[SCA-AE] Memberships for Kids

[muirgens at aol.com]

Sorry for the previous blank message... I over-clicked!

Just to weigh in on these issues, I agree with her Grace that
involving kids more formally in the service end of our fine hobby is a
great way to keep them interested and invested as they become more
mature.? But I think there might be problems with youth holding
offices that have anything to do with martial activities, finances, or
the enforcement of "law and policy".? These are positions where we
probably need to have people of majority age simply because of the
REMOTE chance of litigation.? I am thinking of a hypothetical where
someone gets injured at the throwing range (or wherever) and ends up
_needing_ to sue to get medical bills covered.? I can't imagine it
going well in a court of law if we had to explain that the MIC was a
"very mature and responsible" 16 year old...

However, I think it's a great idea to make interested kids "youth
deputy marshall" or something like that so that they could be
appropriately mentored in marshalling, etc.? I think it would be great
to have older youths doing supervised marshalling for youth combat,
archery, thrown weapons, etc.? I'm imagining an adult marshall either
closely observing marshalling in the list or prompting the calls at
the throwing/archery line.?That way?the child could be involved and
have a sense of responsibility while the adult warrented marshall
remains in charge of the activity.

That being said, I am reminded that her Grace and I grew up in an SCA
that was, perhaps naievely, less concerned about litigation.?It sounds
like her holding marshall positions was a fantastic opportunity for
her -- just as my mother signing "in loco parentis" forms for me so
that I could go camp and fence (often against adults) at a little
weekend event called Pennsic was a fantastic opportunity for me.? I am
sorry to say that those days are gone!?

As far as kid membsership goes, I intend to add Josie to our
membership when we renew just because.? I know it's a controversial
issue, with the NMS and all, but I have always felt that if I?am going
to be involved in an organization, I should be a paid member.? If I'm
going to take my child to events she should probably have a card too.?
The SCA is one of the few "clubs" where one can participate _almost_
fully in everything the group offers without being a paid member, and
that's great.?But the money for the insurance that covers us all (and
that we have to have to hold events) has to come from somewhere.? So
does the money to compensate corporate-level positions that help keep
the whole ball rolling.? So I write a check every year and have for as
long as I have been in charge of my own finances.? That's my decision,
but I understand?and?respect that others?see it differently and might
decide differently!

Morgen of Rye