Getting-an-AoA-art - 6/22/98 "How to Get an AoA" by Gunnora Hallakarva. NOTE: See also the files: 4-newcomers-msg, SCA-intro-art, names-FAQ, courtesy-msg, feastgear-msg, Award-Rec-Let-art, award-rec-let-msg, SCA-awards-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ Subject: ANST - How to Get an AoA Date: Fri, 12 Jun 98 13:42:17 MST From: Gunnora Hallakarva [Gunnora's email is now: gunnora at vikinganswerlady.org -ed] To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG "How to Get an AoA" by Gunnora Hallakarva The AoA or Award of Arms is given for any number of reasons. Usually it is given to someone who has been playing consistently in the SCA for a year or two, and showing a fair amount of effort on one or more fields of endeavor. So, how to earn an AoA? First, select a name and a persona, and begin learning a little about the time and place you have selected. And get yourself a basic costume together. Then become active in the SCA, in some of the ways listed below: If you are interested in fighting, become an active fighter. Make armor for yourself, and, if you are good at armormaking, volunteer to help others withtheir armor. Get authorized as a marshal and volunteer your services at fighter practices and at those events which your local group holds, also volunteer to marshall outside your group. Help make tabards or sashes for the marshals in your group. Donate staffs to be used in marshalling. Help make water bottles for the waterbearers. Volunteer as a waterbearer. Volunteer to help the list mistress and learn how a tournament is run. Volunteer to serve as list master/mistress yourself. If you are interested in the arts, become an active artisan. Learn about period art forms and start practicing them. Display your arts at local events and at kingdom events. Create items using your arts that will be used for award regalia, or for regalia to enhance the period appearance of your local group such as kneeling pillows, banners, pavillions, etc. Find out what events are upcoming, and what types of props are needed for those events that you can make and contribute. Practice your art and then donate your creations to be used as prizes by your local group or by other kingdom groups. Donate your artwork to the Crown to be used as largesse. If you are interested in service, pitch in and lend a hand wherever possible. Consider volunteering for a local office in your local group, then serve conscientiously, turning in a good effort in your office. Volunteer to help prepare for events, cooking feasts, building props for events, sewing banners or garb or whatever else is needed. Volunteer at events both local and when you travel - volunteer for gateguard, for server at feasts, volunteer to help cook in the kitchen, help set up pavillions and the listfield, help individuals set up their camps after you have set up your own. Learn the essentials of autocratting or feastocratting, and see if an experienced autocrat or feastocrat will allow you to serve with them as co-autocrat or co-feastocrat to help you learn. Once you have the basics down, take a swing at autocratting or feastocratting on your own. To earn an AoA, you basically become active in the SCA. The three areas of suggestions that I've outlined above can help you get started, and you can mix and match activities according to your means and your interests. Gunnora Hallakarva Herskerinde Edited by Mark S. Harris Getting-an-AoA-art Page 2 of 2