[Artemisia] Grand Council discussions

[Lady Flora]

Well spoke, Lady Bethoc!

But while we are on the subject..........I think that membership as a
requirement for getting awards is a good thing.  I have come under fire for
requiring folks to have a membership to compete in Bardic competitions.  My
thoughts on this are that Bardic Arts are every bit as important to our
society as fighting is.  And for those of us who DON'T fight, but can sing a
tune or two, I think that NOT requiring memberships to compete in Bardic
Competitions (or Arts and Sciences, for that matter) says that these things
aren't as important as fighting, because one HAS to have a membership to
fight.
*steps off soap box*

However, if basic dues were to go up, I would still be proud to carry a
membership card.  Even if they went up substantially, I would think it worth
it to belong to a group that has helped me to grow in so many different
areas.  And, like my friend Lady Bethoc, I am of a mind that if you belong
to an organization, you  pay the dues.  Never even thought twice about it. 

As far as requiring different amounts for different "levels" of
activity...nah.  Don't like that one.  This can be a very expensive hobby.
And, like Mistress Catriona, I don't think ANYONE should have to pay MORE
financially for the honor of serving.  I just can't wrap my brain around
that one.  If anything, I would like to see honorary lifetime memberships
awarded to certain folks who serve so tirelessly.

MY two cent's worth.

I Humble Service to the Dream, 
Lady Flora of Heronton


-----Original Message-----
From: artemisia-bounces at lists.gallowglass.org
[mailto:artemisia-bounces at lists.gallowglass.org] On Behalf Of BECKY LEISHMAN
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 4:47 PM
To: Kingdom of Artemisia mailing list
Subject: Re: [Artemisia] Grand Council discussions

Without any snippage: 

Why pay for membership...and pay for play ... my thoughts on the subject: 

We became card carrying members of the SCA about 2 months after attending
our first activity, a fighter practice.  It only took that long because it
took me that long to make up my mind and to figure out how to get and send
the membership forms. 

Most organizations require membership 'dues' in one form or another, so it
only made sense to us.... that we pay dues.

It wasn't to get newsletters (the same info is available online)... I do
however enjoy the TI and Compleat Anachronist publications that we pay extra
for.  
It wasn't to be able to hold an office (although we do). 
It wasn't to get spiffy awards (although we have and appreciate the
acknowledgement of our efforts to serve). 
It wasn't so we could fight, neither of us are fighters, although my hubby
now shoots archery, and was previously a rapier marshall. 
To us, it was because we grew up in an era where you paid for the privilege
of 'belonging' to an organization, and it just seemed like the 'right thing'
to do. 

We already have a multi level membership option... it appears to me that the
reasoning behind it is to make it a tad 'easier' for families to become
members.  That makes sense to me. Although we pay the high end rates
ourselves, folks with lots of kids have a harder time making ends meet,
giving them an option of somewhat lower fees, makes it easier for them to
join in on the fun, and also have a sense of  'belonging'.. to say nothing
of reducing the amount of paperwork needed at every event you go to.

It is true, membership would not help you if you were injured as a
fighter... one would hope that if you are crazy enough (sorry) to be out on
a field allowing yourself to get hit in the head and elsewhere with big
sticks, that you would have the foresight to understand you are putting
yourself at risk and should perhaps carry some sort of health insurance or
at least know where and how to get free or significantly reduced health care
should you get injured. (that's your responsibility however, not mine).  I
carry insurance myself so that if I go walking across a field, step in a
gopher hole and break my leg, I can be treated without breaking the bank. It
does however help ensure our ability to rent some of the sites that we use
without having to pay huge additional insurance fees. 

It makes sense for the organization of this size (and with these types of
activities)  to offer a form of 'personal insurance' that folks could
purchase in addition to their membership, that would cover the type of
accidents that can occur at an event for a nominal fee (per year - to
members only)... similar to the insurance you get through the schools, etc.
It also makes sense to require purchase of said 'insurance' to those who put
themselves at greater risk - fighters, equestrians. This type of insurance
coverage costs money, and I would expect those who take advantage of it to
also absorb the cost... not me. 

I think that most of us (unless we were born with a silver spoon in our
mouths) can remember a time when we simply couldn't afford to absorb the
costs of membership in this type of an organization.  Some of us would
choose to get our financial houses in order prior to starting to get too
heavily involved with this type of group.. others would limit their play to
a few events a year.  Some would continue full steam ahead and be very
disturbed when they can't afford to feed their families - it's all a matter
of priorities. 

Anytime there is talk of changing the fee structure, there is always a big
'to - do' on the networks.  Granted sometimes folks just have to talk it out
to come to terms with 'change'.   The fact of the matter is... as long as I
can afford to be a card carrying member, I will continue to be one. When I
can't, I will probably stop playing and focus my attention on what it was
that caused me not to be able to pay my dues. 

I hope that anyone who is out there listening, look at the logic behind
'membership', and come to terms with it.  It's highly unlikely it will go
away or get less 'costly' anytime soon. 

My two cents. 
Bethoc 



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