X marks sign at gatherings

[BatlRatl]

Would it be a problem to have a Xmarks sign or banner at
gatherings where forum members meet up for a picture?

It would bring more interest to the site, as well as be
a bit of a rallying point for members.

Would it hurt or help?

[auld argonian]

It's certainly up to the forum owner but this has been hashed about before...try searching and see how the previous discussions went.

Usually, one forum member or another is there manning his clan booth and graciously offers that as a gathering place for Xmarksers. Here in Chicago, for example, Glen C mans the Chisolm booth and we meet up there.

Best

AA

[skauwt]

It's certainly up to the forum owner but this has been hashed about before...try searching and see how the previous discussions went.

Usually, one forum member or another is there manning his clan booth and graciously offers that as a gathering place for Xmarksers. Here in Chicago, for example, Glen C mans the Chisolm booth and we meet up there.

Best

AA

thats the Chisholms for ya
great idea though

[Steve Ashton]

The topic of X Marks tents, booths, and visible representation at Highland Games, Gatherings and other events etc. has been a re-occurring suggestion almost since our beginnings.
Our original owner Hank, was dead set against it. And for a couple of good reasons.

Representation of X Marks the Scot.com among gatherings of Scottish Clans and Clan Societies would be improper. We are not a Scottish Clan. We are kind of like a Clan Society in that we are a group with something in common, but to represent us as a Clan would, rightfully, be seen as improper.

Now let me give you a couple of examples of what happened to a large, respected retailer who manned their booths totally with volunteers.

At one four day Science Fiction convention a booth was set up inside a large indoor convention center. One of the volunteers brought a large brass ships bell. Every time they sold something they would ring the bell. It was a brilliant sales idea, and it sure brought people around to find out what all the noise was. Well, about half way through the second day of the four day convention the organizers demanded that the booth be taken down. The noise inside the indoor arena was deafening and getting on every ones nerves. Great idea that went south.

At another event, this time an outdoor Highland Games in the heat of the summer, this same company was represented again. This time the volunteers took down the walls of their tent due to the heat. In the past they had always taken their prospective customers into a corner of the tent and told them "Drop your trousers while I wrap this around you."
But with the tent walls removed they had no corner to do this so they used the racks of their product as a 'corner'. What worked well in a store or enclosed space now was seen as offensive by some of the mothers with small children attending the event. The organizers eventually banned this company from ever attending one of their events again.

At another event the volunteers had hoisted a couple of brews and were feeling pretty good. It was the last day of the event and time for the "Parade of the Clans". The group decided that they should represent their 'Clan' and join in the parade. You can imagine how that went over with the staunch traditionalists.

All of these are examples of well meaning and enthusiastic supporters. They had what seemed like good ideas at the time. But the end result was not what they had hoped for.

I would never want X Marks to be seen as Clan 'posers'. I would not want this forum to get a representation that the rest of the membership would have to live down.

We have our Tartan. We have our Cap Badge. We have members who man booths already and who would be willing to allow their tent to serve as a central meeting point.
We can, and always have, found ways to find each other and gather in friendship.

So, until someone can come up with a viable way for this forum to be represented while insuring that the representation would be in keeping with the policies and traditions of this forum, I am afraid I am going to have to say no to X Marks tents, banners, or other means of 'promoting' the forum at events and gatherings.

It's a great suggestion and I wish I knew of a way to make it happen.
If anyone has any ideas I would be willing to listen.

[sydnie7]

I have yet to follow through on this idea, but with the Games season approaching I just might find the time -- I have the materials, but not put together.

Last year I thought of displaying a yellow flag (just ~24x24 in. fabric on a dowel handle) at places where folks had spoken of congregating -- such as "the beer garden at 1 p.m." and the like. Yellow to represent our dandelion, yet not so specific as to exclude other kilties. Large enough to be seen, but not overwhelming or tiring to carry. Along the lines of a tour guide's marker.

"Meet at the yellow flag" is a pretty easy thing to remember, and pass along to new acquaintances.

[Mael Coluim]

In the past, when I hosted a XMarks meet up at my clan tent, I posted this sign. The sign is a download of Steve's XMarkstheScott large patch.

What say ye, Steve?

[Steve Ashton]

I find nothing wrong with a small sign like that to announce a meeting place and time.

The use of the X Marks Tartan, Cap Badge, or Forum Logo would be acceptable for such a sign.

The only thing I would have an issue with is a tent or booth set up with a banner saying something like "Clan X Marks".

Or someone in a tent or booth recruiting for, or claiming to represent the forum.



Could a group of members forum a tug of war team? Sure.
Could a group of members march in the Clan Parade holding up a banner proclaiming to be representative of X Marks? No.

I guess it is a small nit pick thing but if you look at it from the standpoint of others attending the event, will they see a group and think "Wow, that group of people are having a good time." Or will they see a group and think "Oh My, that X Marks, who do they think they are?"

Do you see the distinction?

[cessna152towser]

This has been tried before, at least in England.
This photo was taken by McClef at the Harpenden Gathering 2008.
IIRC this small sign is owned by Hamish and was also used to enable xmarkers to find one another at the Harpenden 2007 event, with as far as I am aware, no objection from the organisers.

[walkerk]

[sydnie7]

The specific XMarks signs and tartan are good-looking. But if you meet a new person at the Games, how do you describe the meeting place? "Look for the blue tartan"? That was the reasoning behind my plain yellow flag idea. I'll give it a try this season and report on the results.

BTW I'm quite comfortable carrying around a yellow flag; Bob and I moonlight as corner workers for a vintage auto racing organization