Before any Trials begin a new initaite must formally (on paper or in person) request that they become an initaite and begin the trial process.
The First Trial (The Trial Of Time): The trial of time is basically this, you must attend at least three events consisting of more than 2 days with the clan. This is set to show that you are willing to take the time to get to know us and give us the chance to get to know you in an SCA enviroment.
The Second Trial (The Trial Of Name): Each new initiate must create a historically accurate persona(or person you would have been in the Medieval Ages). Your persona must be from the same time period as the clan is set in, and include reasonable explaination as to how and where and why we would have come together. Th possibilites are pretty open to you if you take the time to do the research. This trial is to prove your willingness to belong to our group and to show that you are willing to put forth the effort to make a persona that could have been a real person in that time period, and that fits into our group.
The Third Trial (The Trial Of Garb): In this trial you must prove your willingness to participate by creating or purchasing your own functional garb (aka historical clothing). This clothing has to be at least somewhat researched, in that, it must be somewhat acurate and fitting for our time period. You must have at least one functional set. More sets of clothing are optional and preferrable, but only one is required.
The Fourth Trial (The Trial of Loyalty and Committment): Each new initiate must prove their worth to the clan and their dedication through this trial. We require that you show to us that you mean no harm to any member in word or deed. This will be tested with time. We will simple observe you while you are with us and decide if you choose to help us or hinder us. We will not accept ill words about our members or deeds that are hurtful to the members. This is to prove your friendship to each member. Each person is expected to stay informed about clan issues. Be that by attending meeting and events, or by e-mail, snailmail, or some other means. We want members who care about whats going on with the group and its members.
The Fifth Trial (The Trial Of Contribution): This trial shows us that you are willing to contribute something to the clan. This contribution may come in many different forms. For example, you may be skilled in leather working or wood working. You could contribute something that you have made to the clan that will be beneficial to everyone. If you are not skilled with your hands, but are knowledgeable about history you could write a story and memorzie it to tell about the clan. If you are neither knowledgable nor handy you could contribute your brute strength by helping to build things for the clan or perhaps you money if you have it. Many things will be considered, but some kind of show will be required of you. We feel this will give our new members a sense of accomplishment and togetherness with the other members of the group.
The Sixth Trial (The Trial Of Person): Each new initiate is subject to a trial of person. All current members of the clan will have the opportunity to choose and voice their opinion about new initates. We consider ourselves a very tight-knit group and are striving to keep it so. Every new person will be expected to become a friend to each member in the group. This is to make our group more like a family than anything else. Before an initiate can become a member a meeting of the members will be held to discuss the person. If everyone in the group feels that the member would improve the group and has successfully passed all other trials, then the new person will become an offical member. Not everyone is made to be a McKeirnan. There will be people who just are not compatible with our other members. It happens. If for some reason a member does not agree to a new initiate and has a viable reason then the new initiate will not become an official member.
This may sound very complicated, but really it is just our way of finding people who are compatiable with ourselves. We are building friendships that will last a lifetime, not just people to hang out with. We feel that this is not too much to ask to keep our group alive and happy. I should note that not everyone who participates in our comings and going has to become an initiate. Some will come simply to enjoy the company and that is just wonderful with us also. The trials are for those who wish to bear our name and colors.
