How to Autocrat an SCA Event: A Guide for Event Stewards
Running a successful Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) event requires a lot of planning and effort. One of the most important roles is that of the event steward, who is responsible for the smooth running of the event, from registration to the final cleanup. This includes ensuring all activities run smoothly, managing volunteers, and handling any issues that may arise.
One key aspect of an event steward's duties is autocrating - the process of overseeing the judging of competitions and awarding prizes. Autocrating ensures fairness and consistency in judging, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the event.
So, how can you autocrat an SCA event effectively?
1. Understanding Your Role:
- Know the Rules: Familiarise yourself with the SCA's Rules of Arms and Rules of Combat, as well as the specific rules for the event you are autocrating. This will help you understand the criteria for judging and ensure fair and consistent decisions.
- Be Neutral: The autocrat must remain neutral and impartial. Avoid showing favoritism or personal opinions. Your role is to ensure a fair and level playing field for all participants.
- Communicate Clearly: Clearly communicate your expectations and the judging process to both judges and participants. This includes explaining the judging criteria, the format of the judging, and the expected behavior during the competition.
2. Preparing for the Event:
- Choose Your Judges Carefully: Select judges who are knowledgeable and experienced in the relevant disciplines. Ensure they understand the rules and judging criteria.
- Develop a Judging Plan: Create a plan that clearly outlines the judging process, including the number of judges, their responsibilities, and the judging timeline.
- Ensure Resources: Make sure you have all necessary resources for judging, such as score sheets, pens, and a quiet space for judges to deliberate.
3. During the Event:
- Stay Organized: Maintain a clear flow of information and communication between the judges and the event staff.
- Provide Support to Judges: Offer guidance and answer any questions the judges might have. Ensure they have everything they need to perform their duties effectively.
- Be Available for Participants: Address any concerns or questions from participants promptly and fairly.
- Record Scores Accurately: Ensure all scores are recorded accurately and consistently. This will help you determine the winners and ensure the results are fair and transparent.
4. After the Event:
- Debrief with Judges: Discuss the judging process with the judges after the event. Gather their feedback and identify any areas for improvement in future events.
- Share Results Promptly: Publish the competition results promptly and accurately. Ensure all participants are notified of their scores and the winners are recognized.
Autocrating Tips:
- Prioritize Fairness and Consistency: Always strive for fair and consistent judging, regardless of personal preferences.
- Maintain Professionalism: Conduct yourself with professionalism at all times. This includes being respectful to participants, judges, and other event staff.
- Be Prepared for Challenges: Be prepared to handle any unexpected situations that may arise during the event. This includes potential conflicts, disagreements, or emergencies.
Key Responsibilities of the Autocrat:
- Oversee the judging process: Ensure that the judges are following the rules and judging criteria.
- Resolve disputes: Mediate any disagreements between judges or participants.
- Announce the winners: Publish the results of the competitions and ensure that the winners are recognized.
- Maintain the integrity of the event: Ensure that the event runs smoothly and fairly.
Conclusion:
Autocrating is a crucial aspect of running a successful SCA event. By understanding your role, preparing thoroughly, and staying organized during the event, you can ensure a fair, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all participants. Remember, your primary goal as an autocrat is to maintain the integrity of the event and ensure that the judging process is conducted fairly and consistently.