Service

There are many types of service work you can do within your own local group, the Barony, and even for the Kingdom itself.

If you are a BRAND NEW member or a visitor, we do not need you trying to work - you should be out there enjoying those first couple of events to see what it's all about first. Don't worry about working at those. Now, read on if it's not your first event. ;-)

Whenever any group puts on an event, it is up to the members of the hosting group to work hard at making it a success. Whenever you go to an event, there is a group who hosts it, making sure they do their best so that you can have a wonderful time at their event. After all, we don't want visitors to OUR group's hospitality to have to work at OUR event, that just wouldn't do, now would it! The hosting group may very well still attend it for some fun and fellowship, but that group's members should also look to see what they can do to help out their mates. Cleanup is a small task when divided between many, but when tasked upon just a few of folks those folks may have a large burden. During the event there is trash, and dishes, and other things to be looked after. So this is a way you can help make sure everyone gets some fun time, by pitching in where you have the time and capability whenever we hold an event. If you see somebody looking tired washing dishes, offer to go handle a few of them before you run off to your next task. I bet they'll be VERY happy to rest their feet.

Hosting an event doesn't just that mean the days of the event are the only days work is done, though! There is always going to be a great deal of preparation that has to go into making an event a success. Someone has to volunteer to be the Autocrat, the Head cook, to handle Reservations, and any other needs the event may have. For example if it holds an A&S Faire, someone must manage that. If it has battles, someone must handle that. So those folks can always use extra people to help them with tasks. At an event there will be site tokens, and someone has to make or obtain those. There may be other decorations to be procured. The list could go on! Teamwork helps us pull this off as a group.

So ask not what you can do for your..... wait, wrong speech! But seriously, DO ask what you can do for your group if you have the time. A little help really can go a long way. :)

Many people who pursue the path of doing service will follow the Order of the Pelican. The work of service does NOT just include cleanup or performing a function for an event, etc. There are many types of service that benefit the Kingdom and/or your own local group. These can include some of the Activities like Calligraphy and Illumination, for example. Someone has to make all those scrolls and other regalia that are given out as awards during Court! So you can start to see how so many things within the SCA relate to each other in this. There is a lot more supporting work that is done... these are only a few general ideas to describe the concept.

Pelicans wear the pelican as a symbol, and their proteges wear yellow belts.

Yellow belts are not reserved, but it is respectful to the order to avoid wearing them unless you are a part of this order.

These are members who enjoy fulfilling services where needed. Without service, an event cannot function, nor can a group; nor can a kingdom!

Eventually, over time, you may start to notice that when you first started off, you saw the illusion more like Santa Claus on Christmas day. But later on, you start to see ways how you can be the stage manager, creating a magical illusion for others to enjoy. Guess what? If that's you, you're clearly a fan of service! :) It takes all members' part to help make their group's event a success, so in a way this applies to all of us. http://sandradodd.com/ideas/consider9.html

Related interest groups --

Protege's Pointe https://www.facebook.com/groups/262786303811850/

A group where those who have been ceremoniously "belted" to a Pelican, called Proteges, can gather.

Tips on being an Autocrat -- http://sandradodd.com/ideas/autocrat.html