|
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the NWHA?
Q. Do you have rules?
Q. What are the political positions of the NWHA?
Q. Why do you do this?
Q. How old do I have to be?
Q. How do I join?
Q. How much does membership cost?
Q. Is this safe?
Q. What about hearing loss?
Q. Is this expensive?
Q. How do you know when you're "dead"?
Q. How can I check the status of my membership?
Q. Why am I not getting any club mail?
Q. Why do we pay battle fees and annual dues?
Q. How do I get more involved with the club?
Q. Are events open to the public? May I just come and watch?
Q. I reenact with another club and want to attend an NWHA event. What do I need to do?
Q. What is a Guest Member?
Q. What do I need to know to come as a Guest Member?
Q. What is the NWHA?
A.The NWHA is a domestic non-profit corporation registered in the State of Oregon. It is established for the purpose of promoting awareness and understanding of the Second World War as fought in Europe through the avocation of reenacting and through educational displays and Living History exhibits. Our membership consists of people residing in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and British Columbia.
[Top of Page]
Q. Do you have rules?
A. The NWHA and its members are governed by a set of NWHA Bylaws and NWHA Policies, adopted by the NWHA Board of Directors.
[Top of Page]
Q. What are the political positions of the NWHA?
A.The NWHA is an organization made up of Second World War reenactors who voluntarily participate for the purpose of educating themselves and the public about the history, culture, and the people who lived during the period of the Second World War. The NWHA is not affiliated with any modern political party or organization.
The NWHA does not endorse, tolerate, nor condone the politics, views, beliefs, and/or activities of any political party in existence during the period of the Second World War.
[Top of Page]
Q. Why do you do this?
A. Most of us have relatives who fought in the Second World War, and all of us are amateur historians. Reenacting and living history allow us to experience the history of the time to a greater degree. We are always researching the uniforms and actions of the people portrayed at these events, and we strive to continuously improve the authenticity of our impressions. We are a diverse group united by a desire to explore history and honor those who served.
The NWHA and our events have nothing to do with politics.
[Top of Page]
Q. How old do I have to be?
A. Eighteen. If you are under eighteen years old you can attend if you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If your parent or guardian doesn't want to attend, then you'll need to have a signed waiver of liability with you each time you show up.
[Top of Page]
Q. How do I join?
A. Membership in the NWHA normally consists of two things: belonging to the club, and belonging to a unit. If you are interested in joining please visit our Units page and see which impression interests you most. Then contact that unit directly via email (all unit emails are listed on our Contact page as well as our Units page). Please be sure to include your telephone number, address, and name. Unit commanders may not respond to your inquiry if you do not include this information. Once you have joined a unit you will join the club, usually at your first event.
[Top of Page]
Q. How much does membership cost?
A. Current NWHA Annual Membership Dues are $20 for an individual and $30 for a family. Additionally, some units have annual Unit Dues. Full information may be found in the NWHA Membership Policy.
[Top of Page]
Q. Is this safe?
A. No one simply "shows up" to a reenactment. Part of the process of joining a unit is to allow us to get to know you. In addition, we have very stringent safety rules which are enforced along with daily safety inspections at events. Safety is the primary responsibility of every Member. Full information may be found in the NWHA Safety Policy.
[Top of Page]
Q. What about hearing loss?
A. The NWHA strongly recommends that all participants and spectators at events use appropriate hearing protection.
[Top of Page]
Q. Is this expensive?
A. Yes. Depending on the impression you choose you will spend on average between $500 and $3000 for your uniform and equipment, and the list of gear you'll want to add is never-ending. Some units have gear they are willing to loan, but on a short-term basis. Do not try to buy all your gear before you join a unit, as you will likely end up paying too much for items that are either wrong or useless. Join a unit first and then purchase your gear based on the unit members' recommendations. Event fees vary by event. Blank ammunition is available for purchase from national manufacturers or from club members who take on the responsibility of suppying other members. It is not free.
[Top of Page]
Q. How do you know when you're "dead"?
A. Blank-firing guns still make a lot of noise and create a muzzle flash. When we see someone firing at us, and the situation falls within those listed in the policy for range and weapon type, we know we have been "shot" and take a hit. This means we remove our helmet to signify that we are a casualty. A casualty walks back off the field to a designated "dead pool", and waits for a designated period of time (usually 10-20 minutes), after which they "come alive" again and rejoin the battle.
[Top of Page]
Q. How can I check the status of my membership?
A. Send an email to the club. Be sure to include your full name and the name of the unit to which you belong.
[Top of Page]
Q. Why am I not getting any club mail?
A. Did you change your address? If so, send an email to the club. Be sure to include your full name, new address, and the name of the unit you belong to.
[Top of Page]
Q. Why do we pay battle fees and annual dues?
A. Battle fees and annual dues are used to pay for the following: barracks rental, portable toilet rental, insurance, battle flyers, web site and so on. The club has also made donations to WW2 related organizations such as the D-Day Memorial and the Holocaust Museum.
[Top of Page]
Q. How do I get more involved with the club?
A. Talk with your Unit Commander. There are a number of opportunities for you to take part in the running of the club.
[Top of Page]
Q. Are events open to the public? May I just come and watch?
A. NWHA events are generally closed to the public, unless the event is a designated public event. If you are attending a public event as a spectator please take extra precautions to ensure your safety. We will be doing the same.
[Top of Page]
Q. I reenact with another club and want to attend an NWHA event. What do I need to do?
A. You will need to contact the NWHA unit that best matches your impression and receive their invitation as a Guest Member. You will need to be a member in good standing with a recognized club.
[Top of Page]
Q. What is a Guest Member?
A. Guest Membership provides a mechanism for someone to become a temporary member without the cost of a full membership. Guest Membership is designed for two types of people. The first is someone who is already a member of another reenacting organization, and who wants to reenact with us during a specific event. He/she may not have a need for a long-term membership in the NWHA. The second is someone who may be new to reenacting, is not yet certain whether or not he/she wants to take on this hobby, and wants to "give it a try" before deciding.
[Top of Page]
Q. What do I need to know to come as a Guest Member?
A. Please read our Visitor Information Page.
[Top of Page]
|
|
|
