[Twnsqr] Hi Again

[Michael Kleinpaste]

Greetings all,

I know I have not posted to the list in awhile.  I just wanted to throw in a couple insights regarding SpoCon and what these kinds of forums means to our local area and the SCA as a whole.  

Historically this kind of forum has been our biggest draw for new blood into this game we play.  I cannot stress how important and even how fun this opportunity is for not only Wealdsmere, but Silverhart, Grimwithshire, Pendale and every member within our area.  Before SpoCon, it was Game Faire.  Game Faire was the event that connect me to the SCA over 16 years ago.  Gunnarr's experience was exactly the same, and I'm sure if you ask members of this and other areas, many long term players have been introduced at these kinds of events.  You may have noticed that Wealdsmere's growth has seemed stagnant as of late.  I can pinpoint the moment it really started.  The first year we stopped attending these events as a group.  You can see this gap in the long time players and the new players in the area.  (Sorry, SCA kids don't count in this tally.  They grew up in it.)

New members mean new friends and relationships that build bonds and strengthen the community that is the SCA.  They mean not only growth for our areas, but personal growth as we make contact with new people that may or may not have heard of us, but bear similar hearts and minds.  For those work weary souls that are the foundation that make the events and activities our people enjoy, this means the best opportunity for future shoulders to share the burden with so everybody gets to have fun!  Look all around and you will see a large number of people who's contributions, friendships and yes even conflicts within our SCA lives started at just such an event.

Even if we have to look at such forums as another "paid event", the benefits that we all experience by participating in growing our area far outrank the personal cost of getting the best opportunity to present ourselves to future members.  If we truly believe in this game we call "The Dream", then personal commitment should follow to ensure the lasting survival of that dream.  So I ask, as one who may have never entered the the SCA if not for just such an event, that everyone that has half a Saturday to spare (and perhaps a few  bucks) to support your canton, your shire, your Barony and this region by attending this and future similar events that we are welcomed at in force.

In Service,
HE Lars Ragnarsson
-Husband to HE Kara Bjornsdottir, whom I never would have met if I hadn't joined the SCA by attending Game Faire 1992
-Father of Lucas, whom I never would have learned what  true love meant if I hadn't joined the SCA by attending Game Faire 1992
-Squire to his Grace Duke Sir Gunnarr Brunwulf, whom I never would have met if I hadn't joined the SCA by attending Game Faire 1992
-Sergeant to Her Excellency Araviere Isobelle Magdaleine de St. Etienne, whom I never would have met if I hadn't joined the SCA by attending Game Faire 1992
-Friend to countless SCAdians across our region and Kingdom, whom I never would have met if I hadn't joined the SCA by attending Game Faire 1992
An Tir!
In Modo Antiquo


 
On Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 03:12PM, "R. Kleinpaste" <r_kleinpaste at yahoo.com> wrote:
>Ok, so my post in which I sent the forgotten map to the list is to big for the list so if anyone needs directions, post me off list and i'll try sending the map to them.  Or, maybe just try this handy link and I'll pray that it works... sorry about that!
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>http://www.spocon.us/2008/7/29/campus-map
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>In Silly Service apparently today - 
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>Kara
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