[SCA-AE] Chatalaines /Newcomers / Badges

[Michele George]

Greetings to All AE Chatalaines, Newcomers, and Populace, from Kingdom
Chatalaine, Lady Rowan L' Crotha

Wow! My apologies for missing the very lively discussion that took place
between February 12th through the 18th regarding many aspects involving my
new office! I was temporarily "out of the loop" as I changed residence with
all the attendant inconveniences, including some internet downtime and a
choked inbox! My new address and phone will be published in the March
AEstel, but my email remains the same. I can be reached at
rowan at micro-link.net . I have cleaned up the files tonight, and I'm ready to
tackle business. If anyone has tried to reach me since February 8th and
received a "bounced" message, please try again. I'll respond as quickly as
possible.

First, let me extend a warm "Welcome to the SCA" to David Rifenburgh of
Greenburg and Karaznina of BMDL. I hope we have the opportunity to meet in
the near future. I'm pleased you have found access to our list. Thank you
for courageously sharing your input! If I can be of personal assistance to
you or answer any questions, please email me at the addy above.

Second, I'd like to thank all the local group Chatalaines (past and present)
who sat up straight and responded to this thread, as well as those numerous
individuals who are "chatalaine's at heart without the badge" who also
expressed their concern, shared their ideas and extended warm invitations to
their upcoming local events. You are very much appreciated! Please keep up
the good work!

Third, I was a bit fretful when I found out I might have "missed an
important thread". However, when I accessed the archives and read the many
posts, I was pleased. I found much of this very heartening indeed! Important
thoughts were expressed and considered. Keeping our own local and personal
practices uppermost in mind, regarding our treatment and care of newcomers,
is never a bad idea. Some of the ideas, such as badges, were shared last
year on this list, and I took notes at that time as well. Having said this,
and previously considered some of these things, I would like to express a
few of my own thoughts.

I am not entirely open to the idea of instituting a "Kingdom Newcomer Badge"
for some of the same reasons previously discussed. While some newcomers
would welcome this badge, others simply want to blend in, watch and learn.
However, I am aware of some local groups who have successfully used this or
similar methods. Most often though, these groups also have a "back up
support measures" in place...such as the mentoring system that was also
mentioned. Again, some newcomers welcome a mentoring system, while others
would prefer to simply wander among the crowd on their own, and might feel a
bit "suffocated", or even "pressured", if too much attention is paid to
them. Newcomers come in all shapes and forms as do the individual makeup of
our own local groups. "Distinctive Personality" is always a factor and a
uniform approach is not always possible among all our groups. Personally, I
value the diversity in all sectors! I'd like very much to learn what has
worked for your group, what hasn't, and any insights you've gained...though
perhaps private emails will free up the list?

The "question mark sashes" were an interesting, creative twist...as was the
idea of having a "press garb kit". These two suggestions will also get
mentally "filed away" for the future, though I couldn't help wondering if
these might be more applicable for Media Relations issues (press) and demos
(moderns)?

Lastly, a wonderful former chatalaine of my local group who taught me much,
(you know who you are :), suggested that Newcomer Luncheons be held at each
of our events, that an announcement of this luncheon and short explanatory
description of it, be placed in the event schedule along with the very
visual Gold Key Insignia Badge. At the luncheon, a Gold Key sign was also
prominently placed at a table designated for newcomers, visiting
chatalaines, and interested mentors. I followed this valuable advise and
found it extremely helpful. This "visual aid" with explanation is often a
"jump start" of the learning process involved in heraldry. Of course, I also
urge all chatalaine officers and / or deputies to wear the gold key badge on
their person, place its description at the Troll station and on your
websites, place Gold Key supplies near Troll at your events, and politely
ask the Trollner to give you a heads-up if newcomers arrive
unexpectedly...and if you know that you may not always be available
throughout the day due to other obligations, ask a deputy or mentor to cover
the bases for a time.

Again, thank all of you for the input and interest that was generated.

YIS,
Lady Rowan