Say hello to the new archery captain of IDD.

I can't think of a better time to start writing foolishness as now. I have once again taken the job as Captain of Archers of IDD.  I have been avoiding taking any responsibility for archery for a few years now and I guess I am due for it. I have spent the day getting an SCA membership and thinking about what needs doing. 

I realize that I am woefully out of touch with the running of things so I am going to have to sit down with folks and see whats where and who is what. In the coming days I will be sitting down and jotting out my ideas on teaching guidelines for introducing new archers to our system, coaching more experienced archers, training Marshals in training and gear making. 

I am fairly sure that there is no deputy for this position, I wonder if Jason wants to do it... I have some ideas for deputies but will they want to do it? I would like to have some new people learn the job and take over in a year or 6... 

One thing that has always felt wrong to me is that those of us that teach all teach differently, not just styles but approaches and content and priorities. I would like to sit folks down and talk it out before I step in and try to make folks dance to my tune. ( I will do that later when I dismiss all their concerns out of hand ;) Ohh feel the POWER!! ) But I do want to have everyone learn to shoot basically the same way, it seems to me like it would eliminate a lot of confusion and promote a more harmonious outcome.

Another issue is the loaner gear as we dont have a lot and too many people seem to come week after week planning to use it rather than get their own stuff. I would like to see folks getting their own gloves and bracer by the time they have been here a month, a quiver would also be nice, it does not have to be fancy but we can help with either making one or showing you where to buy one. 

I am of 2 minds about having their own bow and arrows though as these are the "big ticket items".  Do you get some arrows to use with the loaner bows or get a bow first and then get arrows for your bow? Option 2 is of course the best route if you want to get better but $$$ though most people have been going with option 1 and  I want more people shooting their own bows.