3 April 2024, Time: 7:36 PM EST

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

Magister Lorenzo called the March 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.

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

06 April 2022, Time: 1930

Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.

Master Mathias Blackett called the April meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Nikoslav read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers Reports

Seneschal, (Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich)

• Raven announced as Deputy Seneschal
• Call for Red Tower Bids, 5 months out from the event. Last call for bids before per policy Baronials will make a bid. In 4 months their bid will be accepted if we don’t get a different one.
• Discuss and vote on RUM Bid
  • Unknown if RUM would be handling teachers’ gifts or for South Downs. Typically handled by RUM deans.

Herald (Lady Bú Feiyan)     

• Please check our website to make sure that all of your Awards are reflected. 
• Still looking for a deputy

Knight Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)

• Mask & contact tracing has been dropped for now.  Vax checks are still required for GA, however.  Please be flexible as COVID rates may change and procedures may be put back into place.   Please be respectful of others’ choices if they choose to wear a mask or social distance.
• Deputy KM now has loaner gear and will take over the office around 15 May 2022 with the new heavy reporting cycle.  My warrant is good until July, and I will be available to assist with transitioning if needed.
• Upcoming practice considerations: This time of year practice is weather permitting; be aware last-minute cancellations may happen.   
  • 4/3/2022 – NO Practice (Coronation)
  • 4/10/2022 – NO Practice (Fool’s War)
  • 4/17/2022 – NO Practice (Easter)
  • 4/24/2022 – NO Practice (Lemonade Days at the Park) or look at an alternate location (Blackburn)? 
  • 5/1/2022 – Practice
  • 5/8/2022 – Depends on interest level (Mother’s Day)
  • 5/15/2022 – Practice
  • 5/22/2022 – Practice
  • 5/29/2022 – NO Practice (Artsty-Crown)

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

• Practices have been sporadic of late, primarily due to event activity (Hooray for the return of in-person events!)
• My work schedule will make my ability to attend scheduled practices uncertain for the next few months.  Any warranted rapier marshals who are able to help as celebrity guest rapier marshals for our practice, please contact me.  We will need your help.
• Also, no warrant is required, but it would be much appreciated if someone could coordinate our loaner rapier gear over the next few months as well.
• The search for a deputy/replacement for my position continues.

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• The next practice will be held on Sunday, April 24th.
• Ælfric is having his marshal tournament this weekend at Fool’s War, so we should be up to 4 warranted LW marshals in the barony after that.
• For those interested, I will be looking for a new MIT once Ælfric is a full-fledged marshal.

Reeve (La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri)

• We have $9,093.86 in the bank
• March expenses were the storage space- still looking for a new storage site as the rate will go up in 2 months and thrown weapons supplies.  Arrows, axes, and knives from the Live Weapons budget totaled $191.48. The remaining approved budget for Live Weapons is $108.52
• Q1 2022 is due at the end of this month. I will be following up with folks on any outstanding business as I am moving all digital records to the kingdom Exchequer Drive.
• I am looking for a deputy! If you find office management and spreadsheets fun, this is a really satisfying office to hold and an important one to the Barony! If you have any questions please let me know.
• A reminder, there is a new process for reimbursement. If you have NEW barony purchases to request, please fill out a Purchase Request Form. If you have receipts for already approved purchases (such as budgeted expenses and approved bid event expenses- NO personal purchases may be on a receipt!), please fill out a Check Request Form. I am happy to help with these forms if needed. These forms are very helpful with record keeping and financial transparency.  

Quartermaster (THL Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff still, it hasn’t been touched.
• I will also start looking at storage units. I will look around Atlanta. If you have any near you, please let me know.

Chatelaine (Lord Ogata Tarō Hiroyuki)

• The number of chatelaine things happening has ramped up /significantly/.
• If you all remember Lisa Rogers from Coronation, it was her first event. I was fencing for most of the day, but I caught up with her during the Rose Ball and afterward on the ride home and I’m pleased to report that she enjoyed herself!
• Yesterday I got confirmation that we have two newcomers attending Fools War this weekend. So everybody I’d like to introduce you to Lola and Johann.
• Lola and I are getting to the site together on Friday. Johann will be arriving on Friday as well, probably later.
• My plan is to do some site touring with these two before fencing starts up on Friday, then help get camps set up before Friday Night Fights. If you’re unfamiliar, Friday Night Fights is basically the WWE of combat sports in the SCA.
• Interestingly, we received an email from another prospective newcomer Devin Roark. They’re very interested in attending some of our upcoming meetings and in-person events. Right now our contact has been limited to an email thread, but I’ve suggested they get set up with a Facebook account to keep up with the Barony and Kingdom pages as well as news on events.
• Additionally, I’ve got a little update on the Gold Key. Since the last meeting, Nikon has generously laundered and packed up everything he had been storing at his house and moved it to Majda and Justina’s house. This is not Gold Key’s final resting place, just a temporary location while we settle on a date to get it cataloged and stored more appropriately.
• Nikon was able to get everything laundered and packed up, it’s currently residing at Majda and Justina’s house.
• I’m heading over there tomorrow to get things for Lola and Johann. Majda and I are also settling on a day to get everything cataloged and photographed.

Demo Deputy (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• I am working on setting up demos. 
• Currently, in the process of making a list of all of the places we would like to have demos. Please feel free to contact me if you have suggestions. 
• Also, let me know if you’d like to be part of the demo team.

Arts & Sciences (HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Please enter your A&S activities into our tracker. A link will be posted on Barony’s FB page.

Provost (Daegam Soong Myeong-Su)

• Class this month will be Old English Pronunciation Basics by Lord Ælfric Hort.
• I’d like to say thank you to Magnifica Justina di Silvestri for hosting the Theodosia Colloquia last month because it has helped fill our class schedule out to August!
• We’ve got lots of interesting classes coming up. If you’ve got a class that you want to teach, please let me know! We’ve got a few slots still available and would be happy to have you teach!

Chronicler (Baronessa Aelia Bassina)

• Still in need of a deputy. If you know anyone who may be interested, please direct them to me.

Social Media Minister (Lady Isabella Parr & Lady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing to report. We have social media.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI), (Vidushi Mewadi Margavati Bai & Lily of South Downs)

• DEI class this month is DEI and the SCA (Applying Corporate DEI to the SCA), taught by Omokehindegbegbon Ayoka of the Opo, called Kehinde

Webminister (Lady Zhelana Vovkivna)

• Corrected spelling of chatelaine deputy email
• Added all awards from MCA
• Changed Isabetta’s title
• Changed LW officer
• Linked to updated forms on reeve page

Minister of Children (Lady Una Ulfrdottir)

• Nothing new to report.

Their Excellencies, (Master Wistric Oftun & Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)

• We are sorry we can’t join you all tonight.
• Congratulations to all who were recognized at Gulf Wars and Coronation – this barony and her members continue to shine. Another great achievement was Mariana’s feast at Coronation, which is being praised far and wide. 
• We’ll see you at Fools War, where we will have the Baronial day shade set up. 
• Thank you all, as always.

SCA Business

• Mairghread
  • It has been brought to my attention that I am trying to sabotage Isabetta’s event bid. I would like to set the record straight, I think she is doing an amazing job at autocrating.
• Ogata
  • If anyone needs Gold Key, please tell me before 2pm tomorrow (04/07/2022). If you don’t, I can’t promise it will be at Fool’s War. 
• Justina
  • Thank you to everyone that helped with my elevation.

The business meeting was closed @ 2003.

The next business meeting will be held on 04 May 2022, 1930, Zoom Meeting.

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

02 March 2022, Time: 1930

Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.

Master Mathias Blackett called the March meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Nikoslav read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers Reports

Seneschal, (Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich)

• Reminder for call for Red Tower Bids
• Reminder for call for RUM bids
• No other announcements or updates

Herald (Lady Bú Feiyan)     

• Nothing to report

Knight Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)

• CDC dropped mask requirement for fully vaxxed.  However, we will continue with mask mandate at practice until further guidance from Kingdom Seneschal is received.
• Deputy KM now has loaner gear and will take over the office around July-ish.
• Upcoming practice considerations:
  • This time of year practice is weather permitting; be aware last-minute cancellations may happen.  Vaccination cards or negative COVID tests, and contact tracing info is still required.  Please be respectful of others and maintain social distance.
    • 03/06/2022 – Practice
    • 03/13/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
    • 03/20/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
    • 03/27/2022 – Practice

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

• February saw only a couple of rapier practices with sparse attendance, but there we were.
• Loaner gear will now be available for Sunday practices, but please try to request it in advance.  Come on out and join us!
• Tuesday evening practices are still TBD, as work is doing “work” things to my life.
• Where else were we?  Some of us went to a Rapier and Saber Pedagogy retreat, learning to be better teachers.  Some of us went to Meridian Challenge of Arms, (see the pictures taken by HE Emelina).
• Where else are we going?  Gulf Wars is coming.
• From the desk of the Kingdom Rapier Marshal. Also, they are not allowing authorizations at Gulf Wars.

Gulf Wars is coming up very soon. Please check that your authorization card is up to date.  If your card is expired you will need to do a reauthorization. 

If a new card is needed before Gulf Wars, please opt to send your reauthorization paperwork to the email listed on the auth form. This will guarantee there is not a mail delay. 

If you have previously sent in an authorization form and have not received a card. please send a copy of your original paperwork to rapier@meridies.org and rapier.auth@meridies.org

Master Nikoslav

Deputy Earl Marshal – Rapier

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• Practices have started back up again. 
  • The next practice is set for this Sunday, March 6th so we can get one last practice in before Gulf Wars.
• Loaner arrows are still en route, but the supplier is located in Ukraine. I will give them until April to update the tracking information before I contact them, international incidents permitting.
• Royal rounds will commence this Sunday (March 6th), and hopefully, we will be able to have Ælfric run his marshal tourney at either Fool’s War or April’s Baronial practice.

Reeve (La Onesta Signore Justina di Silvestri)

• Bank statement as the end of Feb 2022: $9,811.86
• Last month we established our annual budget for the rest of 2022, you can find copies of that in the FB group files as well as the purchase request form if you have new baronial purchase requests, and the check request form if you have a receipt for an approved purchase. If you have any questions or need guidance navigating these forms, I’m always happy to help you out.
• I want to be fully transparent about where this budgeted money is, so here are our expenses so far: 

• We got an email from Public storage that the cost is going up from $349/mo to $466/mo.
  • This would be an additional $117/ mo and will cost us an additional $936 for the rest of the year
  • And bumps the cost of storage from $4,188 to $5,592/yr provided it doesn’t go up again. This is an additional $1,404 per year.
  • So we may want to consider our options. I called the storage office and the manager said they only do month to month but she applied the credit to our account for 3 months so the rate won’t increase yet and that gives us a little more time.
• Lastly, I am looking for a deputy- if you like spreadsheets and organizing office things, this job is a lot of fun! Let me know if you have any questions, or if you are interested.

Quartermaster (THL Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff.
• Nothing was used at MCA.
• Nothing new to report.
• I will start pricing other storage options outside the perimeter. Hopefully, we can find something less expensive than what we are currently paying. 

Chatelaine (Lord Ogata Tarō Hiroyuki)

•  Chatelaine things are happening.
• I haven’t been available to see my friends, Viridia and Kayd, for classical saber practice. For lack of that, I’ve kept myself busy in other ways.
• Nikon just got his floor installed, and we’ll be coordinating soon to get Gold Key cataloged so we know what we have and what state it’s in.
• Also, as something Gold Key adjacent…
  • I’ve been putting some work into an idea that Margavati floated a while back, in which we develop guides for super simple extra-European garb.
  • The crux of the project is to “Make a really easy to follow set of guides for newcomers (and anybody, really) on how to make accessible garb, and give people options for cultures and time periods beyond a basic t-tunic”.
  • Credit goes to Margavati for that specific description.
  • Sometime tomorrow I’ll be releasing a guide on “Rolling Your Own Fabric Bolts for Rectangular Construction.” I chose to start there because having a bolt full of narrow lengths of fabric was a great way for me to expedite Japanese garb.

Demo Deputy (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• Nothing to report.

Arts & Sciences (HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• Our 1st quarter report went in. Let’s keep our tracking sheet going! As you enter your info in our A&S sheet please make sure you are entering your work on the Q2 tab.
• 100 Days of Art/Sci challenge is up and running. Please drop in and add your voice to the challenge. Call out challenges to other folks to get them involved.
• Gulf Wars! Lots of classes! I’d really like to encourage those who are attending to take a class or two and to consider taking one outside your normal interests. Be brave and try something new!
• It’s not too soon to plan your entry for the Kingdom Arts & Sciences competition this May. For those who entered previously and received feedback from the judges please consider following the advice and re-enter your piece a final time. Judges love to see when their advice has been followed and it has improved an entry.

Provost (Daegam Soong Myeong-Su)

• Class for this month will be a Theodosia Colloquia helped by La Onestra Signora Justina di Silvestri, which is a roundtable presentation where people do a short talk on a topic that they’re interested in or just learned about! It’s a very fun show-and-tell format that is sure to have some fun topics.
• Classes are open for the rest of the year, so if you have a class that you’d like to teach for the Barony, please reach out to me or Lord Ælfric and we’ll get you on the schedule.
• For the rest of the year, we need classes! If you’re interested, please let me know.

Chronicler (Signora Aelia Bassina)

• I have had an inquiry as to being the Deputy Chronicler. However, I need to wait for approval from the Kingdom Schenishal and Kingdom Chronicler.
• Nothing else to report.

Social Media Minister (Lady Isabella Parr & Lady Agnes Halydaye) 

• We have social media accounts! 
• We’ve had a slight uptick in spam posts so deleted those hopefully no one even noticed
• Also went thru our member list in our group and deleted any obvious spam accounts. Even with the cull the FB Group still managed to grow by 2 this month. Insta grew by 6 and Twitter stayed the same. 
• Worked with Owl’s Nest this month- they’re having a social for newcomers /fighters practice this weekend. Gonna share it on our socials tonight or tomorrow because it’s super close to us and if you know any newbies that are too shy for the event, this is a great way to dip their toes in!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI), (Vidushi Mewadi Margavati Bai & Lily of South Downs)

• Mental health check-in for DEI this month!

Webminister (Lady Zhelana Vovkivna)

• Updated A&S Minister
• All awards from MWAS
• All awards from MCA
• Corrected spelling of chatelaine deputy email
• I am looking for a deputy!

Minister of Children (Lady Una Ulfrdottir)

• Nothing new to report.

Their Excellencies, (Master Wistric Oftun & Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)

• We want to thank everyone who made it to Midwinter, everyone who made it happen, and everyone who took classes. Also, thank you all for behaving!
• We have a lot of officers who need deputies. Please take this opportunity to step up. The officer positions are designed to be doable. 
• In general, continue to be awesome!

SCA Business

• Margavati – if you are a young person and are looking for experience in both the SCA and real life, the Seneschal is a great place to start. 
• Iazzie – with the recent change with the CDC and the drop in numbers, is there a plan to go back to an in-person meeting?
  • Nikoslav – from the last meeting, we are going to be looking at the previous place we were using and looking at other options. We were thinking of maybe being able to meet in person again in June/July (Summer). There are a number of places that have their own rules in regards to gathering. We also need to look at the cost of the location. This could be complicated with the increase in the cost of the storage area.
• Kal – I just want to promote the Meridian Social at Gulf War. We may or may not have light-up Viking hats. 
• Agnes – Is there a chance that in-person won’t resume?
  • Nikoslav – there may be options for zoom to continue for things like classes. It may be cheaper.
  • Wistric – My take on it is we will have an option for virtual even for the in-person meetings.

The business meeting was closed @ 2010.

The next business meeting will be held on 06 April 2022, 1930, Zoom Meeting.

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

02 February 2022, Time: 1930

Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.

Lady Agnes Halydaye called the February meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Nikoslav read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers Reports

Seneschal, (Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich)

• Applications for Baronial Seneschal still open
• WIll be making a post to announce taking bids for Red Tower on Sep 18th.
• Will be making a post to announce taking bids for Royal University of Meridies as KLE bid for the year. 
• Process of looking for an in person location for meetings is beginning. Aiming for potential physical meetings to begin in the summer

Herald (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• Please send word any heraldry-related research or projects you may be working on. Our quarterly report is due soon.
• Still in need of a deputy

Knight Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)

• Regional practice this Sunday at the covered pavilion in Carrollton. Requesting $300 for an annual marshal budget to cover the cost to reserve for Sunday following MWAS going forward.
• Inventory & hand-off of heavy loaner gear to Deputy KM to take place later this month.
• Upcoming practice considerations:
  • This time of year practice is weather permitting; be aware last-minute cancellations may happen.  Vaccination cards or negative COVID tests, and contact tracing info is still required.  Masks are again required unless actively eating, drinking, or fighting.  Please be respectful of others and maintain social distance.
• 2/6/2022 – Regional Practice tentatively at pavilion in Carrollton (back up is Liane Levetan)
• 2/13/2022 – Practice
• 2/20/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Panhandle weekend)
• 2/27/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (MCA weekend)
• 3/6/2022 – Practice
• 3/13/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
• 3/20/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
• 3/27/2022 – Practice

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

• There were some practices before and after the 2-week hiatus.  Sparsely attended, but there we were.
• Please note the updates from Kingdom about COVID policy.  
  • Masks are no longer required for outdoor events (including practices).  
  • In Georgia, we CAN and DO require proof of full vaccination or proof of negative Covid test for EVERY event. We also CAN and DO require masks indoors in accordance with Kingdom policy.
• Just to get this in the minutes…. I could really use a deputy, who would actually take over the office at some point.  Interested in becoming a rapier marshal, and/or signing on as my deputy/replacement, please contact me or M. Nikoslav.
• Thanks to Ld. Marco from Arenal who has agreed to be our Celebrity Guest Rapier Marshal for the regional practice, as I will be unavailable (family obligations).
• I will also be unavailable on 2/20.  If there is a warranted rapier marshal available for that day, I’d be obliged.
• All rapier and rapier-adjacent folks are encouraged to attend the greatest rapier event in the Knowne World, Meridian Challenge of Arms, on the weekend of 2/25-27.  Early sign up for the tournaments was posted a few minutes ago.
• Februrary 27, I’ll be returning from MCA, so I probably won’t be available to operate that Sunday’s practice.

Live Weapons (Master Mathias Blackett)

• Master Mathias Blackett (mka Ben Coffee) is taking over as Live Weapons marshal.
• Lord Conner O’Dell (mka Shawn Mullen) remains in the deputy position.
• Archery practices will start back this month at a new location in Austell, Feb 13th. The location belongs to the sister of Roìs O’Shannon (mka Tierza Coffee). The address will be sent to those interested.
• I intend to include Thrown Weapons (axes, knives, and spears) at these new practices and will need to purchase some loaner gear.
• Masks are no longer required while archers are on the line.

Reeve (La Onesta Signore Justina di Silvestri)

• Q4 2021 Doomsday report was completed
• Bank statement as of Dec 2021: $11,248.52
  • Minus pending checks: $10, 928.52
• The Financial Committee met 1/31/22 to discuss the Annual Budget. Also discussed are the in-process financial policy update/reformat and baronial inventory. This is something we will do annually moving forward, per kingdom financial policy.
• In Q4 2022, we will meet again to discuss the 2023 budget and have another approval vote by the barony at the December 2022 business meeting.
  • Projected Storage $349/mo x 12= $4188/yr
  • Meeting space: If we were to have ½ year of in-person meetings later this year, at our previous meeting rate,  $50/meeting at previous meeting space x 25 weeks= $1250 (half-year). This is added as something to consider and have a dedicated fund just in case.
  • Knight Martial:$300 – this was already approved via vote last month for the regional practice pavilion 
  • Rapier Martial-  $100, projected while the budget for repairs is estimated. 
  • Live Weapons Martial- $300 Estimated, notes: Thrown Weapons loaner gear. Axes: $25 for 3 at Harbor Freight; Knives: $40  plus tax, S&H (~$12) from Cold Steel for 3 Mini Flight Sport throwing knives; Spears: $60 for 3; New loaner arrows: $110 for 3 dozen arrows, plus shipping and handling.
    • Note this does not include event expenses for targets, so when it comes time to bid for CW and RT, we need to keep in mind the cost of target essentials. Wood for 2 new target stands (For RT & CW): $64 each. Conner has a target we can use for practice until it needs replacing. Caution tape: $10 Orange marking spray: $15- in event bid estimate $200~ supplies
  • Exchequer- requesting a one-time supplies/budget request of $350 for 2022 (will not be a recurrent budget) NEED: $Check refill. The cost is $112.35 for 252. This should include delivery. 
    • New Checkbook Binder:  $25+;  7 x 3-Ring binders to keep physical receipts and misc paperwork per year. 2” heavy-duty est $8/ea $60;  Sheet Protectors $10;  Stamps $25.  
  • So to look at the numbers, we would have  $6,488 dedicated funds out of $10, 928.52, leaving $4,440.52 in the “general” fund.
• Projected Income:
  • Midwinter- $150, note this went virtual so we will have no expenses, I received a check for the sca-rs reservations placed and I need to write refund checks to those who requested refunds, so this number TBD until I do the report this weekend.  
  • Red Tower 2500 & Castle 4000, are low estimations for event profits.
• Starting this year, I’m keeping records of Checks and Purchase requests via forms, so if you have any fund requisitions, keep an eye out for the new forms available soon or reach out to me.  
• And as your monthly reminder…No personal purchases on any baronial purchase receipts!
  

  BaronyPurchaseRequestform12-9-21 Barony Check Request_1-6-22 SD2022AnnualBudget_02-02-2022-1-1

Quartermaster (THL Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff.

Chatelaine (Lord Nikon Dawidowicz)

• Lord Nikon officially passed the Chatelaine to Lord Ogata. 

Demo Deputy (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• On hold due to my health. Hopefully, we will be able to have one in spring.

Arts & Sciences (HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• I want to encourage everyone to list their current A&S activities on the Baronial spreadsheet. The report is due later this month and I would love to have South Downs shine. Activities would include prepping for a class you’re teaching at Midwinter. If there’s an issue accessing the spreadsheet let me know.
• The 100 days challenge will be up and running in the next week or so. Life got ahead of Alisandre and myself but I’m putting it all together now.

Provost (Daegam Soong Myeong-Su)

• The class this month will be Organizing and Using Your Research with THNoble Rebecca Whieldon Pyke via Zoom. Many thanks to them for offering to teach this month!  They will be teaching this as well as their Starting with Research class at Midwinter this weekend as well.
• Speaking of Midwinter, we’ve got a full schedule of classes planned, so come out and learn something new this weekend! Many thanks to those who are volunteering their time for our event!
• Still looking for classes for the monthly Baronial class nights, so please reach out to me if you’d be interested! No class scheduled for March yet but it could be your class!
• Lastly, I’m pleased to announce that Lord Ælfric Hort is now Deputy Provost! Please give him all the wonderful South Downs support you’ve given me! He’ll be on track to take over the position around the next Midwinter.

Chronicler (Signora Aelia Bassina)

• Still looking for a deputy!

Social Media Minister (Lady Isabella Parr & Lady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing to report for Social media. We’re having midwinter virtually- links to the zoom will be posted in the midwinter event.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI), (Vidushi Mewadi Margavati Bai & Lily of South Downs)

• We had a really great conversation last month about what we are going to do for DEI moving forward. Lily and I, but she has mentioned that she would like to try again for the Extra European class. We are going to do that class in February.
• I figured out how to add auto-generated subtitles to premiere pro! Please reach out to me and I can help you with adding subtitles to videos.
• As always, if you have any questions or need advice about anything, please let us know.

Webminister (Lady Zhelana Vovkivna)

• Nothing to report

Minister of Children (Lady Una Ulfrdottir)

• Nothing to report.

Their Excellencies, (Master Wistric Oftun & Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)

• We are looking forward to the event and classes, along with court. If you were summoned, please attend if at all possible.

SCA Business

• Ximon
  • Midwinter is on track. We have classes and regional practice.
  • I want to give a big thank you to Ceong Myeong Su, she is a champ and super organized. 
  • I want to thank everyone that wanted to be a teacher.
  • Thank you to Mathias for the bard competition.
  • Mairghgread: Are you needing Zoom mods?
    • Yes!
  • We do need more zoom mods for open socials.
  • Margavati will be running a salon
  • Court is scheduled to start at 6pm, or at their whim. 
  • Homecoming will happen after court.
• Ogata
  • I just wanted to check in with the new people to make sure they are having a good time!

The business meeting was closed @ 2023.

The next business meeting will be held on 02 March 2022, 1930, Zoom Meeting.

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

05 January 2022, Time: 1930

Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.

Lady Mairghread Wilson called the January meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Nikoslav read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.

Officers Reports

Seneschal, (Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich)

• Posted call for Dep Sen Applications
• Midwinter changed to digital, Autocrats in planning for how will go
  • Marshals will go over Sunday practice after Midwinter
  • Ximon brought up the potential of Baronial paid Zoom account.
• Pro Zoom paid account is $149.90 /year/license. Up to 9 licenses
  • A single license would likely need to be attached to Sen Gmail for handover.
  • Before having a financial committee or barony vote on spending anything need to check with KSen about the procedure for Barony owning software.  Have contacted KSen and Kingdom Webmin.

Herald (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• Still in need of a deputy.

Knight Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)

• Positive COVID case at the last Regional practice.  The upcoming Regional practice proposed location is at the covered pavilion in Carrollton.  Requesting $300 for a marshal budget to cover the cost to reserve for Sunday following MWAS.
• Upcoming practice considerations:
  • This time of year practice is weather permitting; be aware last-minute cancellations may happen.  Vaccination cards or negative COVID tests, and contact tracing info is still required.  Masks outdoors are no longer required, but please be respectful of others and maintain social distance.
• 1/9/2022 – Practice
• 1/16/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Panhandle weekend)
• 1/23/2022 – Practice
• 1/30/2022 – Practice
• 2/6/2022 – Regional Practice tentatively at the pavilion in Carrollton (back up is Liane Levetan)
• 2/13/2022 – Practice
• 2/20/2022 – Practice
• 2/27/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (MCA weekend)
• 3/6/2022 – Practice
• 3/13/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
• 3/20/2022 – Practice depends on Marshal coverage (Gulf Wars)
• 3/27/2022 – Practice

Rapier Marshal (Captain Brendan de Hay)

• The Barony held two practices in December.  Attendance was low, but there we were.
• Thanks to TRMs and Mistress Sibella, a regional practice was held on 12/18 at the Oak Mountain Pavilion in Carrollton.  The practice was a success, and the venue has a great deal of potential.
• Please note the updates from Kingdom about COVID policy.  
  • Masks are no longer required for outdoor events (including practices).  
  • In Georgia, we CAN and DO require proof of full vaccination or proof of negative Covid test for EVERY event. We also CAN and DO require masks indoors in accordance with Kingdom policy.
• Post-MWAS Regional Practice
  • Admittedly, my survey didn’t get out as early as I had planned, so small sample size.  As of this meeting, one day’s responses indicated that >90% of those responding would attend a regional fighter practice if we held it in the retaining pond behind the Baronial storage unit.  Of the positive responses, only one suggested that they would not leave a donation to defray costs.
• For reference, we’ve been discussing possible venues:
  • Oak Mountain Pavilion, Carrollton, GA (where the 12/18 regional practice was held).  $300 flat rate for the day.
  • Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run, Dunwoody, GA (where our regular weekly practices are held).
  • If we use the fields we normally use, there is no charge, but no control over things like parking, and rain would make it difficult
  • The covered pavilion and amphitheater must be rented together, driving up the cost ($500 for up to 4 hours, $1000 for >4 hours).
  • Raven and I looked at some City of Dunwoody Parks.  Park at Pernoshal Court is a pretty good-looking site, $300/day
• I am looking for a deputy!

Live Weapons (Mistress Mara Palmer)

• Looking at getting practice up and running soon-ish. Mathias is running point on that if you have questions. 
• He’s looking at changing locations bc our hosts can’t currently vaccinate and we don’t want them to feel unwelcome at practice on their own property; also them not being vaccinated means a place to go to the restroom isn’t easy to access; new location would still be in that general area though since Owl’s Nest uses us as a practice a lot and east side seems superfluous with the Madoc & Sol Haven practices already on the east & northeast sides of town.
• We’ll need more loaner arrows eventually. They’re getting kinda sparse, but still manageable for now.
• Looking at handing over LW to Mathias; Conner wants to stay deputy; QCC? (Also I’ll make a note to tell people that if they aren’t comfortable talking to me about this since Mathias is my husband, they can talk to Nik & Sunneva/Wistric).

Reeve (La Onesta Signore Justina di Silvestri)

• Bank statement as of December 2021: $11,248.52
• Our final CW numbers, for the records: 
  • Event Income: $7,728.00
  • Event Expenses: $4,395.79
  • Net Profit: $3,332.21
• Would like to start the new year with a (not so new) baronial requisition/ reimbursement check process. This is very common in baronies and it will really help with record-keeping and getting your reimbursements to you sooner.
  • What this means is there will be 2 forms that as soon as I tweak the format a little will get those to our Webminister Zhelana so they can be uploaded to the website for easy download: requisition request and a check reimbursement request.
  • A Requisition request is the first step and will cover the description and budget of the baronial funding you need for whatever baronial supplies. This will be reviewed by the Financial Committee, and as always, if over $50.00 will go to the barony for a vote.
    • This will be the exchequers record for when you are ready to submit your receipts through step 2,  the reimbursement check request.
  • These are easy forms and will help record keeping and give me contact info and a trail to reference since it can be months between a vote and a receipt. If you have any questions about it please feel free to reach out and I’m always happy to help guide you through it. 
• And I’ll say again- Please please please NEVER have personal purchases on a baronial purchase receipt. We cannot refund comingled purchases. 
• The financial committee is going to meet later this month to go over a yearly budget and inventory review- will keep y’all updated on that next business meeting.
• This brings us to  2 expenses that are CW/budget overages that the barony needs to vote on:
  • Field supplies purchased for martial activities overage totaling $177.47
  • Field Supplies purchased total: $327.47
  • The allocation for the martial budget in the bid, minus live weapons was $150 so it’s 177.47 to approve.

• The supplies included in this were The bird netting and 1×2 strips were to make the field safe for combat archery. Rapier Martial Captain Brendan de Hay is the contact on those purchases and can give more details if needed
• The second is for the overage of $66.71 for archery supplies. The allocation previously voted on was $200, so this will cover the remainder of the cost of those. Mistress Mara Palmer is the contact on these purchases and can give more details if needed.

• I am also looking for a deputy.

Quartermaster (THL Isabetta de San Marco) 

• We have stuff/
• The three pavilions that were donated have been added to storage and the inventory.

Chatelaine (Lord Nikon Dawidowicz)

• Sefa reached out to me in November. I’ve been putting her in contact with people with similar interests. 
• In addition to Sefa being put in touch with people who have common interests, I’ve been meeting up recently with a couple whom I’ve known for a few years.
• Their names are Viridia and Kayd and they’re really interested in fencing! We’ve been getting together to practice footwork and technique with sport sabers so far.
• Also, they’ve shown some interest in historic Italian garb, so I pointed them towards Lorenzo’s blog.
• I’m passing the torch to Ogata next month.

Demo Deputy (Lady Bú Feiyan)

• I am looking at several possibilities for demos. Will happily take any suggestions.
• Challenge issued to all Laurels in the Barony. Make a small something to showcase your persona, passion, or you whatever. I’d like to be able to fill our display tables with things we’ve made. 5 x 8 in or smaller preferred.

Arts & Sciences (THL Alisandre de la Chapelle & HE Rhiannon verch Madyn)

• We’ll be starting “100 days of A&S” challenge in the next couple of days.  Watch the Baronial Page for the event to go up soon! We want to see what everyone is doing.  It doesn’t have to be fancy and heavily documented. Every day A&S courts!

Provost (Daegam Soong Myeong-Su)

• Happy New Year! 
• Looking for classes for the new year to fill out the monthly class schedule. All months are open except November and December for the holidays. Classes will continue to be virtual until further notice. This is a great way to test drive a class to a smaller audience! Contact Seong Myeong Su/Tami King if you’re interested. 
• Also looking for classes for the upcoming Midwinter on Feb. 5th. The event is now virtual, so classes will be done on Zoom. A link should be posted to the sign-up form on the FB group but you can contact me directly if you’d like! As always, thanks for teaching!
• Currently still looking for a deputy if you’re interested in organizing classes for the barony and our events.
• I am looking for a deputy!

Chronicler (Signora Aelia Bassina)

• Still looking for a deputy!

Social Media Minister (Lady Isabella Parr & Lady Agnes Halydaye) 

• Nothing to report at this time.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI), (Vidushi Mewadi Margavati Bai & Lily of South Downs)

• This year we have some new stuff we can do.
• I’ve talked to the Kingdom DEI officer and he’s very excited about what we’ve been doing
• That being said, I’ve only had 6 people take the survey on DEI. Please take the survey. It’s been posted on the Baronial Facebook page.

Webminister (Lady Zhelana Vovkivna)

• Updated Midwinter to virtual
• Changed copyright to 2022

Minister of Children (Lady Una Ulfrdottir)

• I spoke with the Kingdom MoC about virtual kid’s activities, and she says, “There is a prohibition against doing anything virtual with youth. It comes from the BOD & Society Seneschal.” In light of that (and unless there are any objections), I’ll plan on not doing any children’s activities at Midwinter.

Their Excellencies, (Master Wistric Oftun & Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)

• Message us award recommendations, please.
• Even though we won’t be in person, we would like to acknowledge people. The royals will be holding court so it will be in front of the kingdom.
• I think more people in the Barony have caught COVID than during the entire pandemic. Please keep yourselves safe. We want to be able to see you in person.

SCA Business

• Piers
  • I have spoken with Owls Nest and they may be interested in joining us for Artsy Crown.
• MidWinter
  • Zimon
    • As everyone knows, we are going virtual for MidWinter.
    • It looks like we can get the pavilion for region practice.
      • We spoke about the pros and cons of where to have it a couple of days ago.
    • We could really use some moderators for some of our classes. It’s really easy. We are planning on having a training session for it to help take any scariness away from it.
    • We are going to have several competitions. We aren’t sure when these will be doing on. More will be posted as I know it.
      • Poet Lariet
      • Bardic Champion
    • We still need people to teach classes virtually.
    • We will have a virtual Kingdom A&S competition.
  • Justina
    • If you’ve already paid for MidWinter, please follow the reimbursement procedures for your refund.
  • Wistric
    • Any classes that need to be in person, there has been talk about having at the regional practice.

The business meeting was closed @ 2033.

The next business meeting will be held on 02 February 2022, 1930, Zoom Meeting.