Post by 35divmp on Jun 12, 2006 13:42:08 GMT -5
All:
There's been a lot of talk on various boards on the HRS BoD and who 's gonna run for office when the dust has settled. Everybody says that those who run should be people with the "right stuff."
Sadly, this is usually a "pipe" dream. Most times the person(s) who the "people/membership" think should be in charge refuse the nomination. Why? Because they have "real" lives that include such things as jobs, family, responsibilities, etc. that take up their time and focus. These people do not wish to be called at all hours of the day and night because some reenactor had his "magic moment" ruined or because someone's feelings got hurt.
They also do not like having their wife (or husband), children, etc. cursed out over the phone when they answer the phone and said officer is not home.
Case in point - HRS 1983-84. Bill Baas of the LAH became President and received such hate mail and tirades from childish reenactors that he refused to run for office ever again. He was a real Doctor and highly educated and dedicated to the hobby, but he had a family, job and responsibilities.
So who do you get? You usually get the person who's life is in the crapper, he (usually a he) has nothing else going for him other than reenacting. This person eats, sleeps, and talks reenacting all the time. One of the biggest thrills he gets is when he puts his reenacting costume (uniform) on and goes out to an event. Put this person in the position of authority and many times they become "petty tyrants."
Many times these are the people who run for office in reenacting organizations. Every once in a blue moon they work out ok, usually though, they screw up so bad that the organization splits into factions or falls apart.
As one of the old "foggies" in reenacting I've seen this happen twice so far in the HRS, once with the TSG, once with the Federation, and once in the Regiment (and no, I did not belong to all these groups).
So, be careful of not only those you vote for, but those you nominate in the first place.
Jay
There's been a lot of talk on various boards on the HRS BoD and who 's gonna run for office when the dust has settled. Everybody says that those who run should be people with the "right stuff."
Sadly, this is usually a "pipe" dream. Most times the person(s) who the "people/membership" think should be in charge refuse the nomination. Why? Because they have "real" lives that include such things as jobs, family, responsibilities, etc. that take up their time and focus. These people do not wish to be called at all hours of the day and night because some reenactor had his "magic moment" ruined or because someone's feelings got hurt.
They also do not like having their wife (or husband), children, etc. cursed out over the phone when they answer the phone and said officer is not home.
Case in point - HRS 1983-84. Bill Baas of the LAH became President and received such hate mail and tirades from childish reenactors that he refused to run for office ever again. He was a real Doctor and highly educated and dedicated to the hobby, but he had a family, job and responsibilities.
So who do you get? You usually get the person who's life is in the crapper, he (usually a he) has nothing else going for him other than reenacting. This person eats, sleeps, and talks reenacting all the time. One of the biggest thrills he gets is when he puts his reenacting costume (uniform) on and goes out to an event. Put this person in the position of authority and many times they become "petty tyrants."
Many times these are the people who run for office in reenacting organizations. Every once in a blue moon they work out ok, usually though, they screw up so bad that the organization splits into factions or falls apart.
As one of the old "foggies" in reenacting I've seen this happen twice so far in the HRS, once with the TSG, once with the Federation, and once in the Regiment (and no, I did not belong to all these groups).
So, be careful of not only those you vote for, but those you nominate in the first place.
Jay