[Artemisia] Challenge Coins (long)

[Kay Moore]

>From: Wayne Hamberg <michaeltheloud at yahoo.com>

>I do like the token idea as I've seen it in other kingdoms that I've played 
>in and suggested a similar idea last year.  It has real possibilities but 
>there are some associated nightmares.

Why would anyone have a problem with others thanking people for their 
efforts??  If someone (anyone) wanted to hand out some type of coin, small 
material favor, bit of fur, or some other little tchotsky, to people they 
felt added to their experience of the day/evening/event - who could find 
fault??  (and if they do - fie on them!)  I have done it on numerous 
occasions, and I know PLENTY of others who have as well.  Mugs, trim, 
candles, oh - the list of little personal gifties is endless.
>
>Don't think the documentation idea can nevertheless be supported because 
>the records of non-nobility awarding prizes probably doesn't exist as a 
>practice.  You might be able to sell the idea because the period police 
>often are very inconsistant and I've seen period practices banned (one 
>specific is an archery sighting technique frowned upon in a period archery 
>manual but documented as period).
>
Documentation of 'nobles' acknowledging special talents, or extraordinary 
deeds done by tenants or one of the townspeople may not be often done or 
documented, but the generous and magnanimous Landowner/Baron, whatever, DID 
do just that on the occasion.  William The Conqueror handed out specially 
minted coins to certain of his populace, so did Charlemagne - and there are 
examples of documentation (and a few of the coins are in the Smithsonian).

>While not all good things need to be awards in the SCA, the bad and 
>downside to this idea is that we haven't fixed the problem of proper 
>appreciation (avoiding the term recognition).

Will we *ever* "fix" the problem??  I would like to think we will *always* 
want to extend and improve upon our abilities to thank people for their good 
efforts.  Perhaps making appreciation the focus for the next 3-6 months 
until it becomes habit would be a good thing for the Kingdom.   I would love 
to see someone mint several hundred Special Token Coins, just for the 
purpose of thanks, and I'd be MORE than happy to buy lots!!!!   Could be a 
great Fundraiser for the Kingdom.   Something like 10 for a dollar??  They 
could be something as simple as pot metal washers spray painted gold, little 
round brass something-or-others.


<If you had people saying "Thank You" more often and being visibly more 
appreciative, you wouldn't have the problem of people not being recognized.  
 >

There are still going to be people not recognized in a timely manner - 
whether by their opinion or someone else's.  Fact is, this Kingdom is still 
growing (in numbers) and the Crown just cannot stand up there (much as They 
may want to) and hand out 5-10 AoAs, 2-3 Grants, 4-5 something Else's at 
every event.  We would soon run out of awards and people to give them to, 
and quite soon, lessen the moment for ALL of the recipients, while the 
populace would sit out in the audience snoozing thru the countless scroll 
texts!    Sometimes, preparations need to be made - making sure that a 
person can actually GET to a particular event, or making sure their 
MEMBERSHIP is paid....(ahem...)  all which take a bit of time.  Maybe 
they're waiting on a scroll.   I've done a number of scrolls in just such 
instances where as soon as the scroll was done, the Recognition was given.  
Those are only a few other reasons to consider before blaming the Crown for 
not handing out enough recognitions of whatever type.

<A simple thank you made as a general annoucement isn't enough. >

Yes, but it's certainly is nice to hear when YOU'RE the one that has done so 
much of the work for a particular event, and They call YOU into Court and/or 
thank you publicly!   Just ask anyone to whom that's happened.   Our Barons 
and Baronesses make a BIG effort to thank their people, and I feel the Crown 
does as well if not even better - given the circumstances at each event.   
No one Royal or Ruling Noble can do it all (much less remember it all) - and 
I think the Populace can really add to this effort.

The token idea is grand - uniformity might be a good way to go.  After a 
very short while, we should ALL have 1 or 2 hanging on a little belt loop - 
and there are SOME people who will need a trunk!  =D

Duchess Arrowyn
 >YIS,
>Michael
>
>
>
>Jeff Shultz <jeffreyashultz at yahoo.com> wrote:
>And I think that a written scroll is a good idea too. The token thing is 
>just an idea. Like I said before each of us can do something like that in 
>our own ways. Giving Coins is period and can be documented as prizes in 
>contests etc. As far as period peers go: Dukes and nobility would have 
>their own faces or arms on coins etc. I am totally with you on not 
>everything needs to be Awarded. I would like to see less awards since we 
>are ALL nobles in the SCA context. I think people are looking for rewards 
>for there deeds instead of doing it for the activity itself. Ego's must be 
>stroked I guess. As for mundanely.....this is a historic recreation group 
>not a study group on the middle ages! I like the fact the you are replying 
>to these posts as all shared ideas lead to the betterment of OUR Society,
>Alexius
>
>
>NOT SAYING THAT THE TOKEN IDEA ISN'T A good/GREAT ONE but...
>
>Any documentation on hand out tokens by period peers?  While it might seem 
>period-like I don't think the practice can be documented (or if it would be 
>a stretch at best).  The spirit of awards really are meant to be given out 
>by the Crown and Coronets and the token is just a substitute for the 
>problem of people not being recognized.  I still like the idea but you are 
>opening a can of worms because what happens if "I" (or anybody else) want 
>to do something similar, are you going to get in the Circlet kind of 
>argument.
>
>While I think awards are great you don't need to award everything where a 
>simple "Thank You note" is plain and simple is good ettiquite.  Think about 
>it in mundane life.
>
>Michael
>
>Jeff Shultz <jeffreyashultz at yahoo.com> wrote:
>Heaven Forbid that we make a more period choice in this Society!
>A
>
>Wayne Hamberg <michaeltheloud at yahoo.com> wrote:
>Any kind of written show of apprecitation is less period but if 
>personalized will be remembered longer and appreciated more.  I have done 
>many events in the mundane world and have found that a nicely worded "Thank 
>You" gets a higher percentage of people returning to do the next event than 
>if you give a gift.
>
>Don't believe me, try it a few times and see what happens a year down the 
>road.  Autocrat an event and write a personal thank you to those that 
>helped you and see how many people volunteer for your next event without 
>you even having to ask.  When you don't write the "Thank You" you end up 
>losing out by people be relucent or refusing to help out again.
>
>Michael
>
>PS> Coming from somebody that has tropheys, medals, ribbons and patches in 
>boxes
>        just gathering dust.
>
>
>
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