[Artemisia] Re: Service, was: Re: [A

Tue Mar 15 13:43:00 CST 2005

I agree with you.. we need to set the example.  I have noticed tho, several groups are saying the same thing.  When I have been the event steward, I have tried to put folks that complain in charge of something to get a "gee, don't count on me, I can't come.", to find them at the event to once again complain.  I guess we get them no matter what we do.  I have started ignoring their comments.  It can be a confussing mess all right.. woking together is so much more fun and productive.
Red

Ellen Stavash <estavash at msn.com> wrote:
I'm sorry to hear that this is the way things are in your group. I guess I was confused when you said "this is in every group, not just one or two." In my experience, it can be difficult to judge what's going on behind the scenes if it's a group in which you are not active. 

I do agree that it's difficult when members of a group are more interested in complaining about a problem than being part of the solution. I think the only way out of that quagmire is to find enough people who are willing to lead by example, and who can show how fun and rewarding it can be to be involved in making things better. 

Maryam

----- Original Message -----
From: Redhawk
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 1:28 PM
To: Kingdom of Artemisia mailing list
Subject: Re: Service, was: Re: [Artemisia] Northern Barony

People who are the helpers are aware of these things that are going on. At least I am. I am not talking about those behind the visable eye folks Lets use my group just for an example. There are 5-6 of us that help at events. There are members that have come to my house to complain about how events locally aren't fun. These folks do not attend the meetings, they don't volunteer to help. When asked they are busy doing something else but the first ones to complain. If they don't help, they can't complain. If they don't attend meetings, send a posting to the list, they can't complain. If they don't stop by with even a note and say, "gee, I can't attend the meetings, but could you read some of my ideas to the populace?", they can't complain. I know, I am complaining right now, however, I am trying to get a point across. The groups in Montana need all our populace help in one way or another. A quick phone call, email, notes, even a letter with ideas to make things better is a
help. Everyone in each group has ideas. If they aren't real good ones, then through banter ect, great ones come of it. Everyone is of use and every idea is of use. We need everyone. Us folks in the North have been reeling over the idea of becoming a Region. After we get over the shock, people complain, (myself included) and *everyone* comes together, then ideas of how, what, when, who will come out of it and move forward to help create this new Northern Region. However, it takes eveyone. Not just the few that are willing to help, myself include. If I don't help, I can't complain, now can I? Meant with love and respect from the soapbox.. :0)
Redhawk

Ellen Stavash wrote:
Good Lady, regarding the issue of service, I think it is wonderful that you like to keep busy helping at events. However, please consider that not every form of service is as visible as dumping trash or serving food at feasts. Consider this example:

I know someone who resolved a bitter, longstanding interkingdom dispute through her skillful diplomacy and her cheerful willingness to compromise. She did this in a single morning, chatting informally with the people involved while her lord was busy setting up pavillions. From a distance, it would appear that she was just standing around talking while her lord was doing all the work, but the truth was far different. (This, by the way, is an example of politics in the best sense. Politics isn't always nasty backroom conniving-- that's why it's not an insult to say that Niccolo got his Pelican for politics.)

Another example is the case of many of the people who spent all afternoon chatting and watching the tourneys at Coronation. At a glance, it would appear that they were just lazy consumers of the event, but many of these people had spent countless hours making scrolls, stringing site tokens, sewing and embroidering His Majesty's garb (that was *NOT* trim on his pants!), preparing gift baskets, and making all the other advance preparations that made the day a success. The fact that many of us do these things in our living rooms instead of at events does not make it a lesser form of service. 

I do feel that everyone who consumes what the Society has to offer should give something back as well. However, this doesn't have to be at every event, or even during the event. It doesn't have to involve attending meetings or holding offices, although that is a wonderful thing in itself. Helping newcomers make garb and meet people, or keeping a group of children entertained and safe, is just as valid a form of service as heralding a court or autocrating an event. 

Getting off the soapbox now,
Maryam (AKA Elyn)

----- Original Message -----
From: Redhawk
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:38 AM
To: Kingdom of Artemisia mailing list
Subject: Re: [Artemisia] Northern Barony

Montana needs to have more than 5 people in each group doing the work of 20. I have re-thought this idea of a Region and feel it will be a great idea in a few years. Montana needs more OP's to help create this and more people willing to work. I guess it's great to attend a event and enjoy it; I wouldn't know. My enjoyment comes from serving and helping. When I attend MT events, I look to see who is doing stuff. It comes down to the same core group of 5 or 6 in the kitchen, dumping trash or unplugging a tolite. This is in every group, not just one or two. If everyone would donate an hour of their time to help, events would run smoother and the core group wouldn't be so tired.
A Region or Principality will be great for MT. However, we only have about 100 people or so and that is pretty small.
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