Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes, Events

April Baronial Business Mini-Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Mini-Meeting, Coronation Post-Mortem

10 April 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Our illustrious seneschal, THL Mark de Wytteney sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

(Baroness Irina, Tir Briste’s Reeve, called in to listen on speakerphone)

Coronation Post-Mortem

  • Since Tir Briste has Fools’ War coming up in 2 weeks, it is important that we get feedback from Coronation to help make Fools’ War run smoothly
  • Parking issues
    • We underestimated how much parking we needed and set up
    • We should try to set up handicapped parking near the feast hall to accommodate anyone who needs access
    • There were problems with people insisting on parking illegally, especially near the feast hall; this was dangerous because the cars blocked the one main road around the site
      • HRM Sebastiannos has volunteered to strong arm obstinate parkers
      • Rude people need to be escalated to the local seneschal – this is not acceptable.
  • Signage Issues
    • Definitely need more signage, more ropes, directions
    • We underestimated how dark the site got at night, especially roads and paths; it was difficult to get around and find things
    • We should reconsider using the interior road/not roads, since they weren’t marked on the map – either don’t use them or really mark them well
    • Signage should be reflective – reflective tape on signs?
    • It was suggested that we could get inexpensive/dollar store solar lights to add to the posts along the road? There were concerns about how long they would last, but definitely something needs to be done to make the roads/paths more visible at nightJuliane – parking was a big problem and was compounded by the fact that it was a new site so we didn’t know how to expect overage. There are also mobility issues for the site.
    • A large sign “STOP – GO TO TROLL” would be helpful
    • Quantity and quality of signage needs to be reconsidered – many more, larger. Bu Feiyan offered to host a sign session over at the maker space (not on Wednesday)
    • Lady Emelina also offered to print signs at her studio – and we can then get them laminated?
    • Can we mark parking spaces to make the space more efficient? Hard to do, but what really is needed is help guide cars into parking. How to do this with the resources we have
    • Logs around site (to sit on?) in camping/parking areas are impossible to see at night – someone ran their car up on one and it took 3 hours to get the car off.
  • Troll Issues
    • Having designated people at troll to direct people to parking would be really helpful
    • Troll location was fantastic but once the parking lot was full, we couldn’t see the pavilion. We should set up a few temporary parking spots near troll (like at Gulf Wars) – if the spots are full, you wait. This would help encourage people to troll in, since there will be nearby spots open (or opening up quickly) near troll
    • There are significant liability issues if attendees don’t troll in and then something happens – we have no way of knowing if or where you are onsite
    • THL Lucien added to the trolling issue – we realized we didn’t do this after the fact, but we need to have index cards with contact info for all the cars, in case a car has to be moved etc.
    • Duchess Gwynhwyfar asked if there could be an entrance less easily accessible that would help manage traffic. Given the layout of the site, this would not help
    • It was also suggested that if you don’t like to wait at troll, preregister and you move through troll much more quickly!
  • Ranger John was AWESOME!
    • He gave Lord Brendan the keys to the ranger truck to haul garbage
    • The rangers really appreciated how reasonable we were as a group; he had never been complimented so much by a group
    • Pine cones – really need to rake before event
    • The way the contract is setup currently, it will be hard to make a sufficient profit (price per head, no limit). Ranger John mentioned that if we could help rake pine cones and mow the field, we could get a discount. Everyone was enthusiastic about following up with this idea for the future
    • Even though staff sprayed for ants, there was still an ant issue. However, Ranger John has supplies and is more than happy to continue spraying ant hills that we let him know we find.
    • THL Mark is writing a letter to Ranger John’s boss – letting him know how great he was for our event
    • Mark let Baroness Irina know that this Saturday (13 April), we’ll be bringing 8 of the castle walls down to the site (with Ranger John’s blessing). They are allowing us to store things on site leading up to Fools’ War, which will make their setup and our post-event cleanup so much easier.
    • Maybe we can get permission to get a storage box on site for our gear (like we had planned to do at one time at the Shrine)?
    • We really want to try to keep this site, so whatever we can do to encourage that is good
    • Mark said that Ranger John would love to see us do some demos for the Boy Scouts there; there was also much enthusiasm for this idea, both from our group and (as commented by Baroness Irina, the populace of Tir Briste)
    • Tir Briste has been doing work along those lines (as they’re much nearer), and we want to help with that
  • Volunteering Issues
    • Mistress Margavati asked if we could subsidize registration for those who are willing to volunteer to manage parking, outside of the event budget; this, however, would be difficult if not impossible to do
    • We seem to always have problems coming up with volunteers at events – it’s hard to justify paying to attend then not enjoying the event
    • How to encourage volunteers? raffles? discounts? subsidized feast?
    • Bu Feiyan mentioned that when she volunteers with cons, the volunteers get a doohickey that recognizes them as volunteers. People like having extra bling.
    • How do we account for all the unofficial volunteers?
  • We need to approach these large events like the large events they are
  • HRM – Sharing sites with other groups (Tir Briste/Fools War, etc) makes things go much more smoothly, since both groups become really familiar with the site.
  • Irina will be addressing the parking issues (see what can be done); they’ll be putting up reflective tape throughout site to help make things easier to see. Possibly move equestrian elsewhere to add parking
  • They’ll have a popup tent at the top of the troll parking for preregistered attendees to help move things along
  • Duchess Gwynhwyfar keeps an “oh shit” book for every event she goes to, where she marks down anything she thinks “oh shit – that shouldn’t have happened”
  • Need to control limited bathroom access in the hall and the kitchen – a lot of people didn’t know the kitchen space had a bathroom, but enough people at the event knew and made a rather crowded kitchen (during feast prep) more crowded
  • Kitchen space was fairly large, but not well arranged – actual work space was really small.
  • Pietro asked – was there anything else good to share?
    • The ranger
    • The site space was great and fairly compact

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 1 May 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center.

Thanks!

–Raven

Meeting Minutes

April 2019 Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

3 April 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Mark de Wytteney, sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Officer Reports

  • Armored Marshal (Lady Mairghread Wilson)
    • Weather is improving, so practices are more frequent
    • Due to Coronation, there will be no practice this coming Sunday (7 April)
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Weather is improving, so practices are more frequent and back at Liane Levetan/Brook Run Park
    • Due to Coronation, there will be no practice this coming Sunday (7 April)
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Alisandre de la Chapelle)
    • We have A&S in the Barony, and it is good! Yay!
    • Lady Alisandre has posted a report form on the baronial website – if you’ve done any cool things over the last quarter, please fill out the form so we can include it in the quarterly A&S report
    • There’s been regional rapier practices, and regional armored fighter practices… but now, Lady Alisandre will be hosting the first Regional Craft Practice, on Sunday, 28 April, at her home. Bring your projects! Bring your research! Bring your questions! Bring potluck! Please contact Alisandre directly for address.
    • This month’s baronial A&S class will be a hands-on class on making bysockets (pointed Robin Hood-style hats), taught by THL Madelena da Firenze, followed by a (not-hands-on) class on the Spanish Inquisition in May, taught by Zhelana Vovkivna.
    • Thanks to the response from the populace, Baronial Arts & Sciences classes are nearly completely scheduled for 2019, but there’s still opportunities to share you knowledge! If you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out the form or contact Alisandre directly.
  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards at Gulf Wars:
      • Baroness Isabetta de San Marco – Sovereign’s Pleasure
      • Lord Quintus Valerius Gracchus – Legion of the Bear
      • Lord Bram Halfdannarson – Meridian Majesty
      • THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain – Meridian Majesty
      • THL Piers Simmons – Court Barony
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • Not much new to report – there will be newcomers at Coronation, so Justina will send some Gold Key with THL Lucien; those who need Gold Key can find it at Troll.
    • Justina also announced that within the next year, she will step down as chatelaine, so so she will be looking for volunteers to serve as deputy now (deputy Chatelaine and deputy in charge of demos) and who can then step up next year to serve as Chatelaine. Baron Piers, who had been serving as demo deputy, will be stepping back from that role. If you want to have fun and hang out with cool new people and show them the ropes, please consider one of these roles! If interested, please contact Justina directly.
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, THL Mark de Wytteney reporting)
    • Lady Myndee will be running children’s activities at Coronation, Fools’ War, and Artsy Crown
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Added new page for:
      • Baroness Isabetta de San Marco
    • Updated awards for:
      • Lady Agnes Halydaye
      • Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich
    • Posted change in meeting site for the month of May
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Been busy catching up on posting the meeting minutes to the baronial website
    • Lady Raven is beginning to work on the next issue of the baronial newsletter, The Read Tower and has received a couple of articles.
      • Raven is always looking for more material – articles, photos, artwork, etc., so if you have something you’d like to contribute, please contact Raven directly.
  • Seneschal (THL Mark de Wytteney)
    • His Excellency and THL Mark have been looking at storage spaces
      • They found one in Doraville, very near the meeting space
        • The space is not climate controlled but has good (not 24hr) access, but open til 9pm
        • The facility’s requirement to use their locks will require us to get keys made for those (and only those) who need to access
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • We have money! yay!
    • We currently have a balance of $8,454.21 in the baronial bank account.
    • Current balance in the baronial bank account is approximately $9,700
    • There was a small issues with Midwinter A&S – PayPal sent us a check and it disappeared; this is being taken care of.
    • She is still getting the new signatories changed for the baronial bank account – should be resolved soon
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • We have stuff!
    • We will be moving stuff the weekend after coronation to the new storage unit
    • Coronation stuff will go to new storage unit, make moving easier
  • Their Excellencies, Master Wistric and Mistress Sunneva
    • We are looking forward to Coronation!
    • Wistric will be there Friday and Saturday, Sunneva will be there Saturday
    • Please sign up for volunteering!
    • Please let them know if you have questions, advice, counseling
    • The baronial bebe, Carver, says hello. He is already a member, does not yet have a name submitted lol
      • Can “Squishy” be documented?

Upcoming Events

  • Spring Coronation for TRH Sebastiannos and Morgan (5-7 April, 2019, co-Autocrat THL Juliane de Vivonne reporting)
    • It’s going to happen! It’s gonna be great!
    • Main problem with site at this point is that it has only limited accessibility regarding those with mobility issues
    • Hoping it’s not going to rain, since the hall is going to be closed for set up
    • Site booklet is amazing, including illustrations by Lady Agnes
    • If you can, volunteer for troll – lots of people day tripping, so it will be busy Saturday morning
      • 2 hour shifts
      • Friday til 11pm, Saturday til 3
    • Troll is right across the way from the SD encampment, and is a permanent pavilion (water + power)
    • South Downs’ encampment also has a permanent pavilion
    • Fynlo and his people have already marked off the site
    • A lot of the prep is being done for both Coronation and Fools War (2 weeks later)
    • Set up should be really easy, we have good relationships set up with the rangers there
    • Access to additional tables, etc, if we need it via the site rangers
    • We are bringing tables for fighter support and archery
    • If you need anything from storage, let Juliane know ASAP so it can be pulled
    • First aid cabin will be the staff office
    • Have the radios been tested for range onsite? Juliane is confident they’ll be fine
    • Margavati asked about where breakfast is happening (since hall is closed) – all the food is happening near the hall
    • Margavati, Annelise, and Illy are running breakfast, looking for volunteers to help make and serve breakfast.
    • Julie needs help with traffic staff
    • Veronica confirms that all staff positions have been filled, but still/always needs volunteers
    • Still looking for vegetarian options for travelers far other than a soup
    • There are a lot of flush toilets as well as port-a-potties on site, but only one flush toilet in the hall – in order to manage access to it, we will likely make that specifically available for handicapped/mobility issues
    • On behalf of Nikoslav, His Excellency is requesting that he have access to the propane torches for his vigil
  • Red Tower (4-6 October 2019)
    • We need an autocrat! The person looking at serving had conflicts come up, and will be unable to do so
    • Lady Justina and Amanda/Isabella are interested and volunteered – yay!
  • Castle Wars (21-24 November 2019)
    • Holding off on Castle Wars discussion until next month, after coronation

New SCA Business

  • Mistress Mara wants us to know that Dreamstone is coming up – “it will be a ton of fun, y’all should come out!”
  • THL Juliane, as trumpet herald, runs the lysts, and this year’s Artsy crown will be her year. She is looking for a deputy! Anyone interested in learning about running a tournament lyst, please come sit with her at Artsy crown and see how she does what she does. Lucien pointed out that she brings really great snacks and you’ll get to meet all the fighters.
  • Justina announced that the Courtesans of Meridies is now an officially chartered guild (yay!). If you’re over 21 years old and interested in finding out what they’re up to, please contact her or seek out the Courtesans’ salon at events.
    • Lots of overlap with chatelaines – both groups are welcoming and help people have fun 🙂
  • Lucien reminded everyone who came to the meeting to sign in if you haven’t already done so.
  • Mistress Allesandra – Artsy Crown is coming in May, and our barony has a ton of Laurels and OVOs (Order of the Velvet Owl) who would love to mentor you to enter Arts & Science competitions, at Artsy Crown and throughout the year. Lots of opportunities! Lots of fun, even if you’ve still got a project in progress
  • HRH Sebastiannos will be offering a prize of a table to the winner of his Life in the SCA competition at Artsy Crown: entries are hacks to help disguise mundane things at events look more period
  • There will be a poetry competition at Coronation!
  • There will also be a scribal challenge at Coronation, and Lady Stella is sponsoring the non-western category; Mistress Margavati will be providing the prize

Non-SCA Business

  • THL Andreva has a spring chamber music concert on 3 May in Decatur, 5 May at Northside Drive Baptist Church. Contact her if interested.
  • Margavati has a recital with her Indian dance group at the World Congress Center in May as well. Lots of northern Indian classical dance! If interested, please contact her for ticket info.

 
Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 10 April 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center, and will be a post-mortem on Coronation. The next regular business meeting will be held Wednesday, 1 May 2019.

Thanks!

–Raven

Society ANNOUNCEMENTS, Announcements, Events, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S

March 2019 Baronial Business Meeting minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

6 March 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Mark de Wytteney, sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Officer Reports

  • Live Weapons Marshal (Mistress Mara Palmer, reported by THL Mark)
    • We have practices and have been going well – people are successfully shooting targets and not each other! Yay!
    • Practices for the next several months have been scheduled and are posted on the South Downs and Owl’s Nest Live Weapons Facebook group. Current averages for Royal Rounds and tassels can also be found here.
    • Mara needs specs for the live weapons field for Coronation
    • Mara will be asking Bryn Madoc for help with setting up the field again (and will remind them to save their receipts this time)
    • Members of the Barony of South Downs received 5 tassels at Midwinter A&S; four-year-old Liam is the youngest to earn a white tassel (yay!)
    • She also has requested for volunteers to help make tassels for the archers. Instructions are available on the Facebook Live Weapons group; if interested in helping, please contact her directly.
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Alisandre de la Chapelle)
    • We have A&S in the Barony, and it is good! Yay!
    • Lady Alisandre thanked everyone who taught classes at Midwinter A&S
    • This month’s class, “Who Was King Arthur, Anyway?”, will be taught by Cellach Ingen Oengusa, followed by THL Madelena da Firenze’s class on making bysockets in April.
    • Thanks to the response from the populace, Baronial Arts & Sciences classes are nearly completely scheduled for 2019, but there’s still opportunities to share you knowledge! If you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out the form or contact Alisandre directly.
  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards at Gulf Wars:
      • Isabetta de San Marco – Sovereign’s Pleasure
      • Quintus Valerius Gracchus – Legion of the Bear
      • Bram Halfdannarson – Meridian Majesty
      • Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain – Meridian Majesty
      • Piers Simmons – Court Barony
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • We have money! yay!
    • We made a profit of $XXX at Midwinter A&S
    • Current balance in the baronial bank account is approximately $9,700
    • February report will be submitted to Kingdom after tonight’s meeting
    • The names for the new signatories (see February meeting minutes) have been submitted
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • Lady Justina thanked everyone who came out to help at Anachrocon
      • We had 10 people sign up to receive emails
      • Had several conversations with attendees who were somewhat familiar with the SCA
    • Justina announced that the shire of Owls Nest will be hosting monthly newcomers’ picnics
    • Owls Nest will be hosting a demo at Kennesaw State on 15 March. His Excellency has asked the Gold Key Deputy to help out.
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • We are still holding practices when the weather allows.
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • We have stuff!
    • We are continuing the hunt for a new storage site – stay tuned!
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Zhelana has volunteered to serve as deputy webminister; she has been set up with a deputy-webminister login and webminister documentation
    • Announced the investiture of Their Excellencies, Wistric and Sunneva
    • Midwinter A&S web page:
      • Added directions
    • Spring Coronation web page:
      • Updated event text
    • Updated the Baron & Baroness officer page and email forwarder (Wistric and Sunneva)
    • Updated the Seneschal officer page and email forwarder (Mark and Juliane)
    • Updated A&S officer page and email forwarder (Alisandre)
    • Updated Webminister officer page and email forwarder (new deputy: Zhelana)
    • Changed equestrian email forwarder from Lorenzo to Pietro (please let Pietro know if there’s someone more appropriate)
    • Updated awards for:
      • Mistress Adela Scrijver van Brugge
      • Lady Alisandre Ysabeau de la Chapelle
      • Lord Bram Halfdannarson
      • Master Lorenzo Petrucci
      • Mistress Sunneva di Cleia
      • THL Veronica de Luna
      • Master Wistric Oftun
    • Zhelana added new pages for:
      • Lady Agnes Halydaye
      • Cellach Ingen Oengusa
      • Lady Annelise Wulf
    • Added link to “An Unofficial Guide for Newcomers to the SCA” by Avelyn Dale
    • Added “Baronial Likes and Dislikes” page
    • Added link to “RUM Class: Basic Heraldry” YouTube video to Wenyeva’s page
    • Updated live weapons practice dates on fighter practice page.
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, THL Mark de Wytteney reporting)
    • Lady Myndee won’t be able to make meetings in March, due to real-life responsibilities
    • Myndee will be running children’s activities at Fools’ War
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Seneschal (THL Mark de Wytteney)
    • Got seneschal’s warrant turned in
    • Thanks Juliane for filling in over the past month
    • We are still meeting here in Doraville, but we’re still looking for a new site to better fit our budget
    • If we can keep this space for a flat $220/month, we can stay here – it’s close enough to being on budget
  • Their Excellencies
    • Sunneva apologizes for missing the mtg
    • Midwinter A&S and their Investiture were awesome and they were humbled by the awesomeness of the populace
    • Lots of banner making – down to a science! Their Excellencies encourage everyone to consider making personal banners

Upcoming Events

  • Gulf Wars (9-17 March 2019)
    • Their Excellencies wont be able to attend, but they encourage everyone who goes to wear lots of black and white garb
    • A reminder to the populace: if you volunteer at Gulf Wars, make sure you fill out a form identifying you as a member of South Downs so our Barony get credit/money for your work as a member of South Downs. There is a great form on Kingdom website that you can fill out in advance.
    • There’s all sorts of volunteer positions available, some you didn’t even think were volunteer opportunities (dog walking! calligraphy!)
    • Sir Iastreb (Iazzie) commented it is also important that Meridies maintains our level of volunteering to make sure we get income as a Kingdom from Gulf Wars
    • Ca’ d’ Oro will be hosting a fashion show; there will be a social after the fashion show and they need volunteers
    • Courtesan/newcomers ball on Tuesday
    • Courtesans’ Meridian charter will be signed at Gulf Wars and they will be an official Kingdom Guild
  • Spring Coronation for TRH Sebastiannos and Morgan (5-7 April, 2019, co-Autocrat THL Juliane de Vivonne reporting)
    • It’s going to happen!
    • Site deposit and insurance have been done
    • 3 elevations – Nikoslav Mikolaevich, Mykael Halfdan, and Kerstyn Gartenerin
    • Baron Cormac Mor, OP, Wreath Sovereign of Arms, will be attending Coronation and holding classes all day as well as a roundtable lunch. He needs a whiteboard. Iazzie has three he can loan, but will need a reminder to bring them.
    • Clark and Fynlo walked the site to map everything out. They’ll get it done tonight, and the event site will be updated.
    • We need signage for site! Project night? How many signs? Put a list together and we can address it at project night
    • Feast – have to pre-register for feast!
    • Needs volunteers
      • Merchant liaison!
      • Pottycrat
      • Saturday breakfast
      • Sunday GTFO breakfast
      • Friday travelers fare
      • Scribal point
      • Rapier and armored MiC
    • Mariana is SafeServ certified

New SCA Business

  • There are rumors of a conflict in the making with our cousins to the north, the Barony of Nottinghill Coill of the Kingdom of Atlantia. Hmmm…
  • Iazzie mentioned that our baronial financial policy states that an event Marshal in Charge (MiC) is comped, and asked if this is still the case? If so, does this extend to all the MiC for each martial discipline (armored, rapier, live weapons)? Is this something we want to extend to kingdom-level events?
      It was decided this issue will be tabled until the next business or financial committee meeting

 
Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 3 April 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center.

Thanks!

–Raven

Society ANNOUNCEMENTS, Events, Fighter Practices, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S

February 2019 Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

6 February 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Our new Seneschal, THL Mark de Wytteney, sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Officer Reports

  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards – Menhir
      • Mistress Mara Palmer – Split Arrow
      • THL Piers Simmons – Order of the Bough
      • THL Marianna Cristina Tirado de Aragón – Order of the Laurel
  • Armored and Youth Marshal (Lady Mairghread)
    • Armored
      • Lots of discussion lately about warranted marshals; essentially, the kingdom’s marshallate has not been functioning consistent with Society’s rules about establishing marshals. In response, the kingdom Earl Marshal has asked all local groups to provide him with a list of their armored, rapier, and live weapons marshals.
        • Lady Mairghread, as our local Knight Marshal, is collecting all the information for South Downs – if you are a marshal, please give her your contact info as soon as possible.
        • Only warranted marshals can run an event, with the clarification that *any* warranted marshal can run an event, they don’t have to be the local group marshal.
        • Further clarification, per THL Juliane’s question: the person running the tournaments does not have to be a warranted marshal, but the marshal with the responsibility for the event has to be warranted.
        • Rules for the Society and kingdom marshallate and potential changes were discussed – there will be changes coming down the pike, so stay tuned!
    • Youth
      • Nothing to report
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • We are still holding practices when the weather allows.
    • There will be a regional fighter practice at Brook Run/Levetan Park this Sunday, following Midwinter A&S (weather permitting) – come on out!
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • We’ve had some awesome new people who have recently joined the Barony – welcome!
    • After Midwinter A&S and the Gold Key streamlining/purge, Justina will update the Gold Key spreadsheet
    • Countess Ysmay is requesting write-ups about the SCA for newcomers
    • Will host a salon and newcomers’ Q&A
    • Anachrocon will take place over Presidents’ Day weekend!
      • There’s a Facebook group for Anachrocon, for the latest info
      • Rapier fighters have volunteered to host a demo – will there be any armored fighters going?
      • Signup sheets for volunteering are online
      • Anachrocon is coming in February! Please stay tuned for updates, but in the meantime, teachers are needed to teach at Anachrocon, if interested, please contact Justina.
    • Upcoming demo
      • OwlCon at Kennesaw University on 16 March. His Excellency has asked the Gold Key Deputy to help out.
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Alisandre de la Chapelle)
    • We have A&S in the Barony, and it is good! Yay! Now that Mistress Sunneva has stepped up as Baroness South Downs, her deputy Lady Alisandre has stepped up as Minister of Arts & Sciences
    • Thanks to the response from the populace, Baronial Arts & Sciences classes are nearly completely scheduled for 2019, only three class slots still available “because y’all are amazing!” But there’s still opportunities to share you knowledge! If you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out the form or contact Alisandre directly.
    • Midwinter will rock – we will be offering lots of great classes!
    • Our next A&S class will take place on 27 February, when Lady Justina will teach “Taking a Bite Out of History: Your Ancestors Were Cannibals!”
    • In March, Cellach Ingen Oengusa will teach a class “Who Was King Arthur, Anyway?”, followed by THL Madalena’s class on making bysockets in April.
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • We’ve had some unexpected expenses come in (exploding coffee pots!), which is why it’s important we are careful with our expenses
    • There was a vote on having the following officers removed from the baronial bank account, since they are no longer relevant officers for the bank:
      • Laura Thomason
      • Owen Townes
      • Joseph Coffee
    • There was then a vote to confirm the following offers to be added to the baronial bank account, as they are now relevant officers for the bank:
      • Erin Garrard
      • Christee Cartee
      • Mark Baron
      • Meghan Vaughan
    • Andreva is also head troll and reservationist for Coronation; please get your reservations in, and please consider volunteering for troll.
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • We have stuff!
    • We’ve begun looking at alternate storage spaces nearby; we are currently paying +$300 per month for our storage space. Some things that may make a difference in costs:
      • Do we need the space to be climate-controlled?
        • Textiles? We have three bins
        • Paper goods – we discussed options to help keep textiles and paper goods dry (silica packets, baking soda)
      • Finding a non-climate-controlled site could save us significant money. At our current storage site, the non-climate-controlled spaces are $150 per month, less than half of what we are paying now. Other sites have larger (non-climate-controlled) spaces for just a little bit more, that would allow us to store the castle walls at the storage site as well
        • 20’x20′ at Extra Space: $207 per month
        • 20’x20′ at Public Storage: $170 per month
    • Do these facilities offer 24×7 access?
    • If we move, when would we move? We are paid through the end of February at the current storage facility. It would be great if we could move out before Fools War, to simplify moving the castle walls.
    • We could perhaps move on 24 February, after MCA?
    • Would we get a discount at the new site if we pay for a full year in advance?
    • What are the insurance requirements at new storage facilities? We are currently required to have it.
    • A supplies list will be needed for Midwinter; Alisandre and Justina will provide a list
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Updated the Officers page to bring Quartermaster and Minister of Children listings current
    • Updated awards for:
      • Wistric Oftun
      • Sunneva de Cleia
      • Andreva Rigaldi
      • Stella di Silvestri
      • Rhiannon verch Madyn
      • Marianna Cristina Tirado de Aragón
    • Updated devices for:
      • Margavati Bai
      • Marianna Cristina Tirado de Aragón
    • Updated pages for:
      • “History of Chess” class notes to Iastreb’s profile page
    • Submitted Y2019 Q1 report to Kingdom Webminister
    • Updated legal disclaimer for Y2019
    • Posted polling results
    • WordPress user adjustments:
      • Renamed admin user form from “sd-admin” to “webminister”
      • Created a deputy webminister userid (Pietro took a moment to mention that is is looking for a deputy, so if anyone is interested, please contact him directly)
      • Added “lorenzo” login (“baron” login is still Lorenzo for now)
      • Downgraded “artsci” user from administrator privileges to author
    • Midwinter A&S web page updates:
      • Posted event schedule
      • Posted class schedule
      • Link to the regional fighter practice
      • Link to Sari Safari
      • Link to sign up Midwinter A&S Faire
      • Added Baroness Sibella’s note about no live weapons on the University of West Georgia site
      • Added Alisandre’s notes about not being able to have merchants on site, and about the research library
      • Updated staff list
      • Added admission cost
    • Created event page for “Coronation of Morgan and Sebastiannos” 5-7 April, 2019
      • Posted Pop Chivalry flyer
    • Updated 2019 class schedule on main A& page
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, THL Mark de Wytteney reporting)
    • HRM Gwenwhyfar has been working on getting deputies approved for background checks – YAY!
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Their Excellencies
    • Master Lorenzo sez “I QUIT!” Motion seconded, voted on, and approved 😀
    • HRM thanked Lorenzo for everything he’s done in the Society, beyond being Baron South Downs

Other SCA Business

  • Midwinter Arts & Sciences (9 February 2019)
      • We’re having an event this weekend!
      • Need setup crew for 7:00am; site opens at 8:00am, classes start at 9:00am
      • Also need cleanup crew; it was suggested that someone should go and take photos of each room before setup begins, so we know how each room needs to be restored at the end of the day
      • Need a social media person to respond to Facebook comments (especially thoes comments about having problems finding the site)
      • Evening court will be held in the ballroom but we have zero chance of getting in there before 3:00pm, and we will need someone to help direct attendees to the ballroom
      • Margavati mentioned Sari Safari will take place on Sunday, for anyone who won’t be going to the regional practice. Please join the FB group for the event (or contact Margavati) for details
      • There will be a garage sale at Sunday’s regional practice – BYOT (Bring Your Own Table)
  • Spring Coronation for TRH Sebastiannos and Morgan (5-7 April, 2019)
    • We have a site (Camp Benjamin Hawkins), we have insurance in process, we have the flyer posted in Pop Chivalry!
    • The event is being branded as “TRH are throwing a party!”
    • Juliane will be doing memes of TRH and TRM
    • We need staff/volunteers, especially someone to work on parking logistics
    • Sebastiannos has volunteers from the Order of the Bear lined up
    • Feast will be held during court
    • Marianna has plans for feast
    • The muses will make an appearance
    • Site tokens are being taken care of by Sebastiannos
    • Feast tokens will be place cards – as above-the-salt feast will be pre-registration only, place cards will work.
    • Feast will be all finger foods and open bar; when you come into feast, food will already be on the table
    • Kebab marshal! Everyone sign a release! 😀
    • Queen’s yeoman tourney is definite for coronation
    • Pre-reg is open!
  • Gulf Wars (9-17 March, 2019)
    • Justina invited everyone to come visit the Ca’ d’Oro at Gulf Wars, and they’ll be hosting both a salon and a ball
  • Artsy Crown (24-27 May, 2019)
    • The seneschal for Owl’s Nest is looking for volunteers for Artsy Crown – if interested, please contact THL Charles de Joscelynne

Non-SCA Business

  • Margavati brought fabric that needs a new home

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 March 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center.

Thanks!

–Raven

Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S

January 2019 Business Mini-Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Mini-Meeting, updates to upcoming events

16 January 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Midwinter Arts & Sciences Update – 9 February 2019

  • Lady Alisandre needs a set up crew at 7:00 the morning of the event
  • She is also still looking for someone to sponsor the fundraiser lunch
    • HRM (Her Royal Majesty Gwenwhyfar) mentioned that there is a group at Gulf Wars who is looking to raise funds – could be a good cause/sponsor for the fundraiser lunch
  • HRM also mentioned that she is looking for children to serve as entourage for TRMs
  • Troll signup sheets will be available soon – six volunteers are needed
  • Lady Raven will be doing the site booklets
  • Classes are coming along, but Mistress Sunneva mentioned that it’s not too late to submit course proposals
  • Supporting events on Sunday (10 February)
    • Regional fighter practice: the pavilion at Brook Run Park is not available due to costs, but we received confirmation from the park manager that we can set up a grill on the concrete pad at the practice site, so a cookout is still possible
    • A Sari Safari is in the works – stay tuned! For more information, please contact Mistress Margavati

Coronation – 5-7 April

  • At TRHs’ (Their Royal Highnesses Sebastiannos and Morgan) request, the Barony has put together an event bid, with THL Juliane as autocrat
  • The bid is set up differently than most bids, due to the site – the site cost is per head, so we can’t really calculate a break-even the way we usually would Rough estimate to break even is 40 weekend attendees and 150 daytrip attendees
  • Site fees:
    • Adult non-members weekend: $22 (with $5 discount for SCA members)
    • Adult non-members daytrip: $17 (with $5 discount for SCA members)
    • Feast (pre-registration only): $8
  • Proposed site is Camp Benjamin Hawkins in Byron, GA (just south of Macon); this will be the same site as Fools’ War, but two weeks prior
  • If we meet the projected numbers of attendees, we will gross $4,000
  • Bonus: most of the usual site costs such as port-a-potties, treating the site for fire ants, etc., are already included in the site fee
  • We are hoping that there will be children’s activities at Coronation – stay tuned!
    • HRM mentioned that the mundane laws require 1 adult with a current background check per 10 kids, which is very different than we had previously been told by Kingdom. HRM is looking into the process and is encouraging having more people get background checks processed, as it will make children’s activities easier to manage at events.
  • Motion to vote on bid, seconded and approved. Juliane will move forward with submitting the bid

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 February 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center.

Thanks!

–Raven

Society ANNOUNCEMENTS, Announcements, Castle Wars, Dragoncon, Fighter Practices, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S, Red Tower

January 2019 Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

2 January 2019, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Baronial Polling Results
HRM Gwenhwyfar announced that after a great turnout with votes and comments from the populace, the new Baron and Baroness South Downs will be Master Wistric Oftun and Mistress Sunneva de Cleia! Huzzah!

Officer Reports

  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards – Magna Faire
      • Lady Stella di Silvestri – Order of the Velvet Owl
    • Submissions
      • THL Andreva Rigaldi – device and name change registered Margot de Saint Denis
  • Armored and Youth Marshal (Lady Mairghread)
    • Armored
      • Lord Bram has offered to step up as deputy armored marshal
      • Lady Mairghread will discuss with their new Excellencies how they would like to handle choosing their new rapier and armored Baronial champions
    • Youth
      • Completed reports for the youth program
      • Is working on rewriting the rules for youth rapier
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • We are still holding practices when the weather allows.
    • We are looking for a new site for Tuesday evening practices, given the ongoing problems with lighting at both Blackburn and Brook Run parks.
  • Live Weapons Marshal (Mistress Mara Palmer)
    • December’s practice was rained out
    • Practices through May 2019 have been scheduled and are posted on the South Downs and Owl’s Nest Live Weapons Facebook group
    • Mistress Mara needs to get in touch with anyone who’s earned a tassel, so she can arrange to have the tassels presented in court
    • She also has requested for volunteers to help make tassels for the archers. Instructions are available on the Facebook Live Weapons group; if interested in helping, please contact her directly.
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • We’ve had some awesome new people who have recently joined the Barony – welcome!
    • Anachrocon is coming in February! Please stay tuned for updates, but in the meantime, teachers are needed to teach at Anachrocon, if interested, please contact Justina.
  • Arts & Sciences (Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)
    • We have A+S in the Barony, and it is good! Yay!
    • Thanks to the response from the populace, Baronial Arts + Sciences classes have been scheduled through July 2019 “because y’all are amazing!” But there’s still opportunities to share you knowledge! If you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out the form or contact Mistress Sunneva directly.
    • Our next A+S class will take place on January 23, when Sir Iastreb will teach the History of Chess; Iazzie described it as more of a survey of the evolution of chess from its earliest historical versions to modern chess as we know it today.
    • Lady Justina will teach February’s class, “Taking a Bite Out of History: Your Ancestors Were Cannibals!” followed by Cellach Ingen Oengusa’s class “Who Was King Arthur, Anyway?” in March, and THL Madalena’s class on making bysockets in April.
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • We have some money! Huzzah! We don’t have specifics yet, as the report just arrived today, so she hasn’t yet had a chance to analyze it.
    • Andreva pointed out that the profits the Barony makes on our big events goes toward paying for the storage unit and meeting site rental fees, and not much more than that. So please consider hosting fundraiser lunches at events, as those profits go towards any other needs and requests for Baronial supplies
    • Gulf Wars is coming! Make sure you designate the Barony of South Downs as your local group when you volunteer – local groups will receive funds based on the number of volunteer hours logged by their members.
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • We have stuff!
    • Lucien thanked everyone who came out on project night to help mark new baronial kitchen supplies, etc.
    • Inventory weekend coming to a weekend near you! Please stay tuned and come and help out!
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Worked on disk cleanup
    • Midwinter A+S site updates:
      • Class signup link
      • Fighter practice page – updated live weapons schedule for early 2019
      • Live Weapons marshal page – added links to Meridies archery scores and How to Make Tassels instructions
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, THL Mark de Wytteney reporting)
    • Not much has happened in the past month, but Myndee and her deputy have volunteered to run children’s activities at Fools’ War
  • Seneschal (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • Wistric thanked everyone who helped with the Baronial polling
    • We need to find a new meeting site, as the rental rate has been raised from $50/week to $70/week beginning in March 2019. Perhaps we can go to St. Philip’s in Buckhead? But we’re definitely open to new site options.
  • Their Excellencies
    • His Excellency also thanked everyone who helped with the Baronial polling, and is looking forward to the new Baron and Baroness South Downs
    • He then asked if anyone was going to Magna Faire, and what activities they were planning on taking part in – A+S? Fencing? Anything else?

Other SCA Business

  • Midwinter Arts + Sciences (9 February 2019)
    • We’re having an event next month!
    • Classes are coming along
    • Many volunteer positions have been filled, but volunteers are still needed – please contact Lady Alisandre if interested
    • Still looking for a group to host the fundraiser lunch
    • Evening court will be held in the ballroom but we have zero chance of getting in there before 3:00pm, so morning court will take place in the lecture hall
    • We are going to try to have evening court start at 4:30pm because there is a lot that will happen at court and we have a hard out of the site at 6:30pm
    • Now that we know who is being invested as Baron and Baroness South Downs, we can move forward full force with planning the investiture
    • Please pre-register for Midwinter A+S, it will make troll go a lot easier and more quickly
    • Speaking of troll, volunteers are still needed for troll shifts, especially first thing in the morning
    • Regional Fighter Practice – it’s happening (weather permitting)! Will be held Sunday, 10 February 2019, at Brook Run Park (usual practice location and time) We will have signage advertising the Regional at the Midwinter site
    • Inquiries have been made about crash space for Midwinter – Mara will be coordinating, so if you can offer crash space (or know someone who needs it), please contact her directly
    • There is interest in holding a Baronial yard sale, since the Barony has a good amount of stuff we no longer need, and there’s also people who want to donate. We’ll hold it perhaps at Midwinter, the Regional practice, or Fool’s War. There were a lot of ideas offered for the yard sale, and a volunteer to serve as point person was requested. Since Owl’s Nets has expressed interest in helping (as they have stuff to donate as well), it was suggested that Adaire be contacted to organize the yard sale.
    • The Courtesan’s track is still seeking volunteers to teach any of the Courtly Arts, social aspects of court, etc. Family-friendly classes are welcome.
  • Spring Coronation for TRH Sebastiannos and Morgan (5-7 April, 2019)
    • Juliane is going to look at the site this week. The new site, which is also where Fools’ War will be held, sounds really promising. HRH Sebastiannos is really excited about the site.
    • Discreet cigarette smoking is allowed – please religiously police your cigarette butts
    • Dogs are welcome on site (with all required paperwork) – if you bring your dog, please religiously police their butts 😉
    • A lot has already been negotiated with the site, thanks to Fynlo and the Fools’ War team, and the Boy Scouts (who own the site) are really excited about having us (the SCA) use their site in the future
    • Juliane has put a bid together already, and is working through requests from Sebastiannos for feast arrangements. She will discuss these requests with the finance committee to get them implemented.
    • Stunt Bards! (for feast?)
  • Red Tower (4-6 October, 2019)
    • Lady Veronica has volunteered to put together a bid
  • Castle Wars (21-24 November, 2019)
    • THL Piers is interested in autocratting, but has concerns about some issues with the site, including pricing and SERV-Safe certification for kitchen workers.
    • The event site will be the same Boy Scout camp site as Coronation and Fools’ War
  • Anachrocon (15-18 February, 2019)
    • Takes place over Presidents’ Weekend; it does conflict with several events, but we’re looking for volunteers
    • These are our people we just have to draw them in
    • We are seeking teachers for classes – please contact Lady Justina if interested
  • JordanCon (26-28 April, 2019)
    • Fantasy literature convention, in honor of author Robert Jordan
    • Will be held at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia
    • Tiff Frankin is point person for Meridies
  • Questions from HRM Gwynhwyfar
    • She wanted, first of all, to let everyone know that HRM Adhemar would have liked to have been at the meeting for the Baronial announcement and thank everyone personally
    • After the meeting, representatives for Meridies will need to come to a final decision about kingdom-wide fundraising for the Knowne Worlde party at Gulf Wars
      • Party theme – Hogwarts! HRM will be Fleur Delacour
      • There will be a fundraiser raffle, and items are being requested for the raffle
      • HRM wants to have an army of dementors, and mentioned something about thousands of glowsticks?

Other SCA Business

  • Mistress Allesandra mentioned that while Midwinter A+S is going on, the populace is welcome to enter the A+S competitions, and “we have like 400 laurels who would love to help you!”
  • Lady Stella is still looking for someone to take over organizing the baronial activity at DragonCon, as she won’t be able to be there for registering our group. Justina reminded us that we’ve been invited by the alternate history track to provide some classes

Non-SCA Business

  • His Excellency, Master Lorenzo, said that a couple of lovely chairs had been left behind at the baronial holiday party. If you left one, please come get it!
  • Dinner – Shaking Crawfish!

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 February 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center. Happy holidays and a happy new year!

Thanks!

–Raven

Meeting Minutes, Announcements, Castle Wars, Fighter Practices, Midwinter A&S

December Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

5 December 2018, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Lucien d’Artois called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Officer Reports

  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards – Castle Wars
      • TBD
      • TBD
    • Submissions
      • TBD
  • Baronial Polling (THL Mark de Wytteney)
    • Polling begins at tonight’s meeting for non-residents
    • Polling will continue at next Sunday’s fighter practice and next week’s baronial meeting
    • He explained the polling process:
      • Voting will be a ranked system for the three sets of candidates; everyone will vote their order of preference for the sets of candidates
      • Ballots are being mailed for residents of the Barony today
  • Armored and Youth Marshal (Lady Mairghread)
    • Armored
      • Has been out of the loop for a little bit, due to real-life responsibilities
    • Youth
      • Completed reports for the youth program
      • Is working on rewriting the rules for youth rapier
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Nothing to report
  • Live Weapons Marshal (Mistress Mara Palmer)
    • Mistress Mara was counseled by the populace to walk, not run, to the lectern as she approached to give her report
    • Practices have been going well, although they are starting to slow down as the weather has grown colder
    • Reports that Live Weapons will need more equipment – in particular, bows, arrows, and longer arrows
    • Castle Wars
      • went really well – great turnout, and many new participants. A total of 70 participants signed in at the archery range.
      • W did have a few safety incidents at Castle Wars, especially with people walking behind the targets. Mistress Mara emphasized that even if out of range, people walking behind the targets make the archers really nervous.
      • Thanks to the Barony of Bryn Madoc, who marshaled the throwing side of the Live Weapons activities at Castle Wars
    • It seems that there were many people who didn’t realize that they could come to our practices, even if not part of our Barony. Our practices are open to all, not just the members of the Barony!
    • Please check the Facebook group, South Downs/Owl’s Nest Live Weapons Practice to track upcoming practices.
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • We had a lot of new people attend Castle Wars – it was awesome!
    • Lady Justina mentioned that there is a new Newcomers group on Facebook, and encouraged everyone – new and established members – to join, to ask and help answer questions and see what new people want to know about Meridies and the SCA in general.
    • Upcoming demos:
      • Anachrocon in February
        • Master Mathias mentioned that Anachrocon has asked for a commedia presentation. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Mathias directly.
      • DragonCon
        • Justina reminded us that we’ve been invited by the alternate history track to provide a couple of classes
      • Kennesaw State University (KSW)/OwlCon
        • Master Wistric mentioned that last March, KSW sponsored OwlCon; they have planned to hold it annually, but he’s not seen anything about this year’s event yet. Jaden and Lauren are looking into its status for this year
      • Possible demo at a library in Milton? More information to follow
  • Arts & Sciences (Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)
    • We have A+S in the Barony, and it is good! Yay!
    • We had 19 classes at Castle Wars, most well-attended
      • Courtesans’ track and the Newcomer’s track were both really encouraging
      • The period firearms demo was really exciting
      • Mistress Sunneva thanked everyone who took and taught classes
    • Next year’s classes for South Downs A+S nights are already scheduled through July 2019; if you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out the form or contact Mistress Sunneva directly.
    • Our next A+S class will take place on January 23, when Sir Iastreb will teach the History of Chess
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • Castle Wars’ report has not yet been completed, pending final PayPal report
      • we made approximately $3,700 in profit
      • If you have receipts for Castle Wars, please send them to Andreva THIS WEEK
    • We have money in the bank, no outstanding checks
    • We have purchases we have made for the Barony that we need to approve:
      • $151 for tiki torches (HE South Downs)
      • $64.58 for 2 coffee pots and (?) air presses, which are so much easier to manage than industrial coffee urns (Justina)
      • $82 for dollies for transport (Lucien)
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Nothing to report
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Sent Warrant for Appointment to the Office of Group Webminister to Kingdom Webminister at the Request of Rhiannon Mulholland
    • Updated Castle Wars website
    • Posted in-person polling announcement
    • New profile pages for:
      • Lord Guido of Axbridge
      • Lord Lucis Wicanius Cicero
      • Lord Jacob Mór
      • Captain Nikoslav Mikolaevich
      • Safa
    • Updated profile pages for:
      • Lord Nikon Dawidowicz (device, awards, and spelling)
      • Captain Brendan de Hay (awards)
      • Lady Myndee of South Downs (awards)
      • Lord Quintus Valerius Gracchus (awards)
      • THL Mark de Wytteney (awards)
      • Lord Jarec Markov (awards)
      • THL Juliane de Vivonne (awards)
      • Master Davio de la Rouge (awards)
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, THL Mark de Wytteney reporting)
    • Much of the Minister of Children’s report is regarding Castle Wars
      • One of the things thats important about the office is the issue of background checks. However, the MiC of a local group is the only one who is allowed to be sponsored/paid for by the Kingdom to get a background check – not even her deputy can be allowed to have a background check through the Kingdom. This restriction is causing problems with events with good turnouts for kids, such as Castle Wars. We’re not allowed to leave any children unsupervised, or supervised by a non-cleared volunteer – if one kid needs to go to the bathroom, they all need to go to the bathroom
      • We would love to have enough authorized support (without having to depend on the occiasional MiC from another group) to be able to split the group into younger and older kids so everyone can do cool things
      • Mock court was a huge success
      • We want to be able to get the kids active in what they are interested in doing in the society – not just passively doing arts and crafts “kids’ activities”
      • Mairghread mentioned her experiences with youth marshaling, comparing and contrasting her requirements with background checks with what the MiC has to go through
      • It was clarified that the Kingdom will only pay for one background check for an MiC per group, and that outside background checks are not applicable in the SCA. It was asked if it’s possible for the Barony to pay for an additional background check through the Kingdom, and if we knew how much the background check would cost, if finances are part of the problem? Can the group sponsor additional background checks?
  • Seneschal (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • If you haven’t signed in, please sign in
    • The 4th Wednesday this month is Boxing Day, there will be no meeting
  • Their Excellencies
    • His Excellency greeted the populace “Hi! I’m your lame duck baron!”
    • He then asked if anyone was going to Magna Faire, and what activities they were planning on taking part in – A+S? Fencing? Anything else?

Other SCA Business

  • Castle Wars Post-Mortem
    • THL Juliane stated that the #1 lesson learned was that we have the most awesome kingdom in the world
    • HRH Sebastiannos commented that his #1 lesson learned whas “Don’t give a kid a big tin of candy and let him go off with it!”
    • Other lessons:
      • When we got on site, we realized we didn’t have all the things we need for the lyst field – marking tape, flags, etc.
      • We should have a check off list for the field in advance
      • As a barony, we delineate in advance what each staff position involves, so there’s no confusion and less stress (esp for new people wanting to volunteer)
      • 3 hr courts are long
        • His Excellency really liked the idea of morning court to take care of a lot of the smaller awards done
        • HRM mentioned they had roving court which helped, but His Excellency pointed out the only people who would see court would be those who happened to be there
      • Having a co-autocrat would also be a great mentoring opportunity
        • Everyone needs a Nikon! But seriously, having a general assistant is a great idea
        • Iazzie mentioned that at MGT the autocrat has the co-autocrat take up the next year’s event. This would also help educate the autocrat – they have a year to find out all the details while co-ing
      • Issues that couldn’t be anticipated – at the Shrine, the radios didn’t work between the hall and the field. need to figure out how to work around it.
      • Lucien mentioned that Tir Briste has 3 co-autocrats (for Fools War?), each with a specific area of the event, so one person doesn’t have to run back and forth – makes communication around the event site much easier
      • Duke Thomas pointed out that CW is one of the biggest events of the kingdom, so we really should have a team of (co) autocrats just to manage
      • Landcrat
        • We need to address parking issues
        • Parking was really problematic, site manager was grumpy
        • We should have a parking team to manage where cars go as people arrive, especially with events this size. PARKING CZAR!
      • (Ximon) Cleanup
        • The people who were there until the end did an amazing job
        • We might consider working with a smaller group (for $$$) to help with set up and break down
        • Iazzie suggested that we contact Gulf Wars people to see how they handle volunteers for setup and breakdown
      • Andreva pointed out that yes, we make a decent profit with Castle Wars, but we also have had events over the year that have lost a lot of money
      • Volunteer raffle on Sunday didn’t get a great turnout because it was on Sunday
      • Lucien mentioned that we spent a lot of time on Sunday doing trash runs. Perhaps the pottycrat team could also do trash runs throughout the weekend.
        • Wistric mentioned that (Ben) had an idea – his Amtgard group has each camping group assigned a camp master, and each camp submits a deposit at registration. When their group is cleared to go, they get their deposit back.
        • Make it a competition? Whoever leaves their camp the quickest and cleanest gets an attaboy and kudos. hmm…
        • Better advertising in general for calling for volunteers
        • Rain was also an issue because the portapotties couldn’t be set where they needed to be – portapotty groups were supposed to be where the trash cans were set.
        • Andreva pointed out that it wasn’t that the site was trashed – it was that piles of trash bags were left at the portapotties, and it took forever for Ximon and Farouq to load up the trash and haul it to the dumpsters.
        • Could the parking people also inform groups about the trash situation – where the dumpsters are and that everyone is expected to dispose of their trash before they leave?
        • Perhaps the pottycrat could also have a trash detail throughout the weekend, going along camps collecting trash bags?
        • Dumpster locations? We can place them anywhere, since we have it brought in ourselves
      • Problem – the portapotty truck could not get on the swamped field, which is why so many cars were left on the field
      • Ximon, Lucien, Lorenzo, Wistric, and Ben did an awesome job
      • Truck was totally worth it, but it cost a lot more than was budgeted. Need to revisit budget for the truck
      • HRH mentioned that it would save the Barony a lot of money in repairing the castle wars by getting a trailer that is dedicated to storing the walls
      • Storing walls in storage unit, good short term solution but trailer is good long-term solution
      • RV fees were more than we expected/were told. need to clear that up
    • Midwinter Arts + Sciences
      • Please check with Lady Alisandre if you are interested in volunteering. We already have several volunteers for troll
      • Justina mentioned that we are looking for teachers for the Courtesans’ track – classes on any of the courtly arts, not just “R-rated,” are welcome
    • We are opening bids for Spring Coronation (HRH Sebastiannos and Morgan!), which will be held at the Fools War site
    • We need an autocrat for Red Tower 2019

Other SCA Business

    • Andreva announced that if you aren’t going to Magna Faire, she will be performing that same evening with her new vocal chamber group and invites everyone to come to the concert. It’s their first concert and “we have no idea what is going to happen.”
    • Mathias and Mara are planning a fuzzy PJs and dinner party (when?)

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 2 January 2019, at the Doraville Civic Center. Happy holidays and a happy new year!

Thanks!

–Raven

Society ANNOUNCEMENTS, Meeting Minutes

November Baronial Business Meeting (and Candidate Q+A) Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

7 November 2018, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

THL Mark de Wytteney called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Baronial Candidates Q+A

With the announcement of Their Excellencies Lorenzo and Adela’s intent to step down in the near future, three sets of candidates were nominated to serve as the next Baron and Baroness South Downs:

  • Master Wistric Oftun and Mistress Sunneva de Cleia
  • THL Lucien d’Artois and THL Juliane de Vivonne
  • Sir Iastreb Desislavich and THL Marianna Cristina Tirado de Aragon

The meeting began with a question and answer session with all the candidates, documented here (and on the baronial FB group) with this video:

Video of baronial candidate question and answer session

Baronial officers submitted their reports to be posted separately.

Officer Reports

  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Awards – Red Tower
      • Lord Brendan de Hay – Order of the Red Raven
      • Lady Raven Helmsplitter – Order of the Red Raven
    • Submissions
      • No new submissions, no change in status to existing submissions
  • Armored and Youth Marshal (Lady Mairghread)
    • Armored
      • Nothing to report
    • Youth
      • Nothing to report
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Nothing to report
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • Nothing to report
  • Arts & Sciences (Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)
    • Nothing to report
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • Nothing to report
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Nothing to report
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Added signup sheet for 2019 A+S classes
    • Updates to Red Tower website:
      • Schedule
      • Sitemap
      • Gods & Quests
    • Updates to Castle Wars website:
      • Land map
      • Merchant list
      • Rapier schedule
      • Courtesan salon
      • Meridies Pride link
      • Notice of cancellation of equestrian activities
      • Notice of closing of PayPal registration
    • Updates to Midwinter A+S website:
      • Added Midwinter 2019 to top level “Events” dropdown menu
    • Updated info for other upcoming events:
      • Fall Crown List
      • Magna Faire
    • Updated awards:
      • Lord Brendan de Hay – Order of the Red Raven
      • Lady Raven Helmsplitter – Order of the Red Raven
      • Master Wistric Oftun – Argent Comet
      • Lord Davio de la Rouge – Argent Comet
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Seneschal (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • Nothing to report
  • Their Excellencies
    • Nothing to report

Thanks to THL Mark de Wytteney and Lord Nikon Dawidowicz for their help in coordinating and recording the Q+A session this evening.

Next business meeting will be held Wednesday, 5 December 2018, at the Doraville Civic Center. Please note that the first non-resident polling will take place at the December business meeting.

Thanks!

–Raven

Announcements, Castle Wars, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S, Red Tower

October Mini-Business Meeting

South Downs Baronial Business Mini-Meeting

17 October 2018, 7:30pm

Celebrity Guest Meeting Space – Cathedral of St. Philip

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois) called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in!”

Red Tower Post-Mortem

  • Lady Veronica da Lucca and Lord Mark de Wytteney, co-autocrats thanked everyone who worked on Red Tower – the event was awesome!
  • Veronica especially thanked all the staff and volunteers who rocked even in the brutal heat
  • We’ve already booked the site for next year
  • Comments and Observations
    • The people who had said they were going to do Friday night traveler’s fare couldn’t make it at the last minute, and it didn’t get covered in time. We will come up with alternate plans for future events, to make sure such offerings are covered
    • Several people mentioned that we could use more signs for that site (Camp Rutledge at Hard Labor Creek State Park), as they thought they had gotten lost (especially once they got to the unpaved section). “Is that a banjo? No, a hurdy-gurdy. Burma shave.”
    • Having trash cans on the field would be great, but everyone took great care of the lyst field – it was left crazy clean! The park rangers complimented us on how clean we left the site
    • The bathroom staff should be on site as early as possible to double-check the bathrooms and showers, to make sure they are suitably clean and stocked (especially with hand soap and paper towels)
    • Wistric asked if the two portapotties on the lyst field were sufficient – everyone seemed to think they were; perhaps add a hand wash station on the field?
    • Having a checklist for baronial supplies for each bin would make packing up a lot easier. Lucien said he’s already working on it, and the checklists should be ready by Castle Wars
    • It was suggested that Pietro should post the inventory on the baronial website so everyone knows what we have
    • We should make sure we have plenty of propane included
    • Sunday morning – the site closes at 10:00am, so we should have more voice heralds to nudge attendees; we should also announce the closing time more frequently throughout the day and at court
    • An additional checklist should be created for closing up cabins – perhaps posted in each cabin at the beginning of the event
    • Landcrat/crittercrat
      • Wasp spray would be helpful
      • The site should be checked for fire ants (again) before the site opens – there were some problems on the lyst field with them
    • Lots of praise for the live weapons set up – they felt part of the overall fighting, as opposed to isolated from the rest of the action
    • Lots of praise for lots of fighting – fighting all day long, even in the heat
    • Water on the field was handled pretty well, but others mentioned that we should have 3 water barrels per marshal space and one in the hall, as water started to run out on the field
    • Need to work the parking pass situation out – the site balked at the request for 100 parking pass Friday morning, and only gave 50 to the troll on Friday. Perhaps try to acquire them a few days in advance
    • Should we get golf carts for the site?
    • This had been investigated previously for Castle Wars, and the price they got was $1000 to rent a couple of golf carts
    • Ximon suggested that if we paid him $100, he’d happily shuttle people back and forth from the field to the hall
    • The idea of a shuttle person as one of the staff could be a really good idea/alternative to golf carts, actually
    • Bloody Ridge was really happy to have the opportunity to do the fundraiser lunch, but the logistics became difficult because the lunch area was back at the hall and therefore far from the field (where most of the people were). Suggestions were made to have a takeaway option or delivery option to the field? However, unless we run the fundraiser lunch ourselves, we can only make recommendations
    • The Gods Quest was a big success, especially for the kids
    • Her Excellency mentioned that she was also pleased with the set up of archery and live weapons, allowing them to feel much more a part of the overall fighting, and the Gods Quest – it would be great to do a similar quest for future events; having the Quest printed on the event flyers was a great idea
    • Her Excellency suggested that we might want to consider:
      • Having trash bags available at Troll for each cabin to pick up at check in
      • Making sure breakfast was provided to TRHs – their entourage is supposed to be in charge of that
      • Extending a special invitation to Master Evan to bring his book collection to a special scriptoria at a future event
      • Thinking about how to better use our baronial banners
      • Include in event staff dedicated people to help set up and take down baronial and kingdom pavilions
      • Encouraging an A+S class schedule for Red Tower – there were people who chose not to attend because there was a lack of classes
        • Veronica mentioned that there had been an executive decision to focus on fighting, but we also need volunteers to teach classes – please don’t wait for others to set up classes
    • Revel – Veronica thought it went really well, but there was some confusion about whether it was “official.” The alternate, family-friendly revel never really happened, but it was a good idea and should be planned earlier and advertised more to get a good turnout.
    • Minister of Children staff – if anyone is interested in volunteering, it would be a great help to the staff, as the kids groups could then be split up with the two credentialed leaders. Lady Melusine will investigate what (if any) background checks will be necessary for secondary volunteers, and how many credentialed people will be needed per number of volunteers.
    • Feastcrats need to make sure that they have their own supply of dish soap for this site, as it is not provided
    • The Barony has acquired a supply of new dishes and other kitchen supplies that need to be labeled. These will be brought to December’s project night so everything can be properly labeled and added to the inventory
    • Storage load out on Friday went really well. Lucien noted that moving forward, there will no longer be vehicle access to the storage facility, so we should look at cart options (perhaps at Costco?) to help get supplies into and out of the storage unit
    • The Barony is also considering moving to another storage facility, priorities being vehicle access and climate-controlled units
    • The event site has terrible coffee makers; we thought we had Baronial coffee makers, but apparently they died at a previous event. A voice vote was taken to replace the coffee makers (because coffee!)
    • In response to the issues surrounding the 10:00am site closing on Sunday, it was explained that this is because of the ranger schedule
    • Exchequer report:
      • Assuming all numbers are correct, our income was $4,217.98; with expenses totaling $3,166.63, our net profit was $1,051.35.

Castle Wars Business

  • Her Majesty has requested that the White Rose Ball be held at Castle Wars
    • There is some clarification needed about how this will be funded – from the Roses’ budget, or the Castle Wars event budget?
  • Lady Juliane still needs volunteers:
    • A hall steward
    • Someone to run the regular revel
      • Wistric talked to Duke Sinclair of Atlantia about bringing his tavern again to Castle Wars, and if so, we can do the revel there. We still ahve $355 from the Artsy Crown fundraiser lunch for a booze budget
    • For contributions to the volunteer raffle
  • How many war points will there be? Looking at five war points

Other SCA Business

  • Baronial nominations!
    • Piers Simmons nominated Sir Iastreb and THL Mariana
    • Lord Farouq nominated Master Wistric and Mistress Sunneva
    • Duke John nominated THL Lucien and Lady Juliane
  • Iazzie asked if the Barony had spoken to the Crown about the polling process. His Excellency mentioned that we are working under a compressed timeframe now, so we have talked to TRM to move the polling schedule more quickly than usual. It is important that anyone who wants to vote makes certain they have confirmed their ZIP code is within the Baronial boundaries or have otherwise followed the rules to be included in the voting
  • They are currently deciding whether ballots will be mailed or if polling will be at the meeting – it is important that as many people can be reached/included as possible
  • Current timeline includes having the investiture at Midwinter A+S
  • Polling should be mailed in early November, but it will be up to TRM when the decision will be made
  • TRM will ultimately choose whoever they want – this is a polling (where they take into consideration the views of the Baronial populace), not a vote in the usual sense
  • We will hold a Q+A for the candidates during the November business meeting (7 November)

With no other business, Lucien closed the meeting and dinner plans were discussed.

PLEASE NOTE: Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 7 November 2018, at the Doraville Civic Center, 3770 Central Avenue, Doraville, GA. We will meet at the usual time, Wednesday 7-9pm.

–Raven

Meeting Minutes

October 2018 Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

3 October 2018, 7:30pm

Doraville Civic Center – NEW LOCATION! 3744 Central Ave., Doraville GA

Notes submitted by Lady Raven Helmsplitter, South Downs Chronicler.

Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois) called the meeting to order. Master Wistric sez “Welcome! If you did not sign in, please sign in! And – how do you like the new digs?”

Officer Reports

  • Herald (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • Events – Tournament of the Foxes
      • Argent Comet – Master Wistric Oftun
      • Writ of Elevation to the Order of Defense – Captain Davio de la Rouge
  • Armored and Youth Marshal (Lady Mairghread)
    • No practice this Sunday due to Red Tower
    • Our monthly regional melee training practice will take place the following Sunday (14 October)
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Practices. We are still having them (even without Brendan) Sunday afternoons at Brook Run Park, concurrent with armored. Tuesday evening practices at 7pm have gone back to Blackburn Park in Brookhaven. We’re averaging 2-12 people. For updates regarding rapier practices, go to the Atlanta SCA Fighting Facebook group.
    • We will also not have practice this coming Sunday, due to Red Tower
    • Brendan thanked all those who stepped up to run practices when he (Brendan) had work conflicts.
  • Chatelaine (Lady Justina di Silvestri)
    • We have had two newcomers join us at recent meetings or events
    • Justina mentioned that she encountered another group who opened their meeting to the general community, essentially an open house. She suggested that this could be a good idea for us, especially since our new meeting space is a promising spot to hold an open house.
    • Gold Key – we won’t be able to host a excess Gold Key yard sale at Red Tower, but she’d still like to host it sometime this month, or perhaps at Castle Wars? She’d like to hold it soon, so she can get it out of her house. She’d like to offer first dibs for new people who come to meetings.
      • Would like pricing advice on all items
      • Yard sale will also include unclaimed lost and found from past events
      • Justina emphasized that we are keeping the higher quality Gold Key – she really has an enormous amount of donated garb that she can sell off some of it
      • Details for the yard sale will be announced after Red Tower
      • Armored- and rapier-relevant lost and found will be given first to group marshals to see if they need it for loaner gear; remaining will be sold at the yard sale
    • Gold Key database is now available
  • Arts & Sciences (Mistress Sunneva de Cleia)
    • Mistress Sunneva was out sick, Master Wistric reporting
    • We have arts *and* sciences, and that is good
    • Lady Alisandre taught last month’s class on Research Tools and Methods
    • This month’s class, Voice Heraldry in Court, will be taught by THL Andreva
    • Reminder: Sunneva has made a schedule for all of 2018 as a Google Docs spreadsheet so you (yes, you!) can sign up to teach a class at one of our monthly A&S nights. She is pleased to report we have classes scheduled through most of the rest of the year; there is also a list in development for alternate/back up classes, so even if there are no specific dates available, please sign up!
  • Reeve (THL Andreva Rigaldi)
    • We have money! Yay!
    • Quarterly report is done and ready to submit
    • We have just over $4,000 in our account right now, and waiting to get PayPal funds deposited from Red Tower
    • Mistress Alessandra will be her new deputy reeve – yay!
  • Quartermaster (THL Lucien d’Artois)
    • We have stuff! Yay!
    • We completed the baronial inventory this past weekend
    • We will load up the trailer for Red Tower this coming Friday (5 October) at 8:00am. If interested in helping, please contact Lucien
    • Lucien thanked THL Mariana for her help researching and acquiring kitchen supplies for the baronial camp kitchen – yay!
  • Webminister (Lord Pietro di Conti)
    • We have a website!
    • Updates to Red tower web site
      • Pricing
      • Directions
      • Revel
      • Rapier schedule
      • Armored schedule
      • Live weapons schedule
    • Adjusted column width of text on desktop view of website
    • Added Tumblr to the social media buttons on the website
    • Updated meeting location
    • Added Andreva’s class to the October A&S class schedule
    • Updates to profile pages
      • Lady Myndee of South Downs: added as Minister of Children
      • Lady Roisin McAlister: added as Deputy Chatelaine (Gold Key)
      • Lord Jarec Markov: added as Deputy Armored Marshal (replacing Baron Robert)
      • Mistress Allesandra Giovanna Fioravnti: added as Deputy Reeve, also added a link from her profile page to her shop, Tied to History
      • Lord Mark de Wytteney: added as Deputy Seneschal
      • Lady Justina di Silvestri: added device, and a link to her blog
      • Sir Iastreb Desislavich: added device
      • Lady Alisandre: added class notes to her profile page
    • If you don’t want your photo on your profile page, or if you have a different picture for you or your device that you’d prefer, let me know!
  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report for now, other than things in the works including acquiring a deputy
  • Minister of Children (Lady Myndee of South Downs, Lord Mark reporting)
    • We have a Minister of Children! Yay!
    • All of Myndee’s paperwork is done
    • Jenny’s is in the works
    • Myndee is at home right now working on stuff
  • Seneschal (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a barony! Yay!
    • 91 people have signed in to meetings since May – yay!
    • We will have our Red Tower post-mortem report and meeting on 17 October at the Cathedral of St. Philip’s
  • Their Excellencies
    • Her Excellency has reauthorized as an armored fighter; to celebrate, the baronial armored champion tournament will feature all fighters having to fight her to sort out the combatants
    • His Excellency has also authorized as in rapier, and will also fight all combatants in the baronial rapier champion tournament at Red Tower
    • Baronial archery champion will be determined at Sunday’s live weapons practice
    • Someone asked about where to get arrows – they can be purchased locally, you need to specify
        • Wood shaft
        • Feather fletching
        • Weight of your bow pull and draw length

Upcoming Events

  • Red Tower (5-7 October 2018), Lord Mark reporting
    • Needs to contact portapotty company to arrange for fieldside portapotties
    • What do different groups (martial, A&S, etc) need for supplies – do we have a list from last year’s Red Tower for reference?
    • Mark has a minion! (Nikon)
    • We are pretty set in general, things are coming along or being wrapped up
    • Iazzie asked to confirm if we have poles and rope for the lyst fields and offered to bring netting for live weapons field if needed – he’s got a supply of netting already for Castle Wars
    • Do we need tiki torches> We have propane torches, but we’ll need extra propane tanks to cover both nights
    • We have 70 beds and 72 feast spaces sold already. 24 feast spaces still available at the door. We have already reached break-even (yay!)
    • His Excellency asked about the pre-registration rate compared to last year – it is pretty low, and it’s expected that this is mostly due to large events surrounding Red Tower (MGT and Coronation), as well as it not being on Royal Progress. We do expect a lot of daytrippers, so we’re not worried.
    • Lady Veronica asked if everyone who is playing a god knows *who* they are portraying and if they have their garb set up
    • Raven is not doing the flyer – gah!
    • Where can we hold classes? There are some popups and people can bring chairs, and the hall is available during the day. Since the hall has ceiling fans, people may find it more comfortable.
  • Castle Wars (15-18 November 2018), Lady Juliane reporting
    • She has backed off from advertising about Castle Wars so it won’t interfere with Red Tower – but once Red Tower is in the books, it is ON!
    • Trying to get the FB staff group set up, but having technical issues; once these are fixed, all staff will be added
    • Volunteers still needed:
      • Hall steward (Duchess Ysmay is organizing the Rose Ball)
      • Saturday breakfast
      • Sunday breakfast – do we even need it?
      • Friday travelers’ fare
      • Site herald – Lord Mark volunteered, as he will be mostly done with landcrat duties by then
      • Fundraiser lunch Friday and Saturday – maybe Sol Haven or other local groups might be interested? Most of our barony will already be busy with the event, so we should try to get someone else to do the fundraiser lunches
      • Revel organizer for Saturday night
      • Other A&S competition-related volunteers needed, but will be handled separately
    • Currently, 45 paid weekend – 14 child (12 are William Scrivener’s), 1 daytripper and 16 feast
    • Bam will have the menu ready shortly
    • Iazzie has all the fighting scenarios ready, will release them individually every few days
    • Needs SCA names for all staff, so please confirm with Lady Juliane
    • We should check with the Honorable Clover group – they recently hosted a class on SCA and disabilities issues so we can make sure we address these issues adequately
    • Juliane would like to have everyone work on assembling tokens at the next project night
  • Midwinter A+S (9 February 2019), Lady Alisandre reporting
    • Received confirmation that we can have the ballroom in the student center for evening court
    • Still waiting for confirmation that we can have the classroom space for the event – the reservation person is away at a conference right now, but everyone is confident there won’t be any problems
    • Andreva needs the reservationist’s name for PayPal

Other SCA Business

  • Master Ximon showed the populace the four small towers that Sawyer brought in, which will be used to light the baronial banner poles – SO SPIFF! They cost $10 each to 3D print, so the question “how many do we want?” After discussion, it was agreed that we’d ultimately like 8 for the banner poles and 12 for feast tables, perhaps a total of 25? It was also agreed that Sawyer could provide 8 (for banner poles) for Castle Wars, and we can pay him upon receipt.
  • Ximon also proposed that the baronial encampment have a gate – he already has designed one, and can work on pricing for it. Everyone thought this was a great idea, and one of the ladies of the populace volunteered access to a maker space to help build the gate.
  • His Excellency talked about all the things they had wanted to do and have accomplished during their tenure as Baron and Baroness… then announced that they will be stepping down and will get the polling process going. If you are interested in putting your name in, please check out the rules and if you meet the qualifications, please contact His Excellency, Master Lorenzo.
  • Mistress Margavati recommended that if you want to nominate someone, *check with them FIRST*
  • Iazzie reminded everyone of the ZIP code database online, but we’re not sure how current it is
  • We now have a faculty rep at GA Tech!
  • In November, Justina will be taking over as a kingdom-level A&S rep (will provide more info)
  • MGT (Meridian Grand Tournament) was last weekend, and the Barony showed well! It was great to see the baronial arms on the lyst tree. Futhermore, Iazzie won the Rose Tourney – yay!
  • The Knowne Worlde Courtesans Guild podcast is live, baby! Justina is one of the podcast’s field reporters. She said they are looking for interviews, stories, poetry and other cultural aspects of SCA life. The podcast will be a digital salon hosted by the courtesans of the Knowne World Courtesans Guild and featuring artisans of historical arts from across the world. Tune in for intelligent discussion of history, re-enacting the pre-1600s world, and news of the Society. If you are interested in talking about your art, please contact Justina and she will be happy to chat with you!

Non-SCA Business

  • None

PLEASE NOTE: Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 7 November 2018, at the Doraville Civic Center, 3770 Central Avenue, Doraville, GA. We will meet at the usual time, Wednesday 7-9pm.

Also – our 17 October meeting will be held at the Cathedral of St. Philip’s in Buckhead, 2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. We will have our Red Tower post-mortem meeting, then our monthly dance practice – see you then!

–Raven