South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

6 April 2016, 7:30pm

Decatur Recreation Center

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter (mka Helena Bretherton Hay), South Downs Chronicler (who, incidentally, wishes to beg pardon for the delay in publishing these minutes. There were pirates, and shiny things… but she thinks she’s better now 😉 )

Before the meeting officially started, Their Excellencies welcomed Adam, a blacksmith from San Diego who is new to the Barony. Yay!

Officer Reports

• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Nothing to report

• Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
  • Nothing to report

• Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
  • Nothing to report, but has been excited about new people attending meetings and events
  • Mathias mentioned that the Kingdom will be starting an effort to comp newcomers at events. There are questions about the legalities of doing so, and there was discussion about how to make such an effort work. Stay tuned!

• Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
  • We had a great month with A & S! Mistress Serafina taught wire wrapping and knitting, and Lady Maddalena will be teaching a hats class this month (everyone is welcome to watch the class; if you want to actually work on a hat, materials will cost $15)

• Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
  • Submissions
    • 
Stella di Silvestri – name advanced to Laurel, but device was returned to be redrawn
    • Pietro di Conti – name passed
  • Awards – Gulf Wars
    • Sebastiannos Ionnides – Grant of Arms (GoA)
    • Maire Dhocair Inghean Chisrain – Order of the Scarlet Star
  • Awards – Meridian Challenge of Arms
    • Stella di Silvestri – Meridian Cross
  • Awards – Coronation
    • David Twynham – Master of Defense
    • Peryn Rose Whytehorse – writ for the Order of the Laurel
    • Alessandra Fioravanti – writ for the Order of the Laurel
  • Public Service Announcement! If you think someone should get an award, write a letter! It’s fun and easy to do through the Meridian Online Recommendation Form

• Their Excellencies
  • The new/resurrected Barony of Glaedenfeld will hold their investiture at Lily Faire. We are planning to give a lovely gift in their honor (Their Excellencies showed the populace the gift and we all promised not to tell)

• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • We will be hosting a regional rapier practice (Sunday, 24 April) at Blackburn Park, coordinated by Raven
    • Since the regional practice after Midwinter 2016 was canceled due to weather, perhaps we could hold it at this upcoming regional practice?
    • Master Wistric is looking at holding an armored tourney at the practice as well – should add to the event invite
  • Master Wistric will be holding his monthly A-Game rapier practice on Sunday, 1 May, also at Blackburn Park

Upcoming Events

• Fools’ War (8-10 April 2016)
  • We do not have a camping space, but anyone who arrives thursday can try to claim land. Check with Her Excellency to try to coordinate.
  • We are taking a hat and cloak to Her Majesty – need to coordinate (with THL Maddalena)
  • Don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen! Yes, *you* need some. Extra ant killer is always helpful.
  • Forecast is sunny but cool. hooray!

• RUM (16 July 2016)
  • Popular Chivalry will publish the event notice for RUM in the upcoming issue
  • Lady Veronica will have the Facebook event page up soon
  • We need someone to organize crash space options for travelers; either out in Carrollton or here in the ATL
  • Hotel possibilities with group rate – Courtyard Marriott (has a common space available where we could do a post-revel) and pool. The other hotel option is the Hampton Inn. Negotiations are still going on – update to follow.

• Baronial Meeting Space
  • Looking for a new space than the Decatur Rec Center, one that has better parking and is available on Wednesday evenings
    • We are currently paying $25/wk, and we’d like to keep it in that range
    • We do have our own insurance, through SCA Inc.
    • We are paid up at the Rec Center through June 2016
    • If you have an idea for a space, please e-mail or txt Mathias

• Red Tower (30 September – 2 October 2016)
  • Next month (May business meeting) is the deadline for bids
  • The event will be at Little Tallapoosa (Carrollton)
  • If you are interested in autocratting RedTower 2017, now is the time to search out sites

• Castle Wars
  • We need bids! Bids are due by the July business meeting
  • We have event space already set (MacIntosh Reserve Park, where it was last year)
  • Remember: we don’t do feast for Castle Wars! it’s not a complex event

• And on the subject of bids, it’s never too early to start thinking about Midwinter Arts & Sciences!

Other SCA Business

• Project Night
  • Needs to be canceled for this week, will pick up again in 2 weeks
  • Check in with the Baronial Facebook group for updates

• DragonCon (1-5 September 2016)
  • Ximon – wants to talk to Duke John about sprucing up the chariot
  • We will need a handler for the parade to coordinate our activities within the parade; We could make it awesome – it’s a great recruiting bit
  • Who’s the demo contact for DragonCon? Stella volunteered to back up Ximon, in case he has to work Saturday of DragonCon
  • Should there be a parade rehearsal beforehand? Could take a meeting or two in the weeks before DragonCon to map all this out and help make the day itself go more smoothly

Other Business

• Georgia State University is hosting a presentation on textile preservation on 7 April
• Margavati brought a bag of books to give away. very little blood was shed in the ensuing frenzy
• Atlanta Streets Alive – coming up, when? Ximon made a motion for Sawyer to coordinate demo

 

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 4 May 2016.

–Raven

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!

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting
7 October 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)
  • Nothing to report
  • Would like to consider developing a quarterly newsletter or update the baronial directory
• A+S Minister (Lord Mathias, reporting for Lady Tryggva)
  • October project night will be 14 October. There will be people working on tokens for Castle Wars (likely leather stamping) – the populace is more than welcome to help out! Zoe will also be previewing the equestrian class for Castle Wars
  • November A+S class (11 November) Lady Justina will teach period hairstyling techniques
  • We are still looking for help with troll and volunteers to teach classes at Castle Wars. Maire has paperwork for volunteering

• Reeve (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)
  • Nothing to report (for now)
• Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Practices have been going well, despite the frequent absence of the GRM due to work responsibilities.
  • Captains Davio and Wistric presented a rapier demo at Streets Alive
  • Raven mentioned the next regional rapier practice, to be held Sunday, 18 October, here at Blackburn Park. All are welcome to come out!
• Webminister (Captain Wistric)
  • Yes, there’s a website!
  • An additional page has been added with information about nearby groups
  • If there’s something you’d like to see included in the website, let Wistric know – always open to ideas

• Herald (Lord Bjorn)
  • Names and devices
    • Jay Luo – name and device submitted to Cypher
    • Mara Palmer – device resubmission and badge submission advanced to Laurel
    • Margot de Saint Denis device returned from Laurel because the lotus blossom was drawn incorrectly.
  • Events and courts
    • Red Tower
      • Iastreb Desislavich – Red Raven
      • Marianna Cristina Tirado – Red Raven
      • Bram Halfdannarson – Tower Or
      • Sunneva de Cleia – Tower Argent
      • Bjorn Gullharr – Tower Or
      • Stella de Silvestri – Hearth of South Downs
      • Bram Halfdannarson – Lady’s Chivalry Award
      • Iastreb Desislavich – Lady’s Chivalry Award

SCA Business

• Event reports
  • Red Tower (18–20 September 2015)
    • Went well
    • 232 people attended
    • Fighting went well – 36 fighters in Red Tower tourney
    • Rapier rocked
    • Feast rocked (thanks, Iastreb and Marianna!)
    • Made $1,100 on top of expenses
    • Thanks to the event stewards, chefs, and all the volunteers who helped make Red Tower a success! Great to see the barony offer such hospitality.
  • Coronation (9–11 October 2015)
    • In case something should happen to Their Majesties,
      • Does the barony want to put together a last-minute coronation gift? Contributions should not have the Meridian arms if you wish for Their Highnesses to keep the gift after their reign is done.
      • Gift suggestions include period toys and postage stamps (Her Highness is fond of writing thank-you notes)
      • Please bring contributions to His Excellency at Coronation.
• Castle Wars (19–22 November 2015, Master Ximon reporting on behalf of the autocrat)
  • In general, things are coming together – all the big issues are sorted out, now it’s just addressing the details.
  • Meetings were held with volunteers and to coordinate land distribution and reservations.
  • In addition to the land we had last year, we also have the land the Boy Scouts had reserved (but didn’t use) last year.
  • Tryggva is coordinating classes, and mentioned that this is a great opportunity to work on developing a class you may want to teach at Gulf Wars or Magna Faire, and the outdoor location is excellent for teaching classes that may be too messy for an indoor space, or that takes longer than the standard 1 hour timeslot.
  • Volunteers needed:
    • (2) Pottycrat
    • Donations for the volunteer raffle are being sought (the more you volunteer, the more tickets you get for the raffle).
      • Ximon is donating a buckler and warhammer
    • Iazzie still needs help getting the castle walls from his house to the site – they are in a trailer, but the walls are heavier than his truck can easily tow.
  • If you’re interested in a South Downs encampment, check with Their Excellencies who will coordinate it (if there’s interest)
• Twelfth Night (9 January 2016)
  • With the issues trying to find a site, it has been decided that we’ll all road trip to Bryn Madoc and take part in their Twelfth Night. They will be offering a full day of classes, fighting, hanging out, dancing, and general shenanigans.
• Midwinter A+S (12-14 February 2016)
  • Looking at finalizing a site (Unitarian Universalist Church of Atlanta)
  • 13 February (Valentine’s Day weekend)
  • Potential alternate site – University of West Georgia
  • Lady Mara Palmer – potential autocrat
  • Ideas for event? E-Mail Lord Mathias
• Demos
  • ATL Streets Alive!
    • Went well. Not much foot traffic in the location we were given, but the concept worked well, those who did see us loved us, and the event coordinators want us back next year.
  • Potential Streets Alive in Clarkston in November
    • Wistric has offered to coordinate our presence there.
  • Maker Faire
    • Awesome and amazing despite the wind and rain.
    • Girl Scout troop which visited our booth had a great time writing with the quills.
    • 43 people signed up!

Other SCA Business

• Sir Iastreb is stepping down as the Kingdom Law Clerk to become the Northern Region Ombudsman and is looking for applications to succeed him. If interested, e-mail him or Duke Thomas.
• Duke John thanked everyone who helped coordinate or take part in his 40^th anniversary celebration which took place at Red Tower

Non-SCA Business

• Maire is active with the local LARP community, and announced a big event they are hosting, 5–7 February, at Indian Springs campbround. She’s expecting more than 100 people attending, and would love for us to take part (teaching classes? Holding an SCA-style fighting demo?)
• Several new people came to the meeting, having found out about us at either Streets Alive or Maker Faire. Officers and peers introduced themselves and described what they did, then answered questions.

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting
2 September 2015

Decatur Recreation Center

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

Lord Mathias Blackett, Seneschal, called the meeting to order.

Officer reports

• Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
  • Awards given at Foxes
    • Lord Brendan de Hay, Argent Rapier
    • Lord Wistric Oftun, Meridian Order of the Blade
    • Lady Mara Palmer, Order of the Velvet Owl
  • Names/devices
    • Lady Raven Helmsplitter, device passed kingdom
• Group Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
  • Practices are going well – we have had from 2-8 people regularly attending Tuesday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons at Blackburn Park, even though Brendan has been out of town a lot lately
  • Had a great showing at Foxes
    • Fielded two rapier melee teams for Her Excellency (who provided lovely blue and black sashes for her fighters to wear)
    • Rapier team captained by Lady Raven and included Lord Wistric, Lord Matheu, Baron Borgar, and Lady Toki, took second place in the tourney (4-1, only loss in the final)
    • A total of approx. 15 fencers represented the barony (will confirm numbers)
• Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
  • Reminded everyone we have a website
  • Mentioned a couple of potential projects the chronicler can develop, if there’s interest:
    • Baronial directory
    • Baronial newsletter
• Chatelaine (Lady Majda, acting deputy)
  • Office is open; if interested, please contact the seneschal
• A&S Minister (Lady Tryggva Ingvarsdóttir)
  • Not present, report was presented by the populace (project-oriented)
  • There’s been lots of cooking/planning for upcoming events/feasts – Red Tower, Castle Wars…
    • South Downs Supper Club! Monthly get-together, featuring a menu focused on a particular period theme. Please join the Facebook group if interested (or if you’re not on Facebook, contact His Excellency)
  • September’s A&S class – How to submit an event bid/how to autocrat, taught by Celestine
  • Lady Majda is starting a dance class at her house; first class (European) is 14 September, and will alternate between European and Middle Eastern.
• Knight Marshal (Lord Bram Halfdannarson)
  • Bram is leaving South Downs and Meridies in October; his last marshaling event will be Red Tower. We are looking for a new Knight Marshal
• Reeve (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)
  • We have money in our account (Much rejoicing from the populace)
  • Not counting the next two events (Red Tower and Castle Wars), we have $3,800. We are looking for ways to save more money
  • Fundraiser lunches at events? Coffee cart? Dessert table?
  • Red Tower sheep will be auctioned off at the end of the event

Other Baronial Business – events, etc.

• DragonCon, September 3- 7, 2015
  • Master Ximon is coordinating the parade – if you are interested in participating in the parade (and have registered for DragonCon), please contact him
    • Need a few people to help pull the chariot (teams of 2)
    • Wristbands for the parade will be at the fan table
    • Weather is expected to be dicey (60% chance of rain)
    • Marching with the historical section
    • Keep an eye out for the location of the fan table (it will be open 12-8 on Friday)
• Red Tower, September 18–20, 2015
  • Everything is finalized
  • Need volunteers for all departments
    • 2-3 people to go to storage unit and pull supplies (talk to Amaris)
    • Friday and Sunday afternoon set-up and strike volunteers
  • The feast will rock! Sir Iazzie and Marianna reviewed the menu
(note from Chronicler, post-event: it was even better than anticipated. So. Good.)
  • MARS (Bryn Madoc UGA group) is hosting a fundraiser lunch
  • Lord Matthias is hosting the Friday night skaldic-themed bardic circle
• Castle Wars, November 19–22, 2015
  • Sebastiannos will be event Knight Marshal
  • Volunteers needed
    • Need a “chancellor of the privys”
    • Lady Wilhemina is making tokens for the event; would love some assistance
    • We are in need of a crafter/woodworker to make signs (Master Rithric was mentioned)
    • Need a Youth Activities coordinator. If interested and you do not yet have had a background check done, please contact Baroness Genevieve la Barquarresse (Kingdom Youth Minister) to get that going
    • Iazzie has requested assistance with hauling the trailer that holds the walls, netting, etc. The weight of the trailer severely strained his van’s transmission. Please contact him if you can help with the trailer
    • Need volunteers, especially an assistant landcrat (our landcrat may not be able to make the event)
  • Budget has been revised to account for funds for youth activities and a revel
  • Donations for volunteer raffle prizes are requested
• Midwinter Arts + Sciences, February 12-14, 2016
  • Matthias has been working on potential sites; still looking
  • Interested in helping find a site? Site requirements include:
    • Ballpark budget for site rental is $1000-$1200
    • Large hall (holding 150-250 people
    • Several classrooms for tracks of classes (minimum 3)
    • Kitchen for feast
    • Prefer wet/discreetly wet site
    • Parking
    • Availability 9am – 9pm is ideal
• Baronial Twelfth Night, Date TBD (near 6 January 2016)
  • No updates
• Knowne Worlde Dance Symposium, Date TBD (2017)
  • Wistric is looking to submit at bid for this event, currently scouting out sites with ballroom and classroom space (likely hotels similar to events like ConjurationCon)
  • Drakenmere is also considering submitting a bid for a future rapier symposium
• Kingdom law updates
  • As announced at Foxes, an experimental fee change will be implemented in 2016 (following text copied from the missive posted on the kingdom website)

This change is two fold. First, it will suspend the “Three adult member price” cap beginning on January 1st, 2016. Secondly, it will require that all children 17 and under be admitted free into Meridian events beginning January 1st, 2016, with some caveats.

If a child intends to eat event provided food (i.e. feast) , the group may charge them the ‘on-board’ fee. If an event site’s cost is on a ‘per head basis,’ that cost may be passed on to the child/family. If a child uses bed space which is limited in nature (i.e. space in a cabin which is expected to sell out), that cost may be passed along to the child/family.

This is a trial run, which will last through the entirety of 2016. At the end of the year, this policy will be reevaluated and either removed, renewed, or made permanent. If there are significant issues, the Crown and Kingdom Seneschal could act to remove or alter the policy during the trial period.

Other/Non-SCA Business

• Atlanta Streets Alive!, 27 September, 2015
  • It’s ON! Contact Mistress Margavati for details
  • Set up begins at 1:00pm
  • Strike at 6:00pm
  • Looking for demos for fighting (armored and rapier), crafts, etc., and wear garb!
  • Atlanta Streets Alive! Highlands website, for more info: http://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/2015-routes/highland-september-27/
• Maker Faire ATL 2015, 3-4 October, 2015
  • Mistress Sunneva confirmed that the barony has a 10’x10’ booth at the Maker Faire. Contact her if you have questions or would like to help with the demo (A+S people, especially)
  • Sunneva will have a signup sheet for demos; we will be focusing on A&S demos that can easily fit in the 10×10 booth.
  • Maker faire is a event that showcases all sorts of handmade goods, skills, etc.
  • Good opportunity for outreach/demo activities
  • Maker Faire website, for more info: http://makerfaireatl.com/
• Voting
  • The ladies and the gentlemen of the barony met separately to vote for the Heart of South Downs and the Chivalry award

After the voting was completed, the meeting ended and everyone went to dinner. Next meeting Wednesday, 7 October, 2015.
Thanks!

Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

1 July 2015

 

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

Lord Mathias Blackett, Seneschal, called the meeting to order.

 

 Officer reports

o    Chatelaine (Lady Wilhemina)

• Nothing to report

o    Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)

• Nothing to report
• Mathias thanked Raven for the copy of the June meeting minutes needed to facilitate the access changes to the baronial accounts.

o    Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)

• Two new name submission sent to Kingdom

o    Reeve (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)

• No financial report

o    Their Excellencies (Baron Lorenzo and Baroness Adela)

• Brought an adorable black sheep example made for Red Tower
• Baroness Adela mentioned that she has a sewing project (still under development) for the baronial rapier melee units. Adela’s Guilded Company (2 teams of 5!). She is looking to outfit her melee teams with capelets, tabards, baldrics, or other similar item in the baronial (or her) colors, in time for Foxes. Please contact her if you’d like to help make them.

o    A&S Minister (Lady Tryggva Ingvarsdóttir)

• ?

o    Group Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)

• Practices are going well – we have had from 2-8 people regularly attending Tuesday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons at Blackburn Park, even though Brendan has been out of town a lot lately
• Raven reported on the regional rapier practice held at Blackburn Park on 7 June. 24 fencers from as far away as Drakenmere and Vulpine Reach attended. Morgan Griffin coordinated a baronial yard sale that was held during the practice. A great time was had by all!

o    Seneschal (Lord Mathias)

• Nothing to report

o    Knight Marshal (Lord Bram Halfdannarson)

• Maire reported on Bram’s behalf – Bram is looking for ways to get more fighters out to practice; different days? Times? He is interested in feedback about this.

o    Webminister (Lord Wistric Oftun)

• Red Tower website is about to go live

 

Other Baronial Business – events, etc.

o    RUM, July 18, 2015

• Will be hosted by the Shire of Flintmarsh, and held at Troy University, Dothan campus (http://flintmarsh.meridies.org/wp/?page_id=149)
• As we are looking at submitting a bid for RUM 2016, anyone interested in putting together a bid for RUM should try to attend and see how it’s organized.
• Bid for RUM 2016 should be submitted to the seneschal by the December business meeting (2 December 2015)

o    Fighters’ Collegium, 11-13 September, 2015

• We’ve submitted a bid and are waiting to hear back from the kingdom seneschal about the status. Iron Mountain may have resurrected their bid with a new site (where coronation was held?) – if that’s the case, then they will have preference.

o    Red Tower, September 18–20, 2015

• Event website is about to go live
• Flyer turned in before the due date (yay!)
• So far, 120 RSVPs yes and 70 maybe from the facebook event page
• We are getting volunteers for the event, but we still need more – please contact Amaris or Bam if interested
  • Landcrat team
  • Breakfast
  • Lyst
  • Travelers’ fare
  • Setting up tents for kitchens, lyst fields, etc.
• Event schedule is in development
• Reminder: this is a camping-only site (no cabins)
• Feast will be headed up by Marianne/Mathilda. There will be two sections – Above the salt (70 max) and Below the salt (everyone else), so get your reservations in!
  • Above the salt – Marianne read a tentative menu; three courses reflecting the Viking quest for conquest theme of the event. Course 1 – on the ship; course 2 – Invasion of England; course 3 – Invasion of France/Paris
• Tourneys
  • 3 heavy tourneys
  • 3 rapier tourneys
    • Stella needs help making sheep. She has patterns available, please contact her directly.

• Duke John will be celebrating 40 years of being in the SCA/squiring/becoming a knight. To commemorate this, he will set up a pavilion on the field and fight the first 40 people to request fights (take first 40 comers)
• There will not be any equestrian activities (as it’s mostly a one-day event, the logistics were too complex)
• Archery – need ideas for scenarios
• Live weapons
• Hound coursing

• Peachtree Weavers Guild will be doing a demo during the event, presenting viking-era looms and weaving examples
• Viking revel after feast
• Viking sewing solar showing items made from the Viking garb class
• Bardic competition
  • Poetry competition – theme: Viking and baronial saga, original work
• Skaldic (voice heralding) competition
• Mead competition
• Dirty half dozen largess contest
  • To enter, make 6 items to be added to the largess basket
  • Winner gets one item from each set entered, the Crown gets the rest

o    Castle Wars, November 19–22, 2015

• Reported by Ximon, on behalf of Isabelle
• There will be a Trojan something built for the event
• A “Real Helen of Troy” will be built into the fighting scenarios – each side will represent one of the two “real Helens of Troy,” with the winning side claiming the Real Helen. (Justina and Stella)
• Event will be held at McIntosh Reserve, site of last year’s Castle Wars. Ximon has promised it won’t be as cold this year…
  • We have access to the park beginning Wednesday of event week, and have it through Sunday.
• Donations for volunteer raffle prizes are requested
• Iazzie has requested assistance with hauling the trailer that holds the walls, netting, etc. The weight of the trailer severely strained his van’s transmission. Please contact him if you can help with the trailer.
• Need volunteers, especially an assistant landcrat (our landcrat may not be able to make the event).
• Lady Wilhemina is working on event tokens (600?!)

o    Midwinter Arts + Sciences, February 12-14, 2016

• Baronial deadline for bids (so bids can be presented at business meeting) Is the October business meeting
  • Ballpark budget for site rental is $1000-$1200. Needs to have:
    • Large hall (holding 150-250 people
    • Several classrooms for tracks of classes
    • Kitchen for feast
    • Parking

• The Yaarab Shrine on Ponce was suggested as a possible site
• Questions were asked about Druid Hills Baptist (former site). Most of the church building and parking lot is now being turned into apartments. Site is no longer available.

• It can be a weekend event, doesn’t need to be limited to a day event
• Sunday of that weekend is traditionally a regional fighter practice – heavy and rapier, cookout, socializing, etc.

o    Baronial Twelfth Night, Date TBD (near 6 January 2016)

• Informal baronial gathering (in-garb), everyone hangs out, plays board games, contributes to a potluck dinner, etc.
• Need an autocrat – did we mention it’s really low-key?
• We want to schedule it for a Saturday as close to 6 January as possible, but without conflicting with Bryn Madoc’s Twelfth Night (an official event)

 

Other/Non-SCA Business

o    Trebuchet

• Marcellus is building a trebuchet for the barony. It can be completed at any time, and needs to find a place to store it
  • Dimensions are 6’ x 8’ x 10-11’ tall
  • Fits in the bed of a large pickup truck
  • Also needs a crew to set it up and use it: authorized siege weapons fighters/engineers, and a marshal (to authorize people if necessary). Discussion ensued about details of siege weapons authorization requirements (Sean O’Neill is the kingdom Siege Weapons marshal, and http://kingdom.meridies.org/index.php/offices/marshal contains the link to the siege weapons rules)

o    DragonCon, 4-7 September, 2015

• We have been able to confirm that the Barony will both be in the parade and have a table at DragonCon
• Duke John asked if we wanted the chariot again; the reply from the populace was a resounding yes!. He recommended that several people volunteer to pull the chariot (teams of two), so no one gets exhausted pulling it the entire length of the increasingly longer parade route
• We need someone to corral the baronial parade participants – the person who volunteered will not be able to attend. Contact Mathias if you are interested.
• DragonCon website: http://www.dragoncon.org/

o    Atlanta Streets Alive!, 27 September, 2015

• Mistress Margavati mentioned that her husband Sawyer is interested in coordinating a demo for the festival. Asked the populace and confirmed there was enough interest to move forward
• Very informal, we just need to ask the organizers for an area of greenspace so we can set up our fighting demos
• Atlanta Streets Alive! Highlands website, for more info: http://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/2015-routes/highland-september-27/

o    Maker Faire ATL 2015, 3-4 October, 2015

• Mistress Sunneva confirmed that the barony has a 10’x10’ booth at the Maker Faire. Contact her if you have questions or would like to help with the demo (A+S people, especially)
  • Maker faire is a event that showcases all sorts of handmade goods, skills, etc.
  • Good opportunity for outreach/demo activities
• Maker Faire website, for more info: http://makerfaireatl.com/

o    Miscellaneous

• Margavati brought some costume pieces Sawyer was selling – black and white harem pants, and a pair of period shoes.
• Birthdays!
  • Lady Andreva has a birthday on 30 June

 

At this point, the last piece of business for the meeting was determining where everyone wanted to go to dinner. Meeting came to a close, and the next business meeting date was announced for August 5, 2015 (note from Chronicler: that falls in the middle of Pennsic War Week – will likely need to find proxies for several baronial officers who will be at Pennsic)

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Raven

The meeting minutes for the June Baronial Meeting

 

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

3  June 2015

 

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

 

Lord Mathias Blackett, Seneschal, called the meeting to order.

 

Officer reports

o    Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)

• Nothing to report

o    Webminister (Lord Wistric Oftun)

• Asked the populace what they would like to see on the website

o    A&S Minister (Lady Tryggva Ingvarsdóttir)

• This month’s class (24 June) is on patterning Viking garb (not too soon to plan for Red Tower!) July’s class (22 July) is TBD, and August’s “class” (26 August) will be stringing tokens for Red Tower
• Lady Maren has asked that anyone with linen lint to save it for her – she would like to make paper from it

o    Group Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)

• Practices are going well – we have had from 2-8 people regularly attending Tuesday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons at Blackburn Park, even though Brendan has been out of town a lot lately
• Shameless plug: Lady Raven Helmsplitter is co-hosting the next Regional Rapier Practice, here in South Downs
  • Sunday, June 7, at 12:30pm
  • Blackburn Park
  • Hope to have fencers from all over the kingdom for the practice; the last regional practice in Vulpine Reach had 27 fencers from all over northern Meridies
  • Morgan Griffin will be organizing an SCA/geek garage sale – please contact her if you’d like to participate

o    Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)

• One new name submission sent to Kingdom, “Marcellus Carpentarius” for Matthew York
• One name submission advanced from Kingdom to Laurel, “Emelina Le Morreys” for Laura Trehune

o    Exchequer (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)

• Read a letter from kingdom (society?) regarding new rules in how group bank accounts are handled. Am hoping to get copy of letter for reference

o    Chatelaine (Lady Wilhemina)

• Has been contacted by three new people in the past month
• Gold key garb kits have been distributed and volunteers are sewing loaner garb

o    Seneschal (Lord Mathias)

• Nothing to report

o    Knight Marshal (Lord Bram Halfdannarson)

• Nothing to report

o    His Excellency (Baron Lorenzo)

• Loves the test sheep for Red Tower
• Travelled to Windmaster’s Hill, Kingdom of Atlantia for the Cooks and Performers Symposium
  • Enjoyed the event
  • Feast was cooked over the course of the day by the various culinary classes offered at the symposium

Other Baronial Business – events, etc.

o    Kingdom-level Event TBD

• We still need to put in a bid for a kingdom-level event as part of our baronial duties. After much discussion, it was decided that Fighters Collegium (September 11–13) would be the best event to bid on. Conversation was had with contacts in Depedale, and they agreed to co-autocrat. Kynric and Lady Wilhemina would co-autocrat
  • Iron Mountain had previously submitted a bid, but they lost the site so it’s available again. However, if they do come up with an alternate site, they will have dibs on the event. We will put in a bid anyway, just in case
  • If we get the bid, the event will take place at Little Tallapoosa Park, same site as Red Tower

o    Lochlann lives nearby, has offered to store event supplies during the week in between the two events

• Considering a BBQ feast – Lord Bram is an official BBQ judge, and may be able to teach a class on BBQ for events (and have the class provide part of the feast, as was done at Cooks and Performers Symposium)
• Event staff will only be responsible for the feast and any site issues; the chivalry will coordinate all the classes, etc.

• Still looking at putting in a bid for RUM 2016. If interested, please submit a bid for consideration by the December 2015 business meeting (2 December 2015)

o    Meridian Scribal and Heraldic Symposium, June 5–7, 2015

• Will be held in conjunction with Black Axe (http://ironmountain.meridies.org/conc/index.php/events/events/black-axe-2015/)

o    RUM, July 18, 2015

• Will be hosted by the Shire of Flintmarsh, and held at Troy University, Dothan campus (http://flintmarsh.meridies.org/wp/?page_id=149)

o    Red Tower, September 18–20, 2015

• Event website will be up soon
• NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR EVERY CATEGORY – please contact Amaris or Bam if interested
• Feast will be headed up by Marianne/Mathilda
  • Two sections: Above the salt (limit 80 people)
  • Below the salt (more flexible with number of people, would be served BBQ from class taught earlier in the day
• Tourneys
  • 3 heavy tourneys
  • 3 rapier tourneys
    • Stella needs help making sheep for this

• Duke John will be celebrating 40 years of being in the SCA/squiring/becoming a knight. To commemorate this, he will set up a pavilion on the field and fight the first 40 people to request fights (take first 40 comers)
• Equestrian
• Archery
• Live weapons
• Hound coursing

• Viking revel after feast
• Bardic competition
• Skaldic (voice heralding) competition
• Mead competition
• Viking sewing solar showing items made from the Viking garb class
• Dirty half dozen largess contest
  • To enter, make 6 items to be added to the largess basket
  • Winner gets one item from each set entered, the Crown gets the rest

o    Castle Wars, November 19–22, 2015

• Autocrat will be Isabelle Nugent
• Deadline has passed for submitting bids for Castle Wars
• Budgeting discussion
  • Do we need to rent more (handicapped) port-a-potties?
    • Issue tabled until more info on costs, etc. can be collected

• In order to have access to park bathrooms, we would need to rent the pavilion (costs?)

o    Midwinter Arts + Sciences, January, 2016

• Baronial deadline for bids (so bids can be presented at business meeting) Is the October business meeting
• Wistric is collecting info for alternate sites

Non-SCA Business

o    Makers Faire ATL 2015

• Mistress Sunneva suggested that we as a barony take part in this year’s Makers Faire (3-4 October 2015) in Decatur.
  • Makers faire is a event that showcases all sorts of handmade goods, skills, etc.
  • Good opportunity for outreach/demo activities
  • A booth at the faire is free but requires a $50 deposit (refundable)
  • Makers Faire website, for more info: http://makerfaireatl.com/
  • Sunneva will coordinate – if interested, please contact her

o    DragonCon, 4-7 September, 2015

• What needs to be done? We weren’t sure who the contacts were last year
  • Parade – Duke John works with someone who helps coordinate the parade, will see if it’s not to late to get in. Deadline may have been 13 April.
    • Cracking down on numbers for the parade, since it’s getting really big

• Baronial info table
  • Need to find out who handled this in the past

• Would like to acquire a room for demos; Bam mentioned that in past years, there had been big communication problems with the dagohair demos
• DragonCon website: http://www.dragoncon.org/

At this point, the last piece of business for the meeting was determining where everyone wanted to go to dinner. Meeting came to a close, and the next business meeting date was announced for July 1, 2015.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Raven

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

6 May 2015

 

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

 

Lord Mathias Blackett, Seneschal, called the meeting to order.

Officer reports

o    Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)

• Nothing to report

o    Chatelaine (Lady Wilhemina)

• Needs volunteers to help sew gold key garb; has fabric and supplies organized into bags, just needs help sewing simple tunics
• Has compiled a Newcomers’ folder, with all sorts of information about the SCA, Meridies, and South Downs, and has begun to distribute it at events.
  • Tryggva will make color copies of the materials for future distribution
  • Goal is to have 20 folders available at all times
• Wants to do more demos
  • Lady Allesandra has a potential site for demos at child’s new school in Buford
  • We’ve been invited back to ConjurationCON (Halloween weekend); Wilhemina is working on getting us set up in a larger space where we can do more
  • DragonCon – His Excellency has been contacted about doing an SCA/LARP fighting track

o    Exchequer (Lady Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain)

• Quarterly reports went out
• We have $8000 in the bank, but we have a lot of expenses to take care of in the near future (site deposits, etc), and things are getting more and more expensive. Would like us to consider doing fundraisers at events (lunches, etc)

o    Seneschal (Lord Mathias)

• At the last baronial meeting, Master Ximon officially stepped down as seneschal and Lord Mathias officially became our new seneschal.

o    A&S Minister (Lady Maren Andersdatter)

• Her tenure is coming to an end, and transferred her office to Lady Tryggva
• Their Excellencies presented Lady Maren with salt and pepper mills in gratitude to all the work she had done for the Barony.

o    Group Rapier Marshal (Master Ximon de Córdoba)

• Master Ximon is stepping down as GRM, and has named Lord Brendan de Hay as his replacement
• Shameless plug: Lady Raven Helmsplitter is co-hosting the next Regional Rapier Practice, here in South Downs
  • Sunday, June 7, at 12:30pm
  • Blackburn Park
  • Hope to have fencers from all over the kingdom for the practice; the last regional practice in Vulpine Reach had 27 fencers from all over northern Meridies
  • Morgan Griffin will be organizing an SCA/geek garage sale – please contact her if you’d like to participate

o    Webminister (Lord Wistric Oftun)

• Updating databases?
• Is setting up places to host A+S and other relevant info on the baronial website (need more info from Wistric)

o    Knight Marshal (Lord Bram Halfdannarson)

• Had nothing to report for himself
• Lady Alessandra is interested in getting a target archery practice going; please contact her directly if you’re interested

 

Other Baronial Business – events, etc.

o    Meridian Scribal and Heraldic Symposium, June 5–7, 2015

• Will be held in conjunction with Black Axe (http://ironmountain.meridies.org/conc/index.php/events/events/black-axe-2015/)

o    RUM, July 18, 2015

• Will be hosted by the Shire of Flintmarsh, and held at Troy University, Dothan campus (http://flintmarsh.meridies.org/wp/?page_id=149)

o    Red Tower, September 18–20, 2015

• Amaris secured a site – Little Tallapoosa Park, Carrollton, where Lusty Month of May will be held (http://talmere.org/pages/lmom-xiv/)
• Tenting only
• Feast will be limited to 80 (Mariana will be feastcrat)
• Viking theme
• 3 heavy tourneys, 2 rapier tourneys
• There will be a need for heralds – plans for having a skaldic herald(s) to announce each fighter (a la A Knight’s Tale) are in the works
• If you are interested in helping with the event, contact Amaris and you’ll get an invite for the staff group list

o    Castle Wars, November 19–22, 2015

• Autocrat will be Isabelle Nugent
• Have budget numbers to hold event at McIntosh Reserve Park, Whitesburg, GA (same site as last year)
• Theme will be the Trojan War (various and sundry references to Trojans were made by the populace)
• Once the numbers are finalized, Isabelle wants to get moving along with planning asap
• Other bids are still welcome for the event – deadline will be next business meeting (June 3)

o    Kingdom-level Event TBD

• We still need to put in a bid for a kingdom-level event as part of our baronial duties. Options are:
  • Fighters Collegium (September 11–13)
  • MGT (September 25–27)
  • Fall Coronation (October 9–11)
  • Fall Crown List (November 13–15)
• Suggestions were made to possibly contact Depedale to co-host either Fighters Collegium or Fall Coronation
• Given how busy the fall will be, Fighters Collegium would be a good option – simple event, weekend before Red Tower
• Coronation is a very complex event, with balls, meetings, feast, etc.
• Fall Crown is the weekend before Castle Wars
• Perhaps Fighters Collegium at Little Tallapoosa Park?
• Twelfth Night
  • Bam asked if there were any reason we couldn’t host a kingdom-level Twelfth Night, as other kingdoms do – perhaps we could make it a thing
  • Debate was held as to whether it should be a kingdom-level event at all, or just make ours a bigger event, or leave Bryn Madoc’s event as the big regional Twelfth Night
• Mathias suggested that we start thinking now about kingdom-level event bids for next year
  • Spring Coronation?
  • RUM? Iazzie and Mariana are interested in doing RUM

o    His Excellency was pleased that we already have Castle Wars and Red Tower bids in

o    His Excellency also asked everyone what they thought of the 5^th Wednesday in-garb social that we held last week. Everyone enjoyed it and agreed we should do it the next 5^th Wednesday

o    Duke John asked about the possibility of finding another place for our meetings, as parking at the rec center is difficult

• Options
  • Friends Meeting House in Decatur (where Midwinter A+S was held)
  • The church where this year’s South Downs Twelfth Night was held
• Primary problem is that we have paid for the rec center site thru the rest of the year – and that payment is non-refundable. It was agreed that we should revisit this issue in September

 

Non-SCA Business

o    Lady Andreva mentioned that the Festival Singers of Atlanta (with which she sings) will hold a concert on May 17. The theme is “the many languages of love,” and many of the pieces are period. Please contact her if interested.

o    Lord Bam announced that he will be participating in a live steel fighting demo at the GA Renaissance Festival, May 16 at 1:30 and 3:00pm. Please let him know if interested in attending.

o    Living Social (among several places) is offering 50% tickets to the GA Renaissance Festival

o    May 16 is also the date of the Spring Sale at Museum Replicas in Conyers.

 

At this point, the last piece of business for the meeting was determining where everyone wanted to go to dinner. Meeting came to a close, and the next business meeting date was announced for June 3, 2015.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Raven