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Kae
01-12-2008, 12:52 AM
As promised and requested ..
A very intelligent wench requested that questions be posted for the nominees. We don't want everyone to post twice, so - I as current Madame - will ensure that they get to here as well as the yahoo group.

The question we have so far is....

This is for both Madame and Vice Madame Candidates.

Charity events have been mentioned . . . . .and I do feel they are part
of what makes us great.
With our membership being spread out across state lines . . . .

I would like to hear what the Candidates suggest for at least on future
Charity Event that would allow all members to participate . . .not just
those in driving distance. So not necessarily something that requires a
gathering to accomplish.
Example: every member to contribute to their local food bank on
___________ date.

True not every member will participate, or be able to. But it would be
kinda cool to have food banks all over 3 states on one specific date get
donations in the name of International Wenches Guild Local 13.

Emrld/ Kissing Frog Fairy


__._,_.___



(Countess)
I think the idea of an official day for donations to a local food
bank would be fabulous. You're right, no meeting would have to be
held. We would just have to make sure that we have someone in each
faire jurisdiction/area to be the collection point. I don't think
that will be a problem.

Race for the cure can certain by done in different places at the same
time.

RESCU rallies depend on the faire. Those are spread out through the
year. We just need a liason with the official RESCU person for each
faire to coordinate with us.

I'm thinking of some other charities right now. There are enough
women's shelters in each place that we could have a donation day for
giving to battered women. There is also an organization that
provides women who are without funds to buy clothing to get
appropriate clothing for job interviews. I know we all have stuff in
our closets that we aren't using that could make someone less
fortunate than we feel good about herself. I would also like to see
us have a stuffed animal drive for either the emergency shelters or
the police/firemen. Often the children come to the shelters with
nothing but the clothes on their backs. When an animal is put in the
child's arms, somehow it makes it better. The police also do the
same thing with the animals. They give them to children when they go
out on a call. The toys wouldn't have to be expensive.

Mary


And from......................
(lady B)
Ladies of Local 13 & Emerald,

You all have to remember, I AM Lady Bridget Wood,
Tour Guide & SOCIAL DIRECTOR of the Village of Scarby,
and the Martha Stewart of the Wench party and planning
committee. (By the way - I am late being able to
answer this question for that very reason - I am
working on the house for our sister Vicki's Baby
Shower in the morning, that I hope to see you all at!)
So this is really not a fair question for my
competition. lololololol

My feelings on Charity Work or help of any kind to
anyone or any thing (Animals - just ask Lucky)in need
are strong! Those of you that know me well know I am
at each event we plan or I am planning them already
for the future.

There were many wonderful Charities mentioned by
Countess, Sarah & Isa. And it was suggested to have a
mass All Local 13 group effort in Houston - La - Okl &
us. And I am all for that, but my thoughts on that is
- shouldn't we chat with the Charity Chair's in each
region and get them actively involved with us? And
then with their help, pick say the top 3 that we all
feel would use our services best and take it from
there. For an example - we might choose a food drive -
well La had Katrina and now the whole World has sent
food to the food bank - so would that do them any
good?? I think we should all want to work on the same
ones. and if the other region's are involved in the
planning with us, I feel they would be more willing to
participate in it.

Which also bring up involvement... we can pick one out
of 1000's of Charities and we can plan and plan - BUT
without ladies there to help to make it successful -
what good was it for?? Example's: (1)Countess brought
up meeting the Troops - I got that all together the
last time we did it, and I was planning on dozens of
wenches because everyone was so excited and thought
that was such a great thing to do - and there were
maybe 10 of us there. Granted, I will never forget the
warm fuzzy feeling's I had inside and the self
satisfaction I got from that day. But I told the
Director that there would be a huge group of ladies to
meet these wonderful men and women and there wasn't.
(2) The Blanket's - this one by far is my favorite
project to do... they are all just so beautiful in
their own fuzzy way's, and we all have a blast eating
and drinking and telling tales working on them but
this last time we only were able to make 28 (I think)
where last year we made over 80. So see how important
teamwork & corporation is. That alone can make or
break a Charity Drive.

I guess what I am trying to say - no matter who Win's
this election - she will work hard to do what you all
say you want to do - but you all have to live up to
your part of the deal as well, if the Madam - or Vice
Madam or Charity Committee or who ever takes the time
to do all the planning it is only fair for them to
expect great things to come from it. That is what will
make this Local be the BEST. TEAMWORK!

I personally would like for us to Adopt a Median - Yes
that sounds Korney - But... we get free Advertisement
for the Wenches of Local 13 on the sign they post
stating The Median is attended to by the Wenches Guild
Local 13. Not to mention, how many fender benders
could we cause picking up litter and planting flower's
in Bodices?

Thank You for listening. Hope to see you all in the
morning.

xoxo



and from....
(Isa)
How about a "Toys for Tots" charity drive in garb? This can be done
anywhere and what better way to enjoy the season than with a Marine!
Isa


and from...
(Lady Sarah)
I'm not sure how the logistics would work, but something that I've done in
conjunction with another organization is at Christmas time, when it seems that
every charitable organization is asking for assistance of some sort, we as
individual members find an organization that means something to us and we
donate/assist/provide service to that organization. At our christmas party, we
relate what we did and share it with everyone else.

Another thing that we could do is work with our local animal shelters. I know
in the grand scheme of things and compared to breast cancer research and Ryan's
House, animal shelters are small potatoes, but from what I've seen of our
Members, we all love our animals and abhor the atrocities done to them. It
doesn't have to be simply cash donations - when you go shopping, buy an extra
bag of dog food. If you have towels that you're replacing, donate those to the
shelter. Things like that. If we all did that across the states of Texas,
Louisiana and Oklahoma, then think of what a great impact that would make. It
could be done in one particular month, as opposed to one specific day - that
gives us all a greater chance to participate.

Yes, the food banks are another example of what we can do, as well as women's
shelters or simply life shelters. They always need toiletry supplies as well as
clothing donations. If any of us travel and stay in a hotel, pick up the little
toiletry samples that they provide in the bathrooms. It doesn't cost you extra
and you can collect all year long.

If we broaden the spectrum of charitable organizations we work with, then we can
broaden the possibility of more of us participating and we're not limited to
only one time of the year.
LS


the rest of you, question away!
kae

ladygold
01-19-2008, 08:42 PM
My wench number is 729. Some years I have been a Friend of the Faire, some years (like last) I didn't get to one day. I was a member of Catt and Ken's troupe - Calleigh House - in the 90's and I've even squired for the Memorial Day Jousting Tournament but I suspect no one knows who I am.

Frankly - the IWG has felt like a very closed group and one that just wasn't worth the struggle it would take to get accepted.

My question for all the candidates is, "Do you want to get folks like me involved and what do you intend to do?"

~LG

Lady Sarah
01-19-2008, 10:02 PM
My wench number is 729. Some years I have been a Friend of the Faire, some years (like last) I didn't get to one day. I was a member of Catt and Ken's troupe - Calleigh House - in the 90's and I've even squired for the Memorial Day Jousting Tournament but I suspect no one knows who I am.

Frankly - the IWG has felt like a very closed group and one that just wasn't worth the struggle it would take to get accepted.

My question for all the candidates is, "Do you want to get folks like me involved and what do you intend to do?"

~LG


First, it's good to see you here. Welcome to the boards!
Second, I'm going to cross post this to the Yahoo TXIWG group for all of the other candidates to answer.

My answer is yes, I want you to become more involved! With such a long standing experience with the guild itself and at Faire, younger and newer members could not only benefit from your experience as a Wench but also as a long-time Faire participant.

What do I intend to do? First I'd like to meet you. LOL Beyond that first face to face, I definitely would like to find a way to bring you in to the gatherings and get togethers we have. I don't know where you live, but I'm sure that we can find a way to make it easier for you to join us. And that's just outside of Faire. During Faire, I'll find a way - elected or not.

But I have to meet you first. :-D That way I can drag you with me to meet everyone else.

I'm going to be very honest here - when I first joined, I felt like I wasn't welcomed. So much so that I asked the gal who recommended the Guild to me if there was a way I could join her local, even if I didn't live in the area. But once I got to actually meet people, I was welcomed with open arms. I know it feels like it's an effort, but it was totally worth it for me. I've met some great ladies that I wouldn't give up for the world.

Isabelle Fawkes
01-20-2008, 01:48 PM
Frankly - the IWG has felt like a very closed group and one that just wasn't worth the struggle it would take to get accepted.

My question for all the candidates is, "Do you want to get folks like me involved and what do you intend to do?"

~LG

The bottom line is that this Local needs people like you to become more involved. We need input and ideas from more that just a core group of people. Although it is up to the elected members to carry out and further these ideas; without input we have nothing to work with.

During the history of Local 13 there have been times when this group seemed closed to new members. There was a marked absence of activities for the local ladies to participate in at faire or in general. When I officially joined in 2002 this Local was divided into cliques and getting into one was rather daunting.

What I started doing on my own to meet up with others of the guild, was to post when I would be at faire, where, and at what times I would be there. I then invited local and visiting wenches to join me for an informal meet and greet. I also initiated gatherings outside of faire at central public locations throughout the DFW metroplex. I have found that people are more apt to chance a brief meeting with strangers when they are on neutral ground.

What I will continue to do, whether elected of not, is to try to keep this momentum going. I realize that scheduling a specific date and time and expecting everyone to show up is unrealistic. So I will try to plan at least one meeting date per month outside of the faire season for our members, and those interested in joining, to get together. During the faire season I will post my schedule so that any and all wenches will feel free to join me in the merriment. Communication will be a key factor in making this work.

Countess Mary
01-20-2008, 04:01 PM
(crossposted to TXIWG)

Thank you for the question, Ladygold. My first reaction was "Wow,a
three digit wench." But then I was sad because we have not had the
benefit of your many years of faire experience. I would love to know
why you decided to join the Guild when it was so young. There has to
be an interesting story there.

I, too, would love to meet you. I would love to be able to take you
to one of our activities. I would love to show you how wonderful
this group really is. If you felt at all uncomfortable coming to the
hostel, I would meeet you at whatever place you choose. We really do
want to know you. I am dreadfully sorry that you have felt it would
be a struggle to join the group.

Please give us a chance to prove to you that we really are friendly.
I, too, originally thought the group would be difficul to get to
know, but the opposite was true. I went to an outside faire activity
with a friend. Everyone wanted to be sure that I knew all the
activities that were coming up in the near future. The rest is
history. I have been here ever since.

Please come meet us. Let us know who you are and let us show you who
we are. Come help us find other wenches like yourself who, for one
reason or another, have not felt that they could participate easily.
We want to change that perception.
+++++++++++++++++

Lady B
01-20-2008, 10:28 PM
Lady B is back from the Frozen Realm of Character Camp! Oh My what a weekend!
And it is wonderful to come back to a question from a lost & way word wench!

My question to you young lady is "Where the heck have you been" and WHY have you not attended any of Lady B's Gatherings over the last 4 years???? LOL And heck YES we want you to be involved!

Let me introduce myself - I am Lady B (Lady Bridget at Faire) and I am one of the nominees for Madam. I have tried to look you up on the two boards to see what area in which you live, and was not able to find you anywhere. Perhaps that could be part of the problem, you are not receiving the emails to know about all the gathering we have. I personally am a habitual party and get together planner. And I try to make sure I post everything I am planning weeks before the event's and send out MANY reminders along the way - just for the ladies that are not on line every day like I am, so that there is an email everywhere a wench could look to know about what is planned. What now worries me is if you are not able to be found - how many other wenches are out there like you! And I am not sure how to go about it, but now I have a new quest - to find you all!

As to not feeling welcome - that was long ago from what I can tell in your note, and all I can say is let's get together, meet the group now, and give it another try. How will you ever know if you don't try as well?? I know for a fact I personally make it a point to meet EVERYONE at Faire, I am the Tour Guide & Social Director, I stand at the front gate and welcome everyone I can talk to as you come in, so as you can see I try to make everyone feel welcome that enters Faire! Then in the evening I stand at the gate and Thank everyone as they are leaving and tell them that I hope that had a grand day. Yes, at Faire that is my job, but in my personal life I am that EXACT same way. Everyone is always welcome at any of my gathering with open arm's. And if we can get all of our sister wenches that have been out in the cold such as yourself active again, then you can see for yourself, not only me, but any of the ladies running think the very same way. We have a great group of caring & loving ladies. Yes, we are not always perfect, and we do have squabbles from time to time, but what family don't?

And to the second part of your question "What do I intend to do": I would like to put out a challenge to you Ladygold and any other way word wench out there reading this post. Come to Faire this season, and let us show you the Local 13's WONDERFUL Sisterhood, and what you have been missing all these year! And to remind all of you reading this - No matter what the outcome of this election - we can't make you feel welcome or get you involved if we don't know you and have no way of getting ahold of you!


xoxo

Mistress Lisette
01-21-2008, 12:45 AM
Okay, this sort of goes along the lines of LadyGold's question. Although I'm nowhere near being a 3-digit wench, I did join because of the attitudes and beliefs expressed by the guild and b/c of a chance to dress up in a bodice. :-D And while I know a tiny few of you, and those of you whom I've had the delight of knowing have been incredibly friendly, I'm still reluctant to really get involved. Why? Well, in a nutshell, I feel overwhelmed by the sheer knowledge you ladies have, by the obvious histories you share amongst yourselves, and be your oh-so-cool fashion sense! And the fact that I'm essentially a loner by nature doesn't necessarily help, especially since the various get togethers literally leave me exhausted, sometimes with a migraine as accompaniment.

So, my question is how do you propose bringing back or welcoming people who, while enjoying and perhaps feeling a camaraderie with the whole Wench ideology, do, nevertheless, find it physically and/or emotionally daunting to try to insert herself in the midst of such established Wenchdom? In a nutshell, how do you propose making it less scary for those of us who find groups a very scary thing? And, tangentially, how do you propose to incorporating the Loner Wench into your various activities, charities, etc? (And those of you who know/remember me will probably agree with the fact that I usually go off alone or with hubby while at faire.)

Thanks.

~Lisette

Lady B
01-21-2008, 09:09 AM
Yeeeaahhh it pay's to awake early on my day off, I actually get to answer first this time!!!

My Sweet Lisette,

I am one of the lucky ones that have gotten to know you a bit over the past year or so. And I am veeerrrrry happy about that. You are a wonderful lady. And I know you are not going to believe this, but the whole reason I even tried out for Cast was to build my self esteem, and to come out of my shell some. Now look at me! LOL And yes, I too after a SnB are usually exausted, or after Camping at TRF. But I can and do admit mine is due to age, I can't keep up as well as I did back 10 years ago. And I personally thrive off these ladies knowledge and skills. And one day when I grow up, I might actually will have figured out how to use my blasted sewing machine.

To try to answer this part of your question - "how do you propose making it less scary for those of us who find groups a very scary thing? And, tangentially, how do you propose to incorporating the Loner Wench into your various activities, charities, etc? (And those of you who know/remember me will probably agree with the fact that I usually go off alone or with hubby while at faire.)"
Wow, how to make it less scarry, I feel that is something you yourself will have to work on, we are wenches not therapist, we can love you (and we do) and welcome you (and we do this too) You have to keep your self coming and break that shell just as I did joining cast for my self esteem. You have to remember if you need anything you know you can get ahold of us and we are there. We are a sisterhood, that happen's to have ALOT of energy, knowledge, skills and a ton of love to share - just take baby step's and get your butt back into it, I promise you, the more of us you get to know, the better you will feel about it. As for the migraine's - you are hanging with a group of NON-STOP talking & laughing and cutting up Ladies - migraine's and Hang-over's (from time to time) will happen.

xoxo

Lady Sarah
01-21-2008, 10:05 AM
Cousin!! First, before I answer, I feel like spanking you for not staying closer around! I miss you and that handsome hubby of yours. Give him a big hug for me and tell him I said hello. And great big warm hugs to you too.

Now, to your question.

There isn't a thing any of us can do, nor should do, to change your personality. Not everyone can be the bubbly outgoing type. We are all different and thats OK. The key is to finding a way to work WITH all types instead of changing everyone to fit one specific type.

You're a loner. OK.
Big groups leave you exhausted and with a migraine. If I'm not mistaken, there's a medical reason for that, right? If I am mistaken, holy crap am I sorry for the mistake! :-D

What I'd do to get you involved with charitable events is to make them smaller and quicker events. Perhaps get together with you to make a donation run. Easy, short, no exhaustion, no headache. Baby steps is the key and if you only feel inclined to make it to one party, then that's OK too. That'll give me a chance to get there and work on you to make it to another party, even if it's only to show up for a quick "HI! How is everyone!". As was pointed out to me by another gal, you don't have to make it to every party and stay for the duration, you can just pop in for a quick hello.

I know I miss seeing you around. I know others do too. Come back and visit us when you can, Cousin!

Countess Mary
01-21-2008, 11:40 AM
This group can be overwhelming, I'll admit! I even have problems sometimes when we are all together. At TRF I escape into my tent when the activity becomes too frenzied. After hanging out there for a while I usually go back to join the drum circle or whatever we are doing.
I feel privileged that I have gotten to know you a little better in the past year. It is certainly wonderful to have another weird English professor around! You understand when I have essays to grade in my basket at faire!
We would never want to change the fact that you are a loner. As Sarah said, try to become more involved a little at a time.. I know you stop by the picnic bench outside the shop several times during the course of the day. Perhaps you could extend your visits a little bit. I think if you did you would find that part of our intensity is because we all love each other and want to share that love with everyone we meet, The same thing goes for activities outside faire. I think Sarah had a great idea about going on a charity delivery run or something like that. Anything to build up your comfort zone around the group.
You said that you feel that the group has so much history together that it is daunting to join in. Remember, we have all been in your current situation. All of us have had to face the history of the group. You will be surprised how fast that goes away when you join us in activities.. As for our fashion sense, we help each other here as well. None of us got up one morning with a firm grasp of Renaissance costuming. We have each built our skills with the help of our wench sisters. At a fabric invasion we look as much for fabric for the other wenches as we do for ourselves! Again, we share with each other. (By the way, I think you always look fabulous!)
We are all family. Certainly sometimes the family squabbles, but we come back together because we really do love each other. We want the chance to include you in more of our family outings, whether it be in faire or out of faire.

Isabelle Fawkes
01-21-2008, 12:14 PM
So, my question is how do you propose bringing back or welcoming people who, while enjoying and perhaps feeling a camaraderie with the whole Wench ideology, do, nevertheless, find it physically and/or emotionally daunting to try to insert herself in the midst of such established Wenchdom? In a nutshell, how do you propose making it less scary for those of us who find groups a very scary thing? And, tangentially, how do you propose to incorporating the Loner Wench into your various activities, charities, etc? (And those of you who know/remember me will probably agree with the fact that I usually go off alone or with hubby while at faire.)

Thanks.

~Lisette

Although I would like to see more of our ladies involved in this local I also realize that getting everyone involved will be impossible. Each of us joined the guild for different reasons. No matter why we all joined the guild, each of us has developed some sense of belonging to this local.

Now it is up to each of us to decide how involved we want to be. There is no law stating that you have to join in any of the activities. Pick and choose those you are comfortable with and don’t worry about the rest. As an individual you have the choice of what you want to make out of your local. It is up to the elected officials to make your choices easier not to choose for you.

Mistress Lisette
01-22-2008, 12:52 AM
Thank you all for answering. While what you each said is common sense, it really does help to see it/hear it, ya know? Sometimes those of us who are, shall we say, Renaissance-stylin' deprived ;-) can be intimidated by those of you who've been in this shebang a lot longer. It's comforting to realize that where we newbies/advanced newbies are, you all have been, too. :-D

And I've missed you all. ::bighug:: And here's an extra hug to my gorgeous Cousin! ::hug::