Recommending Someone for an Award: Difference between revisions
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*** Don't have to be a member of the Order | *** Don't have to be a member of the Order | ||
*** Don't need to have any awards yourself. | *** Don't need to have any awards yourself. | ||
*** Usually better *not* to recommend your own spouse for an Order: look better if you can get a third party to do so | |||
** Know what you're recommending them for | ** Know what you're recommending them for | ||
*** If you're not a member, good idea to talk to someone who is | *** If you're not a member, good idea to talk to someone who is |
Revision as of 13:14, 16 December 2009
(NOTE: this page is intended to become a full discussion of how to make a good recommendation, to be linked from the main EK website. Justin and Caitlin are organizing it; please speak with them before changing anything. Initially, we are brainstorming the outline, before we begin wordsmithing.)
- Summary first
- Clear, brief, unthreatening -- make sure the length of the rest isn't too intimidating
- Below is the full details
- Deciding to make a recommendation
- Anyone can recommend anybody for anything
- Don't have to be a member of the Order
- Don't need to have any awards yourself.
- Usually better *not* to recommend your own spouse for an Order: look better if you can get a third party to do so
- Know what you're recommending them for
- If you're not a member, good idea to talk to someone who is
- Link here to info about Awards (Jessa's page, Law)
- Recommending too early can hurt someone's chances
- Creates a mindset of "not appropriate"
- Check the OP, and make sure they don't already have it
- Pointer to the OP
- If they have a Peer, usually best to check with them first
- Lead time
- Typical awards (such as AoAs): at least 6-8 weeks
- Polling orders: minimum several months
- Anyone can recommend anybody for anything
- How to write a good recommendation letter
- Who to write to -- Crowns, esp Prince and Princess
- What goes into the letter
- Your own contact info (at least a good email address), for later followup if necessary
- SCA and mundane names
- SCA and mundane locations
- What you're recommending them for
- Reasons why you think they are appropriate
- Peerages: PLQs
- Suggestions for good events where they are likely to be, if you have any
- Esp good for AoAs
- See above about lead times!
- Remember, needs to be an RP, so there is a court to do it in
- Don't necessarily include a huge resume. Do summarize.
- Typically a couple of paragraphs for AoA, up to a page for a Peerage
- More than a page, and their eyes will glaze over
- Focus particularly on stuff that is relevant to the award in question, if relevant
- Can include other Good Stuff, but don't overdo it
- Target audience
- May be sent to Order, so don't assume only Crown will read it!
- Don't be defensive
- If there have been past issues that you think are now resolved, mention that, but don't dwell
- Don't exaggerate, and make sure your information is correct
- Often reflects poorly on the candidate if the recommendation turns out to be overblown
- What happens next
- Awards: up to Crown
- Polling orders: sent to them, often unedited
- If they get it, you may wind up needing to help set it up
- If it *doesn't* happen, don't harp
- If polling order, see if member can give broad strokes about where they could use improvement (don't ask for details!)
- Even worse than recommending too early, can ingrain the notion that this candidate isn't suitable
- Usually best to encourage candidate in the appropriate direction, and wait a year or so before trying again.