A Pelican Pondering.

.....Greetings All,

.....This is certainly not a new subject. In fact I think that I've LJ'ed about it in the past. But it came up again over the weekend and left me again pondering at the differences in perception between the Pelicans and the Knights / Laurels.

.....Here's the scenario. I've had this idea running through the recesses of my brain for a while concerning an event involving several of the local surrounding groups. It's been something on which I've researched, spoken with local officials, gone on field trips, etc. in order to put it together. I just haven't made that final leap into actually putting it together on paper and presenting it to the Financial Committee for a number of reasons (including getting my personal life organized and giving Dragon's Laire a much deserved and needed break from their recent eventing schedule).

.....So last weekend I mention this subject to a group of friends. They are rather excited by the idea and want it to come together. The caveat however is that I need to be the background 'idea' person and let someone else be the front man, with their name on all the paperwork. The idea being that I've done enough lately and it's time that I mentor others toward event organizing and service.

.....In theory and principal I am most certainly in agreement with this idea. As a Pelican, yes, it is my job to mentor those who wish to be mentored in the things that helped me to bring my peerage to me. But I have a small problem with this. I enjoy the 'art' of autocratship (in MOST circumstances :-), there are exceptions :-)). The joy and satisfaction I receive by seeing a group of people come together and create this work of organization is very euphoric. Plus the satisfaction of overcoming a new challenge brings about its own set of rewards as well. So, I'm not entirely sure I really WANT to turn this event idea over to someone else and be the background mentor.

.....Now here is the real pondering, for me at any rate. When a Laurel and a Knight receive their peerage, they are still expected to increase their knowledge and skill at those activities that gained them their peerage. They are also supposed to mentor and teach of course, but neither of those peerages are expected to take a step back so much and let others 'take the lead' on those arts and sciences at which they excel. Pelicans, however, seem to me to be expected to fade a bit into the background and mentor / train others. This seems to be a rather hypocritical view to be honest. I would think that there are always new ways of promoting service and how best to serve the branch / Kingdom / SCA. There is always something new to learn and new skills to manage, even after you've been given the bird.

.....Do others see this perception, or is it just me interpreting things differently? It could be that I've just overdone it over the past year and this perception applies only to me.

.....Don't get me wrong, this is not a rant on the scale of the Beloved Laurellen, just a pondering on my part over a handful of conversations I've had over the past year. I'm not indignant or anything. And considering how busy I have been and will be over the next six months or so, mentoring someone on this event idea might be a good thing. But like I said, I'm just pondering the differences in peerage perceptions.

.....Naval gazing at its finest for me. :-)

.....Arontius / Aaron.