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<BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> Wow! I got a message through! Anyhow, I have been following all <BR>this award stuff and how we as a society are not gaining new members etc. <BR>The first thought I had was why are awards so important? When we first <BR>approached this game few if any of us knew about these awards and <BR>titles yet we still wanted to play. I have been in the SCA for about 10 <BR>years now and have received several awards from a few kingdoms. What I <BR>remember most though is not getting a scroll, cord, or even being named a <BR>Fyrdman of Calontir.....what I cherish most is the memories that I have <BR>made with people that I enjoyed sharing adventures and knowledge with. <BR>I also hold more dear a tunic that a friend made for me than a scroll <BR>handed down by someone who "knows" my face. I think to get and hold on <BR>to new members we should do more to make them think this
is where it's <BR>at without diminishing the importance of Our awards. Wouldn't't have <BR>been cool if someone came up to you at one of your first events and gave <BR>you<BR> something very simple yet very period( a simple tunic with a single <BR>row of embroidery or, ugh!, trim). This happened to me and as a part of <BR>repayment to the person whom gifted it to me I made a newbie a simple <BR>pair of one piece shoes. We could all do this at some level and I bet the <BR>numbers would grow. People will Always get overlooked for awards but no <BR>one should overlook the fun we have hear. Politics suck now just like <BR>they did in Charlemagne's court so I guess we should deal with it and <BR>move on. I love this game and the family I have made in it.<BR> <BR>Peace,<BR>Alexius<BR> <BR>"What ever happened to the not for profit historical education group I <BR>signed on for anyway?" A period mavin......me<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><p><hr SIZE=1>
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