THE SABER LEGION
CHARTER REPRESENTATIVES RESOURCES
MODULE 4
FORMATTING FOR ALL MODULES:
Do’s (in green) are rules / responsibilities that are required of Reps.
Don’ts (in red) are actions that are restricted or prohibited for Reps.
Best Practices (in blue) are recommendations, effective techniques,
or lessons learned that have been successful for other Reps.
Links (in gold and underlined) will open in a new window.
Do’s (in green) are rules / responsibilities that are required of Reps.
Don’ts (in red) are actions that are restricted or prohibited for Reps.
Best Practices (in blue) are recommendations, effective techniques,
or lessons learned that have been successful for other Reps.
Links (in gold and underlined) will open in a new window.
DEMONSTRATIONS
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Demonstrations: The Three C’s
As soon as you have enough regular, reliable members with the gear, skill, and experience to support it, you should immediately begin engaging in public demonstrations. “The Three C’s” are the most common types of demonstrations we engage in. Every demonstration will require a different manner of engagement, and the Rep must decide what type of audience will be present, what effects are hoped for (recruitment, fundraising, community service, recognition, et cetera), and how best to employ member efforts (a table or booth, what kind of duels and how many, a training session with boffers, a video, et cetera) to garner the most and best response. |
Demos C-1: Conventions
When done correctly, Conventions are perhaps one of the most efficient and effective recruiting and public relations outlets we have access to right now.
However, they can also consume a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money to make them viable. Before reaching out to request a scheduled demonstration or booth/table/floorspace at a convention, take the following concepts into consideration, in order to maximize the effect:
o Target Demographic: There are conventions for every type of fandom, and even conventions for specific fandoms will accept vendors or demonstrators for just about anything. Keep in mind, however, that you’re more likely to get a greater return on your investment of time and effort at events that are targeted for audiences that align with what we do, like science fiction conventions or combat conventions.
o Attendance: We want to be exposed to the widest audience possible, and therefore the more convention attendees, the better. If you’re not sure, consider taking a convention seriously if it has an attendance of ten thousand or more over a three-day event.
o Effort vs Reward: Unless your Charter is flush with reliable, experienced members, free time, and money, always consider what you’re hoping to achieve versus how much you have to expend to accomplish it. The below is an example effort/reward table based on the goal of Recruitment, and details vary from con to con and Charter to Charter.
However, they can also consume a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money to make them viable. Before reaching out to request a scheduled demonstration or booth/table/floorspace at a convention, take the following concepts into consideration, in order to maximize the effect:
o Target Demographic: There are conventions for every type of fandom, and even conventions for specific fandoms will accept vendors or demonstrators for just about anything. Keep in mind, however, that you’re more likely to get a greater return on your investment of time and effort at events that are targeted for audiences that align with what we do, like science fiction conventions or combat conventions.
o Attendance: We want to be exposed to the widest audience possible, and therefore the more convention attendees, the better. If you’re not sure, consider taking a convention seriously if it has an attendance of ten thousand or more over a three-day event.
o Effort vs Reward: Unless your Charter is flush with reliable, experienced members, free time, and money, always consider what you’re hoping to achieve versus how much you have to expend to accomplish it. The below is an example effort/reward table based on the goal of Recruitment, and details vary from con to con and Charter to Charter.
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Don't take this particular Effort/Reward table as your own; it was made years ago for a particular type of convention. In a post-covid world, some of these options aren't even viable anymore.
Instead, use it as a template to make your own, think it through for yourself, and involve your other Reps around the organization to get their experience and advice. Then, based on the time, people, and money available to you, make the best decision for what type of involvement you want to request from (or buy from) a convention in your Charter, in order to try to get maximum return benefit. |
DEMOS C-2: Community
Community demonstrations come in all forms – city parades, movies-in-the-park, May the 4th parties, Free Comic Book Day at your local comic shop, et cetera. Sometimes you’ll even get Community/Charity crossover demonstrations, like a park cleanup, a Habitat for Humanity homebuilding, or a local benefit concert. Sometimes these are ideal for demos, for volunteering, or sometimes just for Charter social outings; Reps will have to examine the details and make that call.
Of the Three C’s, Community demonstrations tend to have the most intangible benefits of any of our public appearances. This means while you might not immediately see recruits, raise funds, or secure new meet locations as a direct result of your community involvement, it’s equally important to become locally known and build respect and reputation for TSL. You never know who’s watching, and what opportunities may become open to you in the future simply by being an active, well known, positive force in your community.
Of the Three C’s, Community demonstrations tend to have the most intangible benefits of any of our public appearances. This means while you might not immediately see recruits, raise funds, or secure new meet locations as a direct result of your community involvement, it’s equally important to become locally known and build respect and reputation for TSL. You never know who’s watching, and what opportunities may become open to you in the future simply by being an active, well known, positive force in your community.
DEMOS C-3: Charity
Charity demonstrations can mean either raising money for a particular cause, or no-money-involved engagements on behalf of, or for the benefit of, an organization or group of people out of simple kindness and encouragement (such as hospitals or at-risk youth).
Charity demos where no money is involved are far easier, as they need no approval and require nothing but participating members, time, and the Rep’s research/vetting of the facility or group in question. These are highly encouraged, and you’ll find these types of charity engagements do as much for you and your team as they do for the group they’re performed for.
TSL engagement in charity demos where money is involved, even when none of it is being handled by Reps or the Charter in any way, must be run by the Charter & Member Support Team or the Officers Team of the Leadership Council in advance, as TSL must approve the charity meant to benefit from the event, and will advise Reps what type of demonstration they may do if approved.
Note - If you ever intend to invite Disney/LFL-approved costume groups (Rebel Legion, 501st Legion, Mandalorian Mercenaries, Saber Guild, et al.) to a charity demo you host, they have very extensive, very particular rules regarding funding. The easiest way to include them is to require no admission cost, and allow them to collect their own charitable donations as they see fit.
Charity demos where no money is involved are far easier, as they need no approval and require nothing but participating members, time, and the Rep’s research/vetting of the facility or group in question. These are highly encouraged, and you’ll find these types of charity engagements do as much for you and your team as they do for the group they’re performed for.
TSL engagement in charity demos where money is involved, even when none of it is being handled by Reps or the Charter in any way, must be run by the Charter & Member Support Team or the Officers Team of the Leadership Council in advance, as TSL must approve the charity meant to benefit from the event, and will advise Reps what type of demonstration they may do if approved.
Note - If you ever intend to invite Disney/LFL-approved costume groups (Rebel Legion, 501st Legion, Mandalorian Mercenaries, Saber Guild, et al.) to a charity demo you host, they have very extensive, very particular rules regarding funding. The easiest way to include them is to require no admission cost, and allow them to collect their own charitable donations as they see fit.
TSL Events
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There are two types of Official TSL Events a Charter can hold: a Championship Series event, or a Regional Tournament event.
Here's a short explanation of the differences between the two. |
Championship SeriesSpecifically designed for Audiences
Think of CS like a wrestling or boxing fight night, where there are headliner and undercard matches, with walkout music, an announcer, and other types of showpersonship. Each match is best 2 out of 3 fights, and each fight should be excitingly performed with a close score, without sacrificing the integrity of the fight - this means you need experienced, controlled fighters. Invitational (Closed) - specific members are invited |
Regional TournamentSpecifically designed for Fighters
Open tournaments are larger events where approximately 20-60 fighters may fight in Standard, Exotics, Women's, 50+, Tag Team, or Unity tournaments, or any combination of two or more of the above. Regional tournaments may run 2-3 rings simultaneously, and need significant volunteer support staff. Open to all members of TSL |
Unofficial (Community) TSL Events
The main difference between "Official" and "Unofficial" TSL Events is that matches at Official events described above *can* be ranked (if all the applicable criteria are met) but Unofficial events (also known as Community events or Charter events) the fights *cannot* be ranked.
Within reason and run safely, Charter or Community events are limited only by the imaginations of the Charter Reps who run them, and what they're trying to accomplish. They can be open to all TSL members, or closed to whatever limits you decide.
You could throw a patchapalooza-style sparring day, or a closed practice tournament just for your Charter members. You could have a Charter Vs Neighboring Charter tournament, CS card, or War. You could have a tournament only for people at-or-under 5 feet tall, or a special recognition tournament for Military and First Responders.
You could (safely) get creative with our rulesets, and throw an exotics tournament where every hold causes a weapon-type switch, or a draw-your-partner-out-of-a-hat Tag Team event.
Fighting may or may not be involved; you could arrange for a large dinner, a formal dance, an awards ceremony, a movie premiere, or a sporting event.
For a new Charter not quite ready to throw an Official (Ranked) event, or an older Charter where things are beginning to become repetitive, there can be significant value in these types of freeform, fun-focused, community-building events.
Within reason and run safely, Charter or Community events are limited only by the imaginations of the Charter Reps who run them, and what they're trying to accomplish. They can be open to all TSL members, or closed to whatever limits you decide.
You could throw a patchapalooza-style sparring day, or a closed practice tournament just for your Charter members. You could have a Charter Vs Neighboring Charter tournament, CS card, or War. You could have a tournament only for people at-or-under 5 feet tall, or a special recognition tournament for Military and First Responders.
You could (safely) get creative with our rulesets, and throw an exotics tournament where every hold causes a weapon-type switch, or a draw-your-partner-out-of-a-hat Tag Team event.
Fighting may or may not be involved; you could arrange for a large dinner, a formal dance, an awards ceremony, a movie premiere, or a sporting event.
For a new Charter not quite ready to throw an Official (Ranked) event, or an older Charter where things are beginning to become repetitive, there can be significant value in these types of freeform, fun-focused, community-building events.
TSL Event Document
TSL Event Roles
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eventrunner |
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You're almost done. This last section below (and the associated Knowledge Check) will conclude the Training Modules for TSL Charter Representatives. We're happy you're here, appreciate all you've done and will do for this organization, and appreciate the time you've taken out of your busy lives to take this training.
This last section is the Terms and Conditions, essentially the "fine print" of becoming and remaining a Charter Representative for The Saber Legion and I urge you to read it in detail, because you will be expected to act at all times as if you have, and you will be held responsible for its contents. |
Terms and Conditions
Charter Representatives are local embodiments of the TSL Mission, Visions, Values, and Motto of "United Through Sabers," expected and required to conduct themselves and lead their Charter according to the letter and spirit of TSL rules and regulations, and exemplify TSL as an honorable, respectable organization and brand to TSL members and the general public.
Agreement to become a Charter Representative of TSL indicates agreement to comply with the requirements and stipulations set out in the modules on this website, and future versions thereof.
This a binding agreement, and TSL reserves the right to terminate any Charter Representative's position, privileges, and access at any time, with or without warning or explanation, for any reason including but not limited to:
Agreement to become a Charter Representative of TSL indicates agreement to comply with the requirements and stipulations set out in the modules on this website, and future versions thereof.
This a binding agreement, and TSL reserves the right to terminate any Charter Representative's position, privileges, and access at any time, with or without warning or explanation, for any reason including but not limited to:
- inactivity or insufficient activity,
- unsportsmanlike conduct,
- unfair or unequal treatment of TSL Charter members,
- failure to enforce TSL rules and procedures in your Charter,
- participation in or allowing unsafe practices,
- harmful communications such as harassment, bullying, slander, or libel,
- criminal activity such as theft, violence, or sexual misconduct,
- misappropriation or mishandling of Charter funds,
- misuse of TSL resources such as advertising for personal or professional gain, or as a platform for furthering a personal or political agenda,
- public expression or publication of racism, sexism, ableism, religious intolerance, or any practice or expression of discrimination, exclusion, or inequality.