On associates

[lefkowitzga]

This has been a long week. Non-work obligations include revising the the current list of Pelican candidates for an upcoming survey, having the annual meeting with my protege, and working on a contract for a potential new apprentice. Lots of SCA peer business.

Comments

[cellio]

I'm glad that your and Hilda's relationship is working out so well. And good luck with the possible addition.

What is the benefit of contracting an association that my friends can't have of me for the asking? I'll teach them, advise them, or help with projects for free.

In addition to the reasons you gave, I see one more: if you are in a peer/associate relationship, you're a little less free to say "I really can't help you with that" than you are with other friends. I mean, of course you want to help everyone, because that's your nature. But you have limited resources, whether they be finances, time, headspace, or whatever. When an apprentice asks me for something I will try very hard to meet that request; it's a little easier to tell someone else that right now is really bad and can he come back later? This doesn't mean I drop everything for an associate; some things, like family and job (and in my case religion) do have to come first. But an associate has a claim on me that someone else does not have -- and I have that claim

[fiannaharpar]

I'm glad that things continue to work out with you and Hilda, the two of you are a very good team