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The FUN-damentals of Service

By THL Ian MacKynnes, Member of the Wyvern Council

When I heard about this project, to write a paper on "Service", I gave thought on how to approach it. I could define "Service", but if you can read this, you can as-easily read the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary, and get a very concise definition, without my pompous expandings thereon. I could list possible ways of "Serving", but if you've been to more than two events, you've seen most of them. I could offer exhortations TO "Service" but that would be so much bilious piosity. I'm not even sure I like the word "Service", it reeks overmuch of self-denial and martyrdom, and that just isn't me. (Your reality-checque just bounced!) Perhaps it might be easiest to give my take on my doing those things which some call "Service".

I'll start with my first-ever S.C.A. event, June Crown '76, West Kingdom, Principality of the Mists. I arrived there, and knowing no one save the folk I had arrived-with, decided to find something to do to involve myself a bit. With two fellow-newbies, I found a fighter who was horsing himself into armor unaided. I asked if he could use some assistance, and we were taken-on as what one would call pages. We helped as we could, and had an excellent view of the ensuing combat. On a whim of his, as thanks for the help, he allowed this absolute newcomer, three hours into his first event, to borrow his armor and go join-in a melee against the Queen's guard. (The tale of which is for another time) I was thereby quickly shown that helping is not only fun, but you get to do more, compounding one's fun.

Run the clock ahead to 1982, the inaugural Ursulmas, and my 2nd An Tir event, my first event in Kilt. I had no sooner stepped clear of the car than this bewhiskered Scottish gentleman (The late Master Evan Graham of Montrose) does a smiling version of Lord Kichener's WW1 recruiting-poster and asks me if I would like to help guard the throne. Thus commenced my association with the Regiments, and with my S.C.A. Father. My impression of the S.C.A. was already one of THEATRE WRIT LARGE, and this was a stage-pass! Sure, I was standing, holding a pike, but I figured I not only had the best seat in the house, I was PART OF THE SHOW! The same applied to Marshalling, which I was quickly inducted into the doing-of at that same tournament. I had a BETTER-than-ringside seat, and again was part of the show. I was also taken in tutelage by profoundly competent people of various rank, and shown how, and thanked for coming out and doing. Doing things, I have found, has its consequences. Col. Evan found out I had a hankering to play in-armor, but had none. He tells me to stand where I was, and from a distance, I see him talking to the King, Manfred, and pointing to me. I figure "OHGOD, being discussed-about by Commanding-officers AND kings is never good", but after a broad grin on both their faces, I see Col. Evan hauling the Kings armor-bag to me and he tells me to go armor-up. See what I mean?

The next month, Madrone asked me to be their court and Field Heraldry deputy. (Evidently I was loud) So, again I get the chance to be more involved, more a part of the show. So what if I wasn't sitting and watching, that's boring. I'd rather be IN the show than watch it. Twixt that and Chiurging, I was kept happily busy, and isn't that what I WANTED?

Advance the clock to 1989, and I arrive in Dragon's Laire. The then-shire needs a Herald, I want to DO heraldry, and again all get what they Asked-for. (Or maybe more than what they asked-for) I also had the opportunity to be the Matre'Di for a few served feasts. You may say, "Who wants to serve food?" but consider this; Who has first-shot at the food? Right! I ALSO got to circulate, see and talk with all, from hattednesses of all degrees to first-event newbies. I got to see their smiles, exchange pleasantries, and be the bearer of compliments to those in the kitchen, in other words, MORE THEATRE! I also got to direct the efforts of many a competent volunteer, from whom I learned as I did-so. What could be better?

There are times when it really is just "grunt-work", BUT, there is also camaraderie that cannot be beat in the doing of the quiet, little-seen things. A 12th-night east of the mountains comes to mind: A group of us Dragonslarians went into the kitchen to assist with the doing of dishes after the feast, and ended-up closing the kitchen after we had done the last pot. Yes, we were all tired, but that camaraderie is remembered to this day.

So, is THIS what you call "Service"?? I call it having fun, being involved. There are those that DO call this "Service", and as it isn't proper to be overly disputational, I have allowed them their say. I say that I was simply doing what seemed fun. If you want to do "Service", all well and good, but better you should go have FUN!

About the author: HL Ian MacKynnes was inducted into the Wyvern Council at Last Chance XXVII (1992). He served Dragons’ Laire in an official capacity as Herald From Nov 1989 to Dec 1991. He has been known to work as Marshal, Court or Field Herald, Head server, Honor guard and nearly anything else that needed a hand. Ed. Note: The voice is Quintessentially Ian.