Melien walked up to the ever present soapbox and stepped up onto it.

"Recruiting, member whoring, or just waiting for them to come to us, the difference has been debated over and over again. But that's not why I’m here. I’m here to talk specifically about the third item.

Every so often, we get lucky and someone who knows the rules comes and asks for protection and work. But unfortunately, so many of those messages are short and...not helpful, what we tend to refer to as one liners. So, I offer the following guidelines for sending an introduction to a potential employer.”

1. Be polite.  Always refer to your potential employer as sir or ma’am depending on which is appropriate.

2. Be detailed. You want work because…why? What can you bring to the table as an associate of a family that will make it worth my time and money to take you in?

3. be concise. Just because I do not want one line, does not mean I want a novel. Keep it simple.

4. be respectful. I know I said this, but it needs to be said again. You are Asking for work. They have the right to say yes or no as they see fit. If you are denied for whatever reason, be polite about it. Thank them for their time and move on.

5. don’t hurry. You have forty eight hours to find a home. Make use of it.

“and finally, don’t do something dumb like asking for money. Once a business deal has been worked out, asking for a loan to help you get started, may work out. But if you come right in asking for money, you’ve just made it that much harder to get yourself accepted.”

So there you have it. Some guidelines to asking for protection. If you want any farther assistance contact me. I don’t bite…often