recruitment-msg – 5/7/14

Recruitment ideas. Bringing in new members.

NOTE: See also the files: recruiting-art, new-groups-msg, fundraising-msg, households-msg, demos-msg, newcomers-msg, SCA-intro-art, newcomers-lnks, Chatelaine-art, Othr-Newcomrs-art.

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From: 6790753%356_WEST_58TH_5TH_FL%NEW_YORK_NY%WNET_6790753 at mcimail.COM ("KATMAN.WNETS385")
Date: 17 Dec 91 18:51:00 GMT

Hi folks,
   When I was Chatelaine of Rusted Woodlands, in the East, I was responsible
for getting newcomers oriented. I mailed them info, handed out info at
meetings, introduced everyone around, and so forth. Everyone else in the group
took a hand by talking to people, running workshops on garb, lending stuff, and
finding out how they might help these new people. We did a lot of demos, and
all I was expected to do was provide one page flyers with contact info. I would
give the Warden (seneschal) a bunch of copies, he'd give me addresses if he
got any at the demo. We would mail them a copy of "Forward into the Past" and
put them on our mailing list for the newsletter for 3 months. I usually tucked
a personal letter of welcome into the "FitP", saying when our next meeting was,
etc.

Winifred de Schyppewallebotham
(that's Middle English for "From the valley with the stream where the sheep
were washed")(Nolite Secundo Flumine Natare)
Lee Katman == Thirteen/WNET == New York, NY

=Do not= use REPLY or ANSWERBACK, I can not receive mail in that fashion.
Please send all mail to
INTERNET katman.wnets385%wnet_6790753 at mcimail.com
OR
MCIMAIL EMS: wnet 6790753  MBX: katman.wnets385


From: michael.mccollum at dazed.charleston.sc.us (Michael Mccollum) 
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: RE: SCA MARKETING...
Date: 27 Jan 95 16:17:00 GMT
Organization: Dazed & Confused BBS - Ladson, SC - 803.873.5797

Hi Michael,

>My Barony is seriously considering a membership drive of some sort.  I'm
>wondering what success any of you have had in this area.  Currently we are
>considering posting flyers in various parts of town and then announcing
>public demos far in advance (as far as we know about them at least...)

>Does anyone have an experience in this area that can be related, for good
>or bad?

Plenty. We prepared to do the same thing and started with some real
basics. First, we made a handy flier that contained general information
about the SCA and what it IS. We printed these on standard 8 x 11 pages,
front and back, and folded them in thirds from right to left. This made
them small for carrying around, we had a beautiful picture of a knight
as the front cover and the last page contained the baronies mailing
address and the phone number of contacts withing our group.

One thing I'd like to add here is print the fliers on bright colors of
paper. Ensure your spelling is correct. Keep the flyer positive and
upbeat.

Second, we formed a public relations team. While there may be lots of
people in your group that willingly help at demos, etc., we found there
were also some folks who weren't good speakers, or were too new
themselves to field questions from interested parties, or who, quite
accidentally, would give people the wrong impression of our activities.
The public relations team eliminated that, for the most part. Their
duties were to gather up all the people who wanted to help with the
next demo and put them through a dry run of the demo itself. If there
was fighting a marshal was chosen and the rules for the demo were
discussed and agreed upon beforehand. (Sometimes you want to "fight" at
a slower rate, with more choreography; sometimes you want a 'mini'
lyst.) A 'mini' lyst works well at demos, especially if you have a good
herald who can whip the populace up into cheering for one or the other
fighter as their champion. They like that, and it gets their blood up.
It makes them feel as though they're already involved.
If there was to be dancing, then the dances are selected beforehand
the demo participants had a dance practise (or more), to ensure
everyone knew the dances. Include some easy dances, even if they aren't
strictly period. The best plan always included SCA'ers doing the dance
first; the second time each dancer would go out into the crowd and pick
a mundane partner. Again, this gets them involved. It's especially fun
if you hear someone saying, "Gee, that's dumb!", then you get them
dancing and they find out it's really fun. Hook.

Our third project was to create a Newcomers Handbook. We printed 50
copies initially, and have printed more than we can count since then.
When people sign an SCA membership form at the demo, or within their
first month of attending meetings we would give them the handbook free
of charge. Any other time the barony sold the books for $2.00 a piece.
We carried those books to every event we attended, and made enough
money from the sale of those books to reprint again, AND we helped
newcomers from other areas where this info wasn't available to them.

Next you have to have the complete support of your barony. Everyone has
to realize that they are all capable of helping new people into the SCA.
First, we made & donated basic T-tunics and 'stuff', to the hospitallers
office. That way we didn't have to loan garb out from our own closets.
This was a must because quite often garb does not get returned. When
that happens your core group becomes disgruntled and hard feelings can
occur. Having garb available through the hospitaler made things easier
on everyone. We made sure that the loaner garb was available at every
event, and to make sure it didn't 'walk', when newcomers would come by
to get their garb they were required to leave their drivers license with
us. They couldn't very well leave the site with the garb! Even though
the garb then needs to be cleaned by the hospitaller it's much easier to
compensate for a little laundry powder than it is to replace the garb.
Also, all the dirty garb can be thrown into a laundry bag and you can
just hand the bag off to each person in your barony in their turn. This
makes it fair and easy, and keeps the workload off one person's
shoulders.

At membership drive demos, we always made sure we had two tables set up.
One with arts and one with sciences. We displayed works in progress,
completed articles and reference books of all kinds. Each table had a
list of what was considered either an art or a science. A central table
had flyers, newcomer handbooks, membership forms and knowledgable people
to answer all the questions, or direct questions to someone more
knowledgable. Banners and an SCA sign are important. A real good demo
for membership drives is a 'living history' demo. Each artisan brings a
card table and however many chairs their willing to tote. They lay out a
display of their craft and perhaps a placard, then sit there working on
their craft until someone comes by to look at it. Each person was
invited to sit down and try their hand at that craft, and many people
will. Even if they don't, they may ask questions or just stand around
and watch for awhile. Each person should be able to talk a little about
their craft and it's relevence in medieval society. Good tables for this
is calligraphy (especially if you can get your hands on a good stock of
wing feathers), because first we taught the people how to make their own
quill, then we showed them how to create those beautiful letters! They
take their quill pen home with them. You can bet they show and tell it
to all their friends. Other tables are: chain mail, bobbin lace,
weaving, spinning, embroidery; well, the more portable crafts. We were
fortunate enough that we had a portable armory and we could let people
help pound out a knee or elbow. Fighting is always a good eye-catcher,
but dancing is nearly a must too! Not everyone is interested in
fighting, but even fighters should learn a few dances!

Once we had people who were interested in coming to events, we
instituted the 'big brother' program. (Note: newcomers were always
directed to contact the hospitaller or Seneschal. The Seneschal would
then notify the hospitaller, and they would contact the newcomers again
themselves.) It is very, very important to have a good hospitaller, and
also important that they have a good support base they can count on to
help her out! The hospitaller would find out what event the new people
wanted to attend and would match them up with a person/family that was
going. The hospitaller always introduced the new people to their host
family/person at a meeting/revel so they could get to know one another.
We always tried to encourage people to attend local events first
just to get their feet wet. They could be introduced to people and might
have a better chance of remembering some names, they wouldn't be so
overwhelmed by the number of peers present, and they wouldn't feel so
awkward, even if they made a mistake.
The host then keeps in contact with the new person and finds out what
they will need to attend the event (feastware/garb/transportation,
etc.), and either fills those needs with items of their own, or, if they
need something, contacts either the hospitaller or any other person in
the barony to get the extra items. The host ensures that everything is
brought to the event themselves, and for returning it afterward.
There are two things to note here. One, we never used the terms 'big
brother' around the newcomers. Two, we never told them that someone had
been assigned to help them through their first events. This was done
behind the scenes because we wanted everyone to have a positive welcome
to the SCA, we wanted everyone to have the opportunity and
responsibility for helping the barony grow, and we didn't want our
newcomers floundering around lost and lonely. Sometimes new people make
friends quickly and find someone they like right away. If that happens
and that person wants to take responsibility for helping them through
their first event, that's encouraged. All they have to do is let the
hospitaller know. The hospitaller can then change the host name, and
notify the host she had assigned that they could step down that time. In
this way, no one person gets to host all the new people. We avoided that
because there are those people who will indoctrinate a new person into
their personal household before they even know what a household is.
After the event, one of your officers should follow up with the new
person, find out how everything went, what problems they encountered and
make sure they know when the next meetings, etc., are. Let them know
you're interested in them, and lots of times that keeps them coming
around until they find something else they really like too!

Lastly, I'm cutting this kinda short because I've been so long-winded
already! Make sure you have costuming weekends. This means shopping with
your newcomers to help them find fabrics, etc. Then everyone brings
their machines to one central location and everyone cuts, sews, and
helps however they can. Even if all you can do is serve coffee and
cookies to busy people, it's something. If everyone brings a dish you
can make a mini revel out of it.

Local newspapers, radio stations, and television channels
(especially cable TV public access channels) often will provide free
advertising for various non-profit groups.  Invite the media to some
of your practices and workshops.

Oops, forgot to mention. Only people who were members of the public
relations team talked to the media. If someone were asked about
something by a media person, they simply directed them to one of the
PRT for their answers. This was done with the consent, and not some
relief, of the entire barony. It worked exceedingly well.

Also, get your barony listed with the local library and the Chamber of
Commerce. When they get questions about something to do in their area,
they will give out phone numbers for people in your group. Keep your
list of names (officer, etc.) current with them. We found it especially
helpful to have a baronial mailing address at the post office. In this
way we could keep all the mail routed through the proper channels.
Get your group listed in the "Things to do this weekend" section of
your paper. Every paper has one. Usually in the Style or Local section.

Finally, if you have more questions, or would like like any other
suggestions, you can net mail me here, or write:

Katie McCollum
29 Lafayette St.
Goose Creek, SC 29445-6047

My lord husband and I have founded a barony in the States and started
two shires overseas. We haven't done it all....sometimes it just feels
that way! We've been in for 14 years, and I have copies of flyers and
newcomer handbooks that I can send you.

I hope this helps you out! We wish you the very best!    Katie


From: ansteorra at eden.com (2/23/95)
College-based groups recruiting locals

Fionna writes:
>     Another part of the problem too, could be a lack of peers in a 
> given area, or older (ie someone who has played for say more then two 
> years) members.  A prime example is Shadowlands.  We have no peers, 
> and we are just far enough away from other larger groups (Ravensfort, 
> Bryn Gwlad) that we don't have much interaction with any peers living 
> there either.  By far, most of all the newcomers we get are freshmen 
> college students, who are usually short on time (because of school), 
> and money.  The other problem, is that they are also fairly transient 
> as well, we don't have a large "stable" population.  There are really 
> only a handful of us who are year-round residents, and there is only 
> really one person that I know of that's been playing long enough 
> (time-wise) to have achieved a peerage.  Which also brings up the 
> problem that student s come to school, start playing SCA here, then 
> leave 4-5 years later (if they don't flunk out sooner).  And, for 
> some reason, we have never had much success getting newcomers from 
> the "local" (ie. non-transient) population.  I don't know what 
> solution there is to the problem "we" have, or if there is anything 
> that could be done, even with the laurels help.  Any suggestions are 
> certainly welcome. 

Certainly, as others have pointed out, permanently resident local
members are vitally important to a largely college-based group.
However, I regret to inform you that there are no easy solutions to
the problem of how to attract and retain "townies", as we refer to
them here in the Midwest.  If you're serious about trying to recruit
locals (in addition to the college-based folks), prepare yourself for
a multi-year project which will require a lot of time and effort.

What follows is the Mikjalheim/Hasslehold Grand Recruiting Scheme.
We've never manage to fully implement the total plan all at once, but
the various pieces from which it was assembled have all been
successfully tried by various groups with which we've been
associated.

First, you need to develop a presence in the local community that is
something other than that of "another campus student group".  This
means educational demos.  Volunteer to do fighting, crafts, history,
etc. demos for various Scout groups, school classes, community centers,
etc.  The trick here is to seriously downplay both the SCA-specific
aspects of what we normally do (avoid SCA unique terms for things,
don't mention our award structure, etc.), only do passive
recruiting (give info about the SCA only if asked), and play up the
real history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.  These kinds of demos
require some careful planning and co-ordination, but the dividends are
enormous.  The Barony of Three Rivers has been doing these kinds of
demos for over 15 years now.  As a result, the SCA's reputation in the
St. Louis area is truly sterling.  A kook like that guy in El Paso
trying to go into a police force here with some crazy story about the
SCA being a bunch of Satanists would be laughed out the door.  I doubt
if there's a police force in the St. Louis area who doesn't have
at least one officer who's seen us do a demo for their kid's Scout
troop.

Another way to develop a positive local presence is by having the
folks in the group that can teach an art or craft to volunteer to do so
at the local community center or YWCA/YMCA.  This can reap double
benefits - good PR for the SCA, and a potential source of new
recruits.  Remember, though, to "soft peddle" the SCA when teaching
outside an SCA context, and stick to passive recruiting.

Once you've begun to get a positive rep as something more than just "a
bunch of college kids" (which can take least 6 months and sometimes as
much as a couple of years, depending on what the current view of the
SCA is in the local community), the next step is advertising.  You can
start advertising immediately, but you probably won't get much
response until the community view of the SCA becomes more positive
(from the viewpoint of the resident locals).

Start advertising your general populace meetings in the local
(non-campus) newspapers.  Many papers will offer free ad space to local
hobby groups, and the SCA has the added plus of being an educational
non-profit.  Check out some of the smaller radio stations, and the
local TV stations for the possibility of free on-air ads, as well.  Get
the ads in at least monthly, although weekly is better.

Make small (about 8 1/2" by 11" size) posters, and get them put up in
every public library, community center, YWCA/YMCA, and other such
places as you can manage.  And don't just stick to the immediate town
where the campus is located, also try to get them in similar places in
the other towns within about a 30-45 minute driving radius from the
campus (or wherever you group holds it's meetings.  You'll also need to
provide these places with small flyers or "business" cards, that they
can give out to folks who might be interested, and regularly re-visit
to make sure they still have a good supply.

The final step, once you've gotten the beginnings of a good non-campus
based group of folks, is to move to doing recruiting demos.  These are
demos specifically designed to recruit new members by showing off what
the SCA does.  Some places where you can do these are church bazaars
and fairs, county fairs, school activity days, shopping mall
promotions, neighborhood festivals, and other similar events.  Again,
you need to modify what we do for public consumption.  Be sure that
the fighters, dancers, musicians, etc., understand that they're
entertainment.  Concentrate on the showy side of what we do, and don't
get bogged down in the SCA-specific aspect of our activities.  It's OK
to "script" the fighting portions, to make sure that the best pairs of
fighters go out together, people work with their best weapons systems,
etc.  It's even fun to try to "pre-set" the outcome of a few fights,
to do some schtick for the crowds.

Be prepared to hand out _lots_ of flyers at these kinds of demos, and
be sure to have a "I'm interested - contact me" sign-up list.  And be
_sure_ to give those follow up contacts, preferably within a week of
the demo.

The next part is very important.  Your PR efforts will almost certainly
start bringing folks.  You MUST have activities that they can get
involved in _immediately_.  Be prepared to quickly help new folk to
make medieval clothes, get involved in various art and craft
workgroups, explain what happens at events, etc.  You should have at
least 2 or 3 complete sets of loaner armor, if your group currently
has a fighting practice.  These don't have to be anything spectacular
(in fact, it's probably better if they're a bit grungy looking - if the
new fighters are really interested in continuing, grubby loaner armor
is an incentive for them to get their own), but you really do need to
be ready to put more than one new person at a time into armor.  Put on
a regular series of "local" events (like Bryn Gwlad's Tiny Tourneys or
a local feast), and get the new folks involved in preparing and
organizing it.  Hold regular "newcomers" collegiums - a Saturday
mini-event with beginner-level classes during the day, and perhaps a
potluck feast in the evening, with music, dancing, etc.

As I said at the beginning, this is a multi-year effort, and requires
a lot of hard work and dedication by a lot of folks in the group.  Don't
discouraged if there doesn't seem to be any immediate effects.  But
the long-term rewards are a stable and vibrant group, well prepared to
support the high turnover rates from the campus recruits and to meet
the challenges of the future.

Mikjal Annarbjorn
-- 
Michael A. Chance          St. Louis, Missouri, USA    "At play in the fields
Work: mc307a at sw1stc.sbc.com                             of St. Vidicon"
Play: mchance at crl.com


From: albinsal at pilot.msu.EDU (Sally V Albin)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: attracting newbies
Date: 8 Oct 1996 10:47:33 -0400

If you want to attract newbies try what our group does.  It works well here.
Most colleges have a student activities fair at the start of the year to show
students what is available.  Get a table.  Have flyers for a new person demo
which will take place in a week or two on the table.  The day of the demo, have
people in garb, doing things(dance music juggling)in prominant locations on
campus.  They will hand flyers, emphasize that if nothing else it is FREE
entertainment.(Students love the word free)  Don't be dicouraged at your
turnout.  We get about 20 bodies for every 1000 flyers we hand out.  At this
demo, show them the things we do.  Show them how to do things.  DON'T let them
just sit and watch drag them down and get them involved.  At the demo collect
their names and e-mail addresses, then have someone send them the group
newsletter on e-mail.  Also hand out lists of all the extra things that your
group does.  Business meetings are boring, especially if you're new and don't
know anything yet; but fighting archery, sewing circle, etc.  teach useful
skills and are more conducive to one on one help and frind making.  Don't be
discouraged by small numbers.  It takes time which students don't always have.
Also the more loaner gear you have the easier it will be to get them started.

Good luck
Beth


From: Mats Bergstrom <walderik at algonet.se>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 1996 00:58:13 -0700
Organization: AlgoNet Public Access Node, Stockholm

I was at a class in Pennsic where the suggestion to make really nice 
bookmarks to give avay at the local library. They should look really good 
and have the information that you need to contact the nearest group. Then 
you could ask the librerans if you could put them near the books with 
topics that could interest people that also could be interested in the 
SCA.

  /Walderik B Grone
   Castellan of Nordmark
   Sweden


From: zarquon at platinum.nb.net (Michael Greenstein)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: 2 Oct 1996 20:08:57 GMT
Organization: National Business Network Inc

Greetings unto all from Michael Alewright of the Marche!

James Beckett requests:
:       Well, the subject pretty much says it all.  I am the seneschal for
: the Incipient College of Marshals' Keep in the Barony of Black Diamond,
: Atlantia.  We are a very small group, on a small campus (Washington
: and Lee University, Lexington, VA) and we're having trouble attracting
: and maintaining new members.  I could really use some suggestions for
: things to do to keep newbie interest.  

Some ideas come to mind.  Here's some brainstorming for you:

1.  Have your dance group hold an "open house," with munchies and punch,
    and teach several simple dances (i.e., tangle bransle, Gae Gordon,
    etc.).  This assumes that you have a group that dances once a
    week.  If you don't, form one!  Dance practice is the social focus
    of our Barony.  Better still, perhaps, an SCA open house where
    representatives of your groups and guilds can introduce themselves
    and answer questions.

2.  Take advantage of student activity fairs at the beginning of new
    semesters (with a demo table).

3.  Make sure fighter practice is outside, weather permitting, and in
    a prominent location.

4.  Hold as many garb events as possible in public places.  Have loaner
    garb available to those who might want to play, too.

5.  Reach out to other college campuses, if any.

6.  In the context of any of the above, prepare a general campus
    mailing describing your group, what it does, and how to get
    involved.  

7.  Talk to folks in the History Department.  See if you can involve
    University faculty and history students.

8.  Have your members volunteer for community service projects.  Perform
    them in garb.  Call the local newspaper and see about getting them
    interested in what you are doing.  (Where do you think newspapers
    get their news?)  A nice photo spread of people in garb never
    hurts.

Good luck!  I hope things work out for your group.

                                Regards,

                                Michael Alewright of the Marche
                                Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands
                                (nearly!) Kingdom of Aethelmearc


From: zarquon at platinum.nb.net (Michael Greenstein)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: 3 Oct 1996 22:36:11 GMT
Organization: National Business Network Inc

Greetings again from Michael Alewright of the Marche!

Sandor the Traveler suggests:
: Press Gangs were frequently used to 'induct' new blood into the navies of
: some countries, and they're period too!

An idea has sprung into my brain!  (OUCH!  What's that doing in there?)

Plan some kind of revelry event: dance, gaming, whatever.  Schedule
it for a time when the weather is warm and lots of students are walking
around campus.  Have your people parade around campus, making lots of
noise and playing musical instruments.  Stop in front of wandering students,
asking them (very politely) if they would like to be kidnapped.  "We
would like to force you to dance and sing and feast, if it please you,
m'lady."  Ask them to join in the parade, make sure other folk are
introduced to them, and wind up at the event location (assuming it is
on campus) and proceed with the event!  Make sure there are lots of
activities for newbies, and plenty of folks on hand to chat up
the Society.

Hey, it's strange enough that it might work!  It will certainly attract
attention.  You could make it akin to the Fools Parade of Pennsics in
years past (and which, by the way, I am assured will rise again...).

                                Regards,

                                Michael Alewright of the Marche
                                Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands
                                (nearly!) Kingdom of Aethelmearc


From: roseannavm at aol.com (RoseannavM)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: 7 Oct 1996 03:25:00 -0400

You've gotten some excellent suggestions already, but here's one other
item to note.  Post a calender of your activities wherever you can.  When
I was helping a fledgling group, we got several interested people to show
up by posting a calender of our meetings at the local library.  We also
help arts and sciences workshops there, free of charge, for whomever would
want to attend.

Make sure that all of your activities are centrally located, and held in a
"community central" location.  I have seen groups become very sparse by
meeting only in someone's home.  It is tempting if it is a very small
group, but it works against you.  For one, people are sometimes
intimidated to just "show up" at a stranger's home to explore a new hobby
that they may or may not continue.  Two, you rule out the chance of anyone
"accidentally" discovering the SCA by wandering "through" your meeting. 
There are a number of people, including myself, who would not be in the
SCA if it weren't for discovering it by accident.
I wish you the best...

RoseAnna


From: kellogg at rohan.sdsu.edu (kellogg)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: 7 Oct 1996 20:48:42 GMT
Organization: San Diego State University Computing Services

        One of the best ways I've found to get new members is to post flyers
on all the public bulletin boards on campus a week before each meeting.
Give meeting locations and a couple of contact numbers.  We've also
gotten a few members from maintaining the college's web site.

                Avenel Kellough


From: "Morgan E. Smith" <mesmith at freenet.calgary.ab.ca>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: attracting newbies
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 1996 07:59:08 -0600
Organization: Calgary Free-Net

Another way to keep demo momentum going is to time your demos within a few
days of a small, fairly informal event. That way you have something
tangible to offer interested people. Having a demo in September when your
next event is in January won't introduce people to the SCA proper. Someone
who sees the SCA and is seized by a burning desire to play will inevitably
forget all about it if they can't actually do anything for three months.
My first event came on the very same day as the one I discovered the SCA
on!

Morgan the Unknown


From: fbngraph at indy.net (Walter Daniels)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: HELP: Struggling Group looking for ideas to draw new members.
Date: 14 Oct 1996 19:47:27 GMT

ssilvers at liberty.uc.wlu.edu (Scott Silvers) wrote:
>       Well, the subject pretty much says it all.  I am the seneschal for
>the Incipient College of Marshals' Keep in the Barony of Black Diamond,
>Atlantia.  We are a very small group, on a small campus (Washington
>and Lee University, Lexington, VA) and we're having trouble attracting
>and maintaining new members.

  I looked at the suggestions, so far, and haven't seen this one. Have a 
period barbecue/cookout. Do it in costume, as much as practical, in as public 
a place as possible in campus. College students love breaks in routine, 
especially if you do it in concert with Midterms for example.

>In Service to the Dream, James Beckett of Westmorland, Seneschal
>       Incipient College of Marshals' Keep
>       Barony of Black Diamond
>       Kingdom of Atlantia             


From: dietmarrvs at aol.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Ideas for an aspiring SCA chapter
Date: 13 Nov 1996 07:53:28 GMT

I would recommend weekly dance practices as a great way to get people
involved.  Outdoors is the best way to go...but I realize this is not the
time of year for it.  Dancing is a great way to draw attention...it's very
easy to drag people in...and any mingling of the sexes at a university
tends to be popular.  ;-)  

At our college group we try to do demonstrations during our university's
orientation week and during the "club drive".  Try putting up signs around
campus.  Our best response came from -- "Have you ever wanted to meet a
knight in shining armor?...Have you ever wanted to be a knight in shining
armor?...etc."

Have people in garb go to history / humanities classes and talk to the
students about the SCA.  (with instructor permission of course.)  Try to
get everyone to attend all of their classes in garb on a particular day. 
It takes some balls...but it's definitely an ice breaker with the ladies
trying to explain why your walking around campus in a dress. 


From: "Jeanne C. Stapleton" <jstaplet at adm.law.du.edu>
Organization: Univ. of Denver, College of Law
To: "V. Allan Endel" <endel at tarleton.edu>, ansteorra at eden.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 11:40:04 -700 MST
Subject: Re: College recruitment

> If a group can gain access to a display case on campus in a popular
> building such as a student center or library, an SCA display can be
> helpful in familiarizing people with the group, and will be more
> effective than a simple poster in publicizing a demo. Alan V. Allan

I heartily second this.  I attended PLU in Tacoma, WA and we managed
to snag one of th bookstore display windows at the start of every 
semester.  Students had to wait in line to buy books and had plenty 
of time to study the items therein.  

I'd also recommend having a weekly lunch or dinner in either the 
commons or coffee shop (or one of each, or alternate weeks)
and poster for it if you can.  Sometimes with demos, although it 
*looks* interesting, it's not the hook that talking to someone with
enthusiasm and passion can be.

Countess Berengaria de Montfort de Carcassonne, OP
Barony of Caerthe
Kingdom of the Outlands


Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 20:14:27 -0600
To: ansteorra at eden.com
From: Scott White <swhite at cimedia.com>
Subject: Re: low numbers in univ. groups

>> >SCA having low numbers problems athe UofH.
>
>This is a very common problem in groups who draw primarily from 
>Universities

Well, we have problems with numbers in my barony IN SPITE OF being in close
proximity to a huge university in a huge city. We suffer in the recruitment
area because of a nearly-invisible fighter practice location (you'd miss it
if you blink) and on-again, off-again reception of new folks.

I see the solution as twofold -- promotion and reception. Neither can
adequately function without the support of the other. 

Promotion is surprisingly easy -- easier than most folks think. (I work at
my city paper, btw, and have been active in entertainment promotion for
years.) Usually it only takes a phone call or two to set up a running blurb
in your newspaper's events calendar. 

Talk to an entertainment editor and ask him/her to do a feature on some
aspect of your group -- something specific and engaging, not an article
about the whole organization. How about a feature on getting the local
'troops' ready for Gulf War? About someone building a siege engine? About
someone studying some lost art? If you've got an angle, the SCA makes great,
colorful copy ... good photo material too!

Having a fighter practice in a visible location, even if it's just once a
month, can be an awfully positive thing, too ...

Now you've done a little bit of promotion and folks are starting to show up
on the sidelines -- GRAB 'EM!!! Make sure your members know who to send
newbies to, especially if they're interested in A&S or fighting or something
specific ... during my first fighter practice, I was bounced around to a
half-dozen folks before I found the Hospitaller and Knight's Marshall. Be
engaging, enthusiastic and don't make new folks feel like dopes when they
ask questions. Not everyone was born with the knowledge of what a vambrace
or aventail is.

And it may sound goofy, but maybe a nice banner saying INFORMATION could be
hung on a fence or something and the Hospitaller could hang out nearby ...

Folks, I think you'd be stunned by the number of people who discover the SCA
and say I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION LIKE THIS FOR YEARS. It's
just a matter of letting them know that we're here.

Gnith
<swhite at cimedia.com>


Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 14:09:40 MST
From: Michael Tucker <michaelt at neosoft.com>
Subject: Re: ANST - membership
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

If we see a problem that needs fixing (such as a deserving friend who would like
to have an SCA membership but can't afford one), let's not have our first
instinct be to want someone else to take care of the problem. We see lots of
that kind of thinking in our bloated government bureaucracies, and where has it
gotten us?

Rather than wishing that this problem would be fixed by SCA, Inc, or the Kingdom
of Ansteorra, or some other anonymous entity, let's get in the habit of fixing
the problems we see ourselves (if we can). [That goes hand-in-hand with an
attitude of being responsible for our own decisions, and accepting the
consequences of our actions - but that's another topic. *grin*]

So... do you know someone who needs a membership, but can't afford it? If you
can afford to help them out, do so! If you can't, then stir up your friends who
agree that this person deserves their help. Encourage raffles and drawings for
memberships (if you're in a position to do so), and do likewise to reward people
who already have memberships.

We have a drawing for a door prize at Stargate's monthly Populace meeting.
Everyone with a membership card puts it into a "hat". We usually have a nice
door prize that's been donated; but if not, Baroness Neassa and I buy the winner
a year's subscription to the Baronial newsletter.

Michael Silverhands


Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2000 09:18:24 MST
From: Michael Tucker <michaelt at neosoft.com>
Subject: Re: ANST - membership
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

Greetings from Michael Silverhands:

"Mark.S Harris" wrote: 
> Michael Silverhands wrote:
> > We have a drawing for a door prize at Stargate's monthly Populace meeting.
> > Everyone with a membership card puts it into a "hat". We usually have a nice
> > door prize that's been donated; but if not, Baroness Neassa and I buy the 
> > winner a year's subscription to the Baronial newsletter.
> 
> Interesting idea.
> 
> Does everyone remember to get their card back at the end of the meeting? Or
> do folks often dash out and forget to get their card back?

We usually put the box on a table up front and remind all members present to put
their cards in for the drawing. Then we usually choose a youngster to act as
"page" for the Barony. They draw the winner, which we announce; then they get to
go around the room with the box, returning everyone's cards. This give them a
quiet, useful activity to do for several minutes; gets everyone's cards returned
to them; and helps our youth learn everyone's names (*grin*).

> I can see some advantages in donating a year's subscription to the Baronial
> newsletter rather than an SCA membership. The most obvious is that it is
> cheaper, so the money can go farther. Secondly, I often think the local
> newsletter is more useful for newcomers than an SCA membership since local
> events, guilds, meetings and such will probably be of more interest to them,
> at least initially, than events on the otherside of the kingdom or what
> the current Kingdom officers have to say. 

Yes, that's why we give newcomers one free issue of the Baronial newsletter
(usually on their first visit). It has all the local contact info, plus a
schedule of our guild meetings and other local activity for a couple of months.
(It's cheaper to print 100 copies of the newsletter, and we have less than 100
subscriptions. So we use the extra copies as handouts for newcomers, demos, etc.)

However, remember the door prize drawing is for *members*. If we give away a
subscription to the newsletter, it will go to a member, not a newcomer who
hasn't joined yet.

> What do you do if the winner already has a subscription? Add another
> year on? Have them donate it to someone else?

They get a year added to their subscription.

> What kinds of prizes have you given out? 

I probably don't remember everything that's been donated, but here's a sampling:
an Egyptian-style glass perfume bottle, a book on period garb, a copy of the
Knowne Worlde Handbooke, a book on heraldry, some trim for garb... basically,
nice SCA-related stuff that somebody didn't want anymore and was willing to
donate (rather than garage sale or something else).

We usually have around 50 people attending our Populace meeting, of which
probably 30-40 are members. I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a large,
dedicated group of people. :-)

>   Stefan li Rous

Michael


Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2000 06:01:31 MST
From: "Gerald L. Norris Jr." <jerryn at houston.rr.com>
Subject: Re: ANST - membership
To: <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>

Stefan li Rous wrote (concerning having a drawing at Stargate's monthly
populace meeting):
> Interesting idea.
>
> Does everyone remember to get their card back at the end of the meeting? Or
> do folks often dash out and forget to get their card back?

We are pretty steady in making sure that everyone has their cards back.
Usually one of the children is given the hat/box/container and returns the
cards while the meeting continues.  As usual, sometimes one of the adults
count as one of the children.

> What do you do if the winner already has a subscription? Add another
> year on? Have them donate it to someone else?

tack on another year.  After all, it's their prize, and we're hopefully
going to be publishing for at least one more year ...

> What kinds of prizes have you given out?

Mostly the newsletters.  Sometimes people will provide something such as
chips of soap from soap-making, a strip of trim, a basket, a bamboo flute,
etc.

In the end, it's a visual sign that people can see a benefit to membership.
For most of us putting our cards in the hat, it's just another game to play.

Gerald L. Norris Jr. -- Houston, Tx.
Gerald of Leesville, a bard of Stargate -- Kingdom  :  Ansteorra


Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 08:10:18 MST
From: dssweet at okstate.edu
Subject: RE: ANST - membership
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

Marthe de Blenkinsop said:
>I would like to comment on the "charity membership drive" conversation.  I
>have gone this route many times in my SCA career.  It is really a disservice
>to encourage those to play who struggle to feed and clothe their families.
>It requires disposible income to play this game, lets face it.  If you make
>yourself responsible, then be prepared to be "leaned on" on a regular basis.
>Are we really helping those we make dependent on us?

Here is a solution that several members of Mooneschadowe have used in the
past to bypass the "charity" aspect of paying for someone else's
membership. It's been a while since they've been offered, but it did work.
We called it a "scholarship". A person who *wished* to have a membership,
but could not afford one her/himself, could apply to a person with a
scholarship. They did some kind of work, usually like mowing the lawn two
or three times, or some other type of activity (helping to clean out a shed
maybe, or washing house windows, etc.). Then the scholarship provider would
present a membership form to the applicant, get the requisite signatures, &
then write a check & mail it off to make sure that the money was used for a
membership.

Estrill Swet
Mooneschadoweshire


Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 11:32:55 MST
From: gptaylor <gtaylor at lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu>
Subject: Re: ANST - Kingdom membership
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

Regarding Increasing membership and money issues...

One thing that I've seen that I think could promote membership, and is something
of an "anti-non-member surcharge", is to make up some sort of certificate that
will allow a prospective new member to daytrip their first event for free.
People who see a small demo might have no idea of what an SCA event is really
like.  Such a certificate, provided at the demo, can give them information about
the SCA, what they need to bring to an event, contact info about how to borrow
garb, directions to the event, etc.  They can turn it in at gate and gain
admittance, at which time the hospitaler can be contacted to let him/her know
about the person being there, allowing her/him to help coordinate folks for the
newby to meet, etc.  This, of course, works best at sites where the group isn't
charged for the number of day tripping folks on site, e.g. when it's free for
the group- it wouldn't cover feast in non-rich groups.

Isobel


Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 09:25:36 -0500
From: gptaylor <gtaylor at lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu>
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: ANST - Dance Idea

I had an idea the other day, that may be useful in attracting new
members:

A Evening of period Dance.  Announce it on the local public radio
station/NPR and/or put it in the newspaper.  Make it free.  Mention that
the dances will be taught.  Having live musicians there would be an even
greater draw.  Do a brief, educational intro to each dance.  Have enough
of the people from your group who know what is going on, to help and
dilute out the new dancers.  Make sure that the folks who are teaching
it are warm and entertaining.  Have a little table with SCA information
off to the side....recruitment should be very low key.  If you wanted to
make a little money, set up a small concession stand.  I don't know if a
bake sale is allowed for something we offer publically (health dept),
but that could be a possibility, also.

Something like this would actually work for some A&S activities, also.
For example, locally we had a Fiber Arts collegium.  We probably would
have attracted at least 10 additional outside folk, if we had advertised
it enough in the public sector...

Inviting local musicians to participate in an evening of period music
might also draw some new folk.  Have some of our better musicians put
together sheet music, etc., advertise on public radio, and see who shows
up.  Rather like a drop-in period jam session....

Or, have a period song singing night of the same type.

In all of these cases, the people attracted would already have an
interest in period activities....

Isobel Hadleigh
Acting Kingdom Hospitaler


Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 19:22:57
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
From: "K.C. Moon" <kmoon at texas.net>
Subject: ANST - Smart Recruiting

At 09:25 AM 6/29/00 -0500, Isobel wrote:
>I had an idea the other day, that may be useful in attracting new
>members:

Incredibly good idea, Isobel!  Here's another extrapolation which also
fulfills our demo/educational "requirements":

How about offering to organize monthly or quarterly readings of period
poetry and literature at the local Public Library?  Such things always get
mentioned in the papers, even the alternative ones, and can even get public
service announcements.  After all, it's the Public Library.  Choose
readings from Chaucer, Boccaccio, Christine de Pisan, the Tain, any of the
Icelandic sagas, etc.  You can be pretty sure that the folks who show up
are already going to have an interest in period literature.

Definitely something to look into....

Mari


Subject: Re: ANST - New Topic and Possible explanation for a Quiet List...
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 11:28:30 EDT
From: CADET1313 at aol.com
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

gtaylor at lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu writes:
<< Okay....here's a topic that should not eventually degrade into at least
 8.254 sincere public apologies due to a general lack of effective
 communication, misunderstandings or unintended toe-steppings or
 insults....   ;)

 What's the most creative and/or effective newcomer recruitment method
 that you've seen or heard about?

 (If my first paragraph insulted or offended anyone, I apologize in
 advance....only 7.254 to go)

 Isobel
 Naughty Kingdom Hospitaler on a Fishing Expedition.
  >>

I am outraged but this topic..... kidding. No, this is a good question. I
remember when I first joined at a demo in Norfolk Va. It was the hands on
type of demo. They really got people interested by having people join in the
fun. The fighters really played to the crowd. And there was a hands on learn
to embroider station going on. Also music. lots and lots of music. There were
people playing lutes, dulcimers and recorders. (no drums).

Ld Pieter Rausch

PS the one or two late period Elizabethan ladies walking around also caught
my eye. (I had just came back from a tour at sea in the Navy)  :o)


From: "Adrienne R. Ferrell" <aferrell at greatambience.com>
Date: February 5, 2009 12:29:22 AM CST
To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ansteorra] How to Recruit in the SCA

Sir Giotto posted a video of the list of Castelton on utube.
(it is very well done!)
Utube is such a seductive place. I found many SCA videos.
I came across a series of videos on recruitment by Syr Kyppyn
Kirkcaldy that may be of interest to many groups. 
five part series on how to recruit in the SCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64UzvDZB9DM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkixKEJObI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyrCQ4ZIlrA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdKcGqyNwXk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs5KdH1bKAk&feature=related

Seraphina


From: "sherryvolpicella" <sherryvolpicella at yahoo.com>
Date: March 1, 2009 9:05:03 AM CST
To: trimaris-temp at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [tri-temp] Recruitment

Greetings... I was searching around you tube and came across these 
recruiting in the SCA videos. it's really informative and has given me 
a ton of ideas.

Recruiting has been a concern of mine since I got 
involved in the SCA. There are 5 videos by Syr Typpn. take a look at 
them and let me know what you guys think. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64UzvDZB9DM
YIS, 
Serafina La Volpicella



From: Vicky Eisenstadt <alysounJ at gmail.com>
Date: March 3, 2009 8:47:08 AM CST
To: trimaris-temp at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [tri-temp] Recruitment

your branch seneschal should contact the kingdom seneschal and see if
 a mailing list can be given you - we used to do that back in the day 
and use the list to send "We Miss You" postcards to the paid members
 who had, for whatever reason, stopped participating.



We met with mixed success, but for some of the members, it was a 
simple matter of them having fallen out of the loop and no longer 
knowing where meetings were being held. The internet and plethora of
 e-groups has helped mitigate that problem somewhat, but nothing beats 
direct, one-on-one communication.



As for recruitment - have you thought of having your hospitaller
 contact the hospitaller of a larger group near yours and doing a
 joint demo? Even holding practice or a revel outdoors can do wonders.


Back when rocks were soft, the shire of South Keep would, on occasion, 
garb up and hold a potluck lunch out in a public park. Drew lots of
 attention and it didn't matter so much if there was a dearth of 
fighters - just the sight of us all in garb, some sewing, some working 
on scrolls, etc...was quite a draw.



One piece of advice I would give for any demo focused on recruitment
 is to make sure the audience knows the purpose of the organization -
study, re-creation and re-enactment of the Middle Ages. Having a good
 flyer with up-to-date contact info, etc. will allow those with a
 genuine interest an ease of contact and those you are not really
 interested, but thought we looked cool, will have at least a piece of 
paper in their hands to ponder.

Again, your hospitaller probably 
already has the current information for this :)



Alysoun



On Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 9:39 AM, sherryvolpicella
<sherryvolpicella at yahoo.com> wrote:

> My Lady Alysoun,

> Oh believe me i know the rules for demos have changed considerably,

> but other than the "logistics" of the actual demo, the ideas that

> came up in these videos are enormous, especially for a shire as small

> as Trios. It's hard for us to do "recruitment demos" since we are a

> shire of basically 6 women and one man who do all the work for

> events, demos, etc. We are almost all over 50 to boot. We all love

> the SCA but it does get tiring for us, especially events and demos.

> Believe me we do our part as far as educational demos go, every year

> we do the summer library circuit, i think there are 5 planned for

> this summer. We also do some work with the high school kids in our

> area.

> Neither of these groups is going to get us members though. I think

> being more in the public's eye at community events is more of what we

> need to be doing. i am bringing the videos to our next shire business

> meeting, which is the only meetings we are having right now due to

> our low population. We have no fighters that participate with us as a

> group (although we do have local members), they all seem to levitate

> south to fight with the shires that have more combat activities, it's

> actually a neccessity, for them to be able to practice. I want our

> shire to succeed, but eventually us old folk LOL are gonna die off

> and how do we perpetuate onto the next generation. Like i said before

> this is a big concern to me and most of our other members. I am

> hoping picking and choosing and motivating out shire through these

> videos will maybe get us doing something to go out and seek out some

> more members.

> How does one go about finding out who our actual members are in our

> shire? i think to be able to contact our membership that is not really

> active would be a great help.
> Any ideas would be of great help to our shire.

> YIS,

> Serafina



From: "Michele Atwood" <shell.atwood at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 3:10:43 PM CDT
To: "'Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc.'" <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] "I have a question" Observation

My Lord and I are the worst packers in the SCA, I'd hazard to guess. We
*always* forget things, so it is standard operating practice to garb up on
site, work on set up and then head into town for something. Going someplace
in garb is such a great conversation starter. Yes, there are weird looks but
there are people who will start a conversation with you, ask you why you are
dressed up, and there are some where you can see a light come on in their
eyes as you explain. I've got to get better at carrying cards in my pouch,
because I always find one or two people every trip into town who show
genuine interest. I can't count the number of times I've written down
information on a piece of paper or the register of a checkbook because I
forgot to replenish my cards from my hospitaler.

Whether any of these folks acted on their interest, I couldn't say. I'm
outside my barony when it happens. But if the rule of sales holds, then one
in ten might follow up. It makes it worth taking the time to stop my hurried
shopping and spend some time, rather than rattling off some of the quick
(and sometimes flippant) replies we've all developed for the inevitable "Are
you in a play?" type of question. I'm starting to think I should shop in
garb in my own barony just to see if my random encounters bear fruit ;-)

Although I do love my husband's flippant reply - "We're members of the
Church of King Richard II [the King varies with usage], we think the Amish
are too progressive."

Melina de Mantua


From: Scot Eddy <mister_eddy2003 at yahoo.com>
Date: June 13, 2011 9:22:21 PM CDT
To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad <bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: [Bryn-gwlad] Recruiting videos

For those who were not able to attend the business meeting I mentioned the 5 Recruiting videos on Youtube and how they could improve our attempts at getting new members.

Video #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64UzvDZB9DM
Sir Kyppyn mentioned identifying and target population, not by city or zip code, but by area of interest (e.g. sci fi fans, martial artists, historians, etc.)
Once you have a target pop it is important to find out where they hang out and go there to recruit.

Video #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkixKEJObI&feature=related
He talks about 3 types of demos and how they require different foci.

Video #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyrCQ4ZIlrA&feature=related
Information of note:
SCA fighting vs. demo fighting
Hands on interaction
Hand a newcomer table with an "Information" banner
Take home flyers with contact info, coupons for a next event's free admission

Video #4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdKcGqyNwXk&feature=related
Collecting contact info
Having a 2nd tier packet of info
Welcome classes
Newcomer's household

Video #5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs5KdH1bKAk&feature=related
Re recruiting former SCA members - they already know the stuff and know the game.

I would still like to gather together as a barony to watch and discuss these. 

Jovian


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Demo results
Posted by: "Waffle" kegage408 at gmail.com
Date: Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:07 pm ((PDT))

I have been in the SCA for thirty-six years, and the recruiting results we get from demos is lackluster at best, but we do get members from them. However, the memorable, promotional, and educational impact is extreme. In our barony we have fighter practice on the corner of a large public park. People stop by all the time to ask questions, check us out, let us talk to, and entertain them and their kids. Parents have brought their children out to expose them to "hands on" history, and occasionally we will get whole private, or home school classes. People will also stop by to arrange demos for everything from schools, other non-profit groups and the like, to providing ambiance for weddings and parties, which we, as a group, don't do. We will get students for high schools and colleges that are looking for help on research papers, or are doing a video, or photo project. There has also been the occasional professional academic asking questions about specific aspects of medieval history, and one "can you tell me what this is and how it was used inquiry. We could and did.
    
The schools and other groups demos we do provide a "real" experience for kids, and adults, that they can normally only experience through books, TV, and movies. The impact is usually on the extreme revelation side of education. Gee, swords are not that heavy, you can get up off the ground in armor, so that is how they made thread, and did calligraphy and illumination.

I can't count how many times I have been told by people that they have been coming to the park and watching us for years as a kid, and how it affected them educationally, and now when they can, they want to be a part of it. or that they remember a demo we did for their school class, or scout troop, how cool it was, and what they remember.       

<the end>
Edited by Mark S. Harris	recruitment-msg	Page 22 of 22