The growth of our online community

[Bugaboo]

Please take a moment sometime this month to recruit at least one more fencer to visit this online site. It doesn't matter whether it's a personal invitation at your club or an anonymous message left at another Web site.

I enjoy the comments posted here, but I sometimes wonder why there isn't more involvement. I'd like to see MORE perspectives, ideas, opinions, tips, experiences, etc. The fencing community (in the United States, at least) isn't all that big -- We could probably benefit from a stronger focus of our resources.



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[Gav]

Here here Bugaboo. I also think it will be good to hear more comments from our continental (European) counterparts. At least 1 of my fencing buddies has registered but he hasn't posted yet - I think.

[Zelda]

Bugaboo, I have a sneaking suspicion my coach reads the boards but doesnt post.... DAVID if you read this POST! I know you have alot to say!

[angel]

I think that its more important to worry about the establishement of our OFFLINE community. If we get a lot of people in here and talk about nothing but fencing they'll be involved in a conversation that they know nothing about!

The purpose of fencing.net is to promote fencing. Its not about posting messages for each of us to read (although that's fun too) Its about making sure that every person around the world has an opportunity to realize what a truly wonderful sport this is. So what I hope this post will do is to help influence people to talk more about fencing to non-fencers than to fencers.

Maybe that's another reason why the sport hasn't really taken off. Every sports community has it's chat rooms, its message boards, its newsletters etc. I don't think that any of them really communicate to the newbie or the casual observor why that sport is for them. Only PARTICIPATION can do that.
So please, I BEG OF YOU, rather than wasting time by finding more ways to put fencers onto this website please use it to help everyone participate in the art of fencing.

[This message has been edited by angel (edited 03-09-2001).]

[arcon]

[ 10-19-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Bugaboo]

Yep.
Enthusiasm grown in one place has a tendency to spread in others. There is no online vs. offline conflict here. Bring new fencers in, make them feel welcome, and they are more likely to stay and draft more of their own friends to the fold.

[Dragoneye]

I find this website a useful resource in an otherwise sparsely situated sport (at least here in Western Canada). Without it, it would be significantly more difficult to have an opportunity to chat with other fencers (other than at tourneys when everyone has their minds on their games ). I appreciate the fact that it brings us 'closer' together.

Besides, reading our posts and realizing what a delightful bunch we all are - who couldn't resist joining a fencing club!




Cheers,

Dragoneye.

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"Violent delights have violent ends." R&J - WS.

[This message has been edited by Dragoneye (edited 03-09-2001).]

[Screaming_Girl]

Woo. Well said.

1. Get fencers to go here.
2. Get nonfencers to fence.
3. See number 1.

I've been going around plugging this site and the sport in general. People think I'm crazy. I'm also wooing people with the humor articles from fencingsucks.. that seems to work pretty well to break the ice.

[Gav]

Good post Arcon! Yes we can do both!

Angel is also correct when he says that we should worry about our offline community as well. We should be combatting prejudice and promoting our sport wherever and whenever we can. That's why sites like this are important. They are as much an advert as an opportunity to swap ideas with fencers from all over the world.