Hard to say without actually having done the job, of course -- I suspect
that you learn a lot about yourself and how things really work when
you're actually in the chair.
<p>
But at a guess, I'd have to suspect that nasty politics will be the
worst of it. Carolingia is blessedly less prone to stupid short-sighted
politics than most groups; still, where there are people there are
politics, and sometimes those will turn heated.
<p>
There's not much for that but to take it when it comes, and try to
handle it as best we can. IMO, while the B/B aren't solely responsible
for dealing with this sort of thing, they can and should try to act as
mediators and peacemakers where possible. That's never fun and rarely
easy, but it's important.
<p>
(Fortunately, Caitlin and I have both already gotten some experience
with this sort of thing, from other positions in the Society and other
clubs that we've worked with. Things aren't likely to get as bad as some
of the nastier politics I've had to work through on the LARP side of the
world.)
<p>
Of course, that's (hopefully) the rare case. On a more day-to-day level,
the main challenge for me personally will simply be the formality of the
job. I am not, by instinct, a particularly formal sort of person, but I
think the populace is quite reasonably going to expect *some* gravitas
from the B/B. (The Baron doesn't get to sit on the floor during court.)
<p>
On that front, I think it'll be a matter of feeling out a balance. I
have no desire to overcompensate here -- I think being a little
light-handed is better than being too stuffy or severe. I'll just have
to pay some attention to my own manner and style, and evolve it as seems
necessary.
