Genevieve's responses to Master Etienne's questions about how to organize a new, combined southern UK branch. Originally posted on the Long Whitney yahoogroup.
Will local areas still be able to run events?
Yes.
'Locals' should, however, get agreement/blessing of officers for any project that requires
- funding (thus some consultation/ consensus from whatever financial committee we make)
- insurance
- commitment from other members (like a demo)
Overall, I think the bigger the event, the more people you should ask first before bidding on the event. Our history has shown that we've consistently needed volunteers from at least two shires to run a Kingdom or CP event.
How will local practices be organised?
Depends on the practice.
Fencing and combat practices need marshals, regardless of where they're based.
If there's a site, a suitable marshal and local interest, I think any practice is welcome.
For dance or music practice, I think we require someone willing to host, and people willing to attend.
If sites need funding, the organizer (marshal or host) should approach the branch to request money, to discuss whether branch puts money up front, and attendees pay-to-play on a weekly basis, or if the branch is willing to outlay money for a site and simply considers it a branch cost.
Will new areas of interest (ie. geographical areas) be encouraged to form cantons, or how will they be supported by the Barony?
My inclination is no, not at the moment. We're trying to consolidate our group structure right now. Encouraging cantons would defeat that purpose.
When our branch grows to the point that it can support two levels of officers, and people are chomping at the bit for a chance to be a local officer - maybe that's a good time to consider cantons.
I expect we would support new members the same way we do now: inviting them to existing gatherings, giving them a lift to events, keeping in touch by e-mail, helping them get in touch with people who have shared interests.
How many events is the Barony envisioning running per year?
Good question.
At the moment for 2007 I know about:
- 'West Dragonshire' summer tourney
- Rent-a-don
- Raglan Fair III
- Winchester Pilgrimage II
- Cooks and bards? (don't know)
...plus some event in Thamesreach, possibly a resurrected Lammas.
...plus Thamesreach' s local informal gatherings.
I don't know about other informal gatherings that might be added to the calendar.
How many Crown Principality and Kingdom Level events does the barony anticipate running?
I think one a year is a minimum that we can contribute. We might be able to support more, once we gain some momentum.
How often will the Baronial officers meet?
Personally I'd like to see baronial meetings quarterly, at existing established events, such as the WD summer tourney. YMMV.
I'd suggest that we try quarterly meetings for the first year or two, and then decide if meeting quarterly is serving us well or not. Maybe we'll need more meetings - maybe fewer!
Will there still be local business meetings to decide on local activity such as practices, demos, recruitment, etc.?
That, I think, is up to the people in the local areas right now.
If they want to meet, they meet. If not, then no.
Re. local activity: Personally, I think whatever activities people want to host/organize are welcome, with the three provisos I mentioned earlier (projects needing money, insurance coverage or volunteers should be reviewed by the officers).
For Thamesreach, for example, I picture continuing to have a shire 'pint in the pub', but that's mainly because I like going to the pub.
If most activities are welcome and do not require a meeting to decide about them, then it (the meeting at the pub) will serve mainly as an announcement forum.
In the absence of regular Baronial meetings what methods will be employed to aid the smooth running of the Barony?
See previous comment about quarterly baronial meetings - try them out, see if they're helpful, decide if you need to meet more or less often.
Will the ok of the Baronial Seneschal and exchequer be needed for all events to proceed? Who else has a veto, the Baron/ess etc.?
That depends on the type of event.
At a minimum, I'd say keeping the branch officers informed is a must.
If someone is organizing an official event in the calendar, I'd say yes it needs agreement from the seneschal and exchequer: it'll need money, insurance coverage, and volunteers.
For local-yokel gatherings (like Thamesreach's muster in the park) I think informing the seneschal and exchequer is a needed courtesy, but if it doesn't need money or insurance or volunteers, it's not mandatory.
Perhaps, at a quarterly meeting, seneschal and exchequer (or financial committee) would review 'standing events' like reg fight practice, or reg. monthly gatherings, and agree to them up front. This would save having to review each event individually.
How we structure the decision-making in the branch is up to us. I've seen
- baronies that put every single decision to a populace vote (officer changes, budgets, everything);
- baronies where the officers determine everything, and the baron/ess has no vote, but relies on 'moralsuasion' ;
- baronies where nothing happened without the express approval of the baroness.
I'm now in a shire where folks seem happy if the seneschal makes the decisions, but I try to ask for opinions from everyone, both officer and populace.
If/when we choose a baron/ess, it's a good question to ask the candidates: what decision-making process would work best for this branch?
How long a term is envisioned for the Baron/ess?
GF: This answer is in kingdom law:
6.05.8
The length of a single term for Territorial Barons and Baronesses is a maximum of two years. After consulting with the members of the Barony, the Crown may, at their discretion, ask the Territorial Baron and/or Baroness to serve another term. It is recommended that Territorial Barons and Baronesses serve no
more than two consecutive terms.
Will a set of baronial awards be put in place? If so what form will they take?
Probably, but I don't think it's an immediate priority.
The society has many, many ways of recognizing good works, and of involving people. Awards are not the only path. YMMV.
Fighters can be part of an honour guard; artisans can be commissioned to create items and to teach; newcomers can be welcomed with special duties (lady in waiting for a day, for example, enriched my SCA experience hugely); hard workers can be publicly thanked and commended.
My own personal favourite recognition (from another land) is a 'scroll of honour', on which remarkable deeds are recorded for posterity. It requires keen historians and observers, but they, too, can be recruited and commissioned by a new baron/ess.
This is another question I'd put to potential baron/ess candidates: what would you like to see to recognize good works in our region?
What sort of regalia will be needed? Who will transport/store it?
GF: Regalia is both great fun, and hard work. Banners and tabards are really effective for drawing people together; they also require someone to make them, and then take care of them. Banners and tabards also require (registered) armory.
Coronets are awkward pieces, since no two heads, or senses of taste, are alike.
Again, these are questions I'd put to a baron/ess candidate.
SO: that's my take on these thoughtful questions put to the shire seneschals.
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