SCA-awards-msg - 6/29/08
Comments about SCA awards and the SCA award system.
NOTE: See also the files: A-Peer-Within-art, Hst-SCA-Fence-art, Award-Rec-Let-art, award-rec-let-msg, crown-cost-msg, knighthood-msg.
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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.
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Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: mjc+ at cs.cmu.edu (Monica Cellio)
Subject: Re: Time to Peerage (was Re: Arrow in the Eye)
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 05:24:29 GMT
The following article was published in the July Pikestaff (East Kingdom).
Ellisif
Of Time And Peers
Aleksandra de Accipitre, C.M., M.L.
There is a running discussion among those who play this game seriously about
which peerage is the "hardest" to get. This is defined in various ways, the
most common of which is "takes the longest," generally supported by anecdotal
evidence. ("My peerage took SO long . . . .") In a recent fit of
desperation to avoid serious work I decided to put together some
more-than-anecdotal evidence on this subject and compiled the following
table of averages (all times are expressed in years):
Rattan Combat Arts Service
AoA to OTC: 2.31 Maunche: 2.60 Crescent: 4.39
High Merit to Peer 2.02 3.60 3.90
AoA to Chivalry: Laurel: Pelican:
Avg. 3.74 5.53 7.17
High 10 18 17
Low 0 1 2
AoA to FIRST Peerage: Chivalry: Laurel: Pelican:
Avg. 3.67 4.86 6.44
High 10 11 13
Low 0 1 2
SOURCE: The latest Order of Precedence, plus personal knowledge of
some peerages awarded since the end of Ruslan and Margaret's reign. The
total sample was 52 Pelicans, 62 Laurels and 62 Knights and Masters at Arms.
The sample of those receiving their first Order of Peerage (Royal Peerages
were not counted) consisted of 43 Pelicans, 53 Laurels and 61 members of the
Chivalry.
METHOD OF CALCULATION: I made up separate tables for each of the Orders
of Peerage (except the Rose). For each member of the Order, I wrote down the
CALENDAR YEAR he/she received: an Award of Arms, the Order of High Merit
in the category corresponding to his/her Peerage, and the Peerage itself.
(I also noted which were a person's second--or later--Peerage.) I then simply
subtracted the years. "Average" is a simple arithmetic mean. The use of
years, rather than months, may have produced some distortion (e.g., someone
who got two awards 6 months apart would have the difference listed as either
1 or 0 years), but I assume these distortions are random as to direction,
and so cancel each other out. I doubt that using months would produce
significant differences in the average time between awards. High and low
figures are plus or minus 1 year.
NOT INCLUDED in these tables are: Peerages given outside the East
Kingdom; anyone not listed in the Order of Precedence (such as Peers who have
moved out of the Kingdom); Peers for whom I could not find a date for either
an AoA or an Order of High Merit; members of the Orders of High Merit who do
not also hold the corresponding category of Peerage. (That is, the average
time from AoA to OTC is true ONLY for those members who are also in the
chivalry, and similarly for the others.)
WHERE NO AoA was listed, I assumed the person received an AoA with
his/her first Order of High Merit, since these are armigerous awards.
These cases were NOT included in calculating the time from AoA to
such Order.
For all Orders of Peerage, the average time from AoA to Peerage is LESS
than the sum of AoA to High Merit and High Merit to Peerage. This is due
to people who got their AoA WITH their Order of High Merit, and to
people who received a Peerage without ever getting the corresponding Order
of High Merit.
What does all this mean? A good question, and one to which I'm not sure
I know the answer. On the face of it, it certainly seems to confirm the
"popular wisdom" that the chivalry is the easiest and the Pelican the most
difficult Peerage (at least in this Kingdom.) There is, however, one
important piece of data missing: how long someone was active BEFORE
getting his/her AoA. Is it really easier to get a peerage for fighting, or is
it just harder for a "stick jock" to get an AoA? I leave these questions open
and hope that this information will prompt informed discussion.
I will be happy to send copies of my complete data tables to anyone who
sends a self-addressed, stamped envelope (business size, 29 cents postage)
to: Sondra Venable, P.O. Box 1826, New York, NY 10025.
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: UCCXDEM <UCCXDEM at MVS.UCC.OKSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Time to Peerage (was Re: Arrow in the Eye)
Organization: Oklahoma State University Computer Center, Stillwater OK
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 16:09:00 GMT
>Two questions: What's the average time from AoA to peerage where you
>come from? And what's the fastest you've ever heard of it happening?
>Ancarett Nankivellis
>Janice Liedl
>Laurentian University, Canada
>JLIEDL at NICKEL.LAURENTIAN.CA
Greetings unto the Rialto from Marke.
I have some stats for the Kingdom of Ansteorra, compiled by a member
of my shire.
knights-53 laurels-77 pelicans-39 overall
overall 3 4 11 6 8 4 10
north 4 1 7 7 1 6 1
central 2 9 5 7 1 5
south 2 10 4 4 6 7 4 7
The figures for each region do not include 18 people who's residences
are unknown. The time figures are expressed as years months. As you can
see the figures for knighthood are fairly even throught the kingdom, but
the numbers show for laurels is fairly dissparate (sp?) from south to
north. The author of the stats told me that half of Ansteorra's laurels
live in the southern region. Not shown is the numbers for years in the
SCA before getting AOA. These numbers are not available, but best guess
places Kingdom average at 1 year and 6 months.
Marke
uccxdem at mvs.ucc.okstate.edu
Subject: Re: ANST - Too Many Awards, Too Fast
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 18:06:26 MST
From: Lee Lemons <lalemons at flash.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
One more thing to consider - when people recieve awards too quickly, sometimes
that means that they, not through any doing of their own, have received some of
those awards before they really, totally earned them. I've known a few
individuals who felt badly, who felt guilty, upon receiving an award too early.
They knew it was not right, everyone else knew it wasn't right, but because one
or more individuals wrote glowing award recommendations, the award was granted.
It is a horrible feeling to get an award and just have that gut feeling that
it was just too early for it.
Just another perspective to consider when thinking of sending in an award
recommendation.
Curstaidh
C. L. Ward wrote:
> Bjorn Lochlannac <bjorn at odsy.net> said:
> >Justg wanted to let you know that I agree with you 100%.
> >There is nothing to make a person "burn out" faster than
> > feeling taken for granted.
>
> and Faith Vedder wrote:
> >> And if they get no encouragement they will burn out and leave as well.
> >> It's a fine line.
>
> But as several people have already pointed out, you DON"T have to give
> awards to acknowledge peoples' hard work and effort. Public recognition,
> word fame, a small gift in court from the local noble, all of these work
> equally well as an award. They are in fact more welcome many times than an
> award.
>
> Sure, we could lump all the awards onto a person in no time at all. Have
> you noticed that once a person is a peer or a noble they mostly don't GET
> any more awards? Or if they do, they are few and far between?
>
> Now think -- you've rushed this person through getting this stack of
> awards, not taking any account of timing between the awards. Then they hit
> this brick wall after which they won't get much of anything else. How will
> that feel to the person who is used to measuring their acceptance within
> the group and achievement by getting a cookie every few months?
>
> It's also important to recognize that not everyone gets awards in the
> Society. I've seen it stated before that many people never get more than
> an AoA. So how do *those* people feel when they see Lord
> On-the-Fast-Track getting umpty awards all the time?
>
> Another point to consider -- maturity and behavior aren't closely evaluated
> for many of our awards, but they become critical factors in whether or not
> a person will get a Peerage, or one of the grant-level awards where the
> members of that order are polled (White Scarves and Centurions). It
> normally takes most people a few years in the Society to develop the
> maturity and understanding about how the group works that would allow them
> to be considered for one of these awards. What happens when a person racks
> up all the awards short of the peerage, then --- nothing? And that person
> won't get the peerage *until* the maturity develops -- but since they don't
> have the maturity, what typically happens is that person gets frantic and
> pissed off because they aren't getting the peerage when they think that
> they should, then they do dumb things that come back to the ears of the
> Circle, and that delays the peerage further. Had the person's earlier
> awards been spaced out further, by the time they were looking at a peerage
> as the next step, the maturity would be there, too.
>
> I think it's critically important to recognize people for the work they do
> -- by giving them praise and gifts. And I think it's important to give
> people awards, but to space them out as well.
>
> W¾s ?u H¾l (Waes Thu Hael)
>
> Gunnora Hallakarva, OL
> Baroness to the Court of Ansteorra
Subject: Re:ANST - awards ...
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 23:03:03 MST
From: "Pat Mullins" <padric at astrosfan.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
On Sat, 17 Jul 1999 13:18:09 -0500 j'lynn yeates <jyeates at realtime.net>
wrote:
>On 17 Jul 99, at 14:00, Gladwen at aol.com wrote:
>> Please--Please---if you recommend someone for an award at a certain
>> court--please make sure they are there. The scrolls that are prepared
>> represent many hours of work by the scribes who paint them so beautifully.
>> To think of wasting one is unnacceptable to anyone who has ever spent
>> hours painting.
>
>question ... which is more important, honoring the person's accomplishments
>(whether of not they are there) or the "theater" of the presentation of the
>trappings of that award ????
>
>if they are not present that that particular event, what's the problem with
>simply announcing the award and then holding the trappings of that award until
>the next event where they are present to physically receive them?
My lady and I were to receive our AoAs last year at an event we did not
attend (and had not planned to attend, as our poor horse could not pull the
wagon that far). Our local herald obtained the scrolls, and kept them a
secret from us. At the next event we did attend, he called us into court
before their Majesties Richard and Gladwen to receive them. My lady,
Jilleighanne of Lindisfarne, was so amazed at being called into court that
she nearly swooned at Gladwen's feet. Did our awards mean any less to us
because the date and place on the scrolls did not coincide with the date and
place we received them? Not a bit. We were pleased and honored to have
received recognition at all, and those beautifully painted scrolls are now
cherished possessions, wrong dates and places and all.
Padric
Subject: ANST - Refusing an Award?
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 99 08:22:23 MST
From: "C. L. Ward" <gunnora at bga.com>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
> Knowing he was not worthy of the honor to be
> conferred on him, the Honorable Man came into
> court, stood before the Crown, and said "Your
> Majesties, I am not worthy of this honor, do not
> deserve it, and will not accept it" (or words to that
> effect).
It would have been much better, and more polite, to have not kicked up a
fuss in court, but rather waited until afterwards and spoken to the Crown
privately. This way the person could still resign the award, without
embarrassing the Crown, and since it would be much easier to explain the
situation in a more private setting, then one hasn't destroyed one's
chances of ever receiving another award.
If it were me, say, suddenly being offered an award I didn't feel I
deserved, I kind of think that I'd accept the award quietly -- because
obviously a bunch of my friends and the Crown think that I *do* deserve
that award. Then I'd do my darnest to earn the award by my actions
afterwards, living up to what I had been bestowed with.
However, I have a note to add about those who don't want awards. My dear
lady's ex went around loudly and publicly proclaiming that she wouldn't
accept any awards. I haven't been able to determine whether or not she
told people that Damaris didn't want awards or not, but at any rate,
through contagion or misinformation people believed that Damaris, too, was
award-shy. And it absolutely wasn't true! I'm sure that other situations
can arrive to tag someone with the "I don't ever want awards" label falsely
-- so if you have someone with this reputation in your group, ask them
directly. If truly they don't want awards, they will tell you so. But if
what you've heard is misinformation, get the truth, and then TELL everybody
what the truth is. I think misinformation along these lines has nixed more
awards ...
Gunnora Hallakarva, OL
Baroness to the Court of Ansteorra
Subject: Re: ANST - Refusing an Award?
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 08:48:38 MST
From: "Paul Mitchell" <pmitchel at flash.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
>If it were me, say, suddenly being offered an award I didn't feel I
>deserved, I kind of think that I'd accept the award quietly -- because
>obviously a bunch of my friends and the Crown think that I *do* deserve
>that award. Then I'd do my darnest to earn the award by my actions
>afterwards, living up to what I had been bestowed with.
I'm reminded of Master Robin of Gilwell, whose stock answer
to protestations of unworthiness is: "If you were going around
saying you _did_ deserve the award, and we didn't agree with you,
we'd ignore you then, too."
- Galen of Bristol
Subject: Re: ANST - Refusing an Award?
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 10:45:33 MST
From: "Casey&Coni" <weed at sage.net>
To: <ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG>
Reading this thread reminds me of an elegant example of an occasion where
someone refused an award and it *was* acceptable.
When Don Eule was called into court about two years ago he went hesitantly.
The Crown intended to bestow him the Iris of Merit (which was well-deserved,
I might add). Before the herald spoke any words or he was told what award
he was being given, he politely asked the crown if he was being given an
award. They replied that it was indeed why he was called forward and he
then begged them not to do so. He explained that his lady love, Mistress
Ariella, was not present on that day and that it would mean so much for her
to see him recieve anything, regardless of what it was; would they please be
so kind as to give it at a future date (in two weeks, I think) if they still
deemed him worthy?
Needless to say, neither the Crown nor the crowd objected.
It's a bit different than the examples that have thus far been set forth,
but I think it's noteworthy enough to repeat. *sniff* (something must have
gotten in my eye)
Dieterich
Subject: Re: ANST - Refusing an Award?
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 99 15:18:19 MST
From: "Michael F. Gunter" <michael.gunter at fnc.fujitsu.com>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
> If it were me, say, suddenly being offered an award I didn't feel I
> deserved, I kind of think that I'd accept the award quietly -- because
> obviously a bunch of my friends and the Crown think that I *do* deserve
> that award. Then I'd do my darnest to earn the award by my actions
> afterwards, living up to what I had been bestowed with.
>
> ::GUNNORA::
This reminds me of one of the more enjoyable events during our reign.
We called a certain lovely young lady up in court and she stormed up
to the dais, disdaining any escorting arm or assistance up the stairs.
She plopped down onto the kneeling pillows and had an expression of
irritation and a bit of anger on her face. Hmmmm. She then muttered to
me "You'd better not be giving me an award!"
"Oohhhh?", sez I.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't DESERVE one!", was the angry response.
"Oohhhh?"
So then I said, "Don't you work with the children's activities?"
"But I LIKE kids!"
"Don't you work in the kitchens all the time?"
"But that's FUN!"
"Aren't you always doing set-up and clean up and haven't you been
doing this for years?"
"But it's what my friends are doing so I'm just having fun with them!"
I looked at the populace and asked if this was what was expected for an
AoA. Thankfully they responded with a rousing affirmative.
I turned back to her and told her that I was sorry but as King I had to
listen to the demands of my people and had her award read into law.
She was much meeker when I assisted her up and presented her to
the populace. During their cheers and applause she said in a tiny voice,
"This means I have to behave now?" to which I replied "And I do?"
This Lady was escorted back to her seat still protesting her unworthiness
but I do hope she did realize more of her worth to her group and to
Ansteorra.
Still, although we gave out many AoA's during our reign hers will always
be remembered.
Gunthar
Subject: Re: ANST - Awards
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 08:22:40 MST
From: Dr Tiomoid of Angle <tiomoid at yahoo.com>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
--- Trish McCurdy <ladyoftherose at hotmail.com> wrote:
> "My" reason is because of personal experiences and things I have
> witnessed. Someone else might feel differently though.
>
> "My" reasoning is that I have seen alot of people go to a friend and
> say "I put you in for this award", and when it doesn't happen at
> that event, or sometimes even for a very long time, the person who
> was given that knowledge that they were nominated has some hurt
> feelings.
>
> Some people might take that knowledge and get the warm fuzzies
> knowing that another felt that they were worthy, and perhaps this
> might mean even more than the award itself.
>
> But others might take that knowledge and feel slighted if the
> recommendation wasn't acted on.
Serious concerns. But they raise two questions in my mind:
1. Does the person who is likely to feel slighted for not getting an
award just because they've been nominated for one really deserve an
award?
2. Is it better to take the chance of a person who's been doing a lot
of work drops out because of no recognition of any kind just on the off
chance that they'd feel slighted if they were recommended for an award
and either didn't get it or got it only after a while?
> There is no rule against telling, I would just caution against it
> because of the way it might affect a person's feelings. And there
> is something to be said for a suprised reaction, it often makes
> better pictures :)
I've always hated the surprise-party, Queen-for-a-Day impulse that
seems to permeat the awards process. Like a person who comes home to a
surprise birthday party when they had something else planned for that
evening, it puts people in an awkward position. I've always thought
that the notion, distressingly common in the SCA, that "getting good
pictures" justifies putting people on the spot that way is rather
juvenile.
Fra Tadhg Liath OFT
The Grumpiest Pelican
SCITIS IMPLETI * NOSCE IGNOTIS
Subject: Re: ANST - Awards (long)
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 09:29:28 MST
From: marsha.greene at mpan.com
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
>--- Trish McCurdy <ladyoftherose at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> And most of all, don't tell the person your wrote about that you did
>> it. Let it be a suprise if it happens, and a confidence between you
>> and those you sent the recommendation to.
>
>Why? And especially why "most of all"?
>Fra Tadhg Liath OFT
I've done my share in recommending folks for awards, and find it's a
privilege to be able to do so. But, have never told the 'candidate'
for the award that I had recommended them beforehand; for the same reasons
noted by others... what if they don't get the award? No reason to cause
hurt feeling. If unsure whether the candidate will be at court, it often
helps to gain the assistance of a member of their household or significant
other, to make sure they are on site and available to accept the award when
called, especially if you have a good idea they will get called. Keep
those who know about the award being given down to a minimum... just as
much of a treat for those watching court as for the one getting the award.
But, there is certainly nothing wrong with telling the award recipient that
you recommended them, *After* they got the award. They feel special
getting the award from the crown, but often feel more special when they
know who in the local community supported the 'getting of it'. Adds icing
to the cake! And I get to feel like 'Santa Claus' when I see my
recommendations being fulfilled. :->
Next topic: refusing an award/avoiding court. I read with interest the
earlier comments on refusing awards. Over the years, I have heard several
folks say they avoid court because they did not want to be called, or they
would refuse the award if called.... primarily because they were at odds
with the seated Nobility or Crown. It may not happen often, but it does
happen. May I suggest to the folks avoiding court/refusing the award, that
the hand they are rejecting is not the one that is presenting the award,
but rather the folks that wrote the award recommendations. Having been
Sable Scroll several times myself, I have found the the majority of the
awards the Crown/Nobility present are not initiated by the Crown/Nobility,
but rather by the populace. Consider the *source* of the award, not
necessarily the *presentation* of it.
Get those pens ready and write or e-mail those award recommendations. Oh,
by the way, you know this event is coming more than 6 months in advance, as
a rule... please send the rec's no later than one month before the event.
Any later than that is causing more work for the staff, and may mean the
award is not given, as its too late to prepare. Even two-weeks before the
event is tight. The sooner the Crown can set the awards, the sooner the
Sable Scroll can have nice scrolls ready, and avoid the expense of sending
the awards through overnight delivery.
Baroness Hillary Rose Greenslade
Subject: ANST - Rambling about discussions of peerage, etc. (long)
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 14:15:02 MST
From: Michael Tucker <michaelt at neosoft.com>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Unto my good and true fellow Ansteorrans,
Greetings from Michael Silverhands:
We've got quite a discussion group going here! Several related topics are being
passionately discussed on many levels: who are the Peers of Ansteorra? what
makes a Peer? should we recognize as Peers people who exhibit "Peer" qualities,
but don't fit the available Peerages? if so, should we change how we look at
the existing Peerages, or should we instead create a new one?
Although I don't agree with everything that's been said, I find the arguments to
be illuminating and thought provoking. Many (though, sadly, not all) have been
well thought out and carefully considered. If nothing else, they help me to
better understand how others feel about these issues, and to examine more
closely how _I_ do. Whether any policies are changed as a result of these
discussions, I think they are worthwhile - even the strongly negative points
of view, which (again, if nothing else) serve to remind us that there's always
another side to consider.
All of that being said, after some thought I've decided to throw in my two cents
on some of those subjects. Warning: this message rambles a lot. Feel free to
click "Next" or "Delete" now if you're not interested in my point of view,
or if you've grown weary of the whole discussion.
I think my SCA experience has brought me to a place where I can appreciate
what's been said on both sides of this whole issue. I've been playing for about
18 years, if you count from my first event. But I still remember what it was
like to be new. For my first several years, I came to events with nothing more
than the garb on my back and a cup to drink from. I wasn't very "clued in" to
how to prepare for an event, but that was ok because I had found many friends
who treated me like part of their family. It was a wonderful feeling. Today,
Neassa and I count ourselves lucky if we don't need a trailer to haul our stuff
to an event. The shoe is on the other foot, but I haven't forgotten what it
was like before.
I've got plenty of awards and titles, most of them unsought after. I've tended
to pitch in and work at events, and hold offices when they come empty. It
happens that I've been recognized for my work (although that doesn't
automatically follow), and I've got a slew of service awards up to and including
the Star of Merit. I've also enjoyed bardic pursuits, coming from a lifetime
of interest in music and the performing arts. My efforts have been recognized
(thank you!), and I hold a Thistle and an Iris of Merit. I've fought, both
tournament and war, both rattan and (just starting) rapier. In a cabinet in my
home there's a little mug won in a small tournament along the way - one of my
proudest and most surprising achievements in the SCA. Neassa and I were chosen
to be the Crown's representative to Stargate (and the Barony's voice to the
Crown), and have served as Baron/ess for over 4 years.
So you might as well lump me in with the folks who've got lots of awards.
However, I don't have a Peerage and perhaps never will. I love music and the
performing arts, but I have so _many_ interests that I don't give that _one_ the
kind of energy that, say, a Laurel such as Avatar of Catsprey or Samuel Piper
has done. I just play my instruments, and sing my songs, and tell my stories.
It's _fun_ and _rewarding_ in and of itself. I also tend to work a lot. But,
again, if I look at the level of work put out by most Pelicans, I realize that
I'm spread a little thin to be seen as really focused on work. But that's ok,
too. I'm happy to do the work; usually there's some "instant gratification" from
seeing a job done, and done well. That is, in and of itself, a reward for the
work. I enjoy fighting, but since I tore up my knees it's painful and difficult
for me. I will likely never be able to sustain the level of fighting required
for Knighthood (or even a Centurion or White Scarf). But, again, that's ok. I
have fun, I feel that I give as well as I get, and I learn a lot about our
history and myself by doing it.
So you might as well count my voice among the "non-Peers", too.
I do what I do, because I love doing it. The awards are a "bonus".
The titles and awards are _nice_, don't get me wrong! Especially the recognition
of my love for music - that Thistle and Iris mean a lot to me. Not the little
"dangly" that I wear (which has _no_ value outside our world of make-believe),
but the fact that a bunch of my friends and people I respect went to a lot of
trouble to tell me, publicly, that they thought I'd accomplished something. But
the awards don't, in and of themselves, _define_ who I am. At best, I'd say
they _reflect_ some aspects of who I am.
Among the people who know me, I think I command a certain level of respect in my
various pursuits. If the subject is the performing arts, those who know me
acknowledge that I'm pretty knowledgeable in that subject. If there's work to be
done, those who know me know that all they have to do is let me know it needs
doing, and I'll most likely either help take care of it or help find someone who
will. When I armor up, those who know me accord me a (modest) level of respect
on the field. I'm not much threat to our seasoned warriors, but on the other
hand they are careful not to get careless around me. Whether or not any _words_
of praise are exchanged, it's very gratifying to be accorded this kind of
respect by people's _actions_. This respect comes _regardless_ of awards.
Still, an award serves at least two (three, in the case of a Peerage) useful
functions:
1) (most important) It's a public accolade, a validation of who you are and
what you do, from some people whose opinions might matter to you. As such, it's
encouragement to keep doing what you do, and an incentive for others to follow
suit. You could accomplish the same thing with something other than an official
award, but the award structure provides a handy means to that end.
2) The award's insignia serves as a "letter of introduction" to people who don't
know you. If I choose to wear my Star or Iris ribbon, someone who knows what
they mean can suppose (safely or not *grin*) that I know something about the
arts, and service. Of course, few outside Ansteorra would know what those
little ribbons signify.
3) A Peerage is both of the above things, but it is also your letter of
admission to the Circle for conducting the business of the Order. It is also
recognized throughout the Society. Wherever you go, if you see a white belt
on someone you can suppose (again, rightly or not *grin*) that they have
achieved mastery of the martial aspects of our Society.
HOWEVER, COMMA: I said that receiving an award meant a lot to me because it was
a public validation from people I care about. That coin has two sides. If you
work your tail off, or swing a hot stick, or consistently strive for excellence
in the arts, and you _don't_ get the recognition, guess what? That says, rightly
or not, that you are _not_ validated by those same people whose opinions might
matter to you. It says, intentionally or not, justified or not: "You are not
worthy."
That applies to Peerage just as much as it does to an Award of Arms. If you see
others being publicly recognized for their contributions to the Society while
you are not, it's easy to become discouraged. If there's someone you can talk
to, you might ask them what you aren't doing that you ought to be, or what you
_are_ doing that you're doing wrong. All too often, though, folks just get tired
of trying and find something else to do. Yes, "the journey is the reward", but
it hurts to be overlooked when awards are being handed out. Sure, you can shrug
it off to a certain extent. After all, _you_ know that you're worthy. But after
a while, human nature being what it is, you begin to resent the awards being
received by others.
So, awards withheld can easily come to _represent_ goals not yet attained. I
think, more than anything else, awards represent the _public recognition_ of
you and your efforts. Deny the award, and you are (in effect) denying the
recognition, and (by inference) putting someone down. So, again: the award
is not _itself_ the goal, but it _represents_ the goal (recognition).
Consider school: How would you feel if you made an "A" on an exam? Pretty good,
huh? But other than your own internal pride in your accomplishment, it's not
really a big deal. How you do in your class every day will actually have a
bigger impact. If you consistently seem to know what you're talking about, the
people who've had a class with you or studied with you will start turning to you
for help in the subject. That kind of respect is wonderful, but you have to
earn it over a long period of time.
Now, how about if your teacher read aloud the names of all the star students,
and had them stand up for a round of applause? That would feel _great_, wouldn't
it? You'd feel included in a wonderful experience. Maybe... What if you aren't
named, but you're pretty sure you've done as well on the exams, and contributed
as much in the discussions, as some of the people who _are_ named? That would
feel _awful_. You'd feel cheated, and unfairly excluded. You'd be torn between
asking the teacher if there's been some mistake, or just quietly wondering
what you did wrong. (After all, we aren't _supposed_ to be vain and
self-aggrandizing. There's a fine line between "self-confidence" and "vanity".)
On the other hand, your friends might ask on your behalf why you weren't
named.
And I think that's the whole point that started all these discussions in the
first place. Some of the folks in the Society are doing wonderful things, but
they aren't being considered when we start naming the "star students". Some of
us see this exclusion taking place, and wonder whether it's a problem; and
if so, how to go about solving it.
Awards and titles are a way of congratulating people, yes. But they're also a
way of both _including_ and _excluding_ people. Peerage is the ultimate example
of this. As long as we give _any_ awards in the Society, I think it's important
to give them as _fairly_ as possible, and as _inclusively_ as possible.
Michael
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 06:05:54 MST
From: jhartel <jhartel at net-link.net>
Subject: Re: ANST - What is a Peer?
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Bob Dewart wrote
> While anyone can make award recommendations, most groups don't have anyone
> who keep track of who has what and what folks have been doing. How many
> times have you been surprized to discover that so n so didn't have the award
> you thought for a long time they did?
This can be EASILY rectified. As herald for Tempio several years ago I started
a system that worked great. Each person who has submitted a name/device from
your group should have a folder in the herald's box. I organized ours in
manilla folders. On the top tab was the person's name. Insides were there
submissions. On the front of the folder I had it set up like this:
Name passed______________
Device passed______________
AOA_____________________
In the lined spaces I put the date the item had passed or was given. As for the
awards I simply added them to the front as they were given In the case of
Thistles I also put WHAT it was for.
For those who were new to the group and did not submit name/device through our
office I made a folder for them anyway with al the info on the front as well.
This also helped out greatly in doing an OP for the group. Now for a HUGE group
like Stargate they might want to have a person whose sole job is keeping up on
awards.
Also, my method was used before I had aa computer. For anyone who has a
computer this would be the way to go. It would take up less physical space. Of
course hard copy folders won't get erased when a virus or major computer glitch
hits.
At first it may take a while to do but *I* think it was worth it. Many times
someone would ask if So n So had an award. I could quickly check it out and get
back to the person asking. I also kept a copy of the award rec. in that folder
for future use if needed. If So n SO was passed over for an award then on the
second recommendation I/whoever was writing the rec. could inform the Crown that
this person had been recommended at _______________ before.
Moriel***
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 07:17:10 MST
From: dssweet at okstate.edu
Subject: Re: ANST - What is a Peer?
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Moriel*** wrote:
>This also helped out greatly in doing an OP for the group. Now for a HUGE group
>like Stargate they might want to have a person whose sole job is keeping up on
>awards.
Even for smaller groups, having a dedicated OP deputy is a good thing. I've
been keeping the OP for Mooneschadoweshire for, well, probably about 10
years now on computer. Once started, it is very easy to update it. Another
important item to consider, is to periodically PUBLISH the local OP/list of
awards in the local newsletter, especially about a month or two before the
local group's big event. It's worked well for Mooneschadoweshire, at
least. (In fact, I actually keep two lists: a comprehensive list that
includes everyone that has received an award while living here, and a
*currently*active* list that deletes out those people who have moved away,
stopped playing or died. Considering how many people have played their way
through Mooneschadowe, it's the *only* way to keep the size of the list
smaller and more managable.)
Estrill
Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 21:54:29 GMT
From: "Bonne of Traquair" <oftraquair at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: SC - Re: Recognition
>In Atlantia, cooks are almost always brought out to receive the
>populace's recognition {usually at the most mission-critical time in the
>kitchen, but who's going to tell the King you'd rather do it 5 minutes
>later?}.
In my observation, too often the high table toasts the cook and staff and
the populace applauds while someone goes to tell the staff, who may or may
not make it to the doorway before the populace and high table have turned
their attention away from toasting. In my case, I had word the Baron wanted
to talk to me, and when I went out the door I was 'vivat'-ed so quickly that
I never even went up the aisle in my confusion, much less gathered my staff.
Oh well.
On the other hand, I have seen more than once the message sent back to high
table that the cook and staff will come out as soon as possible because of
work. Then when they come out when ready, the whole idea works better
because they are all out before the new announcment is made and the
applause/vivats start. Sometimes the head cook even takes the opportunity to
make some public thank you's of their own once they are up there.
Something to be very careful of: At a feast at which I was assisting, the
call-out was made and while the cook and her staff (incl. me) were in the
hall, Their Excellencies took the opportunity to give me an award because I