4 December 2024, Time: 7:31 PM EST

Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.

Magister Lorenzo called the December meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers’ Reports

Seneschal, (Lady Raven Helmsplitter) 

• Schedule for this month:
  • 12/4 – Business Meeting (Zoom)
    • No other meetings in person this month because of the holidays
• Events for 2025
  • Midwinter A&S 
  • Red Tower
  • Castle Wars
    • Looking to use Bert Adams more often an event site in the future
  • Potential RUM bid

Herald (Magister Lorenzo Petrucci)     

• Working on getting the baronial awards registered
• If you see someone who you think needs an award, write them in!
• Thanks to Sumarlidi for heralding in court at Castle Wars!

Knight Marshal (Baroness Maighread Wilson)

• Potential Deputies:  (no objections by Barony & will work on getting them Warranted)
  • Ajax (Eirikr’s squire sibling) – does not have a vehicle and cannot store loaner gear
• Kicked back by DEMHC for lack of recent fighting experience.  Will follow up with DEMHC on developing a Marshal Training Program for Heavy Combat.
• Update:  Did Marshal training with Ajax at Red Tower (inspections, how to run an authorization, how to marshal the field, etc).  Will continue to work with them on getting Warranted.
• Castle Wars:  Trained two new HC Marshals, Craig MacDuff & Stuart Rymer
• Event report in progress – due today
• Changes will be coming to reporting structure per SEM/KEM in January 2025
• Upcoming practice considerations:
  • 12/8/2024 – Practice w/Duke Bryce as stunt marshal 
  • 12/15/2024 – Practice as weather permits
  • 12/22/2024 – Practice as weather permits
  • 12/29/2024 – Practice as weather permits

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

1. Practices have been happening.  As always, thank you to our crew of Stunt Marshals, keeping practices going while I’m gallavanting around the country doing Mundane work stuff.
2. Just to put this in the minutes; it has very little relevance to anyone who isn’t a marshal. Quick admin note:  A new Meridies Marshal’s Rulebook (starting 1 December 2024) went into effect on 12/1.  Whether anyone realized it or not, this book includes material that applies to ALL marshals, including rapier.  So, my droogies, get a look at it.  Among other things, there are changes to the authorization procedures, and some new reporting guidelines.  Some things are now easier, some slightly stupider.  Wait a couple of months, and those reporting guidelines will change again (so the KEM tells me).   Hooray bureaucracy!
3. Castle Wars included meleé games which helped the Captain-General of the Meridian Rapier Army choose her regional commanders.  If I’m not mistaken, Captain Ogata Mitsuko was chosen as commander for the Middle Watch?  Yes?
4. Friday evening tournament at Castle Wars was dubbed “South Downs Sunday Rapier Practice Roadshow,” and was won by Ld. Valdemar Varg. The 3-way tie for second place was a fun twist, requiring more fights, and eventually a 3-way meleé.  Many thanks to Mistress Wuennomon for keeping track of the lists.
5. HYDRATE!

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• Live Weapons practice had 8 people at practice last month
• Working with Mistress Peryn to figure out Dec. practice date
  • Suggested Sat.Dec. 28th, waiting to hear back confirmation.
• Castle Wars had 41 people signed in on the range for both archery and thrown weapons
  • Shoutout to Nathri and Katya from Bryn Madoc for their help with setup on the throwing weapons range
  • Their Majesties held their weapons champion tourneys at Castle Wars
  • 9 People registered royal rounds at CW
• Looking for a deputy, especially for helping running the range at events since newcomers do love coming to check out the range. Need help inspections, signing in people, calling the range, recording royal rounds, etc.

Exchequer (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri) 

• $13261.38  in the bank
• Storage cost has increased this month
• Annual Budget
  • Pre-approvals for expected expenses for the upcoming year, these are not event expenses, but expenses related to the offices
  • PDF is available for anyone who wants to review it, please contact Justina or Salim if you have any questions or want a copy of the budget
  • If you are an officer and you have requests for budget updates for next year, please contact her or Salim
  • Will need to buy some new archery butts, but will not need to add to the annual budget
  • Motion to vote to approve budget for 2025
    • Vote passed, budget approved for 2025
  • This is the last business meeting for Justina as the Exchequer, Salim will be taking over after Justina.

Fundraising Deputy (THL Majda Anwar) 

• Nothing reported

Quartermaster (Lady Genovefa and THL Samurra) 

• Was not present for things getting checked back into the storage unit after CW
• Baronial pavilion is not back in because it was still damp, but it is accounted for
• Planning on doing an updated inventory and clean up in the next few weeks
• Need to connect with someone who has a key since we only have one and we need two since we have two quartermasters

Chatelaine (Baron Mark de Wytteney)

• Nothing reported

Demo Deputy (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam al-Jawhariyya)

• Not much to report for this month

Provost (Lord Ælfric Hort)

• I do not have much to report for this month.  No Class Night for November or December due to Holiday scheduling.  There were a bunch of great classes at Castle Wars, but I will let Sumarliði cover those in more detail.
• We need volunteers to teach classes for January and February class nights.  We should know relatively soon whether those will be in person or online.  Also I will be putting out the call for teachers for Midwinter A&S as soon as I have touched base with the Event Stewards and gotten a plan for that put together – be on the look out.
• CW – Sumarliði
  • 5 classes at Castle Wars
    • People enjoyed the classes
    • Paperwork should have been provided to RUM chancellor to put into the RUM database, shout out to Dorian for helping wrangle the paperwork
    • Sumarliði will be taking over as Provost in Feb. after Midwinter

Chronicler (Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong)

• Looking for a deputy!
• Will get yearly report in to Kingdom soon.
• Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
• Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.

Social Media Minister  (Baroness Emelina le Norreys) 

• Nothing to report.
• Will need to meet up with THL Agnes to complete the office change

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer (DEIB), (Lady Lily of South Downs)

• Disappointed that I missed Castle Wars this year!
• Not much to report for this month, no meetings for Nov/Dec due to holidays and Castle Wars
• Will be picking up again in Jan.

Webminister (Acharya Mewadi Margavati Bai)

• Working on website update/refresh
• When you put in a bid, please give me the information before you start the flyer so the information can go up on the website.
• Think about what information a newcomer would need to know on the website so we can better inform people about our events. (ie, what kind of foods will be there, general things they might need, etc)
• Have access to event email groups that we can use to get information out
• Please send info or any changes that you need on the website to web.southdowns@meridies.org.

Minister of Children (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Their Excellencies, (Maestro Ximon Cordoba de Martillo & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Baron Ximon
  • Thank you to all that helped with Castle Wars, giant shout out to Genovefa!
• Baroness Rhiannon
  • Thank you to everyone who helped out for Castle Wars, only thing that came up was to put out more information about the pods at Bert Adams if we use this site again

SCA Business

• Castle Wars Post-mortem
  • Salim
    • Took notes on what to do differently, things that well and what didn’t
    • Working with autocrat for Fools War to help them run the event better in the future
    • Things to work on:
      • Communication via FB or websites to make sure that information gets put out there
        • Merchants, department heads, just getting general info out there
      • Troll location was good this year, just maybe more space
      • Portapotties would be good for this site
      • Pods were a success, but hopefully we will be able to get more information out about the pods for people for future events
      • Making sure we have a designated set-up and break down crew to make sure things get run smoothly
    • Going to write a standard operating procedure for Castle Wars and using that site in order to make things smoother in the future.
    • Raven will be the liaison for that site going forward, so please make sure that you contact her if you want to use that site.
    • Please send Salim receipts in order to get reimbursed for any event expenses
  • Sumarliði
    • Should make sure that we tell people that the cots in the pods will need extra padding for comfort

• Brendan
  • Encourage people to get your whole group together to discuss where to put activities since the site is sprawling
• Justina
  • Should onesie party becoming official party at Castle Wars that we hold every year, volunteering to host it for 2025

• Midwinter A&S – Feb. 1st 2025
  • Master Mathias – autocrat presenting a bid
    • Proposed theme – Performing Arts focused
      • Hoping for lots of opportunities for people to entertain and be entertained
      • Hoping that the event will be focused on this particular theme
    • Site – McDonough – Church
      • Event is not free, we should make sure that it’s clean before Sunday service
      • Site has kitchen so we could do fundraiser lunch or food at this site
      • Site does have elevator access
    • Motion made to vote to approve proposed budget
      • Vote passes, bid is approved
    • Information will be passed along to Margavati to get information made for the flyer in order to get the information on the website.
      • Will send the flyer to the Kingdom calendar deputy as well
• Red Tower Quiet Space post-mortem
  • Thanks to everyone who helped keep the space quiet and heat-safe!
    • Thanks for Justina and Brendan for their help
  • Would like to set better expectations for events going forward about popups/ saving space or room for it
  • Will make signage for the space going forward to make sure that people know that the space and bottles of water/etc are available for people to use and take as needed.
  • If you are interested in helping with DEIB classes or resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Lady Lily to contribute or help out!
• Justina will seek clarification on teacher gift expenses for event bid budgets going forward

Non-SCA Business

• None reported

The business meeting was closed @ 9:54 PM EST

The next business meeting will be held on January 8th, 2025, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.

4 September 2024, Time: 7:37 PM EST

Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.

Magister Lorenzo called the July meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers’ Reports

Seneschal, (Lady Raven Helmsplitter) 

• Schedule for this month:
  • 9/4 – Business Meeting (Zoom)
  • 9/11 – Project Night (Zoom)
  • 9/18 – DEIB Class (In-person)
  • 9/25 – Red Tower prep! (In-person)
• Thank you to all that submitted nominations for the Swift’s Heart
  • Will work on ballots to send out this week to people to submitted nominations and anyone who requests one
    • Email at sen.southdowns@meridies.org to request a ballot
    • Voting will be ranked vote with awards given at our events
• Midwinter 2025 – Scheduled for Feb. 1, 2025
  • Please let us know if you’d like to submit a bid or know of a site that you’d like to use

Herald (Magister Lorenzo Petrucci)     

• No new submissions through Lorenzo, but there are some submissions that are in the works
• Awards
  • Pennsic
    • Eiríkr Pálsson – Court Barony

Knight Marshal (Baroness Maighread Wilson)

• Just took over from Baron Eiríkr
• Will have loaner gear sometime this weekend
• Have two potential deputies
• Practices
  • 9/8 – Practice
  • 9/15 – Practice
  • 9/22 – out of town, may not have practice unless someone covers as marshal
  • 9/29 – MGT weekend, no practice

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

1. Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting.  Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice).  Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord.  Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance.  Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
2. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Baroness Mairghread.  If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will be lost in the chatter.
3. Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening.  My continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Baroness Mairghread.  BTW, special shout-out to Cpt. Pietro, newly warranted.
4. Thanks to Baroness Mairghread, I’m now re-warranted as a youth rapier marshal.  We do not currently have a youth rapier program per sé, but if there is interest, we can begin.
5. Thanks to Lady Sara, completed her Marshal’s warranting requirements, and will soon be on the team of Stunt Marshals so that practice can happen even if I’m not available.
6. HYDRATE!

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• Nothing reported

Exchequer (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri) 

• $5112.20 in the bank
• Please remember to save your receipts for event expenses and fill out check request forms for events and purchases
• PO Box is expiring at the end of September, can sign up again if we need to since it’s in the budget should Lord Salim need it.
• Started autopay for storage unit to help prevent checks getting lost in the mail

Fundraising Deputy (THL Majda Anwar) 

• Nothing reported

Quartermaster (Lady Genovefa and Lady Samurra) 

• Brand new quartermasters as of this week, thank you for stepping into the position!

Chatelaine (Baron Mark de Wytteney)

• Nothing to report
• Looking for deputy for Chatelaine and Demo Deputy
• Ogata is temporary Gold Key deputy

Demo Deputy (VACANT)

• Nothing reported

Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam al-Jawhariyya)

• Not much to report for this month, working on competitions for Red Tower
  • A&S competitions for fiber arts, scribal, bardic competition
• Need a deputy, if you’re interested, please let me know!

Provost (Lord Ælfric Hort)

• We had 6 people in attendance this past month for Lady Genovefa’s class on Pickles in Period.
• We will not have an A&S Class for the Barony this month.  Our usual Class Night – 9/25 – is being set aside for last minute in person Red Tower prep.
• Currently, the class schedule for the remainder of 2024 is complete.  As we get closer to the end of the calendar year, we will be looking for teachers for 2025.  If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliði.  
• Teacher sign-up for Red Tower has already gone live.  As of the drafting of this report, we currently have 3 signups – 2 classes and a Fiber Arts Salon.  We will be accepting sign-ups until Sept. 20.  
• Also please begin thinking about classes you would like to teach for Castle Wars and Midwinter A&S.

Chronicler (Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong)

• Been Chronicler for a year now, looking for a deputy!
• Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
• Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.

Social Media Minister  (THLady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing to report.
• Baroness Emelina will be stepping up as THLady Agnes steps down.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer (DEIB), (Lady Lily of South Downs)

• Last month’s class was Sobriety in the Society from Valentine Blake
  • Great class that was canceled at RUM but was taught online for DEIB night. Thank you!
• Sept. 18 – in person DEIB class
  • Baroness Rhonwyn teaching a hands-on paint by numbers class focusing on Extra European illumination.

Webminister (Acharya Mewadi Margavati Bai)

• I have done some things behind the scenes this month (or last month, rather). Thanks to all who submitted updates to their Dramatis Personae entries for our website. Those have now been updated! Thank you Pietro, who helped me fix an incorrect email address on our site, which was preventing people from sending in requests to have awards info added. I have also added the list of Swift’s Heart awardees to the site, in light of the nomination and voting before Red Tower.
• Speaking of Red Tower, the site is live! All the information should be current, and I am updating things as I get new information. The PayPal link is not up yet but will once Bam receives it and sends it my way. If you are a department head for the event and have something specific you need to post, please let me know via email at web.southdowns@meridies.org.
• I am in the process of completing my quarterly report. If you have any questions or need any support before I send it in, please let me know in the next week or so, since I believe the report is due fairly soon.

Minister of Children (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Their Excellencies, (Maestro Ximon Cordoba de Martillo & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Baron Ximon
  • Moment of silence for the couple of people who passed away today from the school shooting in Winder.
  • Thank you to everyone who’s been working on getting things together for the Swift’s Heart award.
• Baroness Rhiannon
  • RT 50 planning
    • Working on getting one link to share for the website for RT 50 and for future events
    • Getting some favors sewn together and stamped, getting things together to help celebrate the Red Ravens at RT

SCA Business

• Red Tower 50
  • RT pre-reg is up and running

• Castle Wars
  • Bid by Salim and Maire
  • Looking to use Bert Adams as the site
  • Theme – Olympic Games
  • Adjustments to the bid for field supplies
  • Discussion on pricing the event for pre-reg/at the gate

Non-SCA Business

• None reported

The business meeting was closed @ 9:10 PM EST

The next business meeting will be held on October 2nd, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.

3 July 2024, Time: 7:34 PM EST

Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.

Magister Lorenzo called the July meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers’ Reports

Seneschal, (Lady Raven Helmsplitter) 

• Schedule for this month:
  • 7/3 – Business Meeting (Zoom)
  • 7/10 – Project Night (Zoom)
  • 7/17 – DEIB (In-Person)
  • 7/24 – Linguistic Overview of “William and the Werewolf” with Lady Sara Wandrownyczka (Zoom)
  • 7/31 – Social Potluck (In-person) and Red Tower Bid voting
• Meeting schedule has been confirmed for the rest of the year
• Thanks to the Baronial officers for sending quarterly reports to Kingdom
  • Officers, please send me an email with when you stepped up to your office and if you have a deputy or not
• Swift’s Heart nominations are now open, the google form will be posted. Please submit your nominations by the end of  July.
  • Ranked voting will take place in August, award to be given out at South Downs events.

Herald (Magister Lorenzo Petrucci)     

• Awards
  • Giant’s Dance
    • Lady Sara Wandrownyczka – Poet Laureate

Knight Marshal (Lord Eiríkr Pálsson)

• It is hot out, please drink plenty of water before and during practice to make sure that you’re hydrated for practice.
• Schedule for loaner gear
  • July 7th – Will not have loaner gear
  • July 14th – Loaner gear available
  • July 21, 2024 – Regional Practice after RUM
  • July 28 – Loaner gear available
  • Lord Eirikr will be at Pennsic at the two weeks after, Baroness Mairghread will be here for practices

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

1. Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting.  Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice).  Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord.  Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance.  Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
2. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr.  If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will be lost in the chatter.
3. Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening.  My continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, Baroness Mairghread.
4. Thanks also to those who are fighting the never-ending administrative battle to obtain their rapier marshal’s warrant.  I look forward to adding you to the Stunt Marshal crew so that practices may proceed unabated.
5. This coming weekend is the Shire of Arenal’s 1559:  Dios de los Muertos.  The Meridian Order of the Blade will be hosting the annual MOB Open Tournament at this event.  It’s “open” to any authorized rapier fighter from any kingdom except those with Grant- or Peerage-level rapier awards.
6. HYDRATE!

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• We will be having Live Weapons activities at the regional practice after RUM. Nothing outstanding to report.

Exchequer (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri) 

• We have $3,971.86 in our account. 
• July storage has been paid
• Switching signatories is moving along, should have them switched by the end of the month to include Baron Ximon and Lord Salim.

Fundraising Deputy (THL Majda Anwar) 

• Nothing reported

Quartermaster (Maestra Isabetta de San Marco) 

• RUM coming up, contact me with when you need to stop by to get stuff for the event.
• Stepping down at the end of the month, if you are interested in taking over, please contact me by the end of the month or contact the Seneschal or Baronage.

Chatelaine (Capt. Ogata Mitsuko)

• Nothing to report
• Looking for deputy for Chatelaine and Demo Deputy

Demo Deputy (VACANT)

• Nothing reported

Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)

• Not much to report for this month except of course RUM. We have an excellent class schedule that is up now on the event Facebook page. I hope to see you all there on July 20th!
• Next week we also have a virtual project night!

Provost (Lord Ælfric Hort)

• We had 7 people in attendance this past month for Magister Lorenzo’s class on A&S Faires.
• This month’s class will be on July 24 at 7pm via Zoom.  It will be a Linguistic Overview of “William and the Werewolf” with Lady Sara Wandrownyczka.
• I am currently looking for teachers for August and September – both in person classes. If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliþi.  Also Please begin thinking about classes you would like to teach for Red Tower and Castle Wars, as those two events will be upcoming soon.

Chronicler (Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong)

• Looking for a deputy, coming up at a year as Chronicler.
• Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
• Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.

Social Media Minister  (THLady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing reported

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer (DEIB), (Lady Lily of South Downs)

• Looking to have an in-person DEIB Night this month, potentially looking at hosting a panel on accessibility in archery
  • Waiting to hear back from speakers to confirm if the class will move forward
• The Kingdom Deputy DEIB Officer The Oloye Kehinde to help with accessibility at Red Tower this year
  • Red Tower 50
    • Looking to compile FAQs about the site for accessibility to help with expectations and to help inform people about the site
    • Think about general accessibility questions so we can answer and inform the general populace about the site on the website
    • Will send a list of questions to think about to Lady Lily so that we can start evaluating sites for accessibility concerns

Webminister (Acharya Mewadi Margavati Bai)

• Acharya Margavati has just taken over as webminister, will have a report in for Q3.
• We have a RUM website and a clickable schedule.
  • Will update the RUM website with maps and information about the regional practice
• Please contact me if you need me to update anything on the website. 

Minister of Children (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Their Excellencies, (Maestro Ximon Cordoba de Martillo & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Baron Ximon
  • Red Tower
    • We do have someone putting in a bid for Red Tower, will be putting the bid forward to the financial committee and then present it to the barony
  • RUM
    • If you can pitch in, please come and help out! 
    • Regional Fighter Practice the Sunday after RUM is confirmed for 10 AM – 4:30 PM
      • Not just for fighters, come out and hang out!
• Baroness Rhiannon
  • RT 50 planning
    • Bram and Maire have put in the bid for Red Tower
      • Bram, Bard, and Thomas will be our feastcrats for Red Tower
      • Bram will be reaching out to people to help with the event, so please pitch in and help us run a great event

SCA Business

• Royal University of Meridies
  • Dame Sibella, RUM Chancellor
    • If anyone needs space for anything, please contact me ahead of time.
    • Dame Sibella will not be at RUM, there are five people that will be taking her place
      • Magister Lorenzo will be taking over as RUM Chancellor
      • Maestra Isabetta and Mistress Leda will be helping with checking the site after the event and will have access to Dame Sibella’s office.
      • Two colleagues will be helping, but don’t go to them with RUM or SCA issues.
      • This will be the last event that we will be having at Pafford as there will renovations
      • Put trash outside under the tree between Pafford and the parking lot at the end of the event.
        • Will try to get some big trash bags and put them in her office.
  • Lord Sumarlidi, Event Steward
    • Still have some staff needs
      • Need a list of landed baronage attending – royal liaison
      • Need help getting the hall set up by noon
        • Capt. Brendan to help with setting up the hall
      • Reach out to Dame Sibella if you see any classes listed wrong
      • Getting things out of storage
      • Quiet space for the event
        • Just need help staging the space
• Red Tower 50
  • Bram and Maire putting together a bid
    • Should have the bid in by Monday, July 8th. Just need possibly adjust for feast prices
    • Genovefa – Friday night feast may be for about 30 people, need to just figure out feast costs
    • July 31 – vote on bid during the Social Potluck
    • Longer event, will need set up and break down crews for Thursday/Friday and Sunday.
  • La Magnifica Justina/Lord Salim
    • Can send in Paypal request form
  • Acharya Margavati
    • Can get the information on the website and a put a flyer together
  • Contact Bram via email, FB, phone, or through discord if you have any questions

• Castle Wars
  • We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA
  • Please contact us if you are interested in running the event!
  • Currently looking for bids, please submit a bid if you’re interested in running Castle Wars.

Non-SCA Business

• Bram is opening a catering business in case anyone needs BBQ! The Valiant Pig BBQ

The business meeting was closed @ 8:49 PM EST

The next business meeting will be held on August 7th, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.

5 June 2024, Time: 7:30 PM EST

Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.

Magister Lorenzo called the June meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers’ Reports

Seneschal, (Lady Raven Helmsplitter) 

• Schedule for this month:
  • 6/5 – Business Meeting (Zoom)
  • 6/12 – RT 50 Planning Meeting(Zoom)
  • 6/19 – DEIB (Zoom)
  • 6/26 – A&S Judging Workshop with Magister Lorenzo and  La Magnifica Justina (In-person)
• Voting for Swift’s Heart
  • Starting July business meeting, nominations will be accepted
  • Through August, voting will start via ranked choice
  • Award will be given at a South Downs event!

Herald (Magister Lorenzo Petrucci)     

• Ajax name and device submitted
• Awards
  • Artsy Crown
    • THL Bram Halfdannarson (Bam) – Order of the Scarlet Star

Knight Marshal (Lord Eiríkr Pálsson)

• Practices have been scarce due to events and weather.  I am looking forward to having more this month.  
• The practice on 9 June will be run by Baroness Margheraed as I will be at Giants Dance.  There will not be loaner gear available.  I am planning on holding practice the rest of the month if weather will allow.  
• The demo last weekend at Viking Alchemist Meadery went well and was well supported by artisans and fighters alike.  His Majesty has expressed his appreciation for the help and I know the Owls Nest practice had some people come out due to the demo on Saturday.
• It is hot out, please drink plenty of water before and during practice.

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

1. Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting.  Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice).  Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord.  Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance.  Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
2. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr.  If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will be lost in the chatter.
3. Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening.  I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future.  In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
4. This weekend is the Southeast Renaissance Fencing Open (SERFO), a non-SCA historical fencing event.  Most of your local rapier marshals will be attending (many competing).  I encourage y’all to come see what it’s all about.  This event is popular with SCA rapier and C&T fighters.
   The venue is on the Kennesaw State University Marietta Campus (635 Walter Kelly Rd, Marietta, GA 30060).  No charge for spectators.   Parking is free, but not immediately adjacent to the gym (689 Polytechnic Ln, Marietta, GA 30060).
   We’ll be there on Friday, 12nn-6p (Eastern)
   – Under-Represented Gender longsword tournament
   – Rapier & Dagger tournament
   – Saber tournament
   Saturday, 9a-7p
   – Three open longsword tournaments (different levels of skill/experience)
   Sunday, 9a-4p
   – Single rapier tournament
   – Sword & Buckler (C&T) tournament
   Weather permitting, South Downs weekly fighter practice is still being held on Sunday, 12nn.  Baroness Mairghread (Charmone Newell) will manage the administration for rapier fighters.  It is unlikely that there will be much in the way loaner gear.
5. HYDRATE!

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• We had Live Weapons practice last month alongside the cavalry practice. There were 3 participants. The pasture at Mistress Peryn’s farm has been cleared, and is beautiful for archery. 
• Peryn has scheduled the next cavalry practice for Saturday 6/29. I will be at Atlantia’s Bardic Madness event and will not be able to marshal the practice for archery.

Exchequer (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri) 

• We have $4,261.86 in our account. 
• Our storage costs have gone up by $29/mo, making each month cost $335
• This will add an expense of $203 to the approved budget. May we take a barony vote if approved, for the records, please?
  • 17 for, 1 opposed, motion passed
• Second, our super cool deputy reeve did some magic with our Quarter reports from Q4 and Q1 and made the scary (but not really) ledger not have a negative number due to timing of when checks are written. We have a mystery $200, likely from me not separating the troll seed monies from the troll income cash before depositing it, so heads up to always deposit the troll cash separately. It confused the subtemplates on the file but Salim worked with Kingdom and we are all set for Q2.
• Salim is taking over soon, so please be sure to cc deputy or include him in any exchequer questions or chats. This will super duper help the transition of the office to him.
• We do have money to tide us to the next event, but as approved in the budget, we need fundraising to keep treading. Special deputy for reeve,  Honorable Lady Majda Anwar, will take that lead in her report.
• ps as a note, if any of y’all see my name Justina or Meg anywhere with an address that is not a PO box, please let me know- want to make sure people have the right address for sending mail to the barony.

Fundraising Deputy (THL Majda Anwar) 

• Looking into options for fundraising ideas for the Barony
  • Fundraiser lunches, bake sales, merch, silent auctions, etc.
  • Display devices on castle walls at Castle Wars/Fool’s War?
• Gave a presentation with ideas on possible fundraiser ideas for feedback and brainstorming
• Link to the presentation, please let me know if you have ideas for fundraising ideas!
• Looking to get together a group of people to help pinpoint events and plan how to execute these ideas
  • Will post in the discord to look for volunteers, keep an eye out!

Quartermaster (Maestra Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff
• Still looking for a deputy

Chatelaine (Capt. Ogata Mitsuko)

• Nothing to report
• Looking for deputy for Chatelaine and Demo Deputy

Demo Deputy (VACANT)

• Nothing reported

Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)

• Artsy Crown was great, glad to see all the cool entries and classes!
• RUM is coming up for classes, sign up to teach and take some classes.
• This month’s class will be a workshop on A&S Judging, come take the class!

Provost (Lord Ælfric Hort)

• Unfortunately, we had to cancel / postpone last month’s class on Sacred Geometry due to technical difficulties.  We will be rescheduling as soon as possible.
• This month’s class will be on June 26 at 7pm – in person at Doraville Civic Center.  It will be a A&S Judging Workshop with hands-on exercises presented by La Magnifica Signora Justina di Silvestri.
• I am currently looking for teachers for July, August, September, and October. I will not know if those will be in person or virtual until in-person nights are officially scheduled for the later half of the year, but if you specifically need one or the other, we can be flexible and shift months around if possible. If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliþi.

Chronicler (Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong)

• Looking for a deputy, coming up at a year as Chronicler.
• Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
• Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.

Social Media Minister  (THLady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing to report aside from a few new folks in the FB group and also one that reached out via email for a discord invite.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer (DEIB), (Lady Lily of South Downs)

• Working on figuring out what to do for the DEIB session this month since it’s online

Webminister (Lord Eiríkr Pálsson)

• RUM has a webpage thanks to Margavati.  I have taken on the duties of regional webminister and Margavati has agreed to take on the duties of Baronial webminister, she has a lot of experience doing this work and has a lot of plans for making our site better.

Minister of Children (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Their Excellencies, (Maestro Ximon Cordoba de Martillo & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Baron Ximon
  • Come and teach at RUM!
  • Next week’s meeting is a planning meeting for RT 50, please come and help us hash out some ideas
    • Looking for an autocrat or co-autocrat to help head up the discussion for RT 50.
  • It was wonderful to see everyone at Artsy Crown under the pavilion. Thank you to everyone who helped set up and tear down the pavilion!
• Baroness Rhiannon
  • RT 50 planning
    • A lot of the event will be planned or ironed out in the next week or two, so please let us know if you’re interested in being an autocrat
  • Artsy Crown
    • Thanks for hanging out together as a Barony at the event, and congratulations to all the fighters in the Barony who fought in Crown as entrants for their great fights!

SCA Business

• Royal University of Meridies
  • Lord Sumarliþi 
    • Sign-up sheets for volunteers have been posted
      • Will need help with basic set up, tear down, etc
      • If you have any ideas or jobs that you’d like to do, let me know and we can find something for you
      • Sign up to teach!
      • Food options may be better as the dining hall will be open that day
      • Planning on Quiet Space like we did before previously

• • Baron Ximon
    • Vote for a check to hold the rental at the pavilion for the fighter practice after RUM
      • Will require a check for $150 to hold the rental, but they do not cash the check unless there’s damage or something after the rental.
        • Motion raised to approve funding for the pavilion, 18 in favor, 1 against, motion passed.

• Red Tower 50
  • Still looking for an autocrat, please contact Lady Raven or Their Excellencies if you’re interested
  • Come to the meeting next week to discuss planning for RT!

• Castle Wars
  • We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA
  • Please contact us if you are interested in running the event!
  • Currently looking for bids, please submit a bid if you’re interested in running Castle Wars.

• Dance, Art, and Gaming Event in Trimaris
  • June 15th
  • Daytrip
  • St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1950 Silver St., Jacksonville FL

Non-SCA Business

• SERFO is this weekend, a couple of us are attending. It’s free to spectate, so come watch people fight!
  • Marietta, GA
• Quick shout-out to our new member Hannah for winning her category in the Foundations Revealed contest that she entered! Congratulations!

The business meeting was closed @ 8:48 PM EST

The next business meeting will be held on July 3rd, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.

3 April 2024, Time: 7:36 PM EST

Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.

Magister Lorenzo called the April meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers’ Reports

Seneschal, (Lady Raven Helmsplitter) 

• Schedule for this month:
  • Apr. 10th: online project night
  • Apr. 17th: in-person dance class by Magister Lorenzo
  • Apr. 24th: in-person class night – Archery 101 Discussion by Lord Ælfric
• Thanks to La Magnifica Justina and Seong Daegam for covering for me last week

Herald (Magister Lorenzo Petrucci)     

• A little consultation with some people for submissions.
• Awards:
  • Gulf Wars – Bram Halfdannarson received Stallion’s Blood

Knight Marshal (Lord Eiríkr Pálsson)

• Have been having practices, weather is getting hotter so drink water before practice too to hydrate
• Lady Mairghread has agreed to help cover practices this month since it’s event heavy
• Looking for a deputy to take over at some point

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

1. Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting.  Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice).  Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances.  Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance.  Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
2. BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out.  If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr.  It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
3. Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening.  I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future.  In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
4. Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try.  Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun!
5. Meridian Challenge of Arms was successful.  Congratulations to Master Ximón on his elevation to the Order of Defense and Ldy Ogata  on her induction to the Meridian Order of the Blade.  Barons Mark de Wytteney and Piers Simmons were the Royal Family’s choices to be included in the MCA Championship.  Well done everyone!
6. HYDRATE!

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• Busy this month with events
• Working with Mistress Peryn to figure out schedules to use her farm for a practice site
• North pasture of the farm is vacant
• Equipment is currently being stored at the farm

Exchequer (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri) 

• $4624.62 in account
• Waiting for Midwinter check from Kingdom
• Still waiting for confirmation that we can add Lord Salim to the bank account
• Storage for April is paid
• Will be starting Q1 report soon
• Huge shout out to Lord Salim for helping get our paperwork all squared away
• As always, books are transparent, so if you have any questions, please ask!

Quartermaster (Maestra Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff, the new storage unit looks like it’s working out pretty well
• Still needs to be organized, but will need to set some time aside to do so
• Still looking for a deputy

Chatelaine (Lady Ogata Mitsuko)

• No Gold Key at Coronation, but Gold Key should be at Fool’s War

Demo Deputy (VACANT)

• Nothing reported

Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)

• Not much to report this month
• Project and dance nights have been going wonderfully well
• Looking forward to ArtsyCrown and Red Tower for A&S things
• Keep doing what you’re doing, you may get a shout-out to in the quarterly A&S report!

Provost (Lord Ælfric Hort)

• April Class night will be April 24.  This will be in person at the Doraville Civic Center.  Our class will be Archery 101 with a focus on terminology and basic archery concepts taught by Lord Ælfric.  This will be a lecture and Q&A style class – I will have items on hand to look at and help illustrate the discussion, but due to location, there will be no live demo shooting.
• I am still looking for classes and teachers for most of the rest of the year – July, August, and October.  Please reach out to me if you have something you would like to teach or if you have any suggestions for class topics that I might be able to request teachers to provide for us.
• Lord Sumarlidi is now the deputy for Provost

Chronicler (Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong)

• Nothing new to report.
• Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
• Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.

Social Media Minister  (THLady Agnes Halydaye) 

There once was a group we call South Downs

They made right side smiles from flipped down frowns

They gather in the ether

’cause they can’t always be thur

It’s a sociable space with much renown!

• (Nothing special to report)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer (DEIB), (Lady Lily of South Downs)

• Nothing currently planned
• Want to figure out if people would want dance this month or a DEIB class this month
  • Will work with Magister Lorenzo to figure out how to plan for DEIB and dance classes

Webminister (Lord Eiríkr Pálsson)

• Nothing significant to report.  
• For future events and needed updates please email me those to the web.southdowns@meridies.org email or use the request update link on the webpage.
• Acharya Margavati is now the deputy for Webminister

Minister of Children (VACANT)

• Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.

Their Excellencies, (Maestro Ximon Cordoba de Martillo & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Ximon and Rhi
  • RT 50 planning
    • Putting together notes and will send them out based on the last meeting that we had for RT 50 planning
    • Working on ideas on how to honor the Red Ravens and token/fundraiser ideas
    • Going to put ideas together in a document to discuss and vote on
      • Feel free to send me emails or messages with ideas
    • If you’re coming to Coronation, please come by and hang out with us
      • THLady Alisandre will be providing a hospitality table, come eat some of her yummy food
      • Bringing the wing instead of the Baronial pavilion, so look for the green and white stripes
        • Lady Mairghread will be getting the walls out of the storage unit on Wednesday evening, please come help to move them out of the storage unit if you can
    • Fool’s War
      • If you’re coming to Fool’s War, please come help with the castle walls

SCA Business

• Fool’s War

• • • Sumarlidi
      • If you’re camping with South Downs, please sign up to bring food for camp so we can make sure that we have enough food for camp
        • Check out the sign up sheet on the FB encampment page or the discord
    • Baron Ximon
      • He will be taking a protege in camp at Fool’s War

• Trimarian Dance Event

• • • Halfdan Eldinghogg
      • June 15th, daytrip event in Jacksonville, FL
      • Event will be hosted by the most northern barony of Castlemere
      • Will be willing to split funds with SD, just asking for SD to send teachers for the event
      • Primary focus on the event will be the ball at the end of the day, but there will be courtly gaming classes and performance things through the day

• Royal University of Meridies

• • • Sumarlidi
      • Staff sheets should be going out for sign-ups on Sunday afternoon, please keep a lookout for that
        • Will have more information on staffing needs after this weekend
        • Remember that we need to get the ad together for Pop Chiv by May 1st to hit the deadline

• Red Tower 50

• • • We’re still working on finding a site for the event
      • Looking at Little Tallapoosa Park in Carrollton, still have a few questions that we need to hear back from
        • Need to find out about equestrian and archery, open fires, etc
      • Also looking at Camp Lumpkin, boy scout camp in La Grange
        • Some regulations with Serv-safe certifications to be able to run the kitchen
        • Still need to go down to take a tour of the site
      • Possible hour-long Commedia show in honor for Red Tower 50
        • Would like players from SD in the show, please let Master Mathias know if you’re interested in participating

• Castle Wars

• • • We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA in case the future event steward wants to use it

• Bardic Madness Deepsouth

• • • May 4th 2024, hosted by Barony of Castlemere in Jacksonville, FL
    • Star Wars themed event
    • Free event with fundraiser lunch
    • Will share flyer to the barony page

• Kingdom Webminister

• • We currently don’t have a Kingdom webminister, please contact Majster Nikoslav to apply

Non-SCA Business

• Patrick Wade suddenly passed away in December and there will be a Memorial Service on Thursday April 11, 2 PM at United Methodist Church, 85 W Church Street Jasper, GA. 30143.

The business meeting was closed @ 8:30 PM EST

The next business meeting will be held on May 1st, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.