Throwing Down the Gauntlet

Much talk has been circulating in LJ land lately regarding SCA Arts and Sciences Faires/competitions/events etc. Much of it has dealt with how to encourage participation without turning things into a group hug. How do you get useful commentary to those who need it? How do you find and encourage people who are interested in the things that you're interested in.

(small note: Frankly, this journal has done a huge amount of good for my interests, confidence and abilities. Mostly cause y'all are the most flagrant bunch of enablers I've ever seen. Thanks!)

So I'm going to goad any of the Friendly MK Laurels (mostly because I'm selfish, and I'm aiming this in a way that I can participate myself) into a little exercise if they're so inclined:

Pick an event taking place in the next 12 months. Contact the A&S coordinator for that event, and set up a Laurel's Challenge. Designate for the event a "Challenge Project" for interested parties to create. Your rules only apply. Provide each participant with a token. If you like, choose a winner and provide a "prize." This way, you can judge something you know is within your sphere - and find folks interested in those things you're good at. I offer an example from an East Kingdom event:

http://dragonshiphaven.eastkingdom.org/stfestus/challenge.html

Now, it doesn't have to be recreating a single item. Throw it open to, oh, 16th century French Milinery. Or whatever. Require whatever documentation you like. It's you challenging whoever wants to participate.

And if you think it's a worthwhile idea, feel free to propagate it on whatever lists you like.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?