newcomers-lnks

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newcomers-lnks – 4/20/05

A set of web links to information for newcomers to the SCA by Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon.

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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

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From: aoife at scatoday.net

Subject: [Aoife-Links] Newcomer's Guide

Date: April 14, 2005 6:02:43 PM CDT

To: aoife-links at scatoday.net

Greetings, my Faithful Readers!

This week's Links List is about new members, and what we can do for them. Every year I try to do a "New Members Guide", and below you'll find this year's effort. It's true that there is a great deal of information on the SCA for our new members to find, but sometimes it is tough or confusing to sort through. I'd like to suggest that each kingdom have a newcomer's page attached to the front page of the kingdom website (or an icon: "newcomers click here!"). Several kingdoms DO have a new member's page, and I have listed those excellent sites below.

I usually ask everyone to forward the weekly list wherever they think it will find a ready readership. Doing so is doubly important for the Newcomer's Guide. Newcomers are the lifeblood of the Society. They bring fresh levels of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and enthusiasm to this past-time of ours, and I think it's important to start them off on the right foot, offering a helping hand wherever we must. How well I remember my first garb (I used flat washers sewn to the satin dress, instead of grommets), my first stint as a cook (we made spaghetti), my first name (found in a baby-name book), and my first taste of real historical atmosphere (ask me the story one day. It is VERY cool and starts out with "No sh*t, there I was at my First Pennsic....). That first dress was sold at an SCA garage sale (and was stripped of it's washers to make armor). The first name was dropped fairly quickly (would YOU want to be called Marigold?). That first feast evolved into an oft-told story of kitchen fun. And that Very cool story? Well, it involves gold coins, firelight, secret negotiations, mercenaries, and Uncle Feral's Rocket Fuel....

Below there are links to finding names, to developing heraldry, to researching a personae, how to camp successfully in a medieval atmosphere, how to garb one's person in a handy and quick manner, and many other good sites for that wonderful person who is new to the SCA. So, pass this list along, and while you're at it, pass along a story of when YOU were new to the SCA. Because the best thing about newcomers is that they've never heard your stories before....and that's the perfect excuse for a Bardic tale told 'round the fire.

Cheers!

Aoife

Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon

m/k/a Lisbeth Herr-Gelatt

Canton of Riverouge

Barony of the Endless Hills

Kingdom of Aethelmearc

SCA Member Service

http://www.sca.org/members/welcome.html">http://www.sca.org/members/welcome.html

(Site Excerpt) There are several levels of membership in the Society: a Sustaining membership ($35) includes a year's subscription to your kingdom's newsletter, which contains kingdom news, announcements for events taking place in your area, and local group contacts. Lower-priced Associate and Family memberships are also available.

How To Find A Group Near You

http://www.sca.org/findsca.html">http://www.sca.org/findsca.html

(Site Excerpt) The primary contact point in every group is the group president, called the "Seneschal". Some groups also have an officer whose job is to assist newcomers; usually called the "Chatelaine", "Hospitaller", or "Gold Key". When phoning an SCA officer, ask for them by their legal name, even if their SCA name is listed. Most of these people also work outside of their homes. Please call after working hours, and before 10 p.m. (2200 hours) their local time.

Advice to Newcomers by Countess Alys Katherine

(an early article by the current Society Chatelaine)

http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/hospitaler/articles/advcnew.htm">http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/hospitaler/articles/advcnew.htm

(Site Excerpt) No matter whether a long time SCA member brought you to your first meeting or you came by yourself, there's always a period of adjustment to this very different world. How can you get yourself oriented to all the new things and begin to have some fun?

Stefan's Florilegium Newcomer's Section

http://www.florilegium.org/files/NEWCOMERS/idxnew.html">http://www.florilegium.org/files/NEWCOMERS/idxnew.html

(Site Excerpt-21 links to further reading) This is a collection of files that I have assembled from various sources since I first joined the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) in 1989. The information in these files comes from the Rialto newsgroup (rec.org.sca), the old fidonet medieval echo conferance area, various mail lists and articles submitted to me by their authors.

Valhala Moon: Beginners Guide to Events

http://www.geocities.com/softigerain/events.html">http://www.geocities.com/softigerain/events.html

(Site Excerpt) Now that you've gotten used to the SCA, it's time to join in the fun and attend an event. If you've joined as a paid member, events will be listed in your copy of the Æstel. If you have not joined officially, ask other members of the Shire about upcoming events. Most often, they can point you in the direction of the sort of event you would enjoy, whether it would be a tournament, an arts and crafts demo, or Pennsic. If someone you already know is going, ask to carpool with them.

Teenagers and the SCA-Some Answers for Parents

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/1154/articles.html">http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/1154/articles.html

(Site Excerpt) Your teenager has decided to become active in the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Congratulations! Your teen has joined an organization where: Courtesy is expected; Learning is valued; Creativity is Encouraged; Safety is stressed; People are judged on their accomplishments and merits.

Stefan's Florilegium: Children (in the SCA)

http://www.florilegium.org/files/CHILDREN/children-msg.html">http://www.florilegium.org/files/CHILDREN/children-msg.html

(Site Excerpt of ONE message) Our other coping strategy was a young lady who attended events with us. If

Brigid was along, we paid Kilde's way as payment for her help with Brigid.

This was a shared activity, not a full-time babysitting arrangement. At

camping events, we would take turns on who spent the evening in camp and

who went camp hopping. At indoor events, Kilde would help out if, for

example, we both had business in Court and Kilde would hold Brigid. When

Kilde went to college, we got lost! We had truely been spoiled.

Articles for Newcomers By Gunnbjorn

http://ic.net/~blues/articles.htm">http://ic.net/~blues/articles.htm

SCA Inc's Newcomer Information Page

http://www.sca.org/newcomers.html">http://www.sca.org/newcomers.html

(Site Excerpt) This page is aimed at helping newcomers to the Society for Creative Anachronism get started.

Yahoogroup for SCA Newcomers

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scanewcomers/">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scanewcomers/

(Site Excerpt) This is a place for newcomers to the SCA to discuss arms, names, heavy weapons fighting, garb and other topics unique to the SCA. Please feel free to ask any questions you have, as many of the members of this club are longtime SCA participants who are here to answer your questions. Remember there are no stupid questions here. *****There is a search function in the Messages section if you would like to check previous answers and see if they help with your question but repeat questions are always welcome too.*****

Getting Started with Garb in the SCA

http://home1.gte.net/kmvogt/kgetstarted.html">http://home1.gte.net/kmvogt/kgetstarted.html

(Site Excerpt) When you went to your very first SCA meeting or event, you most likely wore some clothing borrowed from another member, or maybe you just happened upon a "demo" in your jeans and t-shirt. But now that the SCA has caught your attention, you would like to look a bit more presentable. Take some time to look around at other members. See what they are wearing. Ask questions about their Personas' time-periods and countries of origin. Decide what style you like best. Or perhaps you've always been interested in Vikings or the typical schoolbook "Knight". Ask around and you are sure to find someone who knows a little bit (or maybe even a lot) about the things that interest you.

Camping 101 by Justin du Coeur

http://jducoeur.org/carolingia/jerky.html">http://jducoeur.org/carolingia/jerky.html

A collected selection of tips for the first-time medieval camper.

CHOOSING A NAME & CREATING A PERSONA

by Modar Neznanich

http://www2.kumc.edu/itc/staff/rknight/Names.htm">http://www2.kumc.edu/itc/staff/rknight/Names.htm

(Site Excerpt) To be able to select a SCA name for yourself and begin creating your persona story, you must first decided what culture you desire to be from. There are many means useable to determine what culture you should choose. Some people look at the clothes worn by many cultures throughout various times and establish a selection based on what clothes they want to wear. Other people will think about what activities and crafts they are interested in and base a decision on the cultures known for expertise in those areas. Still others will investigate their personal lineage and choose the background of their family heritage as their SCA culture. Yet others will pick their SCA culture based from a historical interest on a particular society. Whatever means you choose to use is quite acceptable.

Medieval Names Archive (St Gabriel's Guild)

http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/">http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/

First-time garbing, SCA-style

http://www.southern-shores.org/gull/articles/sewing/first_garb.htm">http://www.southern-shores.org/gull/articles/sewing/first_garb.htm

(Site Excerpt) Usually basic costuming is told to the new to the SCA as, pre 13th century clothing. What we call 't-tunics' fit a plethora of lands of that time period, are extremely easy, and you can layer. Layering is something you will become adept at if you are to spend anytime in the SCA at all.

Garb Links

http://www.geocities.com/lorddonal/Garb.htm">http://www.geocities.com/lorddonal/Garb.htm

Literally hundreds of links to costuming

SCA Arts and Sciences Homepage (Two pages hold this title. I give both links)

http://www.sca.org/officers/arts/index.html">http://www.sca.org/officers/arts/index.html

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/arts_and_sciences.html">http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/arts_and_sciences.html

SCA Links of General Interest

http://www.sca.org/misc.html">http://www.sca.org/misc.html

SCA Arts of Combat and Chivalry

http://www.sca.org/chivarts.html">http://www.sca.org/chivarts.html

SCA Heraldry webpage

http://www.sca.org/heraldry/welcome.html">http://www.sca.org/heraldry/welcome.html

Kingdom Chatelaine Newcomer web pages:

Atlantia: Welcome to the SCA

http://chatelaine.atlantia.sca.org/newcomers.html">http://chatelaine.atlantia.sca.org/newcomers.html

(Site Excerpt) Within the confines of the SCA, we study the martial aspects of the Middle Ages, including armored combat, fencing, archery, siege weapons and more. We also study the arts and sciences, including music, poetry, cooking, singing, dancing, etc. There are people throughout the society who teach these skills in order to help us re-create this time period. We have been known to brag that if it existed during those times, someone is learning to do it now!

Ansteorra: Welcome to the Current Middle Ages!

http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/hospitaler/">http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/hospitaler/