Del,
Your discussion and points have been very thought provoking up to this point. I have had to put time into providing my responses and I like that. But now, do not fall back on your old comments, trying to make people feel guilty about their lack of social service. This whole discussion centers around the rules and by-laws that govern NCOWS members and none of those rules require social work in order to participate. I am not playing this game to educate the masses that are not the least bit interested in the shooting sport of CAS. (As several postings go you cannot sway peoples decisions easily, They must desire to see the truth first.) But I would be happy to talk to anyone that shows an interest in my hobby. I am here in NCOWS for my entertainment. Yes, SASS claimed in its early days that it was interested in getting more of the public interested in shooting. That was a marketing statement.
I also find it nice that other members like Trap and Books and Dr. Bob are teaching / or have taught the public. But public presentations are not a requirement for membership or participation in NCOWS. Public presentation are not necessary for personal understanding of the period. Yes I agree that questions, from several different people, would bring out new ideas and items to research and would broaden each of our limited realm of knowledge. But that is what talking around the campfire and the comradre is all about, wouldn't you agree. But that requires time and desire to do those things.
Also public presentations do not and total knowledge does not affect us as members and if it should, in your perspective, then think of the division or limitation it will create when accepting new members or allowing people to shoot in the Originals. Here is the question we would have to ask every new applicant. "Do you know everything that happend in the time frame of 1865 - 1899 & every product that was available?" "And can you provide the correct answer to any question immediately from memory?" Answer: "Well NO. Is this important if I wear appropriate attire and shoot approved gun?" "Some members claim it is but it is not offically in our rules, but that is another story. So any way, you can't play until you do." Now that is one deeeep division I would say. The Originals class already requires 3 separate evaluations, that is 3 perspectives, whether proposed items fall within proposed time frame. That to me is a large enough knowledge base.
Nor, do the rules state that you must become a promoter after membership begins. But if you are going to promote NCOWS you had better be positive and supportive of the rule and guidelines the membership approve.