Tag Archives: SCA Life

Business of Events

(Taught at the December 6, 2018  Newcomer meeting in Aire Faucon.)

PRINT VERSION IN PDF FORMAT – click here

Description: Always wondered what goes on in running an event – either from the point of helping out as a Minion, or maybe running just a piece like a tournament, or taking the whole shebang from bid to final report. Well wonder no longer. By popular request, we are breaking down events and getting the business details behind the pageantry and party.

TIMELINE

  1. The Idea
  2. Brainstorming: Single day or Multi; Feast or no Feast; Dayboard; Merchants; Main Activities; Children; Youth;
    • Theme – What Makes This Special? – Don’t lose focus
  3. Get helpers – Get head chef, reservationist, and main activities leads
  4. Find site
  5. Present bid to group – if going to kingdom, first go through Barony or Canton (Tap local officers)
    • The Bid includes a Budget
  6. Contract with the site – Get Seneschal to signt he contract
  7. Spike AND Acorn your event
  8. Insurance – Required for Horses
  9. As things go
    • Fill out Staff – Have your Leads fill out their staff and get back to you. Make sure there is no overlap (Special note: Setup crew should be different from Breakdown crew.)
    • See if your staff has special needs and make arrangements
    • Ask for any needed items from the Baronial Quartermaster.
    • Send out monthly announcements on Merry Rose and Baronial List about cool things related to your event.
    • Go to events yourself and help out a lot. Get known. Get people owing you help. Network.
    • Make the special stuff for the event – for example, event tokens
    • Do a test feast or two with your cook if they are new. Great to overlap with a potluck night in our Canton.
  10. Month before
    • Staff – Retouch base with them. Still all good? Any new needs?
    • How are reservations? Send out final reminder.
    • Send lovings to the Seneschal and Baronage.
    • Make the signs, make gate handout/flyer, figure out the money the reservationist needs (exchequers may already got this covered, but check it out), pens, tape. Basically get your kit together before the night before.
    • Make arrangements to meet with the quartermaster to pick up stuff
  11. Day of
    • Don’t sleep – well, try, but you aren’t going to.
    • Arrive early and setup Gate first – get checked in.
    • Set up activities next.
    • Then food.
    • Then help out guests.
    • Troubleshoot.
    • Close out troll with gatekeeper and exchequer.
  12. After
    • Double check site, return key and get deposit.
    • Remind everyone to get their receipts back toyou, yesterday.
    • Return things to the quartermaster; note – youmay need to dry things out first.
    • Thank your staff. Publicly and by writing recommendations. Thank your head chef personally.
    • Event report closing with exchequer.
    • Critique event with the group – what was good,what can be better.

ADVICE – Remember

A. CONTROL – Keep the event under control. Don’t let anyone – not the head chef, members of your local group or even the Royals wrest the control of the event or add to the event haphazardly. Remember at all times, YOU are the organizer and YOU MUST know what is happening when at the event.

B. DELEGATE – The above said, delegate as much as possible. Don’t move the chairs yourself, get others to move them or better yet have someone else direct the moving of the chairs so you are available for other problems. You should do very little of the actual work – YOUR JOB is to make sure things get DONE, not to do them!

C. CALM – Never let them see you sweat, or panic, or scream. If there is a major problem beyond your power, hand it over to the Seneschal – that is what s/he’s there for. Otherwise, be polite, smile, and firm. Panicking only makes it worse.

SPIKEING THE EVENT– Event Registration, Event Flyer Submission Form, SPIKE Documentation

Register a New event – information needed

Name of Event (required at signup)

Event Start Date; Event End Date (required)

Hosting Group (required at signup)

Site Opens; Site Closes

Site Name; Address; City; State; Zip

Conflict Status Desired – Other Groups MAY / MAY NOT conflict within 150 miles (required at signup)

Site Restrictions

Alcohol Permitted? (required at signup)

Web Site

EVENT FLYER SUBMISSION (FOR THE ACORN)

Event Name (required)

Event Date (required)

Submitter’s E-mail Address (required)

Hosting Group (required)

Box to Update to existing Flyer

Event Description (required)

Make Check Payable To: (required)

Cost Notes:

Site: (required)

Site Restrictions:

Directions (required)

Event Cost: Adult, Youth, Child, – Daytrip, Feast, Camping (Required)

Autocrat and Reservationist Information: SCA Name:, Legal Name (required); Address/City/State/Zip (required); Phone (required); Email address

Activity Information: Event website; Martial Activities; A&S Activities; Feast Information; Merrchanting Information; Other information

Box: By checking this box, I affirm that I have obtained permission from each person listed in this announcement to publish their personal information electronically.

RESOURCES

Sacred Stone – Scroll down – Additional Links

Annual Baronial Events Needing Bids: Baronial Unevent (June); Baronial Birthday (September); In a Phoenix Eye / Runestone Collegium (Traditionally November)

Event Bid Form

Event Timeline Form

Baronial Inventory

Kingdom Event Bid Page: Home -> Offices -> Seneschal -> Kingdom Event Bid

Annual Kingdom Events Needing Bids: 12th Night; Winter University; Kingdom A&S; Spring Coronation; Spring Crown; Summer University; Fall University; Fall Coronation; Fall Crown; Unevent (Plus WOW)

How to Host a Kingdom Level Event Kingdom of Atlantia SCA Inc

Event Requirements and Statistics

Kingdom Event Bid Form

Atlantian Event Report

Kingdom Event Bid Regions Defined

2017-2024 Preferred Site Rotation

                                               SITE INFORMATION PHONE CALL SHEET

Name of Place:  _______________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________

                         _______________________________________________

Mailing Address: ______________________________________________

(if different)         ______________________________________________

Contact Person:_______________________________________________

Phone: ______________

1.  Do you rent your site to non-profit educational groups?

    (Explain SCA)

2.  Do you have kitchen facilities? May we use them?

    Does the kitchen facilities have additional costs?

3.  How many people can be seated in the Hall?

    Do you have enough tables and chairs to seat that many?

    Do we have to rent the tables and chairs in order to use them?

    Is there a Fire Regulation Limit on seating?

4.  Cost to Rent this site? –     Day _______    (know the range you

                                        Weekend _______     need to work in)

    (If cost is too high, say Thank You, and end here.)

5.  Are there rooms or areas that can be used for changing clothes?

    (Royal room and/or classrooms for SCA courses)

6.  Accessibility of restrooms? How about overall Handicapped accessibility?

7.  Parking areas?

8.  Outdoors areas? – (To use for Tournaments.)

9.  Proposed dates:  Have at least 2 dates in mind. – Be flexible.

     Preferred date: _____________    Alternate date: ____________

If everything looks good thus far, set an appointment to see the site personally with them. Bring your support material when visiting the site. Bring your head chef if possible.

Other Questions about Sites:  Know local archery laws? (some jurisdictions classify bows as firearms)

CHECK LIST FOR SITE VISIT AND FOLLOWUP THOUGHTS

Verify information already received over phone. Then walk through the site.

COST (In advance calculate approximate cost per person expected to attend)

Is a deposit required? When is it required? What is the cost per piece of the facility?

INSURANCE (Ask the Seneschal for details about any insurance matter.)

Do they even care? Do they want proof of insurance? Will the cover letter do?

Related Questions: Do they want an official copy of our insurance? Do they wish to be included on our insurance? (Try to avoid this)

DATE

Is site available on day(s) wanted? Is an alternate date possible until all arrangements are firm?

TIME

What should the site hours be? Are they acceptable to the site director?

Can you set up the day before? (Especially helpful for event beginning with activities starting at ten.)

Can you clean up the next day if necessary? (Remember you will be exhausted the following day, so day-of is better.)

SITE LOCATION

Proximity to major highways

Public transportation access

Proximity to hotels. Will any hotels give a special group rate?

Parking on site. (Count the slots – both regular and handicap)

SITE FACILITIES

Capacity of site.

Number of bathrooms. (Are changing rooms available other than bathrooms?)

Special rooms available for a quiet room or nursery. 

Are any rooms off limits? (Like the pastor’s office.)

Does the site require an overseer during the day? Do you have to pay them? (janitor,food prep, overtime)

Custodial supplies – do you have access to them? Toilet paper, paper towels, detergent -mops and brooms are a must! If no access, don’t forget to purchase them.

Air conditioning/Heating?

FEAST HALL

What is the number of people you are planning for feast? What is the capacity of this feast hall?

Room for offboard? How many?

Can you use the tables and chairs on site? How many tables on site? How many can sit at a table?

Where can you borrow/rent tables and chairs?

Alcohol – Is the site dry, damp or wet?

Candles in hall – open, closed flame, or not allowed? Check local fire codes if necessary. Ventilation of hall, taking into account lots of people and candles.

KITCHEN

Counter space

Stove. Number of burners. Number of ovens. Gas or electric?

Number of microwaves.

Refrigerator(s), Freezer(s), Dishwasher(s), Large sinks

Access to any and all kitchen equipment, do they work, and how clean are they? Will they be empty when you get there? Will they be turned on and cool?

Can you use utensils and cookware available on site? (i.e., knives, silverware, potholders, dishrags, pots, and pans)

How many people can fit in the kitchen?

Access of kitchen for carrying things in from the car? Access of kitchen to feast hall? (Getting food to feast hall and being accessible to volunteers vs. keeping nosy people out)

MERCHANTS

Is there room for them?

If it rains and they are outdoors, can they be moved indoors?

Is selling allowed on site? (Make certain of this!)

TOURNAMENT EVENT

Does the site director truly understand what is about to happen (heavy weapons, fencing or archery)?

Number of lists that will fit on site.

Area for list tables. Will they be sheltered?

Area for first aide and for waterbearing. Will they be sheltered (shade/wind)?

Level fighting area?  Check for roots.

Can the martial activities be moved indoors for bad weather?

What type of footwear may be worn for fighting indoors?

Will going to one’s knees damage the knees or the floor?

What are the federal, state & local laws for archery?

If visible to police (near major road), do you wish to warn them?

Is the area behind the butt clear? Will people be tempted to use it as a short cut?

TEACHING EVENT

Number of classrooms. Size of classrooms. Size of chairs in the classrooms.

Materials available: Projection screens, chalkboards, AV carts.

Chalk and erasers: Available on site or do you need to provide.

CAMPING EVENT

Where may tents be staked?

Campfires allowed? Where? Firewood – allowed to collect on site or bring your own? Liquid fuel – is it allowed on site? Propane fuel – is it allowed on site?

Natural dangers on site – bears, snakes, scorpions, bees?

Disposal of trash?

Port-A-Pots? How many? How much will they hold? – This may be a question just for yourself, not the site director.

Running water? Will a water buffalo be needed?

What will cleanup be like? Located in one spot or all over? Plan cleanup staff accordingly.

Additional printouts to include in the Business of Event package when teaching the class.

  1. Event Planning Timeline (from the Sacred Stone website)
  2. Kingdom Event Bid Form (from the Atlantia website)
  3. Event Budget  and Event Financial Report forms (two excel worksheets) (from the Atlantia website – Atlantia Event Report – an excel file for the exchequer report)

July Cook’s Guild Meeting Activity Report

Activity Report: July Cook’s Guild Meeting (7/8/2017)

(article originally published July 2017, The Phoenix, Barony of Sacred Stone)

The early July day already pushed past swelter as the Cook’s Guild gathered at the Arnarson and de Sevilla manor in Ashboro. Quickly the shade brought by Lady Aine O Grienan was popped up, but only after the fire was started in Elena Colon de Sevilla’s portable fire-ring because we are that dedicated and would need coals to cook over soon.

Tables proliferated for the outdoor prep work and quickly moving knives became the dominate sound. To one side, Lady Prudence the Curious worked on a smocked apron to be used as a prize for the August cooking competition at Flight of the Falcon. She had prepped and cooked everything at home the night before. Each person has their own area of specialty in the guild ranging from herbs and gardening, to period research, to cooking feasts, to cooking over hot coals on a sunny July afternoon. Prudence is more a book-type member of the guild.

The last to arrive, Lady Scribonia Sabina Mus dumped an armload of fresh herbs she had recently cut out of her garden. Promptly she dug out her salmon and scallops for her dish, and the deviled eggs she had prepared in advanced were passed around to take the edge off of the hunger while we worked. Prudence’s chilled asparagus with sesame sauce added some green to the protein. Then Baroness Nuala ingen Magnusa pita bread was ready to be pulled off the fire, rounding out the early food available with a fresh warm bread.

Between snacking and prepwork, much discussion occurred. We discussed the apron and guild rankings while Prudence showed off the apron after the final stitch had been applied. Topics turned to the cooking competition at Flight and the upcoming In a Phoenix Eye, Change of Season competition. Conversation then ranged to why people chose the particular foods they did and what they learned about the country they chose from along the 36 parallel. We lightly touched on using medieval Spanish diaries to prove chocolate usage and Chinese poems to create recipes, in between talks about mundane work, baronial activities, and teaching people of various ages.

Finally Lady Annora Hall’s Tibetan soup, Ema Datshi, finished simmering over the coals and we were ready to move indoors where we could concentrate on the best part of the day. Tasting what had been prepared!

Toki Arnarson’s smoked pork, American style (hey, the USA is on the 36 parallel and we had made no restrictions on date), fell apart into mouth-watering heaven after he pulled it from the oven. The Ema Datshi burned so good, both the front and back of the mouth from the two types of peppers used in its making, and Prudence’s Chinese onion cakes complemented the soup and took some of the burn off. Sabina’s Pakastani-style salmon and scallops were perfectly cooked, and made a nice match to Elena’s chopped spinach dish from Spain.

The meal was a trip around the world – Tibet, Spain, America, Pakastan, India, and China. Eventually the stomachs ran out of space, long before the food ended, and it was time for the gathering to end. Elena gave everyone some squash to go home with from her garden and Sabina’s herbs were scattered to new kitchens. No one went home empty handed, as the leftovers were redistributed for everyone to have another meal at home.

To taste the memories one more time.

Class: Martial Activities Available in the SCA

I Can Kill You With … (Martial Activities Available in the SCA)

(Taught April 6, 2017 for the Aire Faucon Newcomer A&S Night)
(Taught October 21, 2017 for the War of the Wings newcomer track)

Activities of the SCA
The SCA has three pillars supporting it: Arts, Service, and, the most exciting, Martial activities. As a newcomer you have a lot of different options in learning combat and weaponry in the Society for Creative Anachronism.

 

Martial Activities

Armored Combat/Heavy Weapons Target Archery Black Powder
Light Combat / Rapier Thrown Weapons List Minister
Cut & Thrust Siege Weapons Marshal(s)
Youth Combat Equesterian (Jousting) Weaterbearing
Combat Archery Coursing First Aid / Chirugeon

Armored Combat / Heavy Weapons – Traditional knight fighting. People wear armor, fight with various rattan weapons, and self-score damage. Marshals monitor combat for safety of the participants and audience and do not decide the winner. Fighting is done in single combat, small unit (or team) style, and large maneuvers. Various tournament formats exists including single-elimination, double-elimination, bear pit, and wars.

Light Combat / Rapier – Olympic fencing taken to the streets. Participants wear fencing masks, specialized garb, fight with various fencing swords and parry objects, and self-score damage. Marshal again are safety officers. Fighting is done in single combat or small unit style. Various tournament formats exists including the Spanish Circle, the Slippery Slope, and Barroom. Oh, and since they are late period they allow single shot rubberband guns.

Cut and Thrust – The new kid on the block requires armor but uses the standard of “unarmored” for measuring the effectiveness of blows, because the weapons are real … not sharpened, but real. Everything from side swords to two-handed are brought to the field.

Youth Combat – Armored combat for participants between ages 6 and 17. Marshal do monitor the “scoring” but the participants are the final arbiters. Fighting is done in single combat or small unit style.

Combat Archery – Using specialize arrows and wearing appropriate armor, archers enter the armored combat field for large maneuver activities. Most combat archery, due to the expense of the special combat arrows, is “sniper” type.

Target Archery – Target archery can be done with crossbows, recurve, and long bows. Royal rounds are done at practices and at events and count toward the Archery Ranking system. A royal round is a shoot consisting of “six shafts each shot at 40, 30, and 20 yards, and a 30-second timed round at 20 yards”. A clout shoot occurs at Pennsic and involves getting arrows inside a “castle” at 120 yards. Themed archery competitions occur at many events. (More details can be found at https://scores-sca.org/public/scores_rules.php?R=2&Shoot=2)

Thrown Weapons – Thrown weapons include knife, hand axe, stars, and spears. The Middle Kingdom has a royal round format for ranking.

Siege Weapons – “There are two types of siege devices: active siege engines and passive siege structures.” Active siege engines, including man-powered trebuchets, are designed to deliver small or large ammunition to range of 40 to 80 yards. Siege structures include towers and ramp and are used to support personnel, but not fitted with active weaponry. Ammunition includes “rocks”, 4-tennis ball clusters, combat archery arrows, and ballista javelins. Activity at events including participating in large combat maneuvers and target practices. (SCA siege weapon handbook is here: http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/siege/siege_engines_handbook.pdf)

Equestrian (Jousting) – Jousting is done with lances at rings ranging in size from six inches down to one inch. Other activities include spear throwing, “stabbing objects on the ground, knocking (fake) heads off posts with a sword, obstacle courses, and archery from horseback.” Pageantry is an essential element of equestrian activities and many people have full barding for their animals.

Coursing – Canine activities including rabbit chasing. This martial activity is rare in Atlantia.

Black Powder – At Pennsic and other large events, you may meet those playing very late period. They do rifle maneuvers and shoot the cannon to announce the beginning and end of battles.

List Minister – An officer position involved in registering fighters and organizing the administrative portion of competitions, especially large single-combat tourneys.

Marshal(s) – The safety officer responsible for inspecting equipment, both armor and weapons; inspecting the field; monitoring the physical and mental state of fighting participants and the observers; organizing fighter practices; training people (if local officer); organizing fighting at events (marshal in-charge, MIC); running authorizations; and turning in the waivers from fighter practices.

Waterbearing – Gentles who bring water out to participants on the fields of battle. Lifesavers!

First Aid / Chirugeon(s) – Gentles who provide first aid in the SCA. This group is a guild.

 

Specialized Vocabulary
Kit – The armor and weapons used for the marshal discipline of choice. Often includes the fighter authorization card and repair kit.

Authorizations – Anyone can attend fighter practices to learn how to fight. To enter tournaments, you must be an authorized fighter. An authorization includes inspecting your kit, a Q&A session on the basic rules of the SCA marshal form, and a series of one-on-one combats showing ability to hit someone, block being hit, taking a blow, and participating in a live exchange. Authorizations include the marshal doing the combat and two observing the activity.

Inspections – Review of weapons and armor for wear-and-tear and meeting the present regulations.

List – Both the list of fighters and the field upon marshal activity is being practiced.

MIC – Marshal in-Charge. The event MIC may oversee several activity MICs. Because of this, all marshals must train in general discipline knowledge as well as their specialization.

Hold – When spoken on the list, fighters are to freeze. Usually something dangerous has occurred and the marshal needs to fix the situation. Examples: Child runs onto the archery range, a tip falling off a rapier blade, a buckle busted from the last hit in heavy causing the armor to swing free.

Clear – Used to let people know active weapons are in play. Most often heard in archery with “Clear down range.”

Lay on – Let the battle begin. Most often used in single combat.

 

The truly dangerous group in the SCA – I can kill you with … the arts
Kitchen Crew, Herbalists, and Gardeners – The Known World Apothecary Facebook Group, the Atlantian Herbal Guild, The Sacred Stone Cook’s Guild, etc.

Other Kingdom Guilds are listed on the Kingdom A&S Minister’s Webpage.

 

Upcoming fighting activities the summer
April 21-23

  1. SAAD – South Atlantia Archery Day – Canton of Crois Brigte in the Barony of Sacred Stone (Booneville, NC)
  2. Queen’s Rapier Championship (Royal Progress) – Isenfir (Weyers Cave, VA)
  3. Kingdom War Practice (Cathage, NC)

April 28-30 – Costal Raids – Armored, Rapier, and Target Archery – Barony of Raven’s Cove (Richalands, NC)

May 5-7 – Spring Crown Tournament – Marinus (Clarksville, VA)

May 19-21 – Hawkwood Baronial Birthday (Royal Progress) – Armored, Rapier, Target Archery, Thrown Weapons

June 16-18 – Return to Crecy IV (Royal Progress) – Armored, Rapier, Youth, Cavalry, Combat Archery, Target Archery, Siege

August 26 – Flight of the Falcon: St. David’s Market Day and Fair – Armored and Rapier

 

Fighter Practices
Canton of Aire Faucon – Does not have a regular martial activity practice of any sort.

Canton of Charlesbury Crossing – Armored combat practice in Freedom Park. Rapier is also welcomed, but often does not have the marshal required to allow the practice to occur.

Barony of Hawkwood – Aire Faucon’s nearest neighbor after Charlesbury Crossing (and depending on your location within the group may be even closer), has various practices.

Barony of Sacred Stone – Archery practices happen further north in some of the other cantons and BSS has a monthly rapier practice as well.

 

Class: Offices of the SCA

A Newcomer Class: Offices of the SCA
(2 Hour Course)

Prepared for the Aire Faucon Newcomer Meeting on 5 January 2017
by Lady Prudence the Curious
website: penpoint.biz                 email: PrudenceCurious@aim.com


ALL OFFICERS
All officers of the SCA, including Autocrats and the Crown must: Maintain SCA membership for the duration of their office and be over the age of 18. Deputies (except for autocrats, the Crown Heirs and anyone directly handling SCA funds) do not need to be official SCA members or over the age of 18 allowing for people to train to see if they actually want the office.


REQUIRED CANTON OFFICES
Seneschal, Exchequer and at least one of the following three offices: Herald, Marshal, A&S Minister.

(Baronial required officers are Seneschal, Exchequer, Herald, Marshal, and A&S Minister.)


SENESCHAL – The Club President. Named after steward of the great medieval houses who oversaw the day-to-day business for the lord of the manor.
Duties – (THIS OFFICE IS REQUIRED FOR GROUP TO EXIST). Attend Seneschal training to become warranted. Will need to have Internet and phone access and a mailing address; must be willing to have phone number, email and a mailing address (PO Box is okay) published on the kingdom and local websites and newsletters; must regularly check email. Turn in a quarterly report on the activities of the group to Kingdom. Review the Exchequer reports and sign off on them. Oversee the autocrats of any local events; attend all events the group holds. Arrange the business meetings (no min or max requirements for Cantons). Monitor the local group’s social media. Support the officers of the group and be the acting officer if the group does not have one with the exceptions of herald and exchequer. Be a signee on the group’s bank account. ONLY THE SENESCHAL CAN SIGN CONTRACTS. (SPECIAL NOTE – The exchequer and the seneschal cannot live in the same mundane household or be closely related to each other.)

Duties specific to the Barony of Sacred Stone – Attend or send a report to the baronial business meeting & newsletter at least once per quarter.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon – Run a business meeting once a month.

Nice to do – Write recommendations for members of the group as appropriate. Attend all group activities as possible (ex. demos, business meetings, A&S meetings, and fighter practices). Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.

SPECIAL NOTE: Autocrats are treated as deputy seneschals from the time the group accepts the bid until the final (exchequer) event report is accepted by kingdom.


EXCHEQUER – The Club Treasurer. In medieval times, the exchequer was responsible for the management and collection of taxation and governmental revenues.

Duties – (THIS OFFICE IS REQUIRED FOR GROUP TO EXIST). Attend Exchequer training to become warranted; in Atlantia this is two classes which last about 2 hours each. Turn in a quarterly to Kingdom which has been reviewed by the Seneschal. Review all financial bids for events for legal financial requirements and help autocrats complete the final event report. Help the autocrats of any local events to set up troll and verify all troll staff meet the kingdom requirements of age & membership; for the event itself, make certain the waivers are collected and the final box is counted by themselves or a fully trained and specified substitute acceptable by the Seneschal, Exchequer and Autocrat. Publish the year-end report (usually called a domesday) through a public medium like a group newsletter or in the business meeting minutes available to all members of the group. Be a signee on the group’s bank account. Be available to write checks for events and other financial purchases. Review all financial purchases by the group to meet SCA and Federal non-profit legal requirements.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to all canton business meetings.

Nice to do – Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


HERALD (At-Large Option) – The Group’s Ceremonial Officer and Messenger/Ambassador. Named after the official employed to oversee state ceremony, precedence, the use of armorial bearings, and carry proclamations and ceremonial messages.

Duties – (This office is optional at the Canton level (and required at the Baronial level), but helps meet the three required offices a Canton must have. If a Canton does not have a herald, the Baronial Herald acts for the Canton in this capacity. This is the only office where the Baronial officer is specifically stated in kingdom law to act both for their office and a canton.). Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Help an autocrat arrange for heraldic coverage at events, including but not limited to: field herald, announcement herald, court herald, and feast herald. They do not have to be the event herald, but they are to aid an autocrat in getting the coverage an event needs. In many groups, if the Seneschal is not present at a business meeting, the herald is to run the meeting.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter.

Nice to do – Attend any demos the group has as well as several fighter practices to work with fighters on field heraldry. Arrange with the A&S minister for two classes on heraldry to be taught per year in the Canton, one of names and one on devices (mixing these in with the Newcomer night works really well). Encourage all forms of heraldry within the group. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.

Forms of heraldry: “SHOUTING” – Field heraldry, announcement heraldry (including feast), court heraldry (overlaps with Ceremony), speaking for the group or individual at a court, silent heraldry; “BOOK” – name heraldry, device heraldry, commentary; “CERMONY” – Court heraldry (including the report turned into kingdom), precedence and recommendations, setting up major ceremonies, making a group “pretty” by encouraging use of passed heraldry; “SCRIBAL” – Assignment and collection of scrolls, Wording of scrolls, Calligraphy of scrolls, Illumination of scrolls, Assignment and collection of medallions, medallion cords, medallion crafting.


ARTS AND SCIENCES MINISTER – An Educational Officer. Note: In some groups, this office can be broken into an Arts Minister and a Sciences Minister.

Duties – (This office is optional at the Canton level (but is required at the Baronial level), but helps meet the three required offices a Canton must have. If a Canton does not have an A&S minister, the canton Seneschal is to administer the A&S duties including but not limited to turning in the quarterly report.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Help an autocrat arrange for A&S at events, including but not limited to: classes, exhibitions, competitions, solars, performances, and judging. They do not have to be the event A&S coordinator, but they are to aid an autocrat in getting the coverage an event needs.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Arrange for A&S hosts and teachers for the weekly meetings.

Nice to do – Attend any demos and A&S meetings the group hosts. Support anyone interested in A&S by helping them network with other people with their interest. Attend Baronial & Kingdom Unevents.


MARSHAL (At-Large Option) – A Safety Officer. Note: Marshals are specific to a fighting/weapon style and include: heavy, rapier, archery, combat archery, thrown weapons, siege, equestrian, and youth combat. A group only needs one main office holder, but they can have multiple deputies to cover any additional fighting styles the group may have interest in.

Duties – (This office is optional at the Canton level (but is required at the Baronial level), but helps meet the three required offices a Canton must have. If a Canton does not have a marshal, the canton Seneschal is to administer the marshal duties including but not limited to turning in the fighter practice waivers.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted – this is a multi-month training process including a class and an apprenticeship and is completed separately for each fighting form.  (Further Note: If a youth combat marshal, they must also go through the process of a background check which is paid for by the kingdom. Renewal is required every two years.) Make sure all group fighter practices are being held with appropriate supervision and following of SCA safety rules. Collect the group waivers at the local fighter practices. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom; turn in the group’s fighter practice waivers or report no waivers were collected. Help an autocrat arrange for all fighting forms at events, including but not limited to: tournaments, group maneuvers, and classes. They do not have to be the marshal-in-charge (MIC) over the entire event or any particular activity, but they are to aid an autocrat in getting the coverage an event needs.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Support the Charlesbury Crossing and/or Hawkwood fighter practices as our Canton does not have one at this time.

Nice to do – Attend any demos and fighter practices the group hosts. Support anyone interested in marshal activities by helping them network with other people with their fighting form. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


OPTIONAL OFFICES YOU MIGHT FIND IN A CANTON

CHATELAINE/CASTELLAN – Newcomer Officer. Chatelaine is the femine and Castellan is the masculine forms. Historically a chatelaine is the chain to which the keys of the castle were attached and the castellan was the warden for a castle.

Duties – (If a Canton does not have a chatelaine, the canton Seneschal is to administer the chatelaine duties including but not limited turning in the quarterly report.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Have Internet and phone access and a mailing address; must be willing to have phone number, email and a mailing address (PO Box is okay) published on the kingdom and local websites and newsletters; must regularly check email and the social media of the group. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Work with autocrats on any newcomer centric activities, arranging for gold key if appropriate.  Attend any demos hosted within the bounds of the Canton, if at all possible.

GOLD KEY DEFINITION: Garb, feast gear, A&S tools, and weapons a newcomer can borrow for an event to help them learn about the SCA.

DEMO DEFINITION: Demonstration of SCA activities presented to non-SCA members, usually with an educational bent. Demonstrations can be done for youth groups, schools, libraries, for-profit stores, non-profit groups, home school groups, conventions, and other groups of people. We cannot do them for payment, but will accept donations. Activities presented could be art forms, marshal forms, lectures, and hands-on activities and vary in size from one person to several dozen presenters and can last from a single hour to multi-days.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Support the local group running at least one demo per year. Verify any canton gold key is cared for, but the chatelaine is not required to store it themselves. Work with the A&S Minister to have a monthly Newcomer meeting; help arrange for a topic and instructor.

Nice to do – Attend A&S and fighter activities as possible to help integrate newcomers into the SCA. Assemble the list of newcomers and provide regular contact throughout the first year, helping them know about activities them may be interested in. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


WEBMINISTER – Website Administrator.

Duties – (If a Canton does not have a webminister, the canton Seneschal is to administer the webminister duties should the group have a dynamic website.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Have Internet access and be willing to learn the group’s website format. Turn in an annual report to Kingdom. Work with local autocrats on setting up a page specific to their event to help with advertising. Support the local seneschal in monitoring the group’s social media activities. Verify the website meets all SCA requirements for photograph models and intellectual property.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Publish the monthly business minutes provided by the Chronicler to the website. Publish the annual domesday provided by the Exchequer to the website. Keep the officer list on the website up-to-date.

Nice to do – Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


CHRONICLER – Secretary and Publisher.

Duties – (If a Canton does not have a chronicler, the canton Seneschal is to administer the chronicler duties including but not limited to the publication of the business notes.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Have Internet access and email. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Arrange for business minutes to be taken at any of the local group’s business meeting and published in a manner to allow all members of the group to have ready access to the minutes, usually through a newsletter, website, or email distribution. The officer does not need to be the person who does this activity at every meeting; they just need to arrange for it to happen for all meetings. Should the local group have a newsletter, the chronicler is to see to the regular publication and meeting any SCA requirements for photograph models and intellectual property.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Send the monthly business minutes to the webminister for publication.

Nice to do – Restart the Air Currents and/or support the Baronial Chronicler with The Phoenix. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


CHANCELLOR OF YOUTH (At-Large Option) – Educational officer specific to activities of legal minors.

Duties – (If a Canton does not have a youth minister, the canton Seneschal is to administer the youth minister duties including but not limited to quarterly reporting requirements.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted, plus arrange for a background check by SCA Inc (renewal required every two years). Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Assist local autocrats in arranging children and youth activities (outside of youth fighting) for events; they do not need to be one running the activities, just help the autocrat in making the arrangements. Kingdom does require a youth minister, at-large or group-linked, to run one youth activity at an event per year.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter. Work with the A&S minister to have at least two children/youth-centric A&S activities per year, helping the A&S find appropriate teachers and background-check adult support (mixing these in with the Largess nights works really well).

Nice to do – Attend fighter and A&S activities as able to get to know the children and youth of the group and what their interest are. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


MINISTER OF LISTS (At-large option) – Administrator of Tournaments.

Duties – (If a Canton does not have a Minister of Lists, the canton Seneschal has no additional duties.) Arrange with kingdom to become warranted. Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Assist local autocrats in arranging for any marshal tournaments to have organizers; the list minister does not have to attend the event, just help the autocrat arrange for coverage. Work with marshals at events on warranting new fighters.

Duties specific to the Canton of Aire Faucon- Attend or send a report to at least one canton business meeting per quarter.

Nice to do – Attend fighter practice regularly to get to know the fighters and show support, also to gain familiarity with the marshals. Attend the Baronial and Kingdom Unevents.


REQUIRED BARONIAL OFFICERS

As previously mention: Seneschal, Exchequer, Herald, A&S Minister, and Marshal.

In addition


BARONIAL SEAT – The Baron and/or Baroness. May be held by one or two people of the same or different genders in real-world or SCA-persona.

Duties – (If a Barony does not have a Baronial Seat, the Crown will choose a Regent until such time as a new Baronial Seat can be chosen.) Turn in a quarterly report to Kingdom. Attend all events held by the local group as able. Attend appropriate kingdom level events as able. Hold court regularly and hand out awards as appropriate. Support the local officers in their duties. Support the local Canton activities as able. Choose champions.

Duties specific to the Sacred Stone – Call business meetings (the Seneschal runs them, but the Baronial Seat calls them). Be part of the Financial Committee and the Emergency Financial Committee (the Exchequer runs these).

Nice to do – Attend demos, business meetings, A&S meetings, and fighter practices as able.


OPTIONAL OFFICES YOU MIGHT FIND IN THE BARONY ABOVE AND BEYOND THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED OFFICES FOUND IN CANTONS

Under Exchequer – Chamberlain

Under Herald – Scribal Coordinator, Medallion Coordinator, Entourage coordinator

Under the Baronial Seat – Order Principals


ADDITIONAL OFFICES EXIST AT THE KINGDOM AND SCA LEVELS BEYOND PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.

For example, the SCA is overseen by a Board of Directors and the Kingdom has the Crown office and an administrator of kingdom law. But these are beyond the scope of a newcomer class, so I won’t go into them here.

How to be an Event Minion

(Prepared for the July 9th 2016 Sacred Stone Baronial Unevent; taught at the 3/2/17 Newcomer meeting in Aire Faucon and 8/16/17 A&S meeting in Crois Brigte)

One) Where can I help? (Anywhere work needs to be done.)

  1. But I thought I had to volunteer in advance. (While it is nice to know we have staff to cover everything, we still need more help.)
  2. Or be a department head. (While we have department heads at events, we wouldn’t get far with minions helping the day-of.)

Two) How can I help best?

  1. Follow directions.
  2. Don’t be creative. The autocrat really isn’t up to changing things on the fly. (After Action)

Three) First things first – This is a suggested order. If the autocrat gives different orders, please follow them.

For outdoor events:

  • PARKING LOT MARKINGS if needed
  • TENTS/SHELTER FOR (1) Troll; (2) Chatelaine tent; (3) Hospitality/cooking tent; (4) MOL, chirugeon, and marshalling tents for heavy, rapier and archery; (5) A&S for classes, displays, and competitions; (6) Royals/Baronage; (7) Feast; (8) Other guests
  • WATER – Set up water stations
  • TABLES & CHAIRS – Add tables and chairs under all the tents
  • ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT – Set up hay bales for fighting for example.
  • (throughout the day, toting and helping with cooking)
  • (At end of day, reverse – but break down water last.)

For indoor events

  •             TABLES AND CHAIRS
  •             KITCHEN

Four) Last things –

  1. Take down things no longer needed, usually feast/cook are good break points.
  2. PICK UP ALL TRASH
  3. Sweep, mop, etc.

Five) Kitchen Drudge – Be ready to be dirty

  1. Follow Directions
  2. Help unload vehicles
  3. Stir to the bottom unless instructed otherwise
  4. Let the head cook know when you leave
  5. Dishes – constant throughout the day, during feast, and afterwards
  6. Clear tables and separate food as instructed
  7. Help load vehicles
  8. Bonus points – pack extra drying towels and your own set of knives & cutting board.

Six ) Royalty and Court

  1. Set up thrones and moving thrones for court
  2. Move a bunch of chairs before and after court
  3. Royal retainers – Make sure they drink; keep their hands free; protect their bathroom time.

Seven) A&S

  1. Judging
  2. Display guards
  3. Solars and Scriptoriums

Eight) Food service

  1. Lunch / Dayboard / Teas – Portion control, setting new things out, keeping food safe.
  2. Serving Feast – Drinks, soups, clearing dishes

Nine) Marshal activities –

  1. Waterbearing
  2. Line marshals
  3. MOL check-in
  4. Field herald

Class: Guilds, Colleges and Solars, oh my!

GUILDS, COLLEGES, AND SOLARS, oh, my

(Taught June 2, 2016 for the Aire Faucon Newcomer A&S Night)
(Taught October 21, 2017 for the War of the Wings newcomer track)

One) Structure Levels of Organizations in the SCA

  1. Canton
  2. Barony
  3. Regional
  4. Kingdom
  5. Knowne World

Two) Type of Art Organizations in the SCA – Unofficial / non-legal entities

  1. Guilds – Structured, usually with a guild head, regular meetings, and an advancement structure to encourage learning.
  2. Colleges – Some offices’ structures are highly guild related and support colleges. Some have an advancement structure and others do not. Example: Heralds, Scribes
  3. Orders – Awards given at the Barony or Kingdom level sometime include membership within a group. Examples: Order of the Phoenix Eye (Baronial Arts), Order of the Golden Dolphin (Kingdom Service)
    • Polling
    • Additional activities
  4. Solars / Workshops – Activities at events where people are welcomed to participate in an art activity and/or ask questions. Often someone will have extra for teaching.
  5. Circles – At events. Usually performance in nature, usually after nightfall. May or may not require attendees to participate.
  6. Online interest groups – Examples: Sacred Stone Scribes, Heralds email list, Pennsic Chorus
  7. Knowne World Symposiums and Academies – Herald and Scribal Symposium, Dance Symposium, Middle Eastern Drum and Dance Symposium, Academy of the Rapier, Costuming Symposium
    • Knowne World Fiber Arts Symposium – November 11-12 in Calontir (Iowa)

Three) Cantons of Aire Faucon (AF) & Charlesbury Crossing (CC) Guild-Like activities

  1. Practices – Fighter practice in CC at Freedom Park
  2. Scriptorium – Sometimes a member of AF and/or CC will host a scribal day at their house
  3. Leatherworking – AF has ongoing regular meetings on a leatherworking theme

Four) Barony of The Sacred Stone Guilds and Guild-Like Activities

  1. Sacred Stone’s Cook’s Guild – help cook events, welcomes all cooking types (herb, brew, research, kitchen, serving, etc)
  2. Sacred Stone’s Scribes
  3. Order of the Phoenix Eye – November – Runestone Collegium (even years); In a Phoenix Eye (odd years)
  4. Solar Fibers
  5. Sacred Stone Guards

Five) Kingdom of Atlantia – (touch on guild size and activity levels)

  1. Related to Offices of the Kingdom
  • University of Atlantia
  • Atlantian College of Scribes
  • Atlantian College of Heralds

2. Highly Active Kingdom Guilds

  • Atlantian Herbal Guild – The Herbal Guild is open to all: Topics used by Guild Members shall include but are not limited to: gardening, drying and preservation of plant materials, apothecary, medicinal, alchemy, bathing, cosmetics, culinary herbs, herb lore, midwifery, dying of fiber, creation of paints, and housewifery.
  • The Company of the Silver Spindle – The Atlantian Spinning Guild. See information below
  • Atlantian Brewers Guild

3. Other Guilds Chartered by Kingdom

  • L’Academie Atlantienne de la Danse – Dancing
  • The Atlantian Performers’ Guild
  • Arachne’s Web of Atlantia – Lacemakers
  • Atlantian Embroiderers’ Guild
  • St. Anne’s Guild of Clothiers
  • The Corsairium – Research, development and teaching of the nautical aspects of the SCA.
  • Plus lots more – Kingdom guild information can be found through the A&S office’s website. And for those not appearing there search on “Atlantian (fill-in-the-blank) guild”.

Six) Knowne World Guilds

  1. Chirugeon Guild – Broken up into Kingdom Chapters. Often will recognize Masters from other Chapters.
  2. College of Heralds – Broken up by Kingdom, but does have Knowne World heads.
  3. Academy of Defense

 

Class: What are Demos and How can I Help

DEMOS – What are Demos and How Can I Help?

(Taught April 7, 2016 for the Aire Faucon Newcomer A&S Night)

One) Why does the SCA do Demos?

SCA is a not-for-profit because we are a free educational group

(A&S and Chatelaine are the most important offices for maintaining this government designation – demos and classes are required!)

Two) What is a demo?

An activity primarily aimed at OUTSIDE the SCA population or has a high degree of interaction with non-SCAdians.

Three) Demo types

  1. Martial Centric
  2. Art Centric for special interest club (gaming, herbs, etc),
  3. Fundraiser (example dinner for church),
  4. Participating as a club in big days (Lincolnton),
  5. Children educational function – showing up at a school/library/scouts (day function or classroom only or camp),
  6. Support for medieval things – movie came out (Robin Hood), book (Harry Potter), orchestra, school play (Camelot)
  7. Event style (free event),
  8. Practices/meetings in public locations;
  9. Size variation: one person or group etc.,
  10. Purpose: membership raising or educational only,

Four) Types of people needed

  1. Topic centric people: Fighters (rapier & heavy), A&S
  2. General A&S display
  3. Hands-on activities (important for children activities) – A&S (calligraphy, spinning), throwing beanbags at a dragon, touching/wearing the armor
  4. Talkers – heralds/MCs describing the fighting; overseeing A&S table
  5. Warm Bodies – crowd control, setup/cleanup, answering questions, bringing water, and look like we are more than just our front men

Five) Linguistics

  1. Avoid specialized SCA Language – Club president rather than Seneschal, Treasurer for Exchequer, Modern for Mundane/Muggle
  2. Put Best Foot Forward – No “I was so drunk” stories; No “avoid this person, I hate them” directions; no cool games like “Pie the Peer” – Best behavior, best language. This is a “job interview” type environment; we are trying to get people to “hire on” with us or at least respect us enough to want to learn from us.

Six) Upcoming demos (as of April 2016 for Canton of Aire Faucon and local area)

  1. Gaming store (April 9th – our canton);
  2. Imaginon Library demo by Charlesbury Crossing (April 23 )
  3. ConCarolina’s Table & Demo (June 3-5 – http://www.concarolinas.org/)
  4. Flight of the Falcon (demo-like event August 20th);
  5. Weekly Fighter Practices at Charlesbury Crossing at Freedom Park;
  6. Monthly newcomer meeting at Books-a-million

Poem: The Pelican

The Pelican

Pelican is a lonely bird
Flocking not but in solitary
Challenged by the wild cry of order
To take chaos to wife for others joy

Flying in the crags of Kitchen
This noble bird hunts
Hidden in offices dear and deadly
Silent support for the frame of dreams

Autocrat, one in charge
Self on line with selflessness
Event, happening others notice
Controlled as raging river by one

Hunted by cruelty
Menace from backstabbing cowards and fools
Extinction held off only by love
Recognized alone

Feeding young
The children of the dream
With blood from breast
A heart often stabbed but open yet

Cry with the Pelican
Wild call of order
A King’s bird
Loyal in love and dreams.

 

by,

Lady Prudence the Curious

 

Written December 1995; Sent in to Ironmonger 1996 (do not know if published); Published September 2011 Phoenix, Barony of Sacred Stone

 

 A&S Competitions & Other Uses

2011 August – Sacred Stone/Aire Faucon – Poetry competition at The Flight of the Falcon – did not win

2011 August – Master Achbar asked for an e-mail and then he posted it to his facebook page for the Pelican area. A Pelican from another kingdom contacted me about performing the poem elsewhere.

2011 August – Performed at Performers Revel South in Salesbury Glen, Sacred Stone, Atlantia

Poem: Knightly Oath

Knightly Oath

My liege lord, I am your man
to do your will and protect your land.
On Royal Sword and Heavenly Word, both
I freely give this Knightly Oath.

By my gold chain of state
I will timely advise and not hesitate.
By the white belt about my waist
I swear to be pure, not base.
By the spurs upon my feet
I will propagate the arts in my keep.

By the crown upon your brow
I will govern the serfs under my plow.
By the throne where you sit
I will implement your just edicts.
By the sword which you hold
I will fight for Kingdom ’til I grow old.

By my honor and my life,
by my family, children, and wife,
by my Fathers, I do swear
to defend all for which we care.

This I say before God and man
by this Oath I shall stand
from now until time does end.
Amen

 

by,

Lady Prudence the Curious

Written pre-August 1992; Published August 1992 Ironmonger, Barony of Iron Bog