Yes, definitely.<br>
Newcomers are important to the life of the Barony. While they
are still new and enthusiastic, they remind older members (who may
have gotten jaded) just why they got into this in the first place,
and inspire them to stay active.<br>
Newcomers are also an often-unappreciated pool of labor -- it
is not very glamorous, but somebody has to sweep the floors and chop
vegetables, and it is often the new folks who end up doing this. It
should not have to be said how important this is, but in case
someone has missed this, let's say it again: even the most rank
beginner can, and often does, make a valuable contribution to our
events.<br>
Finally, today's newcomers are tomorrow's officers, autocrats,
and Laurels. It is incumbent on everyone to make new people welcome
and help them get started. It is wise for an old-timer to forge
friendships with new people. The old-timer benefits from the
newcomer's enthusiasm, and the newcomer benefits from the
old-timer's experience.<br>
The Baron and Baroness have a similar duty to newcomers that
they do to borough folk. They must lead by example, and make time
for newcomers instead of just hanging out with all their old friends.
