South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

2 March 2016, 7:30pm

Decatur Recreation Center

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter (mka Helena Bretherton Hay), South Downs Chronicler

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Nothing to report

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • lots of newcomers at MCA (yay!)
  • We need more loaner garb, especially for girls
  • Justina had some not-quite-period garb she can offer.

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • Veronica introduced herself as the new A&S officer
  • Hopes to brain storm with everyone about what type of classes people wanted to have over the next year. If you have any ideas for classes, or are interested in teaching a class, please contact her

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • We now have an indoor site (for bad weather) used it twice so far, all works well. The site is the warehouse and parking lot at his office, near 285 and Peachtree Industrial. Any location change will be announced in the Atlanta SCA Fighting FB group.

• Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
  • Nothing to report

• Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
  • Submissions
    • 
Stella di Silvestri – submitted name and device in February
  • Awards
    • Mathias Blackett – Kingdom Bard
    • Sefa Mjoksiglandi – AoA
    • Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain – Grant of Arms (GoA)
    • Allesandra Fioravanti – Meridian Majesty
    • Maddalena da Firenze – Meridian Majesty
    • Maddalena da Firenze – GoA
    • Mara Palmer – Laurel
    • Toki Ima – Tower Gules
  • PSA from Sir Iazzie – don’t wait until Gulf Wars (or other similar event) to submit name/device; it’s much faster to go thru local group. Lady Marianna said, for example, that she would get Gulf Wars submissions 3-4 months after the event ended.

• Reeve (Lady Maire)
  • Midwinter A&S made $1006.42
  • The Barony has $12,301.12 in the bank (yay!)
  • We have $1800 in bills for the rest of the year – we are in great shape!!! (yay encore!)
    • Fantastical discussion began about what to do with all that extra money
  • At Gulf Wars, Maire will find out if all the local reeves stay on top of their submission deadlines, we may be able to start using Paypal for events. There will be a seminar at Gulf Wars for the reeves about this.

• Their Excellencies
  • Mistress Adela arrived! (jubliation from the populace)
  • Discussion about baronial encampment at Fools’ War ensued. Anyone interested in participating in the encampment, get your reservations ASAP in and (if there are enough people interested) a baronial campsite could be set up.Fools War is the weekend of 9 April 2016, the weekend after coronation.

• Seneschal (Lord Mathias)
  • We are likely to get the bid for RUM; if so, it will be held at University of West Georgia (where Midwinter and MCA were held)
  • Discussion began about organizing classes based on floors in building, but most of that is managed by RUM, not us. Will propose such an organization to RUM to see if they agree.
  • Looking at holding possible fundraiser lunch outside? Group has already offered to set up fundraiser lunch. There is an area where we can grill outside. This fundraiser lunch will be instead of lunch feast.
    See below in Upcoming Events for more information.

Upcoming Events

• Gulf Wars (12-19 March 2016)
  • The Barony has been asked to take care of waterbearing on Wednesday. Please consider volunteering! We can earn volunteer points that will get credited to the Barony, and funds get distributed based on volunteer points. Must fill out volunteer form when you get to site – the only way that you’ll get credit. Extra bonus – volunteers receive raffle tickets based on the number of volunteer hours each person earns, then get to bid on items in the volunteer raffle.
  • Wednesday night is Meridian social (in Bede Hall). She will need help with set up and decoration – If interested in helping, please see Maire (another opportunity to earn volunteer points!).
  • Mariana is helping host the Knowne World party, and would love volunteers to help her with this.

• RUM (16 July 2016)
  • We are likely to get the bid for RUM; if so, it will be held at University of West Georgia (where Midwinter and MCA were held)
  • Chancellor takes care of all classes and scheduling. if you would like to teach a class, go to the RUM site and they’ll try to put you in the schedule.
  • We will need a lot of volunteers to run the event (logistics). troll, fundraiser, etc. Please see Veronica or Maire if interested

Demos

• DragonCon
  • Stella is point person for all things DragonCon
    • We are already signed up for the parade
    • We will need volunteers for the table
• Duke John asked if we want to use the chariot again this year. This past year, there was some confusion and awkwardness; we need to figure out well in advance who will pull the chariot – at least two, even better four or more who can commit so no one has to pull the chariot the entire distance.

Other SCA Business

• Red Tower (30 September-2 October 2016)
  • We are now accepting bids for Red Tower (end of September); there is one bid in the works so far, but additional bids are welcome.
  • If you’re interested in submitting a bid, deadline is the May business meeting
  • Matthias is looking at finding a better site than Little Tallapoosa
  • Reminder about parking fee changes (cost per car)

• Castle Wars (17-20 November 2016)
  • Accepting bids!

• Midwinter A&S (3-4 February, 2017)
  • Accepting bids!
  • Looking for a new site so we don’t have to mooch off of Sibylla

• Baronial Project Night
  • Andreva reminded all of us about project night at her and Jadi’s house
    • 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7-11pm
    • Contact Andreva or Jadi for directions

• Knowne Worlde Dance and Music Symposium
  • Wistric is still looking at pulling a bid together. Considering GSU as a site

Other Business

• Justina has created a facebook group, The Graveyard Galère, for those who are interested in the study, sharing, and exploration of the arts and sciences of the more macabre and eerie aspects of the medieval world. Everyone is welcome to join the group.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 April 2016.

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

2 December 2015, 7:30pm

Decatur Recreation Center

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter (mka Helena Bretherton Hay), South Downs Chronicler

Lord Bjorn Gullharr called the meeting to order.

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Nothing to report
• A+S (Lady Tryggva Ingvarrsdóttir)
  • The classes that were offered at Castle Wars were awesome!
  • Please contact Tryggva if you’re interested in teaching a class at a future event
    • Mid-winter A+S
    • Kingdom A+S @ Artsy Crown
    • Regional events
  • There is no class lined up for December; however, there will be a 5th Wednesday in-garb social and potluck (New Year’s Edition) on 30 December
• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Lots of rapier at Castle Wars
    • 45 fencers
    • Master Wistric was elevated to the Order of Defence
      • He fought +40 fencers for his prize fight, was killed cleanly by only one person
  • Practices are happening regularly on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, thanks to all the other fencers who step up to cover when Brendan has a work conflict
  • Magna Faire – the Chivalry is sponsoring a Sword + Buckler tournament for the rapier fighters, all are encouraged to take part
  • We have a lead on an indoor practice site for the winter, at the Horizons School in Atlanta
    • They are open to negotiations on price “make us an offer”
    • Would the Barony be open to providing funds for the site, depending on how negotiations go?
• Knight Marshal (Master Ximon Martillo de Córdoba)
  • We have a new knight marshal, Captain Jean-Michel d’Aix en Provence
  • Due to Jean-Michel’s weekly work schedule, it is likely that Ximon will continue to submit reports at the business meeting
• Reeve (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)
  • Not much to report
  • Castle Wars financial report – looks like we made $4,400 on the event (and the populace rejoiced)
• Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
  • Stefan says hello!
  • Names and devices
    • Pietro di Conti – Name passed; device returned and re-resubmitted
  • Court reports
    • Castle Wars – Baronial Court
      • Alisandre Ysabeua de la Chapelle – Tower Or
      • Serafina Alamanni – Tower Argent
      • Isobel Nugent – Tower Or
      • Brendan de Hay – Tower Gules
      • Raven Helmsplitter – Tower Gules
    • Castle Wars – Royal Court
      • Veronica da Lucca – Meridian Cross
      • Sefa Mjoksiglandi – Meridian Cross
      • Mara Palmer – Grant of Arms
      • Mathias Blackett – Grant of Arms
      • Emelina le Norreys – Meridian Cross
      • Wistric Oftun – Order of Defense
• Chatelaine (vacant)
  • No longer vacant! Stella di Silvestri will be the new chatelaine
• Their Excellencies
  • Halllooooo!!!

SCA Business

• Event Reports
  • Castle Wars – Ximon reports on behalf of Isobel
    • Total onsite attendance – 610
    • Wistric’s elevation was impressive, and his garb for the ceremony was  a m a z i n g
    • Nothing but compliments on the event
    • A+S, merchanting went smoothly
    • Volunteers were well-appreciated
      • Sebastiannos and Brendan were congratulated on the work they did for martial activities
      • Morgan Griffin for finding the ridge pole for the baronial pavilion
    • Post-mortem
      • Need to adjust portajohn cleaning schedule
        • Also – more portajohns, revisit locations
      • Car fee will go up to $5/day/car, only will affect daytrippers
      • The large field we use is $100 in addition to the park site rental
      • Problems with mundanes accessing the event site through bordering neighborhood access to the back side of the park
        • No paperwork or waivers were collected
        • Perhaps we could rope off the vulnerable areas? add signage?
        • Should we set up a security patrol for next year?
      • Should we build a baronial shower house?
      • Should we establish a royal campsite? Past two crowns have requested the same campsite.
        • We could just set aside the specific site for future events there, but there was concern that since the Crown has first choice of site at any event, we should leave options available to them
        • Other option would be to see how next event/year goes. If they choose the same site again, we could just set that site aside as the “royal encampment,” as three consecutive years with the Crown choosing the same site could suggest the site is indeed “established.”
      • Genevieve will need to have someone take over as landcrat for next year – she will be happy to train the new person, but she won’t be able to do the job next year.
    • It’s not too soon to submit bids for next year’s Castle Wars (just sayin’)
• Other SCA Business
  • Potential new space for meetings – Methodist church in Dunwoody
    • Do we want to have meetings at the same place every week, or should we move around?
      • General opinion was that a consistent meeting place is important to encourage new members, by making it easier to find us (recruiting)
      • The church as a large community space in addition to meeting rooms – could be useful for fighter practice
    • Do we want to keep meetings on Wednesdays, or is there flexibility on this point?
      • Meeting site may require a change in what day of the week we meet (Wednesdays seem to be busy days for churches holding their own meetings and services)
      • Fridays, Mondays, and Thursdays seem to be problematic because they interfere with event packing, attending, and unpacking.
      • Tuesdays are an option, but then we’ll need to change the rapier practices to Wednesdays
    • We need to negotiate a price – Mathias is working on that this week
  • Viking Krampus (20 December)
    • Atlanta Kali has invited us to join in their viking event. Martial cross-pollination! shenanigans! mead!
    • Viking Krampus – link to event details (Facebook)
  • Magna Faire (4–6 December)
    • This weekend at the WoW campground in Blountsville, AL (Barony of Iron Mountain)
    • Baronial Investiture
    • His Excellency Iron Mountain (Captain François le Souris) will be elevated to the Order of Defense
    • Stella Nova (novice A+S competition) – do consider submitting an entry. Ximon mentioned that Rhi will be entering an item of garb, others also mentioned they are working on entries.
    • His Excellency South Downs has arranged for a series of fur muffs to be built for the new Barons Iron Mountain, Their Majesties, and Their Highnesses.
  • Twelfth Night (9 January 2016)
    • We will be joining Bryn Madoc at their Twelfth Night event
      • Potluck feast
      • Baronial championship tourneys
  • Midwinter A+S (13–14 February 2016)
    • Event Staff
      • Autocrat – Mara Palmer
      • Reservations – Maire Dhocair inghean Chiarain
      • A+S Faire and Class Coordinator – Tryggva Ingvarsdottir
      • Lunch Feastcrat – Wilhelmina de la Coste
      • Royal Liaison – Mathias Blackett
      • Smoker – Borgar (Sunday)
      • Still need volunteers for the Royal Luncheon (Saturday) and the cookout coordinator (Sunday)
    • Location
      • University of West Georgia, Carrollton (13 February)
        • Site includes a lecture hall for court, 7 classrooms, 4 faire rooms, 1 meeting room, and 2 Royal rooms.
      • Blackburn Park, Atlanta (14 February)
        • Regional fighter practice
    • Event does conflict with Black Gryphon/Meridian Heraldic & Scribal Symposium, in Thor’s Mountain
    • Midwinter Arts & Sciences event page
  • Red Tower (30 September – 2 October 2016)
    • Looking at Camp Rutledge at Hard Labor Creek State Park; second choice is Tallapoosa (where it was held last year)
  • South Downs Supper Club
    • This month is hosted by Wistric and Sunneva
    • Theme is Christmas/holiday desserts
    • Please contact Wistric or Sunneva for more info, or go to the South Downs Supper Club Facebook group page – must RSVP to confirm there is still space
    • Medieval Cookery recipes for inspiration
  • 2016 Event Bids
    • RUM (Royal University of Meridies)
      • Veronica may be submitting a bid
    • 2017 Artsy Crown
      • Iazzie is interested in putting together a bid to hold it at Mc Intosh Reserve Park (where we had Castle Wars)

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 January 2016 – happy holidays!

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

6 November 2015

Decatur Recreation Center

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter (mka Helena Bretherton Hay), South Downs Chronicler

Lord Bjorn Gullharr called the meeting to order.

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Is interested in developing publications for the Barony – perhaps a Baronial directory? Newsletter? Asked populace for feedback and preferences.
    • Directory – had been done a few years ago, would need to collect current information
    • Newsletter – could do quarterly, include information about A+S, Supper Club, columns by baronial members, etc.
• Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
  • Names and devices
    • Emeline – device
    • Mistress Margavati – device returned for problem with lotus image
    • Pietro di Conti – device returned
• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Practices are being held weekly (Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings) at Blackburn park.
• Webminister (Lord Wistric Oftun)
  • We have a website!
• A+S (Lady Tryggva Ingvarrsdóttir)
  • Justina is teaching this month’s A+S class, on Greek/Viking hairstyling (just in time for Castle Wars!)
    • Class is NEXT WEEK (13 November), at Their Excellencies’ home in Marietta (because the parking garage will be closed)
  • Dance classes continuing
• Reeve (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)
  • Quarterly report is done
  • We have funds! (the populace rejoiced)
  • Castle Wars financial report will be finalized after the event has finished
• Their Excellencies
  • We are considering a new meeting site
    • YMCA across from Blackburn Park
    • Janice may have a site option, her church in Dunwoody
• Knight Marshal
  • Nothing to report

SCA Business

• Event Reports
  • Castle Wars (19–22 November 2015)
    • Coming soon!
    • Pre-registration closes Saturday, 9 November
    • Volunteers
      • Autocrat has the volunteer sign up sheet – please sign up!
        • Needs to speak with Tryggva and Zahira
        • Margavati and Tryggva request volunteers for troll, especially late nights. Volunteering at troll earns double points!
        • Information Point is also a nice and quiet place to volunteer
      • Sir Iazzie and Master Ximon need help transporting the castle walls to and from site
    • Crown has requested five order meetings to be worked into the event schedule
    • Their Excellencies encourage submitting online recommendations for those who are considering submitting recommendations, as Their Majesties will be at Castle Wars
    • Mistress Jadi  said that donations are needed for the Castle Wars volunteer auction. Popular options:
      • Gift certificates, including for donations of time and or skills (Lady Mara gave an example “I will make you one custom scroll”)
      • Pearls
      • Feast gear
      • Rattan
      • Anything pretty/shiny/useful at an event
    • Check out event notice on Facebook for more details
  • Viking Krampus (20 December 2015)
    • Atlanta Kali Group on Facebook
    • we’ve been invited to hold a demo there during the event – as the event is a Sunday afternoon, perhaps we can hold our regular Sunday practice at their event?
  • Midwinter A+S (12–14 February 2016)
    • Her Excellency and Lady Mara presented a proposal to hold the event at the University of West Georgia
      • Proposal was approved by unanimous consent
      • Hope to find someone with completed paperwork to head up a children’s activities track
  • Potential events
    • We need to take a look at the kingdom-level event schedule for 2016 to see what events we may be interested in submitting bids
• Upcoming Meetings
  • This month’s A+S class is NEXT WEEK (13 November), at Their Excellencies’ home in Marietta (because the parking garage will be closed)
  • There will be no meeting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Non-SCA Business

• Exhibit on the Habsburgs at the High Museum, through 17 January 2016
  Habsburg Splendor
• Exhibit on the Queen of Sheba at the Fernbank Museum, through 3 January 2016
  Searching for the Queen of Sheba

Next baronial business meeting will be held Wednesday, 2 December 2015. Happy Thanksgiving!