We are a few months away from the first Kitchen Conference and everyone is trying to come up with ideas. Here is my idea for discussion.
The Maine Civil War Reenacting Association
This is NOT the Maine Battalion. There will be NO military structure.
-MCWRA would be made up of Maine Civil War reenacting units
-MCWRA would have elected representatives from each unit
-MCWRA could be a moderator for units having problems
-MCWRA could help to ADVERTISE Civil War Reenacting and events
-MCWRA could help with fund raising for any reason (such as raising money to purchase original items to donate to the state museum)
-MCWRA could help to sponsor events
-MCWRA could host a Maine Civil War Expo
-MCWRA could be a primary contact for schools that are looking educational outreach programs
-MCWRA would be non profit
-MCWRA would be a great foundation for all units to work together
-MCWRA could help set standards for us to follow
And there are many more positive ideas that could come from this.
Just an idea for all the units to come together and work towards many goals, two of the biggest to me are preserving history and improving the hobby.
That my idea, lets hear yours.
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MCWRA
Boy did you hit the nail on the head. Now how would you make something like that fly? Hawks and Eagles Fly Like Doves CopperHeadAnnie
If you give a brick enough power it will fly....
oh so it was said when they designed the Phantom jet, the idea has it merits and some anti-merits? I dont think that word is quite right but I didnt want to come off too negative.
sometimes its baby steps...at this point we should look at a loose confederation of units not jump into a big pile of non-profit corporate charters. at this time there are still some charred bridges that are being mended and the paints not dry yet on a couple of rebuilt and new ones.
Good idea worth looking at, maybe smaller in scope at first.
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
charred bridges
at this time there are still some charred bridges that are being mended
My sense, from the VERY brief time I have been associated with reenacting, is that if you have any kind of "over" group, or anything that has any connotation of any authority, you will run into a lot of, errr... personality conflicts. Clashes of the most independent egos, if you will.
In order to lead, you must concentrate on learning to serve.
IMHO. YMMV.
Bridges
Private you are a fast learner
The MCWRA would not have any
The MCWRA would not have any say within the individual units. It would not be a "over" group and would not have any authority within the units. As for egos, most of the problems come when there is a military command structure, and where "I'm in command over your unit" comes into play. There will be NO military structure. If there should come a time where there is a command structure needed then unit commanders would rotate. (example: the state of Maine asks the MCWRA to do a federal encampment twice a year, the first event the commander of the 3rd can be in charge, the second event the commander of the 15th can be in charge, and so on.)
As far as being a non profit organization, that would come in following years. The first few years would be a trial run. This is just an idea to get things moving. We seem to all agree that we need to work together as a hobby to make it work. The past few years have been "to each his own", and the hobby has suffered because of it. Look at how many people show up to events. If you really broke down the numbers in this state there are only about 50 or so reenactors that come out on a regular basis. I do realize that people do have lives and can't make all the events, but I think there are more people out there that can do more and this might get them to come out more often.
Mike you are right charred bridges do need to be mended. Working together is the best way to repair those bridges. This is a more structured way of working together. Even children play together with a set of rules, and that is what we need. A set of basic rules and standards that every unit agrees to follow. Baby Steps.....
Lets work together to make this hobby better.
Lt. Jason Porter
29th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
ferinus vis quod ignarus
Brevet promotion?
Private you are a fast learner
Thanks you ma'm for the "promotion", however, please know that I am NOT a Private - I am a Recruit Private. I hope very much to make Private some day. I have been reading and studying, but there is SO much to learn! Placket shirts, brogans, marching by flanks, stack arms - how do the Privates keep all that stuff straight?
Anyway, I shall continue to study and drill try not to embarrass my unit by marching off by myself, and hope that Someday I will achieve the rank of Private!
The rest of this high-falutin' stuff I will leave to those much more abler and cleverer than I!
Your humble servant and loyalist customer,
Recruit Private Chandel
4th Squad, Company A, 3rd Maine Volunteer Militia
A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far Far Away...
Someday, somewhere, someone will record the tales of the Fearless Porter and how he took the courageous step forward and suggested the MCWRA!
Personally, I think anything that helps us communicate and cooperate can't be a bad idea.
I would also like to note that Jason does not suggest a timeframe. There could be many many baby steps along the way. I would even suggest that the first steps have already been taken over the last few years. Just the improved discussion amongst some of us can be construed as a baby step down a path that we know not where it ends.
I would also like to point out that Jason's original post has "could" and "would" in the list. I like where those are placed too. Some things might happen and some could come later.
I think Mike hit it on the head when he suggested "a loose confederation of units". No one has suggested "a union". :) Common, you have to chuckle at the irony of this situation. :)
Is this a worthy discussion for a Kitchen Conference?
--
Michael Johnson
come together
Huzzah Jason! Can anyone say League of units ?
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
He can't throw it that far...
Boston College 47 Miami 45 November 23, 1984
MWLWN LABE! Molon labe, “Come and get them!
come together
Huzzah Jason! Can anyone say League of units ?
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
He can't throw it that far...
Boston College 47 Miami 45 November 23, 1984
MWLWN LABE! Molon labe, “Come and get them!
merit
The idea has some merit. The more pressing would be to combine the scholarship programs. Beyond that I see it as a forum to get on the same page with rules and protocal as a community.
Will
Well we can t be the League
Well we can t be the League of Distinguished Gentlemen,
we might be a league, but we arent distinguished, nor can we truthfully say we are gentlemen, Pardon for the tinfoil hat, you have to understand that there have been times that I thought that some one was out to get the 15th, but im better now. Now thats its laid out that we are talking a series of years on this i feel better. Me personally I could care less about the whos captain of the Team, but im also reminded of the Acronym KISS, but how many different orgs need to be around? ANV USV..the pan glactic alliance. as long as it remains a league of units and not the state of Maine Reenactor Overloard, Im with it.
Mike
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
wrathe
Mike...no doubt someone was out to get the 15th Ala at one time!lol In fact, there were probably several folks out to get the 15th Ala at various times!lol Those were very dark and ugly times! But don't take it personal as every unit has those struggles from time to time. I can probably make a list of a dozen or so people who would love to see the 29th GVI suffer for their trials and tribulations. (now who's being parnoid and taking it personal? LOL)
Though "overlord" has a particular more appealing ring to it rather than Pope..."errr, must get the ringgg to Mount Doom!" ... Things are much better now! It doesn't mean the thought(of an Overlord) should not be a concern but at least we can freely express the concern now, where before it would have just the start of another fight. The Confederacy was about strong state governments and so the same principle should guide our units. If the unit is strong, then there shouldn't be a hugh concern unless the unit it self becomes rouge and concern to others. Hopefully each unit should be concern about it's image and responsibility even now without an official "association". I truely feel this is the case and we are growing more together as a community overall. It should an a right not to belong as much as it such, "to belong". I've never been a hugh fan of Unions, though admittingly they do have their places.
Will
My fears have been asuaged,
My fears have been asuaged, but I dont have enough lembas for the trip home....its sounding better all the time, so lets proceed on our majical mystery tour!
Seamus
(the white album)
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
Lembas
Ok what is a lembas?
just an obscure reference to
just an obscure reference to what amounts to elven hardtack from Lord of the Rings, in response to wills Mount doom and the one ring statement.
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
elven hardtack
Ok now I am going to my room and hide my face with shame for not knowing what a lembas was. I thought I was missing out on a new junk food or something. Hale to you Seamus. Hawks and Eagles Fly like Doves. CopperHeadAnnie
Don't feel bad Annie
I should have warned you about the level of wierdness you'll encounter here. Seamus is just a tad wierder than the rest of us. Don't worry, you'll catch up. And Seamus, we still love you, but you canna blame lembas on the Guinness laddie!:-)~Miss Patti
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Seuss
Is it ok to dunk the lembas
Is it ok to dunk the lembas in me guiness? and if not and you do will I suddenly be beset by the little people?
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
What?
Now, now dear Seamus. When I drink my guiness, I drink my guiness and when I eat my lembas, I eat my lembas. Beware! never cross the stream of either guiness or lembas or you may bring about the end of time as we know it.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
He can't throw it that far...
Boston College 47 Miami 45 November 23, 1984
MWLWN LABE! Molon labe, “Come and get them!
January 28 Kitchen Conference updated
http://mainemilitia.com/node/344
I've updated the agenda for the first gathering to include the concept of a MCWRA.
To be clear, I'm not expecting any action to result. Only that the idea be tossed around and we discuss what it might be able to do for us. If we decide to pursue it then we will need to persuade the leadership of each unit to open a formal discussion. I don't consider this Kitchen Conference gathering to be anything official. Just a bunch of interested individuals looking to incite change.
--
Michael Johnson
Seeds of change
Mike,
I believe...
that this wild bunch of interested individuals, who by seeking to discover their inner reenactor self, will improving their own impression and will incite their own units to improve as well as the hobby in general. This process will be slow and will be spread one reenactor to another as our group grows from the seeds that we are planting in the Kitchen Conference. Unit leadership will be lead by its membership and if the membership see value in our association, they will bring change to their own units.
Talk is cheap but so very powerful when it nutures an idea!
Communication amongst us will bring both respect and harmony to give us strength to break down the wall that has surrounded each unit in this wonderful hobby.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
He can't throw it that far...
Boston College 47 Miami 45 November 23, 1984
MWLWN LABE! Molon labe, “Come and get them!
Grass roots can move mountains
I agree completely Craig. There is a great potential here. We need to be patient and continue trying for a little bit more.
--
Michael Johnson
The Maine Civil War Reenacting Association's EXPO
Greetings,
Ray Hamilton has agreed to talk to us on the topic of creating a civil war EXPO simular to his Black Powder show which will be on Feburary 25th & 26th of 2006. If it is OK with Jason, I suggest the Turner date for this talk.
FYI:
I have purchased a table to be used by civil war reenactors for show & tell as well as recruiting. It cost me $35.00 for the weekend. Anyone willing to participate and help me cover the cost?
Possible RECRUITING EVENT
The Ancient One's Annual Gun Show 2006
DATE
Saturday & Sunday on February 25 & 26th
LOCATION
Maine Army National Guard Armory
Western Ave, Augusta
Cost
$35.00 for the use of a display table for the weekend.
PARKING
After unloading, please park as far a way from the Armory as possible. It is recommended that we use the upper parking lot.
TIME
Open to the Public Saturday from 9:am to 5:pm and Sunday 9:am - 3:pm.
SET UP
Arrive by 8:30am. Bring Show & Tell stuff to demonstrate to the public and any unit pictures that you may have on hand. Also, you should bring recruiting information. This is a Recruiting Event.
EVENT CONTACT
Craig Young
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
He can't throw it that far...
Boston College 47 Miami 45 November 23, 1984
MWLWN LABE! Molon labe, “Come and get them!
I'll be there
As usual, I'll be there. It's always a great time and a good chance to wear the wool. It's also a good chance to test the will power by trying not to buy any of the really neat stuff that's always around!!
Keep taking your blue mass!!
Asst. Surg. SD Scroggins
Great ideas Craig!
Both the topic for March and the gun show.
I hope you don't mind but I am going to create a new post with The Ancient One's Annual Gun Show info so that Ic an promote it to the front page.
--
Michael Johnson
im down with that action!
Count me in!
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
Sounds like a plan!...
You da man!!!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Major Eric R. Reeder
CSO, 1st Division ANV, Staff
Liberty Hill Signals
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"