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Comp-utational Math
Sep. 15th, 2011 08:20 pmThis topic has come up on one of the lists I'm on. Because it's not MY group, I haven't jumped into the conversation. But it's an interesting conversation. And I'm curious about what everybody else thinks.
Local Group is fairly large, healthy, and vibrant. They host Kingdom level events and Regional level events and have their own Shtuff. Some years back they started a niche event, catering to one subset of people who prefer a specific Art. It's become a decent draw, pulling like-minded people from around the Kingdom. Niche event comps the teachers and volunteers from around the Kingdom who come specifically to provide the means for the attendees to practice their art. For this service, these people (about 1/3 of the attendees) are comped part to all of the site fee.
A few years back, Group adds a specific Fighting event. There are no classes, no thrown weapons, no other activities but fighting. Nobody is comped but possibly Royalty (and maybe the B&B, I'm not sure).
Now the group has added a third niche event (again, related to a specific subset of the Arts anbd Sciences) and a member wants to add a 4th (again, catering to another subset, that significantly overlaps the first).
So now the discussion has arisen as regards to comping teachers and volunteers.
Point of View 1:
In order to build a quality event, we must draw certain experts who may be a long distance away. It is a good investment to comp these people, who are giving up their own "fun time" to make sure that others have fun. They are a unique resource and should be managed as such. Many of them are mundane professionals and are compensated when they perform similar services at other events.
Point of View 2:
If we're going to comp one type of volunteer, we should comp anybody who is there solely to volunteer. It's not right to make people pay to volunteer if it's an event they have no other interest it. We're giving up our day for your fun, and there's nothing in it for us. At least the teachers/support people are participating in an activity they enjoy.
Point of View 3:
Nobody should be comped, short of Royalty. It is part of SCA culture that the host group provides the manpower and serve as the "hosts" of the Party. It's also part of SCA culture that people who come to teach their chosen field are also not "paid" to do it - they're doing something they enjoy anyway.
Now, I like Duchess Fina's suggestion that the group vote on any event go as follows:
If you like the idea and you're going to help, you vote yes.
If you are ambivalent, may not bother, ,or are going to be out of town, working, or otherwise unavailable for that event, you obstain.
If you are against the idea or think it's an OK idea but don't intend to help, you vote no.
You all know that I'm in favor of "themed" events and generally get annoyed with all events trying to be all things to all people.
But I suspect this group has fallen down the opposing trap (and I've seen it locally, too). One or two strong personalities want to do Special Event A. The rest of the group thinks its more or less harmless, and go along with it. Fine and good, event makes money, and starts to build prestige. But pretty soon, other members start saying, "Hey, I want to put on Special Event Q! It's just as important as Special Event A!!" And, since there isn't any REAL ground to argue with this, they put on Event Q. But past a certain point there are too many focused events that appeal to too few people IN the group. They may or may not start to have trouble with getting enough help. But, beyond the help issue, start to build resentment. It's hard to object to Special Event A, since it's a success and well thought of, without sounding like a boor. But to be given the subtle message that you must support the event that you don't care about AND pay site fee to volunteer at it while people who ARE interested are fully comped because they haz skillz.... can get under people's skin.
Frankly, I'm not sure they'll solve the problem until they limit the number of Special Events they host. Yes, most of them are decent event ideas. But it might be time to recognize that, no matter how worthy, one group need not host them all. Possibly it's time to pitch some of the new ideas to other groups....
Eh. It's late. I'm squirrely. But I thought the topic was interesting.
Local Group is fairly large, healthy, and vibrant. They host Kingdom level events and Regional level events and have their own Shtuff. Some years back they started a niche event, catering to one subset of people who prefer a specific Art. It's become a decent draw, pulling like-minded people from around the Kingdom. Niche event comps the teachers and volunteers from around the Kingdom who come specifically to provide the means for the attendees to practice their art. For this service, these people (about 1/3 of the attendees) are comped part to all of the site fee.
A few years back, Group adds a specific Fighting event. There are no classes, no thrown weapons, no other activities but fighting. Nobody is comped but possibly Royalty (and maybe the B&B, I'm not sure).
Now the group has added a third niche event (again, related to a specific subset of the Arts anbd Sciences) and a member wants to add a 4th (again, catering to another subset, that significantly overlaps the first).
So now the discussion has arisen as regards to comping teachers and volunteers.
Point of View 1:
In order to build a quality event, we must draw certain experts who may be a long distance away. It is a good investment to comp these people, who are giving up their own "fun time" to make sure that others have fun. They are a unique resource and should be managed as such. Many of them are mundane professionals and are compensated when they perform similar services at other events.
Point of View 2:
If we're going to comp one type of volunteer, we should comp anybody who is there solely to volunteer. It's not right to make people pay to volunteer if it's an event they have no other interest it. We're giving up our day for your fun, and there's nothing in it for us. At least the teachers/support people are participating in an activity they enjoy.
Point of View 3:
Nobody should be comped, short of Royalty. It is part of SCA culture that the host group provides the manpower and serve as the "hosts" of the Party. It's also part of SCA culture that people who come to teach their chosen field are also not "paid" to do it - they're doing something they enjoy anyway.
Now, I like Duchess Fina's suggestion that the group vote on any event go as follows:
If you like the idea and you're going to help, you vote yes.
If you are ambivalent, may not bother, ,or are going to be out of town, working, or otherwise unavailable for that event, you obstain.
If you are against the idea or think it's an OK idea but don't intend to help, you vote no.
You all know that I'm in favor of "themed" events and generally get annoyed with all events trying to be all things to all people.
But I suspect this group has fallen down the opposing trap (and I've seen it locally, too). One or two strong personalities want to do Special Event A. The rest of the group thinks its more or less harmless, and go along with it. Fine and good, event makes money, and starts to build prestige. But pretty soon, other members start saying, "Hey, I want to put on Special Event Q! It's just as important as Special Event A!!" And, since there isn't any REAL ground to argue with this, they put on Event Q. But past a certain point there are too many focused events that appeal to too few people IN the group. They may or may not start to have trouble with getting enough help. But, beyond the help issue, start to build resentment. It's hard to object to Special Event A, since it's a success and well thought of, without sounding like a boor. But to be given the subtle message that you must support the event that you don't care about AND pay site fee to volunteer at it while people who ARE interested are fully comped because they haz skillz.... can get under people's skin.
Frankly, I'm not sure they'll solve the problem until they limit the number of Special Events they host. Yes, most of them are decent event ideas. But it might be time to recognize that, no matter how worthy, one group need not host them all. Possibly it's time to pitch some of the new ideas to other groups....
Eh. It's late. I'm squirrely. But I thought the topic was interesting.