The SCA Board of Directors is established, exclusively, from people who have participated within the game/sub-culture. There are no professional directors or outside directors or even free-to-the-SCA outside advisors.
But, they are running a multi-million dollar non-profit corporation that spans international borders and has affiliates in other nations and subsidiaries within the United States.
When they are operating in that professional sphere, they use their real names and not the in-game names that they are otherwise known by.
Because of the manner in which they operate, they have not chosen to divide their areas of responsibility and expertise in any way: no "in game versus real world" divided responsibilities. Because it is that in-game experience which is most apparent to the donors/members that financially support the organization, they are somewhat careful to avoid getting their noses bloodied by angry participants.
This was not always the case, and the legal and personal entanglements for the previous members of the Board were unpleasant.
Since participants, in general, are known by their SCA Names whenever they deal with other SCA people, in general, it is dissonant for them to use their real names when addressing the SCA Board. It shouldn't have to be, but it is. And since, for some, it is a hallmark of friendship and intimacy to call someone by their real name - as if "you are my real friend, not just a game-friend", it's dissonant that way too.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-10-30 05:26 pm (UTC)The SCA Board of Directors is established, exclusively, from people who have participated within the game/sub-culture. There are no professional directors or outside directors or even free-to-the-SCA outside advisors.
But, they are running a multi-million dollar non-profit corporation that spans international borders and has affiliates in other nations and subsidiaries within the United States.
When they are operating in that professional sphere, they use their real names and not the in-game names that they are otherwise known by.
Because of the manner in which they operate, they have not chosen to divide their areas of responsibility and expertise in any way: no "in game versus real world" divided responsibilities. Because it is that in-game experience which is most apparent to the donors/members that financially support the organization, they are somewhat careful to avoid getting their noses bloodied by angry participants.
This was not always the case, and the legal and personal entanglements for the previous members of the Board were unpleasant.
Since participants, in general, are known by their SCA Names whenever they deal with other SCA people, in general, it is dissonant for them to use their real names when addressing the SCA Board. It shouldn't have to be, but it is. And since, for some, it is a hallmark of friendship and intimacy to call someone by their real name - as if "you are my real friend, not just a game-friend", it's dissonant that way too.