Title: Getting-an-AoA-art
Subject: "How to Get an AoA" by Gunnora Hallakarva.
Author: Edited by Mark Harris
Last saved by: Mark S. Harris
Keywords: SCA, AoA, Award of Arms, newcomer, awards

Getting-an-AoA-art - 6/22/98

"How to Get an AoA" by Gunnora Hallakarva.

NOTE: See also the files: 4-newcomers-msg, SCA-intro-art, names-FAQ, courtesy-msg, feastgear-msg, Award-Rec-Let-art, award-rec-let-msg, SCA-awards-msg.

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Thank you,
    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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Subject: ANST - How to Get an AoA
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 98 13:42:17 MST
From: Gunnora Hallakarva <gunnora at bga.com>
[Gunnora's email is now: gunnora at vikinganswerlady.org -ed]
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG

"How to Get an AoA" 
     by Gunnora Hallakarva

The AoA or Award of Arms is given for any number of reasons.  Usually it is
given to someone who has been playing consistently in the SCA for a year or
two, and showing a fair amount of effort on one or more fields of endeavor.

So, how to earn an AoA?  First, select a name and a persona, and begin
learning a little about the time and place you have selected.  And get
yourself a basic costume together.  Then become active in the SCA, in some
of the ways listed below:

If you are interested in fighting, become an active fighter.  Make armor
for yourself, and, if you are good at armormaking, volunteer to help others
withtheir armor.  Get authorized as a marshal and volunteer your services
at fighter practices and at those events which your local group holds, also
volunteer to marshall outside your group.  Help make tabards or sashes for
the marshals in your group.  Donate staffs to be used in marshalling.  Help
make water bottles for the waterbearers.  Volunteer as a waterbearer.
Volunteer to help the list mistress and learn how a tournament is run.
Volunteer to serve as list master/mistress yourself.

If you are interested in the arts, become an active artisan.  Learn about
period art forms and start practicing them.  Display your arts at local
events and at kingdom events.  Create items using your arts that will be
used for award regalia, or for regalia to enhance the period appearance of
your local group such as kneeling pillows, banners, pavillions, etc.  Find
out what events are upcoming, and what types of props are needed for those
events that you can make and contribute.  Practice your art and then donate
your creations to be used as prizes by your local group or by other kingdom
groups.  Donate your artwork to the Crown to be used as largesse.

If you are interested in service, pitch in and lend a hand wherever
possible.  Consider volunteering for a local office in your local group,
then serve conscientiously, turning in a good effort in your office.
Volunteer to help prepare for events, cooking feasts, building props for
events, sewing banners or garb or whatever else is needed.  Volunteer at
events both local and when you travel - volunteer for gateguard, for server
at feasts, volunteer to help cook in the kitchen, help set up pavillions
and the listfield, help individuals set up their camps after you have set
up your own.  Learn the essentials of autocratting or feastocratting, and
see if an experienced autocrat or feastocrat will allow you to serve with
them as co-autocrat or co-feastocrat to help you learn.  Once you have the
basics down, take a swing at autocratting or feastocratting on your own.

To earn an AoA, you basically become active in the SCA.  The three areas of
suggestions that I've outlined above can help you get started, and you can
mix and match activities according to your means and your interests.

Gunnora Hallakarva
Herskerinde

<the end>

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