On being a landed baron/ess - followup
Nov. 29th, 2006 01:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
helwenI have to confess that even though I've been a peer for a little while, I still find it both an honor to have my opinions and ideas given serious thought by others, especially by folks like msmemory and joyeuse60. Humbling too, because I'd never want to lead anyone astray, which helps inspire me to continue to do my best.
I know I have odd ideas sometimes compared to some folks, so I really thought that post through before writing it. When I was baroness the first time, my artwork was starting to get a lot of notice, and the word 'laurel' was mentioned not a few times. Although it was nice to hear in some ways, once I became baroness I requested that the Tyger Clerk only send me AoA and OHM assignments and geared down a bit on the complexity of my work. I didn't feel I could honestly be both Baroness and Laurel at the same time, not and do justice to both sets of responsibilities. The barony was brand new and being a Laurel would have been brand new -- too much for me to consider.
It's different when the group is already established, and of course now that I've been a peer for a while, I simply use whatever skills and experience I've acquired in service to the barony. One certainly doesn't need to be a peer to be a baron or baroness, it's just how I felt at the time. Of our own lineage, the second baron was already a peer, the fourth baron was knighted during his time as baron, andfitzw was made a peer after everyone had voted but before he was invested, and of course I am a peer this second time. So very much a mixed group as regards that aspect.
For those thinking about running for baron and baroness, I put forth these additional thoughts, take them as you will. Think about everything you can bring to the table. How can you best benefit the group? Ask people what they're looking for, talk to people you don't normally talk to, get out there and get to know the people you're considering representing. And, because only one couple can win, think about how you can still benefit the group even if you don't when. Being prepared either way, will put you in a different mode of being, feeling, thinking. For me, as long as I could feel confident that my opponent(s) in the election could also be good in the position I could relax, knowing that the barony would be taken care of.fitzw and I ran against Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh, and for various and sundry reasons more folks voted for us. But at all times before, during, and after the electoral process we maintained and still maintain a very cordial relationship. She's part of the barony too, after all.
Some groups think that the losing candidates should be shunned or should retire from the public eye. I strongly disagree with that idea. Whether or not they do retire is, quite frankly, up to them and no one else. They're members of the group and should be treated with respect. Elections have broken up friendships, households, families, and entire groups. This may be a 'game' but the hurt feelings are real. I cannot stress the need for mutual respect enough because of those possible consequences.
For all the groups who are or will be going through the electoral process in the next year, I hope they all are able to conduct them in great love and friendship for one another!
Thanks for reading :)
msmemory and joyeuse60. Humbling too, because I'd never want to lead anyone astray, which helps inspire me to continue to do my best. I know I have odd ideas sometimes compared to some folks, so I really thought that post through before writing it. When I was baroness the first time, my artwork was starting to get a lot of notice, and the word 'laurel' was mentioned not a few times. Although it was nice to hear in some ways, once I became baroness I requested that the Tyger Clerk only send me AoA and OHM assignments and geared down a bit on the complexity of my work. I didn't feel I could honestly be both Baroness and Laurel at the same time, not and do justice to both sets of responsibilities. The barony was brand new and being a Laurel would have been brand new -- too much for me to consider.
It's different when the group is already established, and of course now that I've been a peer for a while, I simply use whatever skills and experience I've acquired in service to the barony. One certainly doesn't need to be a peer to be a baron or baroness, it's just how I felt at the time. Of our own lineage, the second baron was already a peer, the fourth baron was knighted during his time as baron, and
fitzw was made a peer after everyone had voted but before he was invested, and of course I am a peer this second time. So very much a mixed group as regards that aspect.For those thinking about running for baron and baroness, I put forth these additional thoughts, take them as you will. Think about everything you can bring to the table. How can you best benefit the group? Ask people what they're looking for, talk to people you don't normally talk to, get out there and get to know the people you're considering representing. And, because only one couple can win, think about how you can still benefit the group even if you don't when. Being prepared either way, will put you in a different mode of being, feeling, thinking. For me, as long as I could feel confident that my opponent(s) in the election could also be good in the position I could relax, knowing that the barony would be taken care of.
fitzw and I ran against Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh, and for various and sundry reasons more folks voted for us. But at all times before, during, and after the electoral process we maintained and still maintain a very cordial relationship. She's part of the barony too, after all. Some groups think that the losing candidates should be shunned or should retire from the public eye. I strongly disagree with that idea. Whether or not they do retire is, quite frankly, up to them and no one else. They're members of the group and should be treated with respect. Elections have broken up friendships, households, families, and entire groups. This may be a 'game' but the hurt feelings are real. I cannot stress the need for mutual respect enough because of those possible consequences.
For all the groups who are or will be going through the electoral process in the next year, I hope they all are able to conduct them in great love and friendship for one another!
Thanks for reading :)
