[Moo] FW: [Announcements] President's Report of the July, 2005 Quarterly meeting

[Lisa Mitchell]

  _____  

From: announcements-bounces at sca.org [mailto:announcements-bounces at sca.org]
On Behalf Of Linda Moore
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 6:16 PM
To: announcements at sca.org
Subject: [Announcements] President's Report of the July,2005 Quarterly
meeting

 


PRESIDENT'S REPORT OF THE THIRD QUARTER 2005 SCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING


Greetings: 

This is the President's report of the actions taken at the SCA, Inc.'s most
recent Board of Directors meeting, held July 16, 2005 in Boise, Idaho, in
the Kingdom of Artemisia.  This material may be freely distributed, and
those receiving it are strongly encouraged to share this information with
the general membership. Permission is hereby granted to reprint all, or
part, of this report in Kingdom, Principality, and local newsletters. It is
requested that the source of the information be identified as "from the
President's Report of the July 2005 Board meeting" and that, as far as
possible, exact quotes be used. Please note that this report is NOT the
official Minutes of the Board meeting. In case of any discrepancy between
this document and the approved Minutes, the Minutes are binding. Any
inaccuracies in reporting contained herein are my own. 

Subscriptions to the Board Minutes are available from the SCA, Inc. A
subscription includes this report in addition to the Minutes approved at the
meeting. Past approved Minutes are also available on the SCA web site
(http://www.sca.org/). 

The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on October 22, 2005, in
Syracuse, New York, in the Kingdom of Aethelmarc.  The deadline for
submission of agenda items is October 1, 2005. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Linda Moore   President, SCA Inc. 

 


Branch Status Changes


1.	The Board took note of the following new branches: 

Shire of Flynthyll (Burlington, IA), Kingdom of Calontir

Shire of Marcaster (Pinellas County, FL), Kingdom of Trimaris

Shire of Darkstone (Ashland, WI), Kingdom of Northshield

2.	The Board took note of the following routine changes in status: 

Shire of Vulcanfeldt (Yakima, WA), Kingdom of An Tir, is now a Barony.  

College of Caer Gelynniog (Scottsvlle, VA), Kingdom of Atlantia, is now a
Canton of the Barony of Caer Mear.

3.	The Board took note of the following branch dissolution: 

Canton of Dubh Thrian (Melbourne, Australia), Kingdom of Lochac, Barony of
Stormhold


Old Business


A.     Proposed revision to By-Laws VI.E.2 (Directors' Terms)


 

At the January 2005 quarterly meeting, the Board of Directors voted to ask
the membership for commentary on changing By-Laws VI.E.2., as follows, in
order to match current practice.  

 

"Directors' terms shall be staggered so that one term ends each six months.
Under ordinary circumstances, Directors shall serve fourteen quarters."  

 

After reviewing the commentary received, the Directors approved this change,
effective immediately.  

 

B               Proposed Revision to Corpora IX.A.6. (Minor Fighter
Authorization)

 

Corpora IX.A.6. currently reads:


"Prior to the authorization of a minor in any Society combat-related
activity, the parent or guardian of the minor must witness the activity,
discuss it with a witnessing marshal, and execute a Waiver, indemnity, or
other required document for the minor. The witnessing marshal must be
explicitly authorized to perform this function by the Earl Marshal of the
kingdom. The marshal who authorizes a minor person for any form of Society
combat-related activity must be the Kingdom Earl Marshal or the Principality
Marshal. This need not be the same person as the witnessing marshal."


This passage is at best confusing, and at worst contradictory. It appears to
require that the Kingdom Earl Marshal be the only person who can authorize
minor fighters. This is often impractical, and disagrees with the standards
set forth in the Marshal's Handbook. Therefore, the following change was
proposed at the January 2005 quarterly meeting and sent to the membership
for commentary:


"Prior to the authorization of a minor in any Society combat-related
activity, the parent or guardian of the minor must witness the activity,
discuss it with a witnessing marshal, and execute a Waiver, indemnity, or
other required document for the minor. The witnessing marshal must be
explicitly authorized to perform this function by the Earl Marshal of the
kingdom. The marshal who authorizes a minor person for any form of Society
combat-related activity must be the Kingdom Earl Marshal or the Principality
Marshal OR A DESIGNATED DEPUTY. This need not be the same person as the
witnessing marshal."


This change was approved by the Directors, to be effective 60 days from the
notification of the Kingdom Seneschals.


 

C.        Proposed Revision to Corpora IX.A.5 (Youth Combat)

 

Corpora IX.A.5 currently reads in part:

 

"No person who has not attained his or her sixteenth (16th) birthday may be
authorized in armored combat or the marshaling of armored combat. No person
who has not attained his or her fourteenth (14th) birthday may be authorized
for any form of Society combat-related activity."

 

The Society Seneschal had recommended this be addressed with a change that
was sent to the membership for comment previously.  After conversation, the
directors rewrote the suggested change to:

 

 "In order to be authorized as a combatant or marshal in adult armored
combat, an individual must have attained his or her sixteenth (16th)
birthday. In order to be authorized as a participant, combatant, or marshal
in any other form of Society combat-related activity, except Youth Combat,
an individual must have attained his or her fourteenth (14th) birthday."

 

Because of the substantive difference in the recommended change, Chairman
Williams ordered this item put back before the membership for comment.
Commentary shall be due by October 1, 2005.


New Business


A         Proposed Change to Corpora VIII.D.1 (Personal Awards/Titles)

 

Joseph Radding (Duke Eliahu ben Itzhak) presented a proposal to the Board
requesting a change in the rules governing titles implying landedness. The
proposed change would allow those of Baronial, Viscounty, County or Ducal
rank to style themselves as the Baron/Viscount/Countess/Duchess <registered
household name>. 

 

The Directors were interested in pursuing the idea further, so Chairman
Williams directed the Laurel Queen of Arms and the College of Arms to pursue
research into the feasibility of this proposal. 


Officers' Reports


Action items and policy decisions (note: officers not mentioned here had no
action items or policy decisions to present for Board review):

President 

The out-going president had no action items or policy decisions; however, it
should be noted that this was the last meeting for Megan Baron.  The Board
thanked her for her years of service. 

Society Seneschal 

The Society Seneschal was asked for clarification regarding when event staff
should summon modern authorities in the course of an event.  While the below
policy was included as part of the Seneschal's Handbook revision which is
upcoming, the handbook revision is not yet complete, so this policy was
presented on its own. 

 

4.   Modern-Era Laws and Rules

a.         When a person presents themselves as the victim of a crime to
event staff or the supervising seneschal, they should be encouraged to go
straight to the modern authorities.  If the reporting party refuses to
summon the authorities, the incident will be noted and no further action
will be taken.

 b.        When a person is brought in to event staff with wounds that
appear to be the result of a violent felony, the event staff will summon the
authorities at once, and not question the alleged victim beyond determining
that the wounds did not occur as a result of a mishap.

c.         When crimes involving minors are made apparent either by the
minor presenting themselves for assistance, or being found incapacitated in
some way, the event staff should effect aid via on-site medical staff and/or
911, pull the medical waiver if such applies, and locate the
parent/guardian.  If the minor appears to have been the victim of a violent
crime, the authorities must be summoned.

d.         SCA staff will not put themselves in the position of
investigating criminal acts, nor interviewing alleged victims.  Even if
modern authorities assume control and responsibility for the matter, this
does not preclude the SCA from taking other measures as prove appropriate.

e.         It is the policy of the Society Seneschal that the SCA, Inc. is
not an administrating body for modern-era court orders, and as such
seneschals and autocrats will refer participants to modern-era authorities
for the enforcement of same.

 

The Board approved this policy.

 

The Society Seneschal also presented a policy to minimize space usage in
Kingdom newsletters, by allowing Kingdom Seneschals to be able to minimize
space usage in Kingdom newsletters by publishing the entirety of their
office policy handbooks on their Kingdom web site and to make them available
in hardcopy on request to the membership, rather than take up half of the
Kingdom newsletter with publications. 

 

The Board decided to take no action at this time, but consider this change
as part of the Society Seneschal's handbook revision.

Treasurer 

The Kingdom of the West submitted a Non-Member Surcharge Variance Request
for the Barony of the Far West and its branches to this office on March 22,
2005. This Barony contains the lands of Japan (multiple islands), Korea,
Guam and Tinian. They have similar currency and banking problems to the
banking problems encountered in the Kingdom of Drachenwald. The Treasurer
granted this variance. However, the Board returned it for more information
at the April 2005 quarterly meeting.  The Treasurer answered the Board's
questions regarding this variance and resubmitted it, and it was approved
this quarter.

The Treasurer also asked that the Board begin the search for his successor.
A call for applications will go out, with a deadline of October 1, 2005.

Society Exchequer 

The Board approved financial policies presented by the Society Exchequer for
the Kingdoms of Caid and Ealdormere.  The financial policy of the Kingdom of
An Tir was returned for further work. 

Society Marshal 

The Society Marshal presented the following definition of "Adult Armored
Combat", to be placed in the Marshal's Handbook under Section I. Combat
Authorization Requirements, A. General, as Item 1. Subsequent items should
be renumbered accordingly. 

For purposes of this definition only, "adult" is defined to mean anyone aged
16 or older as allowed specifically by Corpora and Kingdoms for the purpose
of SCA armored combat.

 

Armored Combat: A full contact, non-choreographed re-creation of medieval
foot combat utilizing clothing, protective armor, and simulated weapons
constructed in accordance with SCA standards, with the overall goal of
recreating the appearance and methods of combat from the historical period
covered by the SCA. For purposes of this definition, all combatants are held
to be equipped in the same manner, defined as that of approximately 1100 AD:
a knee-length mail hauberk, one-piece helm with nasal, and boiled leather
defenses for the lower arms and legs. Weapons and armor are constructed from
approved materials as defined by the Society Marshal. Adult Armored Combat
as defined above does not include light contact martial forms, such as
Rapier and Youth Combat. Adult Armored Combat includes all Combat Archery
and Siege weaponry used in melees or for war.

 

The Board accepted this definition of "Adult Armored Combat."

 

The Society Marshal presented the following definition of the roles and
missions for Youth Combat, to be placed in the Marshal's Handbook under
Section I. Combat Authorization Requirements, A. General, as Item 2.
Subsequent items should be renumbered accordingly.

 

Youth Combat is a program designed for minors ages 6-17. These programs
require armor, require certain weapon construction techniques and materials,
train young fighters in proper etiquette, the concepts of Chivalry, Honor
and Courtesy, teach teamwork and good sportsmanship, as well as effective
fighting arts, in a definitely competitive environment that parallels Adult
Armored Combat. It employs Marshals, authorizations and strict controls. The
Marshallate is responsible for Youth Combat, and each Kingdom is allowed to
develop and run its own program.

 

The Board accepted this definition of the roles and missions for Youth
Combat, and thanked the Society Marshal for his hard work in providing these
definitions.

 

Society Minister of Arts and Sciences

 

The Society Minister of Arts and Sciences presented a "Proposal for the
Study and Education of Historical Combat Techniques within the SCA."  He
asked that it be housed on the www.sca.org <http://www.sca.org/>  web site
as part of the Society Arts and Sciences page if approved.

 

The Board approved this proposal.

 

Laurel Sovereign of Arms

 

Laurel presented a minor policy change, to wit: she is no longer offering
yearly subscriptions to the LoAR, as this has been very little utilized
(only three at the present time.)  These will be allowed to expire.
Instead, Master Symond will be offering for sale copies of individual LoARs,
available for $3.00 US per month.  The Laurel web site and cover letter
information have been changed to reflect this.

 

The Board agreed that this was within the purview of Laurel Sovereign of
Arms. 

 

Chief Technology Officer

 

The Chief Technology Officer requested funding for business-continuity
support, including the needed systems to support remote backup of critical
information from the sca.org server. 

 

The Board directed the CTO to proceed with his plan, as funding was
available as originally provided for in the 2005 budget.

 

The CTO asked if it is within his purview to create policies for data
formats of official documents being published on SCA-owned web sites.

 

The Board said it was within the purview of his office, and directed him to
develop the policy and return it to the Board.

Grand Council 

The Grand Council presented analysis of the membership survey from 2004, and
is working on suggested topics for the Board's long-range planning efforts.

Legal Committee 

In the Second Quarter of 2005, the Legal Committee reviewed the Personal
Information Protection Act ("PIPA") of British Columbia and similar laws
enacted in Canada, to determine whether the forms and documents used by the
SCA in Canada comply with those laws.  PIPA applies to organizations that
operate in British Columbia that collect the personal information of its
members, employees, clients or customers, and it provides disclosure and
privacy policy requirements for those organizations.  PIPA applies to the
SCA in that certain personal information is collected from applicants on SCA
membership applications.  The Committee noted that the SCA's use of such
personal information is strictly administrative in nature, and recommended a
specific privacy statement to the Board.  

 

The bulk of the Committee's discussions, however, were on issues related to
the chirurgeonate.  The Committee recommends an in-depth review of the SCA,
Inc.'s relationship to the chirurgeonate to identify potential litigious
problems and situations and apply appropriate remedial policies to protect
the Corporation.  

 

Finally, the Committee noted that the age of majority in the United States
is not necessarily 18; the Committee found one state in particular where a
person is considered to be a minor until he or she turns 19.  If and how
this affects the SCA is being considered.


Executive Session


Kingdom of the Outlands Request for Sanction of Previous Crown

 

By consensus, Chairman Williams directed the Society Seneschal to begin an
investigation into possible violations of Outlands Kingdom traditions and
customs by Ibrahim and Ileana as Sovereign and Consort of the Outlands,
pursuant to the request of Hoegaarden and Chiara, King and Queen of the
Outlands.

 

Chairman Williams further directed that the minutes reflect that the Board
recognizes the challenging position of Their Majesties Hoegaarden and Chiara
in this matter, and commends Their actions in bringing it forward.

 

Society Marshal Applications

 

Motion by Tom Hughes to appoint Kevin Roderick (Hrothgar Monomakh) to the
position of Society Marshal for the standard three-year term, subject to the
standard six-month probationary period, effective at the conclusion of the
October 2005 quarterly meeting. Seconded by Jeff Brown. In favor: Jeff
Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood.
Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

Revocation and Denial of Membership - Kevin Aspinall

 

Motion by Lis Schraer to revoke and deny the membership of Kevin Aspinall
(Ian of Silverlake), of the Kingdom of the West, effective immediately.
Seconded by Dena Cady.  In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn
Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

Banishment from the Realm - Gregory D. Capello

 

Motion by Gabrielle Underwood to uphold the banishment from the realm of
Gregory D. Capello (Ulfr Imason) imposed by Brannos and Rebekah, King and
Queen of the Midrealm, on March 18, 2005. Seconded by Shawn Reed. In favor:
Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle
Underwood. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

 

Motion by Gabrielle Underwood to uphold the banishment from the realm of
Gregory D. Capello (Ulfr Imason) imposed by Alaric and Noelle, King and
Queen of the Midrealm, on April 16, 2005. Seconded by Lis Schraer. In favor:
Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle
Underwood. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

 

Absolute Banishment - Steven Cowley

 

Motion by Shawn Reed to uphold the absolute banishment of Steven Cowley
(Steffan the Close) imposed by Phelan and Mariana, King and Queen of
Atenveldt, on April 17, 2005, and to direct the Society Seneschal to begin
an investigation into a possible revocation and denial of membership.
Seconded by Tom Hughes. In favor: Jeff Brown, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis
Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed: none. Recused: Dena Cady. Motion
carried.

 

Motion by Lis Schraer to uphold the absolute banishment of Steven Cowley
(Steffan the Close) imposed by Eduard and Asa, King and Queen of Atenveldt,
on May 7, 2005. Further, that Mr. Cowley henceforth be prohibited from
holding office in the SCA. Seconded by Gabrielle Underwood. In favor: Jeff
Brown, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed:
none. Recused: Dena Cady. Motion carried.

 

Exile from the Realm - Stan Harmon

 

Motion by Gabrielle Underwood to uphold the exile from the realm of Stan
Harmon (Galen Storm) imposed by Robert and Denise, King and Queen of
Atlantia, on May 7, 2005, and that the Society Seneschal be directed to
begin an investigation into a possible revocation and denial of membership.
Seconded by Tom Hughes. In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn
Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

 

Absolute Banishment - Robert Bower

 

Motion by Lis Schraer to uphold the absolute banishment of Robert Bower
(Richard of Wolfscairn) imposed by Direk and Chamayn, King and Queen of
Caid, on April 9, 2005, and to direct the Society Seneschal to begin an
investigation into a possible revocation and denial of membership. Seconded
by Dena Cady. In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis
Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

 

Banishment from the Realm - David George

 

Motion by Lis Schraer to uphold the banishment from the realm of David
George (Daoud Barbarossa ed Din) imposed by Skeggi and Taisiia, King and
Queen of An Tir, on April 3, 2005. Seconded by Jeff Brown. In favor: Jeff
Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood.
Opposed: none. Motion carried.

 

Revocation and Denial of Membership - Doug Heyns

 

By consensus, Chairman Williams ordered this item remanded to the October
2005 quarterly meeting.

 

Revocation and Denial of Membership - Bruce Parker

 

By consensus, Chairman Williams ordered this item remanded to the October
2005 quarterly meeting.

 

Letitia Wilde Investigation Report

 

Motion by Dena Cady to revoke the Peerage of Letitia Wilde (Richenza von
Augsburg). Seconded by Tom Hughes. In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena Cady, Tom
Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed: none.
Chairman Williams exercised his option to vote and did so in favor of the
motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Motion by Dena Cady to restrict Letitia Wilde (Richenza von Augsburg) from
holding office, fighting or being fought for in Crown or Coronet
Tournaments, or participating in martial activities for a period of three
years, effective July 16, 2005. Seconded by Jeff Brown. In favor: Jeff
Brown, Dena Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood.
Opposed: none. Motion carried. 

 

By consensus, Chairman Williams commended the Order of Chivalry of the West
for making the difficult decision to bring this matter forward.

 

By consensus, Chairman Williams commended AJ Riviezzo for his very thorough
and enlightening report on his investigation of this matter.

 

David George Appeal

 

Motion by Lis Schraer to deny the appeal of David George (Daoud Barbarossa
ed Din) of the banishment imposed by Skeggi and Taisiia, King and Queen of
An Tir, on April 3, 2005. Seconded by Jeff Brown. In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena
Cady, Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Gabrielle Underwood. Opposed:
none. Chairman Williams exercised his option to vote and did so in favor of
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs Report - Carol O'Leary

 

The Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs presented a report to the
Directors. As this is her last meeting, she requested that the following be
read into the minutes:

 

I commend everyone who serves, or who has ever served, or ever will serve
the SCA or any of its affiliates as an officer at any level for their
efforts, their sacrifices, and their intent to make the world, and
especially our little piece of it, a better, more honorable place. I
especially commend Renee Signorotti and her office staff, who don't even
play our game but work hard on its behalf.

 

In 1974, the SCA changed my life. In 2004, the SCA and the people in it gave
me a reason to continue living, as well as a reason to care whether I did or
not. Thank you all for that - for your faith and trust in me, and for the
opportunity to serve the organization that has meant so very much to me and
my family - that indeed has BECOME my family - for such a long time. Should
there ever again be a task for which I am suited, I hope you and your
successors will always know that I am ready, like Arthur, to return at need.


 

Revocation and Denial of Membership - Mark Benton

 

This item was dealt with at the June 2005 conference call meeting.

 

Selection of New Director

 

Motion by Tom Hughes to elect Heather English (Theiadora Groves), of the
Kingdom of the West, to seat A on the Board of Directors effective at the
close of the October 2005 quarterly meeting, subject to the standard
probationary period. Seconded by Dena Cady. In favor: Jeff Brown, Dena Cady,
Tom Hughes, Shawn Reed, Lis Schraer, Jason Williams.  Opposed: none.  Motion
carried unanimously.


Personnel Changes


Linda Moore noted that this was the last meeting for Carol O'Leary.  She was
commended for her long and valued service and presented with a farewell gift
of an engraved box containing gifts represented her varied interests in the
SCA.   Ms. O'Leary thanked the members for the gift.

 

Jason Williams acknowledged this as the last meeting for Meg Baron.  She was
commended for her long years of service, and presented with a handmade
peerage medallion especially for her.  Ms. Baron stated that it was an honor
to serve.  Jason Williams then handed her the Chairman's gavel and allowed
her to chair the final adjournment.

 


Quarterly Meeting Schedule


The Fourth Quarter 2005 meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2005, in
Syracuse, New York (Kingdom of Aethelmearc).

The First Quarter 2006 meeting will be held January 21, 2006, in Atlanta,
Georgia (Kingdom of Meridies.) 

The Second Quarter 2006 meeting will be held April 22, 2006, in
Indianapolis, Indiana (Kingdom of the Middle.)

The Third Quarter 2006 meeting will be held July 17, 2006.  The tentative
location is the Kingdom of Atlantia.

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