Even though I am new to the SCA I can talk on and on about the people in the SCA. I have an extremely high regard for people in the organization. I think the reasons that people are so good in this organization are:

1. The main goal of the group seems to be having fun. Other groups are focused on learning, competition, community goals, or other items. Those are all great goals (I am in Toastmasters) but I don't think you can beat the goal of fun.
2. One of the cornerstones of medieval society that the SCA seems to be big on is Chivalry. The way the SCA implements this is great because they do it in a non-religious way that includes the maximum number or people as possible.

The people in the SCA are VERY open with fellow group members. It is more like an extended family rather than just a club. For example, the baron of my local barony, Baron Straum, was having people over to his house after every Monday night baronial meeting. They are down to every other week but the fact that he opens his house to everyone in the barony is just a good and pretty typical example of what type of people are in the group.