[SCA-AE] NMS--wider consideration

[Erin Kelly]

Two points:

1) About the history of the surcharge -

When I got involved with the SCA in the mid-80s, there were people who
participated wholeheartedly in the society but were not SCA members. They
felt it was their right to opt out of membership in the national group (and
to a certain extent, the written policies supported that).  These people
were a significant minority, and many of them were quite active in the local
SCA community.  When I came back to the society in the 90s, I assumed that
the NMS had been added to help compensate for those people. So yes, it feels
like a punishment, and maybe that's how it was conceived.

I agree that calling it a "member discount" would be more palatable, and
give a more positive impression about membership. (That might require an
accounting change, since the current system seems to keep them separate for
some reason, but it would be worthwhile.)

Personally, I never minded the surcharge myself. (I also don't remember ever
being surprised by it at troll.) I think of it as a "day pass" to the SCA -
this event is supported by members and for members and I have to pay a
little extra for the privilege of entering that world as a visitor. I've
seen things like this in amateur sports, where if you're not a member of the
national group you can buy something like a weekend license to participate
in a tournament.

2) "First one's free" theory -

Near the end, the original e-mail mentioned the idea to waive the NMS for
beginners - that is, when you show up to your first event you don't get
charged, and maybe you get 2 or 3 NMS-free events your first year (or
possibly a few free every year).   I think this is a great idea.  It would
keep the surcharge revenue stream and not piss people off or discourage
casual participants.

If we can implement a "free pass" system like that I have no problem with
the increases.

ERIN