Anybody have a copy of the old TI article "Consensus Building in the SCA?"
Sep. 28th, 2010
More Goodies
Sep. 28th, 2010 08:52 pmThanks to ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pearl and the Faboo Lochac website, I present some more very interesting, well written articles by Master Griffith.
The first is on consensus decision making in the SCA. I'm sort of tickled that it's the sort of thing I've been promoting regarding the possibility of Pentamere becoming a Principality. That everybody have a chance to speak up. That the decision be made slowly. That we recognize the fact that not everybody will agree, no matter what the ultimate decision. But that we make an effort to put the good of the Region above our own wants and needs. So, yeah, worth a read.
Remember that I've linked to his article on Principalities before. I think it's very wise, and well written. Though I would disagree with a few of his contentions. I don't think it even begins to be possible to bring to life a Principality with solely and utterly noble thoughts and purely positive intentions. Because any group of people so contented with Kingdom life will not have the motivation to go through all that work. There must be some degree of impetus provided in the form of dissatisfaction of some sort with the status quo - or nobody will want to be shifted out of their comfort zone.
That said, I also did like his piece on Regions. Which goes rather a long way to (somewhat obliquely) confirm some of why I feel Region status begins to be inadequate for Pentamere.
Anywho, this Educational Moment has been brought to you by the letter "P". ;-)
pearl and the Faboo Lochac website, I present some more very interesting, well written articles by Master Griffith.The first is on consensus decision making in the SCA. I'm sort of tickled that it's the sort of thing I've been promoting regarding the possibility of Pentamere becoming a Principality. That everybody have a chance to speak up. That the decision be made slowly. That we recognize the fact that not everybody will agree, no matter what the ultimate decision. But that we make an effort to put the good of the Region above our own wants and needs. So, yeah, worth a read.
Remember that I've linked to his article on Principalities before. I think it's very wise, and well written. Though I would disagree with a few of his contentions. I don't think it even begins to be possible to bring to life a Principality with solely and utterly noble thoughts and purely positive intentions. Because any group of people so contented with Kingdom life will not have the motivation to go through all that work. There must be some degree of impetus provided in the form of dissatisfaction of some sort with the status quo - or nobody will want to be shifted out of their comfort zone.
That said, I also did like his piece on Regions. Which goes rather a long way to (somewhat obliquely) confirm some of why I feel Region status begins to be inadequate for Pentamere.
Anywho, this Educational Moment has been brought to you by the letter "P". ;-)
More Wisdom from Master Griffith
Sep. 28th, 2010 10:00 pm"Beginning the conversation
Perhaps the most critical point in creation of a principality occurs when the conversation
first turns serious, when the first group of individuals in an area ask themselves “why
not?” The importance of this moment rests on the reasons from which this question arise?
Do not allow either the misdirected motives become established, and do not allow the
legitimate motives of good people to be rebuked.
It is not the case, of course, that there will be agreement as to the desired end state of the
principality, but often the wise person can, by listening intently to the concerns of those
proposing a principality, uncover issues or concerns that ought to be addressed
immediately. Thus, the wise person sees initial discussions of principality as a tool for
improvement of the kingdom.
The wise see in each person met a teacher, the fool can only learn from teachers already
understood. The greater the fool, the smaller the number of available teachers.
Early in the discussion is the best time to provide guidance to help mold people’s
expectations of their principality. Realistic expectations established early may prevent
heartache, disappointment and angry charges of deception later in the process.
Finally, it is early in the discussion that the tone of the pursuit will be established. If
people who begin to discuss principalities are given permission, informally and
nonverbally, by respected leaders, it is far less likely that these discussions will quickly
turn angry. “A soft answer does turn away wrath.”
Potential concerns, stated in gentle terms such as “have we considered that it is possible
that …” expressed early, will be more likely to be gently received, contrarywise, these
same concerns expressed late in the process will more likely be perceived as strategic
obstacles.
Finally, it is important to involve a large number of potentially concerned individuals in
the discussion, without the pressure to make some sort of decision. Establishing a
principality represents a large change, and to those who are relatively comfortable with
the present situation, change is threatening. Stewing wild game moderates the taste."
I think we're at this stage. One wonders... whose informal permission do we need to continue the discussion and really get the Region involved?
Perhaps the most critical point in creation of a principality occurs when the conversation
first turns serious, when the first group of individuals in an area ask themselves “why
not?” The importance of this moment rests on the reasons from which this question arise?
Do not allow either the misdirected motives become established, and do not allow the
legitimate motives of good people to be rebuked.
It is not the case, of course, that there will be agreement as to the desired end state of the
principality, but often the wise person can, by listening intently to the concerns of those
proposing a principality, uncover issues or concerns that ought to be addressed
immediately. Thus, the wise person sees initial discussions of principality as a tool for
improvement of the kingdom.
The wise see in each person met a teacher, the fool can only learn from teachers already
understood. The greater the fool, the smaller the number of available teachers.
Early in the discussion is the best time to provide guidance to help mold people’s
expectations of their principality. Realistic expectations established early may prevent
heartache, disappointment and angry charges of deception later in the process.
Finally, it is early in the discussion that the tone of the pursuit will be established. If
people who begin to discuss principalities are given permission, informally and
nonverbally, by respected leaders, it is far less likely that these discussions will quickly
turn angry. “A soft answer does turn away wrath.”
Potential concerns, stated in gentle terms such as “have we considered that it is possible
that …” expressed early, will be more likely to be gently received, contrarywise, these
same concerns expressed late in the process will more likely be perceived as strategic
obstacles.
Finally, it is important to involve a large number of potentially concerned individuals in
the discussion, without the pressure to make some sort of decision. Establishing a
principality represents a large change, and to those who are relatively comfortable with
the present situation, change is threatening. Stewing wild game moderates the taste."
I think we're at this stage. One wonders... whose informal permission do we need to continue the discussion and really get the Region involved?