How can we improve RAT in 2012

[John Conyard]

I suspect as a membership we all have a relatively clear idea about what RAT actually exists for, although we may differ in detail. That is a pretty good start for any organisation.

RAT benefits its members in a variety of ways:

By facilitating positive discussion about all things Roman, Greek, barbarian and even Byzantine. RAT is not face book and the community side of things confuses the issue. Debate should ideally be kept on the public forums not amongst “friends” or via “PM’s”. Private conversations are no substitute for public discussion and benefit few people.

By high lighting new finds, ideas and books.

By allowing people to ask questions, and giving them good answers. I fear many people will never post on RAT due to the fear of being criticised or looked down upon by some of the relatively few people who do regularly post. RAT to a degree seems to have an image problem.

By acting as a show case for reconstructions and sales. Members enjoy showing their kit and it makes others want to emulate them, all very positive. This is linked to buying and selling equipment. Good and bad goods and producers can be identified for the benefit of the membership. I believe RAT is responsible for improving the general quality of equipment on offer and that is very positive.

By advertising events that would interest members, although if all events were listed the forum may be over-loaded. A link to a society’s relevant web page may be an alternative approach. In the past I have posted up some but not all, of the Comitatus events programme, but such notices every two weeks through the summer does seem excessive.

I suspect RAT benefits its members in more ways than can list. But I do strongly maintain that RAT should benefit its members. Posting up issues and questions here has helped me obtain answers to questions, discover suppliers, learn new skills and get resolutions to problems with traders. Long may it continue. Now back to work, lunch time over.