South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

5 July 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

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

Lord Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. THL Mathias is tonight’s stunt seneschal.

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Nothing to report

• Live Weapons Marshal (Mistress Mara Palmer)
  • Approximately 10 people showed up at the first practice
  • Lots of gear is arriving at Mara’s house, ready to sort/prep. She reports that we are still way under budget, so she’ll continue to order things 🙂
  • Next archery practice will be co-hosted with Owls Nest on 23 July (the same weekend as Arabian Nights)
  • Ximon is working on prizes for first archery tourney – breakdown banner pole, banner, etc.

• Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
  • Submissions
    • Annaliese Wolf – name/device at Laurel (2nd month of commentary)
    • Stella di Silvestri – device at Laurel (1st month of commentary)
    • Juliane de Vivonne – badge at Kingdom (in commentary)
    • Porcia Secunda – name at Kingdom (in commentary)
    • Lucien d’Artois – badge x2 submitted to kingdom
    • Conrad Windhorn – name submitted to kingdom
  • Court Report
    • None

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • The June A+S class was on Commedia del Arte, and taught by THL Mathias
  • This month’s class night will be on viking aprons, and taught by Beteena
  • The August class will be Mistress Jadi’s autocratting roundtable, featuring experienced event stewards / autocrats from both within and without our Barony. She expects the speakers will provide a range of viewpoints and experiences about stewarding events. Master Ximon volunteered to take part. However, it still needs to be scheduled, as she will be out of town for the usual class night in August. We may switch August class night with another meeting night (perhaps project night) to accommodate. Stay tuned!

• Youth Armored Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)
  • We have a new youth fighter (huzzah!)
  • The youth practice scheduled for this Sunday will move to Bryn Madoc, to join the regional event honoring (and surprising!) Duke Orlando as he marks his 40th anniversary of his knighthood.

• Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
  • (Lady Mairghread reporting) Mairgread will step up as marshal and Robert steps down to deputy, due to work issues. Asked for approval – stunt seneschal says “uh, yeah, dude.”
  • Tuesday heavy practice – considering combining South Downs armored practice with Owls Nest to boost numbers for each side? Good to support our neighbors 🙂
  • With Lord Robert stepping down, the question arose if Mairghread will MiC Red Tower? She’ll consult with Robert and other interested parties and get things sorted out
  • Mairghread will need to get the loaner gear from Robert, especially for Sunday’s practice. Still need loaner gear – His Excellency points out that we do have funds for gear 🙂

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Thanked everyone who’s been able to step up and cover marshaling responsibilities at practices when he’s been unable to attend
  • We are also looking at combining rapier practices with our brethren in Owls Nest – scheduling around traffic on Tuesday evenings is rather difficult, but we are looking at options
  • Brendan announced that Lord Piers will step up as deputy rapier marshal. The nomination went to the populace for approval; Lucien objected (then everyone started laughing). Deputy rapier marshal approved.

• Their Excellencies
  • Encourage everyone to attend the fighter practice this Sunday in Bryn Madoc
  • Also encourage everyone to attend Tourney of the Foxes, hosted by the Shire of Vulpine Reach (25-27 August, at Harrison Bay State Park in Chattanooga). Event info here: Tourney of the Foxes.
    • Her Excellency is interested in sponsoring teams on the armored, rapier, and live weapons/archery fields, and is already for her representatives on the field. She will provide tokens, so come out and fight for the honor of your Barony!
  • Baronial Awards
    • At the last business meeting, discussions began about new awards.
    • Lucien said that at KWHSS, discussion of order names suggests that our names may not pass, since they do not follow standard structure
      • Flannait had an article about medieval order names that she presented at a class
      • Two things usually are included: every order name needs to have a designator and a substantive element that matches the way orders were named in period
      • Order of *heraldic charge” or *heraldic color” or order of two heraldic charges, etc. or abstract quality or virtue
      • We need to back to the drawing board on names, but the badges should be fine – have already been conflict checked (to date)
      • Duke John wanted to know why we’re getting pushback on the order names – no one cared for ages about what names were made up, so why suddenly now?
      • It was suggested that we should register the badges for now; names can be done at a later time (if at all), since these are non-armigerous so it’s not as important to register the names

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • Lady Stella is in Korea, so did not get to submit a report? His Excellency stepped in to improv:
    • Korea is awesome!
    • She is still looking for 2 deputies
    • Lorenzo helped recruit new people at Mistress Allesandra’s 4th of july shindig. Recruit new people! please 🙂

• Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
  • Placeholder page now exists for Fall Crown List (we are co-hosting with Depedale and Bryn Madoc)

• Reeve (THL Maire)
  • Not present at meeting, but Their Excellencies confirmed that we still have money! huzzah!

Upcoming Events

• Fall Crown List (10-12 November 2017)
  • Co-hosting with the shire of Depedale and the Barony of Bryn Madoc
  • Will take place at Little Tallapoosa Park in Carrollton
  • Kynric is co-autocrat
  • Illy Brownlee is feastcrat
  • Lady Alisandre is merchantcrat

• Fighters’ Collegium (1-3 September 2017)
  • Yes, it’s happening! There had been questions about whether the new Kingdom Law regarding scheduling Fighters’ Collegium with RUM starts in 2017 or 2018, but it remains an independent event for 2017.
  • Being held at Dalwhinnie Fields near Selma, AL (site of this year’s Black Axe).

• Red Tower (30 September – 2 October 2017)
  • Nothing to report
  • Everything going smoothly, visited the site and met with the portapotty people and the park staff.

• Castle Wars (17 – 19 November 2017)
  • Flyer in progress, should be ready in a week or two
  • Still need volunteers – please contact Lord Piers or Sir Iazzie
  • Equestrian people have found their own water buffalo, so we now have an extra $500 in the budget
  • Is there a site token plan?

Event Bids

• Fall Crown (10-12 November 2017)
  • Bid has been submitted, waiting to hear from Crown.

• Midwinter Arts + Sciences 2018 (2-4 February 2018)
  • Lady Alisandre is working on a bid

Other SCA Business

• DragonCon
  • We are all set for the parade (40 wrist bands) if you know anyone coming from other kingdoms, let us know so we can make arrangements
  • Master Ximon has news about the chariot. He posted on fb group the other day about chariot situation, offering to help compensate anyone who wants to pull the chariot (6 pack of your choice). If you’re planning on attending DragonCon, marching in the Parade, are strong, and thirsty, talk to Ximon or Stella
  • John wants to get in touch with Crafty Celt – he had mentioned that he was interested in riding in the chariot, but we’d then need 4 at a time to pull it
  • Last year, we had a situation with the chariot b/c people were using it to store things during the parade and then left those things behind. Please don’t bring anything to the parade you can’t/wont carry during the parade.
  • Rhi mentioned that the Netherworld people have their own plan at the end of the parade to make it easier to deal with all the stuff. It was suggested that there is already a plan – just need to minimize extra stuff and meet with chariot to help put stuff away. As long as we do that, we should be fine.
• South Downs Supper Club
  • We want to bring it back! What is the South Downs Supper Club? A volunteer hosts the dinner, a group of people cook period recipes (usually with a common theme), other people donate $, everyone eats 🙂
  • For more information, check out the South Downs Supper club group on Facebook
• Tina has a piece of female rapier armor that is now looking for a good home. She’s offering to sell it to the Barony for $50 to use it as loaner gear. Vote request to approve funds. Stunt seneschal says “yeah, sure dude.” Motion passes.
• Ximon asked if anyone would be interested in his teaching a class on how to build a breakdown banner pole? Everyone said YAAAASSSS
• Lucien needs a check for $50 to register badges. Vote seconded and approved
• Mathias said there had been mention of including bardic performances or SCA dancing during our Fifth Wednesday potluck. He is interested in getting some people together to do some commedia at a future Fifth Wednesday. If interested, please contact him.
• Lucien reminded everyone about the 2nd mini business meeting, possibly to start in August to help keep track of upcoming events (thru Midwinter A+S in February)

Non-SCA Business

• THL Andreva brought cake in honor of her birthday (chocolate and stout cake – it was delicious!)

All the business issues having been addressed, the business meeting was closed.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 2 August 2017, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

7 June 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

Notes submitted by Lord Brendan de Hay (mka Benjamin Hay), South Downs Stunt Chronicler.

Lord Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Master Wistric chaired the meeting and offered fresh baked banana bread in honor of his and Mistress Sunneva’s wedding anniversary (huzzah!).

Officer Reports

• Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
  • Submissions
    • Anneliese Wolf had name and device submission pass kingdom and forwarded to Laurel
    • Stella di Silvestri resubmitted device to kingdom via heraldic consultation table at Crown List
    • Two badges and one name submitted for next month
  • This year’s Knowne Worlde Heraldic and Scribal Symposium will be coming to fair Meridies! The shire of Nant-y-Derwyddon has the honor of hosting it, and will be held in Knoxville the weekend of 23-25 June, 2017. For more information, please visit the symposium website
  • Wistric, encouraging the populace to register devices in time for Meridian 40 Year (because banners with devices make for a spiffier event!), asked the populace who still needs to register devices, etc. to get a sense of who may need assistance in doing so.
  • Wistric also asked Lucien how many devices one can register (alternate heraldry) – Lucien replied that one can register as many as six names, devices, etc.

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Everyone continues to be happy with the Liane Levetan / Brook Run Park practice site in Dunwoody
  • Rapier practices continue to be held Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (Sundays with our armored brethren), weather- and conflicting-event-permitting

• Youth Armored Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)
  • There will be a regional youth practice on 7/9/17 (Jon Montgomery in charge), location TBD

• Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
  • Meridian Fight Club will take place Sunday, 30 July, location TBD. His Grace Sir Bart will be in charge.
  • Mistress Mara was elected Baronial Archery Marshal by general acclaim

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • Stella is looking for a deputy Chatelaine (still has 8 months left in term)
  • Regarding the Chatelaine office, Stella wants to split office into newcomers and demo coordinator
  • Speaking of demos, we will host a demo (again) this Sunday, 11 June, after fighter practice, at ATL Streets Alive. This Streets Alive will be on Marietta Street, on the Westsite. Want to volunteer? Fighters, artisans, dancers, etc welcome and needed! See Mistress Margavati or His Excellency Master Lorenzo for more information, or check out the FB event posted on Atlanta SCA Fighting
  • We have a giant box of postcards available for distribution at demos

• Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
  • Placeholder pages now exist for Red Tower and Castle Wars event sites
  • Email issues are being worked on — spamblocker is really aggressive
  • Link set up to Lorenzo’s Artisan website
  • Please submit updates for personal profiles section on our website

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • The May A+S class on gnocchi making taught by THL Mariana had a great turnout – and the gnocchi were delicious!
  • This month’s class night will be on Commedia del Arte, taught by THL Mathias
  • July’s class night may feature an autocratting roundtable, possibly hosted by Mistress Jadi

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Nothing to report, but thanks to Lord Brendan for serving as stunt Chronicler!

• Reeve (THL Maire)
  • Not present at meeting, but Their Excellencies confirmed that we have money! huzzah!

• Their Excellencies
  • Knowne Worlde Heraldic and Scribal Symposium is coming!
    • 23-25 June 2017, in Knoxville, TN; hosted by Nant-y-Derwyddon. For more information, go to their: website
    • Come on out and support Meridies!
  • The weekend before the Knowne Worlde Heraldic and Scribal Symposium in Knoxville, the Knowne Worlde Dance Symposium will be held in Baltimore, MD (the lands of Fair Atlantia), 15-18 June, 2017. Interested? check out the website for more information.
  • Their Excellencies encouraged everyone to attend RUM (Royal University of Meridies), which will be hosted by the Shire of Crimson River in Clarksville, TN on 15 July
  • Tournament of Foxes (25-27 August) – Her Excellency is already beginning to recruit for Foxes teams! She has tokens, and she wants to show her support for ALL the teams – armored, rapier, and live weapons/archery! Event info here: Tourney of the Foxes
  • His Excellency is interested in revamping Baronial award structure.
    • Proposed new structure/orders
    • Entry to order once, as opposed to awards which can be given over an over. (sheet attached, received with general acclaim and mirthful commentary)
    • Discussion on merits of orders vs. awards.
    • Possibly adding a “Baron/Baroness’ Pleasure award for multiple recognitions
    • Lorenzo will post this for discussion outside the meeting (FB and website). Would like to have comments set up for vote by next month’s business meeting? Think about who you want to recommend…
  • Her Excellency reminded everyone to make Kingdom-level recommendations, and that she and Lorenzo would love to hand out awards at Red Tower
  • Some discussion of how award recommendations work, particularly for polling orders
  • If you’re having issues with OP spellings and accuracy, contact Mathias or Lucien

• Seneschal (Master Wistric)
  • Margavati mentioned an old office, that of site deputy (within the senschal office), that focuses on researching and databasing potential event sites). Would anyone be interested in volunteering for this office? Contact Peryn and/or Lorenzo for help, as they had both done some work previously collecting information on potential sites.
  • Wistric and Maire discussed developing more event infrastructure. Recommend potential investments…
    • Kitchen stuff
    • Golf cart? (or include in event budgets?)
    • Pop ups?

Upcoming Events

• Red Tower (6-8 October 2017)
  • Bathrooms too far away at Booker T, so we will be looking to add portapotties to the site.
    • We expect to make it work in current budget.
    • Checking with park staff for approval.
  • Need volunteers – if interested, please get in touch with Beteena.

• Castle Wars (16-19 November 2017)
  • New site is confirmed – the event will be held at McIntosh Reserve in Whitesburg. This will require new budgets (with and without extra water for horses, since we can have equestrian activities. Adding extra water for horses, adds $2 for day trip, $1 for weekend.
  • Because the new site doesn’t have a kitchen or other feast capabilities, there will not be a feast offered this year.
  • Castle Wars Theme: William Wallace
  • Expecting MOB invitational tourney to add some people

Event Bids

• Fall Crown (10-12 November 2017)
  • Bid has been submitted, waiting to hear from Crown.

• Midwinter Arts + Sciences 2018 (2-4 February 2018)
  • Bid is in. No confirmation on hall until late September (College won’t confirm scheduling)
  • Looking for crazy cooking type volunteer to coordinate—could we manage a day board of Moroccan food (specific university in Morocco)? Day board included in admission fee.

Other SCA Business

• DragonCon
  • Nothing to report

• Archery!
  • Looking for a site for regular practice. Probable joint practice with Owls’ Nest at Viking Alchemist property (alternates include Portia & John’s in NE Atlanta or Mairghread & Piers in Cobb Co.)
  • 8 June for first practice? First one starts at noon, then future practices will begin at 10:00am.
  • Sundays, probably 1 per month.
  • Budget proposal for archery/thrown weapons stuff—attached. Note that all numbers in budget are high estimates, actual cost will probably be less.
    • Will probably store equipment at Their Excellencies’ house
    • We anticipate having this ready in time for Red Tower
    • Recommended that we purchase 3-target system
    • We can use any budget overhead for loaner gear (Mara is pricing gear)
    • Ximon wants to donate a prize—break-down banner pole for first competitive shoot, Mara recommends waiting until July practice
    • Discussion on website/fb to encourage donations
    • Financial committee passes proposal (except for exchequer, not here tonight)
    • Barony passes proposal
    • Please note: Budget and information documentation will be made linkable once I have the PDFs –Chronicler

• Lucien suggests that with all the events in the works over the next couple of months, we should have additional mini business meetings during other Baronial meeting nights (possibly project nights?) to facilitate updating the populace on event planning

• THL Andreva and Mistress Jadi will be starting project nights again, on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month at their home. Please contact them for address/directions.

Non-SCA Business

• 24 June 24: the Festival Singers of ATL will be presenting a Fundraiser cabaret, $20 tickets, “Ease on Down the Road;” Andreva & Katie will be singing duets.
• 18 June – Margavati mentioned that a Makers Market will take place at Stove Works on Krog Street

All the business issues having been addressed, the business meeting was closed.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 5 July 2017, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

5 April 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

Notes submitted by Lord Brendan de Hay (mka Ben Hay), South Downs Stunt Chronicler.

Lord Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Master Wistric, warming up to take over as Seneschal, chaired the meeting.

Officer Reports

• Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
  • Talmere’s Lusty Month of May will be hosting this year’s Meridian Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, so come on out! (13 May, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Family Group Shelter

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Lord Brendan reporting on behalf of Lady Raven – nothing to report

• Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
  • Deputy marshal Lady Mairghread reporting on behalf of Lord Robert
  • We need to make sure people are aware of new location (Liane Levetan / Brook Run Park, 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338)
  • Let Robert know about anything else needed…
  • Wistric points out that Owls nest is looking for folks to help with a demo, the Medieval and Renaissance Faire at Swift Cantrell Park on April 29

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • New practice location! Liane Levetan / Brook Run Park in Dunwoody
  • It’s time for the annual gathering of superfluous information to feed this year’s quarterly reports. Watch for update requests.

• Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
  • Deputy Webminister (Lord Pietro) has updated page, including a Dramatis Personae page listing members of the Barony and their interests / skills
  • Please submit profile updates using the form on the website
  • Stunt Chronicler’s note: Pietro has done some really good work on content. Everyone should check out atlantasca.org!

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • Lord Camulocaros taught a class on the history of beer last month
  • The topic of this month’s class will be blending and shading (painted elements in your illuminations), taught by Lady Veronica; she will teach teach this at Fools War as well
  • Please send Lady Veronica info for quarterly report; paper being passed as well

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • We welcomed new (and newish) folks – Nick, Jessica, and Conrad

• Their Excellencies
  • Fools War is coming!
    • Lady Alisandre is coordinating the South Downs camp at Fools War, period tents will be placed toward field side, and modern tents by road ( we have 3 lots)
    • If you are eating with group, please post on Facebook tonight, so she can plan the menu
  • Knowne Worlde Heraldic and Scribal Symposium is coming!
    • 23-25 June 2017, in Knoxville, TN; hosted by Nant-y-Derwyddon. For more information, go to their: website
    • Come on out and support Meridies!
  • Castle Wars Discretionary fund – Owls Nest is looking for someone to host a fundraiser lunch at Crossroads (16 September 2017). This would be a good opportunity to increase the budget for the Castle Wars revel fund
  • Congratulations to Pietro and Mairghread, the new Baronial rapier and armored champions! They both fought well and honorably!
  • Their Majesties Meridies have announced a new program – the Youth and Family Achievement program, the goal of which will encourage families and children to get involved in the arts and sciences. Volunteers are needed – share your knowledge and skill with the youth of Meridies!

Event Bids for 2017

• Red Tower (6-8 October 2017)
  • Lady Giuliana (w/ assistance from Mistress Adela), will autocrat
  • Event will be held at Booker T. Washington Park in Chattanooga
  • We will rent the group camp, which includes the hall in rental fee, cabin space, and camping
  • Will survey site at Artsy Crown
  • There is a bath house at the site, so there will not be any need for portapotties
  • We may lose some attendees from the south, due to the additional travel distance; however, as Bacon Bash does not conflict this year, we may draw additional attendees from the northern parts of the kingdom
  • Break-even at 270 people
  • Expected fees
    • Daytrip – $7 preregister, $10 at gate, camping $10-/-$13
    • Feast $8/head
  • 104 paid feast spots (+16 high table) available
  • At least 80 beds (cabin?) available
  • Need rapier marshal (Master Wistric volunteers)
  • Theme is Roman
  • Need lunch, breakfast people (fundraiser?)

• Castle Wars (16-19 November 2017)
  • Lord Piers will autocrat, with assistance from Sir Iastreb (If Yazzie wins Crown, Mistress Liz will step in to assist)
  • As discussed in previous meetings, site will be the Al Sihah Shrine in Macon
  • Site fees:
    • Total cost $7,024
    • $20 onsite, $18 pre-reg
    • Feast — $10/head; Lady Mairghread will feastcrat
  • Travelers’ fare and breakfast will not be offered
  • Will plan to have a fundraiser lunch available for hosting
  • Break-even is 250 weekenders, 125 day trips, 96 feasts (8-16 for high table)
  • We are expecting more attendees than last year (2016 had 600 adult attendees)
  • MoB invitational tourney could be a big draw for rapier fighters.

KLE (Kingdom-Level Event) Bids

• Due to recent changes in kingdom law, we will not be able to bid on Fighters’ Collegium; we need to find another event to bid on
• South Downs and Bryn Madoc both need an event to bid on
• Joint bid with Bryn Madoc, Depedale, and South Downs on Fall Crown
• Potential site for Fall Crown – McIntosh is current likely site
• Even split on costs & profit
• Complication – Fall Crown is scheduled the weekend before Castle Wars
• Bryn Madoc and Depedale both have people available
• Matthias will begin the bid process, and cancel the Tallapoosa reservation

Other Upcoming Bids

• Midwinter Arts + Sciences (2-4 February 2018)
  • We need a bid

• DragonCon
  • Closer than you think (1-4 September 2017)
  • His Excellency & Master Wistric were discussing whether the table is worth the effort
  • It’s a burden on Their Excellencies and the Chatelaine
  • Has there been a return on the investment?—NO TABLE
  • Parade is still important
  • Duke John suggested that a demo would be better / more fun than a table
  • Talk to Bam, Keith, etc. to find out who we contact about a demo room? Ximon will take point on querying that
  • Chariot needs humans, and may have an extra passenger (Vortigern), so more “horses!”

• Finance committee pre-approved event bids, so voting on bids?
• Red Tower—Passed
• Castle Wars – Passed

Non-SCA Business

• Museum Replicas sale is coming up – likely 20 May

All the business issues having been addressed, the business meeting was closed.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 3 May 2017, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

1 March 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

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

THL Mathias Blackett called the meeting to order.

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Working on newsletter
    • Not too late to submit content – still looking for articles, artwork, officer/guild columns! Please contact Lady Raven via Facebook or e-mail at mawrtyr88@gmail.comwith your questions or submissions
    • New deadline – before Gulf Wars, hoping to publish issue end of March/early April
    • Name for newsletter: The Read Tower

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Rapier practices are held Sunday afternoons (concurrent with armored fighter practice) and Tuesday evenings, usually at Blackburn Park. Check the Facebook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting” for updates and changes (such as cancellation or temporary location changes due to weather).
  • Attendance at practice varies dramatically, but rarely fewer than four, and sometimes as many as 14. We have some new (to us) folks joining us in the last few weeks as well. Welcome to Konrad, Will, David, and Somber.
  • Recent stuff:
    • Meridian Challenge of Arms was a successful day, thanks in large part to the support of non-fencers who came out to herald, marshal, make pretty scrolls, and other cool stuff. We rapier folk think you guys are awesome.
    • Special congrats to Master Wistric, who won the armatura challenge, and finished the day with an awesome match vs. Don Lazarus Gage.
  • Upcoming stuff:
    • Gulf Wars! If you’re going, and planning to fight rapier, Baroness Adela’s Gilded Companie will be under the command of Master Wistric. I understand Masters Wistric and Morgan will be representing the Order of Jerusalem.
    • We hear rumors that Her Excellency has suggested March 26 as the day to choose this year’s Baronial fighting champions. It also happens that Lady Raven has been discussing that date with other local groups for us to host a regional practice. Watch for further announcements on both topics.

• Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
  • Armored fighters practice continues on Sundays – this pas week had a small turnout but practice was good

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • Demo season is coming! Abel is coordinating Streets Alive! on 11 June over by Georgia Tech. Streets Alive is held several times a year, throughout the city – the 11 June event is the most likely to not conflict with other SCA events, so come on out!

• Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
  • We have a website!

• Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
  • Talmere’s Lusty Month of May will be hosting this year’s Meridian Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, so come on out! (13 May, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Family Group Shelter
  • Speaking of Heraldic and Scribal Symposia, the shire of Nant-y-derwyddon will host this year’s Knowne Worlde Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, in Knoxville, TN, 23-25 June, 2017. For more information, go to their: website

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • Last week’s class was on bliauts, taught by Mistress Sunneva. This month’s A+S class will be on an intro to all things beer (yay!), and will be taught by Lord Camulocaros

• Their Excellencies
  • Gulf Wars is coming!
    • Please volunteer for raffle tickets and $ for the barony. we have been challenged to provide 75 hrs of volunteering by Baroness Iron Mountain. She is certain that we can easily hit that, so we want to crush that goal 🙂
    • We are processing in with TRM on Tuesday for opening ceremonies – need volunteers for banner holders (need to wear black and white garb)
    • Thursday is Known Worlde party – volunteer! have fun! drink responsibly!
  • Coronation!
    • Challenges for scroll cases and for regalia. Next week’s project night will be building scroll cases. Mistress Serafina commented that her office has a pile of cardboard she can contribute to the scroll case cause.
    • Mistress Symonne will make a silk banner for the group that provides the most scroll cases, as well as perhaps some finger loop braiding.
  • This month will be our 5th Wednesday garb potluck! Stay tuned for further details.
  • Baronial rapier and armored championships! Will be held at the upcoming Regional Rapier practice on 26 March
  • MCA scrolls – 4 of the 8 champions scrolls were bestowed upon South Downers (yay!)

• Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
  • Master Wistric will step up as Seneschal in April

Post-Mortem for Midwinter Arts + Sciences

• Food location was great! Having it in the second-floor lounge area worked out really well.
• Third floor setup for A+S also worked out really well – good space to organize all the competitions
• Yay for multiple lounges – having space for attendees to relax on each floor was greatly appreciated
• Mathias is talking to Duke Thomas about the possibility of using KSU as a future event site
• Merchant space is still problematic – hallways were crowded. Maybe take one of the lounges as a merchant space? perhaps a classroom near the lunch?

Event Bids for 2017

• Event site updates:
  • Mathias is talking to Duke Thomas about KSU, but it’s too late to get it for RUM. Maybe Fighters Collegium? Fall is really congested with big events. We just need a field, a place for court/feast (BBQ?)
  • Tallapoosa was also suggested, as we’re already familiar with the site
  • Mathias will post updates on Atlanta SCA
• General future event discussions
  • Mathias and Wistric wants to get people together to see who tends to do what all the time, and come up with a strategy to determine what and how can we teach each other those skills so we can cover each other better?
  • This would also be a great opportunity to learn how to do a particular job. Jadi has offered to head up the autocrat roundtable
  • Margavati mentioned that many newcomers have a common problem – how to get involved if you don’t know where to start? Raven will look into how this can be added to the newsletter (as a column? in the information section?)
• Upcoming bid deadlines
  • Bids for Red Tower and Castle Wars are due for next month’s (April) business meeting.

Upcoming Events

• Fool’s War (7-10 April 2017)
  • Mistress Allesandra is heading up the A+S competitions, and she needs judges. You do not need an OVO to judge – just have someone vouch for your experience/knowledge.

Non-SCA Business

• Project night 2nd and 4th Thursdays at THL Andreva’s and Mistress Jadi’s home
• There is much interest in rebooting the South Downs Supper Club – for further info, check out their Facebook group

All the business issues having been addressed, the business meeting was closed.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 5 April 2017, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

4 January 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

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

Lord Lucien d’Artois – our new Herald – called the meeting to order.

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Mentioned plans for newsletter
    • Plans to publish it quarterly, first issue (hopefully) end of March
    • Seeking artists, writers, photographers for content – would like to show what we are doing as a barony, and offer as much original content as possible
    • Baronial officers and marshals are welcome to contribute content – A+S Salon, Marshals’ Column, etc.
    • Other content ideas: articles from guilds; event summaries (with photos); recipes (does the South Downs Supper Club still exist?); How To Improve Your Fighting or Camping Kit; etc.
    • Articles should be ~250 words (about one page)
    • More information (including links to release forms) forthcoming, both on South Dows website (here) and Facebook group
    • Oh, and we need a title for the newsletter – ideas welcome!

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Practices are going well! We continue to have practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (weather and event schedule permitting).
  • We have a new winter practice location for Tuesday evenings, at Gerrick’s house in Peachtree Corners, with a backup at Brendan’s office warehouse.
  • For the latest info on practice status, check Atlanta SCA Fighting group on Facebook.
  • THL Mathias took care of the insurance paperwork so we can have our practices where we need to have them.

• Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
  • We have a website! Midwinter A+S has a website! Yay!

• Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
  • Submissions – Devices
    • Bram Halfdannarson – passed Kingdom

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • We have had some new people show up and they’re coming back, yay!

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • December was a great month! THL Mathias taught a great class on singing.
  • A+S competition season has started. Mistresses Allesandra and Sunneva will again offer their class on the basics of entering an A+S competition, including feedback, how do judges review work, what the judging sheets are all about, etc., just in time for Stella Nova at Midwinter A+S.

• Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)
  • We have money! What shall we do with some of it? (See below!)

• Their Excellencies
  • Scribal nights continue to be held on the first Monday of the month at Their Excellencies’ home.
  • Her Excellency Adela is planning on attending Black Gryphon (17-19 February) – if you are interested in carpooling or caravaning, please contact her
  • This year’s Meridian Knowne Worlde social is on Saturday night (edit: rumors abound that it may been moved earlier in the week, but I currently can’t find confirmation); Lady Ysmay and Sir Tim are running it and seek volunteers
  • More Gulf Wars: there is an open call for advertisements – events, non-merchanting announcements, etc., are sought out
  • There will again be a volunteer raffle at Gulf Wars! Volunteers can earn points for their local group (South Downs!) and raffle tickets to score lovely prizes!
  • Opening day procession is likely Tuesday morning of War Week. We would like to have banners made for procession, should have 8 total (6 new?) in time

• Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
  • Midwinter A+S is coming! Now is the time to write recommendations for deserving gentles, as Crown will be attending! Mathias reminded everyone that if you are not 100% sure that a person has a particular award check the Meridian Order of Precedence – you would be surprised at the awards people deserve but DONT HAVE.
  • War College will be held in Alabama the same weekend as Midwinter A+S

• Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
  • Fighting classees at Midwinter? Check with Lord Robert if you need support for your class

Upcoming Events

• Bryn Madoc Twelfth Night (7 January 2017)
  • There will be fighting! Classes! Feasting! (Twelfth Night feast is potluck – check FB event page or website (below) for details)
  • Event website

• Midwinter Arts + Sciences (3-5 February 2017)
  • We should start looking for closer-in event sites where we can hold MWA+S and we can spread out; weekend event with A+S on Saturday and fighting on Sunday at the same site, for example
  • Entry deadline for Stella Nova @ is coming up
  • We have a whopping 2 reservations (!!!) please pre-reg!
  • We have 11 teachers, looking for more – talk to Lady Veronica if you are interested
  • We need volunteers for troll, people to put up and take down directional signs. Master Ximon has volunteered to take care of the street signs
  • We need volunteers for setup, who can be on site early Saturday morning early. Because the site is not secure, it is recommended we set up Saturday morning (6:30-7:00am) instead of Friday night. Several people volunteered.
  • There is no official floor plan, but we’d love to have one set up for reference (chronicler’s note: there is now a simple one on the event program)
  • The Meridian Order of the Blade will sponsor a fundraiser lunch – stew, drink, cookies for $5. There was discussion about where can lunch be set up, especially if weather is bad?
  • We have two merchants already requesting space, we could possibly fit as many as 4 on the first floor merchants area, with maybe a couple more on a different floor
  • Please contact Zeliha if you would like to pre-register
  • Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact Lord Pietro
  • Will there be a regional practice on Sunday, since War College will be the same weekend? Unlikely, but we will still have our regular practice that Sunday

• Kingdom-Level Events for 2017
  • Bids for Red Tower and Castle Wars are due in April to encourage newer autocrats to step up – it’s never too early to put a bid together for these events!
  • Iazzie has offered to co-autocrat to help teach/supervise a newer autocrat
  • Red Tower (7 October 2017) – potential site is Booker T Washington Park in Chattanooga (where Crown Lyst was held).
    • We would need to put reservation in with 50% deposit. It’s a relatively expensive site with weird pricing structure, but we have the resources to give it a shot. Payoff could be HUGE
    • Bacon Bash is not a conflict in 2017
    • Duke John expressed concern that we have to go out of state for an event. Where else can we get a large cabin site for such events? We are always looking for closer-in sites, but there aren’t many that could handle an event this size.

Other SCA Business

• THL Andreva and Mistress Jadi will host an A+S project night on the 2nd Thursday of the month (a week from tomorrow)
• Margavati asked if anyone was planning on/interested in going to Trimaris’ A+S event this weekend?
• Maire has completed taking over the baronial storage unit, and will have sign in/out sheets for all supplies to help keep track of everything
• This year’s Streets Alive! is gearing up – Abel is coordinating, so stay tuned! Last year was a ton of fun, try to plan for it this year!

Non-SCA Business

• Lord Bram will be taking part in Battle of the Nations as part of a 21 person team. The event will be in Barcelona – immediately, several people offered to serve as translator, crew, managers, etc. Because Barcelona 🙂
• Secret Santa gifts were then exchanged among the populace

All the business issues having been addressed, the business meeting was closed.

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 4 January 2017, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

Happy holidays!

–Raven