Apropos of Nothing...

[St. George]

We belong to an unusual organization - one that is membership-driven.

As such - 'we' in NCOWS actually have a say in the direction our Organization is going and we've chosen the path of historical accuracy, research and of course - shooting.

Closer to 'Living History' than 'IPSC with Hats' - the pace is found to be satisfying to most of the members - with individual Posses catering to differing styles of shoots during the year.

All in all - NCOWS is moving - it's just not moving very fast - and I'm not all that certain that rapid growth is needed.
Slow, steady growth is what sustains any good outfit and the one we ride with is one of the best.

Part of this is due to misperception in the eyes of new, prospective members - who read about what to them are impossible standards.

As an example - the idea of 'striving' toward differing levels of 'the Originals' - is lost, as they see it as being 'mandatory' rather than voluntary - and they 'see' that as not only being 'unrealistic' in their eyes because they don't know enough about the history - and unduly expensive.
'We' know it's none of those, as it costs no more to dress 'right' and equip accordingly, once a persona or time frame is decided upon - but 'new' guys don't - yet...
They don't realize that a properly-dressed NCOWS cowboy fits in perfectly into SASS - when you discount the obvious competition gear allowed by that outfit.

This often happens because many never even begin to read a post all the way through - rather reacting to those posts that have taken on a 'cause' though all it really is doing is tail-twisting amongst old pards and nothing more than that.
New guys just do 'not' seem to see the 'tongue-in-cheek' part of these posts at all.
Thus - their opinion is somewhat tainted and the Organization suffers a bit.

I have never seen as many honestly 'helpful' folks involved in a hobby as I see here in NCOWS.
Everybody's hand is out to assist and encourage.

You folks know the truth of that - yet somehow - that aspect is lost to view when overshadowed by some of our postings.

We 'need' to remember that more folks than 'us' read these things - folks that aren't satisfied with what they've been doing in C&WAS - and we need to remember that once sent onto a forum - these thoughts and the bickering and the electronic horseplay all take on the mantle of 'Gospel' to those who aren't familiar with the personalities involved.

That's where 'we' as an Organization - get the name of 'Clothing Police' and of being contentious towards one another.
Were that the case - given the fact that we're 'full-growed and haired over' - we'd 'all' find something better to do.

When you post - never do so in the heat of the moment.

Be proactive instead of reactive - or - be quiet - since some folks purely love the Devil's Advocate role and feeding into that can have a downside in lost membership.

Remember the audience and the fact that if it could 'possibly' be mis-interpreted - it most likely will be - by someone - so be certain of your facts and phrasing.

Simple stuff - and well-discussed before all the data was lost with the last server's demise - but something - like the herds of expired equines - that 'rises' from time to time.

Good Luck to you all.

Vaya con Dios -Acaso...

Scouts Out!





Posted initially on The Frontier Spot.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Very wise words, St. George.

Slim

[Will Ketchum]

Well said my friend.

Will Ketchum