talk about these ideas with all of you at the all candidates meetings, but please feel free to comment on them or ask questions here in our blog.
Baronial unity, in our opinion, is very important in Skraeling Althing because the barony is remote from the center of the Kingdom and spread thinly over a wide area. Working together is the best way to combat dwindling membership and apathy. Many a member has commented that no matter what the reason they joined the SCA, the reason they stay is because of the friends they have made. Providing opportunities to develop friendships between cantons can only strengthen our Barony and increase everyone’s enjoyment of the SCA. Such opportunities may come in the form of joint projects, friendly competitions, and inclusive decision making. Both of us have been pleased to be involved in a number of inter-Canton activities in the past, such as co-operative demos in three Cantons, co-hosting Kingdom events and volunteering at events in other cantons. Cristabell’s direction as the Editor of the Chronicle is to deliberately include news from all corners of the Barony and seek out writers who may not normally have considered submitting articles. In the future we both hope to see the development of a more functional and co-operative event planning process or policy to help alleviate the current difficulty caused by events competing for attendance and volunteers. If members in all the Cantons will reach out to each other to work together more we could tackle larger, more satisfying projects that we have not yet dreamed up. We see a healthy SCA group as one which is cohesive, inclusive and inviting. We have been and will continue to work toward this vision.
Our second, but no less important area of focus, is the attraction of new members and the retention of current members. Complaints can be heard across the Kingdom, and indeed around the Known World – “our numbers are shrinking”. It also seems that every group thinks that they are alone in facing this problem. We believe that active steps need to be taken toward generating growth. New methods, tried and true methods as well as old, but possibly forgotten, methods of attracting new members must be used. If chosen as Baron and Baroness we would consider it part of our Baronial duty to be in the public view. We enjoy participating in public demonstrations and have learned quite a bit about what makes them work well. Once someone has decided to join the SCA they must be made to feel welcome and equipped to fit in. We plan to support the efforts of the Chatelaines across the Barony. One of the great duties of a Baron and Baroness is to provide opportunities for public recognition in court. We understand that timely and meaningful recognition is one key to membership retention. Both by awarding Baronial accolades as appropriate and recommending Skraels for Kingdom awards, we would help insure that members feel appreciated and want to stay. We have also learned that there are many small ways to show appreciation that are not attached to an award. Words of thanks, small tokens and praise for a job well done can be generously distributed as a part of our contribution toward strengthening the membership across the Barony.
The third area of focus is what we enjoy most about the SCA – the recreation of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. One misconception that occasionally comes up is that being historically accurate is at odds with having fun. Another is that it must be perfect from the start. We believe in neither of these statements. While both of us have a lot of fun at being historically accurate as possible we love the process of striving for accuracy. We truly feel that a great deal of fun springs directly from learning, trying, and being ‘into’ history. Personally, we love to research and create historically accurate, well fitted clothes because it makes us feel good and therefore look better. We also love to encourage the same in others, but not just in clothes, in all sort of disciplines. We also like games and entertainment from the middle ages and renaissance that are quirky, funny, and easy to have fun participating in. Every person in the SCA has their own individual focus in terms of historical recreation and they all should be encouraged to have fun learning about, using and sharing knowledge that they think is fun. The SCA is a big game of make-believe, and participants who have the right building blocks can have a lot more fun playing. We like to share our knowledge with those who wish to learn more. We like to encourage others with different areas of expertise. However we do know that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing so we try to respect the limits of each individual. Whether we are chosen as Baron and Baroness or not, we will continue to strive to share the fun of pretending to be a fine Lord or Lady from a real place in history.
We look forward to being able to talk about these ideas with all of you at the all candidates meetings, but please feel free to comment on them or ask questions here in our blog.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Welcome to our Blog
We have put this together so members of the Barony of Skraeling Althing can get to know us better. There will be few chances to meet face-to-face before the poll is taken and we want everyone to have a chance to learn about us. You are also welcome to use this forum to ask us questions.
We will be updating this once or twice a week with our thoughts and ideas. You will find posts about: who we are in and out side of the SCA, the way we play in the SCA and things we hope to do if selected as Baron and Baroness.
We would also love to have your feedback. What would you like to see the next Baron and Baroness do with the office?
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