Recruitment vs high standards

[msmemory_archive]

This is a half-developed notion. I have this theory percolating around my brain that the SCA's recent higher standards in many areas are in fact a barrier to recruiting new members.

Thinking back, when I joined the SCA, it was very much a do-it-yourself group. Nobody minded if you made a polyester velour tunic, or made a surcoat out of brocade curtains from a yard sale. We all politely ignored the pickle bucket armor, webbing folding chairs, and nylon tents, instead collectively imagining ourselves lords and ladies in samite and fur, living in bright pavilions, sitting on thrones. College students, young adults, and the poor could feel welcome, for their fantasy was just as good as anyone else's.

These days, all the trappings are available to anyone with enough money. You want turnshoes, sheepskin bedding, snowy linen robes, shiny armour? Just plunk down enough dollars and Poof! instant status. That random 19-year-old scholarship student, who would have been a shabby but respected herald in 1982? Well, now he's just shabby.

We've recreated class differences, and based them on modern incomes. No wonder we aren't bringing in or retaining the peripheral, young, or poor members who historically have been the SCA's lifeblood.

ETA: I'm not claiming innocence here either: I am at least as guilty as most of spending my "look! no kids!" income on finery while that early garb molders in the attic.

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

Interesting.

Years ago, I was at an event. I was waiting by the edge of a tournament at a Coronation - so that as soon as it ended I could go get my territorial baron and baroness for an obligation of theirs.

I was talking to a new person, describing things, and he asked me "are your baron and baroness rich?"

I replied that it was the case of yes, and no. That my baron and baroness combined earned less money than I did alone. But that in the Society wealth was measured in friends, and those who would "do for another", willingly. And, in that respect, my Baron and Baroness were very rich indeed.

I've watched people try and buy themselves success in the SCA. They do dress well.... and die trying.

[the-nita.livejournal.com]

Fair enough - perhaps we have different experiences. While I agree that those whom have friends they can rely and trust are wealthy indeed, I've seen an awful lot of success stories arrive on expensive garb & gear....

[soteltie.livejournal.com]

>Baron and Baroness were very rich indeed
We count ourselves rich, way beyond measure, in that regard. We are lucky to have so many good friends throughout the entire Known World.

We were incredibly proud and fortunate to have the many talents and resources of such a wonderful barony at our command. And, to be chosen to represent this amazing group, well, that made us feel like we were absolutely on top of the world :-)
Johanna

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

I love you guys - we sure had some fun! I remember it well, a surprisingly warm fall day in September, waiting for the tournament to end so I could run and tell you the Crown was coming back, and so you could get on line first for informal court.

You two are the best sorts of people, and I am pleased we have been friends so long, in and out of the SCA.

I should have told that plebe that it made me rich, too.

[soteltie.livejournal.com]

>we sure had some fun!
And you worked hard and did so many things for us to make sure that we had fun :-)

We love you, too. I hope we can get to play more when things settle down.
Smmooch!