[Artemisia] Raising Membership Costs and the Survival of the Organization

[Travis Schenck]

Friends and Gentles,

I realize that it that it is no fair that we may have to pay more for our
membership in the SCA, however the survival of the organization is in
question here. A mistake was made in allowing a child predator to be an
officer and now we are paying for it as the organization as a whole is being
sued. It is true that there is insurance for non-profits that can protect us
from such lawsuits but the current way our organization is structured makes
it very difficult to insure.
As the executive director of a Museum I deal with much of the same problems
that the SCA has suffered from these past few years. A Weakened economy has
lead to reduced giving and reduced membership for most non-profits
especially ones that are seen as being non-esential. More and more of the
cost of operations is being piled onto these organizations which in turn
means that they must ask for more funding. Without that funding they must
cut programs and activities that they traditionally preformed. Some because
of the flight of donors will close their doors and end as they are no longer
able to complete their mission.
So the question is what does the SCA do for you.

1. First it protects you. Imagine if you were to land a blow on an opponent
in combat and break their collar bone. Today the SCA would be the one who
covers the insurance claim if fault was found. But without the SCA you would
find yourself footing the bill a cost significantly more that $8.

2. The SCA provides the funding necessary to meet the insurance requirements
of to meet the needs of site owners. Without that many of the site we rent
for our events would add to the cost of being attending events by more.

3. The SCA provides a cohesive experience. Combat in Artemisia is nearly
identical to that in Dracawald, Lochac, the West or any other Kingdom. We
can all go to Penssaic or Estrella and play together because of the cohesive
experience that the SCA provides.

In the end your membership and participation in the SCA depends on if you
appreciate what the SCA does for you. I realize it is hard times and things
may upset you. Bye all means express this to the organization. But saying
that the additional cost of a Large sized Big Mac meal per year will drive
you from the SCA is perhaps a little reactionary.

Remember the SCA can be so much more than just a game it can be a force for
good and we can make it better through playing and supporting it. I would be
sad to not see you at Uprising or other events and wish there was a way that
we could solve the problem. There are turbulent times ahead for the SCA but
the fire for the SCA still burns hot in our breast. Lets not quench it or
let those who would destroy the dream win.

Lord Javier
Redbridge


-- 
If you wish to understand today, you must search yesterday.  ~Pearl S. Buck