30 Tuesday Nov 2021
Posted in Announcements, Corporate News
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The SCA Corporate office has announced that they are looking for applicants for the following positions:
Click each link for more information on the offices and their requirements.
21 Sunday Jun 2020
Posted in SCA @ Home
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Today (6/21/2020) is the LAST DAY to complete the SCA’s census.
Go to https://scacensus2020a.questionpro.com/ and let your voice be heard! It takes about 25 minutes, but the results could be used to inform decisions for years to come! YOUR voice is important!
Some fun facts from the Corporate Communications blog:
The 2020 SCA Census was launched on June 7th and we are into our final few days. The Census closes on the 21st.You can access the census here: https://scacensus2020a.questionpro.com/
The current numbers as of Jun 18th are:
Section 1 – Your experience in the SCA, and your thoughts on SCA-related issues – 14,168 participants have viewed the section, and 8,205 have completed the section.
Section 2 – Demographic Information – 7,847 participants have viewed this section, and 6,867 have completed this section.
Section 3 – Questions about negative experiences in the SCA – 7,091 participants have viewed this section, and 6,448 have completed this section.
[Editor’s note: Section 3 asks a few very sensitive questions that may be triggering for some. Click here to see a list of questions]
We thank all that have taken the time to participate in the 2020 SCA Census.
27 Thursday Dec 2018
Posted in SCA History
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John Fulton, President for the SCA, has announced that the 2018 Report on the SCA Archives is now available on the SCA website.
The report can be located here: http://sca.org/BOD/PresReport/ . Questions or commentary regarding this report should be directed to Mr. Fulton at president@sca.org. Please use the subject line “SCA Archives Commentary”
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
29 Thursday Oct 2015
Posted in Corporate News
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Leslie Vaughn, President of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., has announced that the SCA Board of Directors is continuing to accept applications for the position of President of the SCA Inc. until March 31st, 2016. All applications received will be evaluated after March 31st, 2016.
The Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. is currently accepting applications for the position of President of the SCA Inc. This is a position requiring approximately 10-20 hours per week and includes a stipend.
The President is the principal spokesperson for the SCA, Inc. This officer is a liaison between the SCA, Inc. and outside professionals such as attorneys, accountants and insurance representatives. This officer is a contact for the SCA, Inc. for law enforcement, government agencies, and claimants against the SCA, Inc.
The President works with the Vice President of Corporate Operations to coordinate much of the day-to-day modern operation of the Corporation, and supervises and facilitates communication between many of the Society Officers.
The President is required to execute contracts necessary to properly conduct the SCA’s business, and may delegate similar responsibilities. The President is also responsible for such legal matters as contracts, merchandising and affiliate agreements. The President advises the Board of Directors on areas of corporate governance and policy issues. The President may be assigned other duties by the Board.
Qualifications for the position include excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to work independently to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines, and strong computer skills. Experience in a modern business setting, organizational ability and problem-solving skills are a must. Experience in a modern non-profit organization and prior experience at the Corporate or Society level of the SCA are desirable, but not required.
Applicants must be available to attend quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors, typically held over a Friday and a Saturday. They must also be available for approximately four conference call meetings per year, typically during weekday evenings. As a great deal of the Board’s business occurs via the Internet, familiarity and basic skills with a computer, MS Office software (specifically Microsoft Word and Excel), and e-mail are required. The successful applicant must have reliable access to the Internet.
Hard copies of résumés (both professional and SCA, including offices held and awards received) must be sent to the attention of the Board and the President at the SCA Corporate Office, P.O. Box 360789, Milpitas, CA 95036-0789. Résumés must be received by March 31, 2016. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Scott Berk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SCA Inc. via e-mail at chairman@sca.org, or to Leslie Vaughn, President, via e-mail at president@sca.org.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
21 Tuesday Apr 2015
Posted in Corporate News
Master William de Montegilt attended the April 18 Board Meeting and has submitted the following notes to the Gazette.
If you’ve never been to a Board of Directors meeting, you might want to attend one. The ceremonies are very impressive. The directors are carried in, each on his or her own palanquin, to the central meeting table laden with gold plate and jeweled cups, where they are greeted by cheering members of the populace…..
OK, fine. It’s not like that at all. This is a corporate board meeting. The directors and officers wear suits or other formal business attire. The meetings are run according to the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis. Meetings are held quarterly, and the Saturday session, which is a working meeting, is open to the public.
At the April meeting, the corporation was represented by the directors, the newest director-elect (who gets to watch, but not vote), several corporate officers, and about a dozen members of the populace. The guests get to speak and ask questions at the discretion of the Chair. Everyone is addressed by their modern names.
Dr. Scott Berk, the Chair, opened the meeting by asking all present to introduce themselves, and to tell everyone what their alternate persona would be if they could start over. There were lots of interesting choices, and the majority seemed to be driven by clothing. A new director-elect, Chele Martines (Sabine de Rouen) was announced, and she will be present at the next meeting. Directors serve for 3 ½ years, and typically one is replaced at every other meeting.
Standard business included recognizing new groups, approving group advances in status, approving bank accounts, and approving a new affiliate corporation in the Netherlands (the Shire of Polderslot). The member in charge of Board recruiting noted there were currently 40 nominees out of roughly 35,000 members. That is very nearly an all-time high. Five of these are from Æthelmearc. The Board likes diversity of geography and fields of interest when choosing among new candidates. It requires the approval of all seven members to elect a new member. The Saturday meeting also covers correspondence. There was NO written correspondence this quarter, which I found interesting. Everything (and there was a lot) came in electronically. Each director has to read a lot of correspondence before each meeting. Twenty years ago, this worked out to about a 4-5 inch binder. There is a deadline for consideration, which is generally the first day of the month in which the meeting is held. Anything later may likely not be considered until the next meeting, so plan accordingly.
There was no Old Business this time. There were three New Business items. One was Polderslot which got covered earlier. The second was a resignation from the Peerage (you have to write to the Board, or it doesn’t count). The last one was the proposal for the Omnibus Peerage.
The proposal was presented by Tessa Williams (Duchess Tessa the Huntress). This was the longest single item of the meeting, and discussion took almost two hours. When asked what she would like the Board to do, she asked them to approve the proposal. This was not possible, as it would require a change to Corpora, which must be put out to the membership for comment. Generally, the directors were in favor of the concept, but made it very clear that they were going to take the time to get it right, recognizing that whatever action is taken (or not), there will be some folks who won’t be happy.
Seven other guests spoke about the proposal, and the audience was included in the general discussion that followed. (Editorial note: Folks who consider the Board to be a monolithic hive-mind really need to see one of these discussions. They will be…enlightened). There was discussion of timing and whether it is too much too fast for the Kingdoms to handle? Build on the Order of Defense? Include this in the Order of Defense? Another consideration was that future martial activities be included in this new peerage so that the process would not need to start over yet again. Fairness, inclusion, and paths to mastery for everyone, and the ensuing benefits to the membership were also considered major factors. Opinions both pro and con were aired on the proposal. Eventually, the Board decided to take the following actions: First, a conference call will be held with the Board, certain officers, and the Crowns of each Kingdom, to get their thoughts. Second, a proposal with a variety of alternatives will be put out as a membership survey. Some of these are: 1) The Omnibus proposal as written 2) Similar, but for all martial activities not included in the Orders of Chivalry and Defense (the Omnibus proposal only covers martial activities, present and future, that fall under the purview of the Society Earl Marshal) 3) Inclusion in the Order of Defense 4) Do nothing at this time. There may be other alternatives depending on the feedback from the Crowns. The target for reconsideration of the proposal and its alternatives is the October meeting.
After a lunch break, the meeting reconvened. There was a very nice presentation from the 50-Year Celebration committee. They are expecting attendance in the 3-5000 range. It will be in the Midrealm, in June of 2016, near Indianapolis. There are 19 large buildings, mostly climate controlled, including horse barns, and large outside areas. They believe this will be the largest equestrian event in the history of the Society. There are about 75 merchants and over 200 classes arranged thus far, and these numbers will increase. There will be themed balls for the dancers every night. There will be a period encampment area. The local area is supportive. There will be 5000 gift packets from the local chamber of commerce. The Baroness of Sternfeld sent a letter making it very clear that the RFRA was modified to prevent discrimination by gender identity, and that attendees would find themselves very welcome by the folks in the area. Other accommodations: handicapped and mobility services will be available, as well as docents for non-SCA folk who show up. There will be a display area with the history of each of the kingdoms, including a YouTube presentation for each on a big screen. It is expected that the one from Avacal will be fairly short.
Next were officer reports, and here are a few highlights. The Society Seneschal (Vice-president for Operations) noted that commentary on the Chirurgeonate is open until July 1. The Vice-President for Corporate Operations mentioned that a survey on electronic communications will be pushed to the e-newsletters. Sign in if you want to respond. Also, the SCA, Inc. passed a fairly rigorous audit by the State of California with flying colors. The Minister for A&S had 39 pages of ongoing activities and commended the A&S community for being awesome. The Chair of the Grand Council commended a number of people, including Æthelmearc’s Arianna of Wynthrope!
Officer changes: A new director was elected (Chele Martines) as mentioned above. The new Society Marshall will be Alan Smith (Alan Gravesend). Interestingly, he will be one of the premier Masters of Defense from Atlantia. Applications for Society Chronicler will be accepted until May 15th. There were various tributes to Lisa May, who is stepping down after this meeting, and she was given the traditional privilege of adjourning the meeting.
The October 2015 meeting will be held in Pittsburgh at the Embassy Suites by the airport. I encourage as many as possible to attend, and get a better idea of how the administration behind our hobby/lifestyle is run.
30 Friday Jan 2015
Posted in Corporate News
The Society Archivist’s PO Box has expired. If you have any documents to forward, please begin using the address below immediately.
(Editor’s note: It is a Society requirement that copies of all Baronial newsletters be sent to the Society Archivist – email is fine – and it is suggested the local newsletters do so as well.)
Society Archivist
Charles Alderson
Aldred Von Lechsend Aus Froschheim
SCA Archive c/o CT Alderson
22650 Markham ST
Perris, CA 92570
760-401-0446
archivist@sca.org
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
29 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Corporate News
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The following is a message from the Society Seneschal.
Greetings,
I felt that the following Advisory Opinion was required in view of the potential for confusion brought to my attention by one or more Kingdom Seneschals; however, in view of continued questions, I would like to amplify the bandwidth as I want everyone to have access to this Advisory Opinion of the rules of the SCA; this advisory opinion is based upon my independent reading of Corpora as presently constituted, a 1999 policy interpretation (by a prior Society Seneschal) and the affirmance of that position by the Board of Directors in 1999. As such, I am presenting the following Advisory Opinion for maximum distribution in view of continued questions. Please be advised that this is not an invitation to further debate; rather, it is a rather simple statement of the state of the Governing Documents of the SCA, i.e. Corpora. While the final authority regarding Corpora rests with the Board of Directors, the Board is devoted to transparency, and in all cases any change in Corpora must first be put out for comment to the membership prior to any Board action.
Best regards,
A.J. Pongratz
Vice President of Operations, SCA, Inc.
(Society Seneschal)
January27/2015
Advisory Opinion Regarding the possible inclusion of non-rattan righters into the Order of the Chivalry
Greetings unto Kingdom Seneschals,
After January 17, 2015, I have received inquiries regarding whether a Crown may grant admission to the Order of Chivalry to a rapier or cut-and-thrust fighter. The following opinion is being disseminated to all Kingdom Seneschals to assist Their Crowns in view of the recent amendment of Corpora by the Board of Directors.
Despite the recent change in the language of the governing documents of the SCA, Inc. thereby removing the “ancillary activity” language from Corpora by the Board of Directors on January 17, 2015, an individual combatant should not be admitted to the Order of Chivalry based upon the combatant’s prowess in the areas of rapier or cut-and-thrust combat; my position is in conformity with the previous policy interpretation of the 1999 policy interpretation by the then Society Seneschal, affirmed by the Board of Directors in 1999, which clearly indicates that only rattan combatants (heavy or armored combatants) are eligible for recognition in the Order of Chivalry. I have determined that the key controlling factor in answering this question rests in the language of corpora dealing with “tournament combat”, namely:
Article IV. ROYALTY
A. Selection
1. Royal Lists must be conducted at a tournament announced in the kingdom newsletter as being for that purpose. Crowns or Coronets who wish to conduct a royal list in a manner other than individual combat must obtain the prior approval of the Board of Directors.
—as well as–
Article VIII. PERSONAL AWARDS AND TITLES
A. Patents of Arms
4. Patent Orders
The following institutions are established for all kingdoms in the Society. A Patent of Arms may be conferred only upon a person being admitted into one of these orders. Each candidate for a patent order must satisfy the general requirements listed above in A.1., as well as the specific requirements listed here.
a. The Chivalry: (i) The Chivalry consist of two equal parts: Knighthood and Mastery of Arms. No one may belong to both parts of the order at one time. When a member is admitted to the Chivalry by the Sovereign, the choice of which part of the order to join is made by the new member. The candidate must be considered the equal of his or her prospective peers with the basic weapons of tournament combat. To become a Knight, the candidate must swear fealty to the Crown of his or her kingdom during the knighting ceremony. Masters of Arms may choose to swear fealty, but are not required to do so.
It is clear that “tournament” combat in the SCA pertains exclusively to Crown Tournaments and Coronet Tournaments prior to January 15, 2015 and tournament combat is exclusively rattan, heavy, armored combat. The January 17, 2015 amendment to the governing documents, made by the Board of Directors, is in conformity with this position, namely, the only martial combat that may decide Crown and Coronet Tournaments is rattan combat and this amendment to Corpora is consistent with all of the governing documents of the SCA.
When the Order of Chivalry was created, it was conceived as the peerage whereby the best tournament fighters (both Crown and Coronet Tournaments), i.e. rattan, heavy, armored combat, would be honored with the title of Knight or Master at Arms. Such has been the case for almost fifty years. I must conclude that removing the “rapier as an ancillary activity” language or any other additions made by the Board of Directors has no definitive impact on the clear intent of the governing documents.
In 1999 the Society Seneschal (Lee Forgue), was asked by the Crown of the Midrealm for a Corpora interpretation as to whether or not a Crown could Knight a rapier fighter; Lee Forgue as Society Seneschal (circa 1999) responded with an official policy interpretation that was affirmed by the Board of Directors in 1999. Ms. Forgue’s affirmed interpretation of what was previously Article VII (which is now Article VIII) is noted below in pertinent part:
“My interpretation is that, when Corpora VII.A.4.a.(1).(a) speaks of tournament combat as the prerequisite for admission to the Order of Chivalry, the form of fighting referred to is that variously referred to as armored, heavy, chivalric, or rattan combat or, in the Rules of the Lists (Corpora Appendix B), traditional Society combat, i.e., the form of fighting done wearing substantial armor and using rattan weapons that was totally developed in and for the SCA.”
In view of my own research as well as the prior policy interpretation made by Lee Forgue in 1999 (which was affirmed by the Board of Directors in 1999), I cannot hold otherwise in this opinion even in view of the removal of the “rapier as an ancillary activity” language as there is no evidence that this “ancillary activity” impacts either the 1999 holdings of the Society Seneschal and the Board of Directors, the traditions of the SCA or the other pertinent portions of Corpora including but not limited to Articles IV and VIII.
In the face of nearly 50 years of tradition, the totality of Corpora (i.e. the governing documents of the SCA), the 1999 policy ruling of the Society Seneschal which was affirmed by the Board of Directors in 1999 and my own independent interpretation of Corpora, there is no question that, absent a change in Corpora, a Crown may not grant a rapier fighter into the Order of Chivalry as a Knight or Master at Arms.
Please pass this official advisory opinion on to your respective Crowns. I know that there has been a lot of confusion recently and I also know that there has been a lot of angry and frustrated feelings in terms of the possibility of an additional peerage; however, nothing truly precious or dear is ever achieved easily. I have complete confidence in the men and women of the Board who are trying to best serve the individual members of the SCA as well as the future of the SCA. They are individuals like you and me, who volunteer their time and try to be good stewards of this game that has become such an important aspect of our lives.
When I think about the SCA and how it has affected my life, I know full well that I am a better man because of it and I also know that each of us serves this dream with our hearts, minds and bodies… and the members who volunteer and serve as Board Members are no different than any of us… they want to do what is best for the women and men of the SCA… and they want to give us their very best… and at times, as you know, it is a thankless job.
If either you or Your Crown have any questions, please feel free to contact me by telephone after 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time at (916) 600-2716.
Very truly yours,
A.J. Pongratz, Esq.
Society Seneschal/V.P. of Operations, SCA, Inc.
(Barone Antonio Giordano da Sicilia, O.P.)
Cc: The Board of Directors
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
27 Tuesday Jan 2015
Posted in Corporate News
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Due to the large amount of information surrounding the additional peerage matter, the Board of Directors has decided to participate in a conference call on February 2, 2015. This is not an unusual occurrence. Conference call meetings are regularly held to help facilitate communication, especially on important issues. This meeting was scheduled for further discussion of the results, reactions, and information that came forth after the last meeting’s failed vote on the peerage language change.
The Board would like to assure the membership that they are reading all the comments that have been sent to them so far on the issue. Anyone who would like their opinion heard is encouraged to write the Board at comments@sca.org.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA, Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
22 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Corporate News
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The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is seeking candidates for the position of Society Chronicler. The Interim Society Chronicler’s warrant ends in August 2015. In order to ensure a smooth transition, applications for the position of Society Chronicler are now being accepted.
The Society Chronicler’s duties include the following:
• Supervision of all Kingdom Newsletters to ensure they adhere to Corporate standards and copyright law
• Maintaining, updating, and enforcing the Society Chronicler’s Policies
• Acting as a resource for Kingdom Chroniclers and all Chroniclers throughout the Society
• Administration of the annual Master William Blackfox awards for excellence in SCA publications
• Regular reporting to the Publications Manager and Board of Directors
The successful candidate should have the following skills/competencies:
• Experience managing a newsletter at the SCA Corporate or Kingdom level
• Extensive familiarity with SCA publications
• Basic familiarity with copyright law, both US and international
• Experience working with publishing software and mailing houses and/or postal systems
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Familiarity with SCA Corporate and Kingdom structure
• Familiarity with electronic publications
• Knowledge of Society Chronicler’s policies and issues currently facing SCA Chroniclers
• Excellent communications skills (written, oral, and electronic) and the ability to work with other Corporate and Society officers and deputies
As the bulk of the management of the office is done electronically, a reliable internet connection is also required.
Applications for the office will be accepted through May 15, 2015, and the successful applicant will be notified before the end of July. Please include both an SCA and a modern resume with three references for each including names and e-mail addresses. Send resumes to resumes@sca.org and pubmanager@sca.org.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
20 Tuesday Jan 2015
Posted in Corporate News
With the kind permission of our friends at the East Kingdom Gazette:
The East Kingdom Gazette thanks Viscountess Krysta of Starfall for taking the notes used to create this article.
The Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting on January 17, 2015 in Milpitas, CA. The following is a summary of the meeting.
The meeting began with introductions and an ice breaker question. The agenda was moved, seconded and approved. Minutes were approved for meetings held on October 25, 2014, December 2, 2014 and January 6, 2015.
Recurring Business
The Board changed the status of several branches. The following Cantons in the East were put into abeyance: Sea Tyger’s Rhyn, Dragon Forge, Fennbrycg, Dragon’s Aerie and Bowman’s Rest. Also of interest to the East were new branches in Drachenwald that were approved in the countries of Russia and the United Arab Emirates. New branches were also approved in Ansteorra and An Tir, the Shire of Cold Keep moved to Tir Righ from Avacal, Theobald College in Carontir was changed to an Incipient Shire, and the Canton of Westland Mor in Aethelmearc and Shire of Dun Ard in Calontir were dissolved.
The follow meetings were confirmed for the Board: April 18, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio; July 11, 2015 in Milpitas, CA; and October 24, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA. A conference call was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2015. Renee Signorotti reported that hundreds of bank accounts had been authorized this quarter. Warrants were given for the Exchequer of the College of Arms and the Society Seneschal’s Emergency Deputy, Kelly McGill.
The Board is always looking for nominees to the Board. There are several people on the West Coast currently on the list. Comments on nominees should be sent to recruiting@sca.org
Proposed Peerage Order – Order of Defense
Two committees have worked on a proposed peerage order, the Order of Defense. One researched whether there should be a Rapier peerage and reported yes. The second proposed Order names, heraldry, and regalia.
The comments that the Board received leaned towards not supporting a separate peerage for Rapier. Many of the comments agreed that the Rapier combatants should be able to be recognized as peers, but not in a separate peerage.
A wide-ranging discussion with input from Directors and the audience covered many different sides of this proposal. The specific wording they were considering created a separate peerage for Rapier combatants only. There were three clear thoughts being expressed:
• fold a rapier peerage into the Order of Chivalry
• create a “fourth” polling Omnibus peerage to include rapier and all non-rattan combat/martial prowess
• make the fourth polling peerage Rapier only.
The discussion turned to definitions in Corpora for membership in the Order of Chivalry. As written, persons who exhibit prowess in tournament combat and meet the other qualities of a peer of the realm may be offered membership, and may choose between Knighthood and Mastery of Arms. This could be interpreted to mean that there is no impediment to the Crowns and Kingdoms to offering persons of prowess with rapier combat membership in the Order of Chivalry.
Director Fulton called the question and made the motion to approve the changes to corpora which would create a separate peerage for Rapier combat. A second was offered by Director Czudnochowsky. Lisa May (Countess Margaret ni Conner), Arthur Donadio (Duke Cuan McDaige) and John Fulton (Duke John the Bearkiller) voted Aye. Lisa Czudnochowsky (Duchess Marion FitzWilliam), Andrew Coleman (Jarl Ailghenan mac Sithigh), David Keen (Baron David of Caithness), and Chair Scott Berk (Baron Phillip Reed the Facetious) voted Nay. The language creating the separate peerage for Rapier failed.
The Board did make a set of changes to Corpora. They were part of the Additional Peerage Proposal that was sent out to the SCA for comment. The Board deleted the following from Section IX. of Corpora, which dated back to when Rapier was a new activity in the SCA.
C. Rapier Fighting in the Society
The Board acknowledges rapier combat as an ancillary activity of the Society when properly supervised by the Marshals and when approved by individual kingdoms. Rapier combat may take place within a kingdom only by rules established by the Marshallate of that kingdom and after the approval of those rules by the Marshal of the Society. The Marshal of the Society will maintain guidelines for rapier combat within the Society. Rapier combat, not having been part of formal tournament combat in the Middle Ages, shall not be a part of formal tournament lists for royal ranks and armigerous titles.
The Board added the following wording to the same section.
Royal Lists
Only Chivalric (rattan) combat shall be used for formal tournament lists for royal ranks.
Kingdom of Avacal
Strong support was expressed by the people of Avacal, from An Tir and from the Society Seneschal regarding The Crown of AnTir sent a letter in support of advancement citing geographic isolation and the great expense incurred when AnTir kingdom level events were held in Avacal. The Coronet scheduled for the first of May would be the first Crown Tournament, supported by AnTir, and the first Coronation would be at the end of June. The reign cycle would remain as the Coronet cycle is now. Director Czudnochowsky moved and Director May seconded that Avacal be advanced to Kingdom at their (Investiture) Coronation in June. Approval was unanimous.
YAFA Marketing Plan
More information will be offered at the April meeting on how to market the Youth and Family Achievement program by Director Keen.
Sign Herald’s Handbook
Laurel Sovereign of Arms has requested approval of a handbook for Silent Heralds (sign language interpreters for courts and other official SCA business). The motion carried.
Reassigned Shires
Two shires in Eastern Colorado are being moved from Artemesia to The Outlands for geographical reasons. Motion carried. Change was effective immediately.
Highlights of Officer Reports
President – Chirurgeon activities have been evaluated by a committee, and there was good participation from chirurgeons from across the Known World. The insurance will not cover Chirurgeonate activities. Chirurgeon will be removed as a warranted office. First aid activities are still encouraged. The Board directed the President to recommend Corpora language to accomplish this change. The badge and regalia will continue to serve as it has.
Vice President Information Mgmt. & Technology – The Legacy Known World mail server is being decommissioned.
Society Webminister Report – William Blackfox award recommendations will be accepted in the 1st Q. The audit of Kingdom websites is happening.
Vice President of Operations (Society Seneschal) – The NMS is set by the Board and may not be raised by local groups. A kingdom may not require its branches to add an event charge to fund kingdom projects. Site preparation and planning is moving forward for the 50th year event. The Known World map project is running into issues because of problems with zip code reporting. A chatelaine education and information project in being planned.
Vice President of Corporate Operations – The 2012-2013 audit had been approved and will be published.
Society Treasurer – The recommended salary and stipend changes for the 2015 budget were approved in executive session.
Laurel Sovereign of Arms – There were ~400 more submissions through the Laurel office in 2014 (from 2013)
Marshal – PVC bows are showing up and causing some concern.
Minister of Arts & Sciences – Working on retention of information about classes, content, and instructors offered throughout the Known World. MoAS is traveling.
Society Chirurgeon – Resigned as of the end of this meeting. No applications will be taken, because the office will no longer be a corporate office.
Standing Committees – The Grand Council was directed by the Board to discuss approaches to training officers, which offices would benefit from training and which methods would be best. There were no reports from the Legal committee. The Peerage Exploratory Committee was discussed above.
Limited Executive Session
This included acceptance of the Chirurgeon resignation, budget adjustments, votes regarding sanctions or expulsions of specific individuals, Board ombudsmen assignments, and acceptance of all actions of subsidiary Boards.