Meeting Minutes, Society ANNOUNCEMENTS

January Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

4 January 2017, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

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

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

Officer Reports

  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Mentioned plans for newsletter
      • Plans to publish it quarterly, first issue (hopefully) end of March
      • Seeking artists, writers, photographers for content – would like to show what we are doing as a barony, and offer as much original content as possible
      • Baronial officers and marshals are welcome to contribute content – A+S Salon, Marshals’ Column, etc.
      • Other content ideas: articles from guilds; event summaries (with photos); recipes (does the South Downs Supper Club still exist?); How To Improve Your Fighting or Camping Kit; etc.
      • Articles should be ~250 words (about one page)
      • More information (including links to release forms) forthcoming, both on South Dows website (here) and Facebook group
      • Oh, and we need a title for the newsletter – ideas welcome!
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Practices are going well! We continue to have practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (weather and event schedule permitting).
    • We have a new winter practice location for Tuesday evenings, at Gerrick’s house in Peachtree Corners, with a backup at Brendan’s office warehouse.
    • For the latest info on practice status, check Atlanta SCA Fighting group on Facebook.
    • THL Mathias took care of the insurance paperwork so we can have our practices where we need to have them.
  • Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a website! Midwinter A+S has a website! Yay!
  • Herald (Lord Lucien d’Artois)
    • Submissions – Devices
      • Bram Halfdannarson – passed Kingdom
  • Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
    • We have had some new people show up and they’re coming back, yay!
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
    • December was a great month! THL Mathias taught a great class on singing.
    • A+S competition season has started. Mistresses Allesandra and Sunneva will again offer their class on the basics of entering an A+S competition, including feedback, how do judges review work, what the judging sheets are all about, etc., just in time for Stella Nova at Midwinter A+S.
  • Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)
    • We have money! What shall we do with some of it? (See below!)
  • Their Excellencies
    • Scribal nights continue to be held on the first Monday of the month at Their Excellencies’ home.
    • Her Excellency Adela is planning on attending Black Gryphon (17-19 February) – if you are interested in carpooling or caravaning, please contact her
    • This year’s Meridian Knowne Worlde social is on Saturday night (edit: rumors abound that it may been moved earlier in the week, but I currently can’t find confirmation); Lady Ysmay and Sir Tim are running it and seek volunteers
    • More Gulf Wars: there is an open call for advertisements – events, non-merchanting announcements, etc., are sought out
    • There will again be a volunteer raffle at Gulf Wars! Volunteers can earn points for their local group (South Downs!) and raffle tickets to score lovely prizes!
    • Opening day procession is likely Tuesday morning of War Week. We would like to have banners made for procession, should have 8 total (6 new?) in time
  • Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
    • Midwinter A+S is coming! Now is the time to write recommendations for deserving gentles, as Crown will be attending! Mathias reminded everyone that if you are not 100% sure that a person has a particular award check the Meridian Order of Precedence – you would be surprised at the awards people deserve but DONT HAVE.
    • War College will be held in Alabama the same weekend as Midwinter A+S
  • Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
    • Fighting classees at Midwinter? Check with Lord Robert if you need support for your class

 

Upcoming Events

  • Bryn Madoc Twelfth Night (7 January 2017)
    • There will be fighting! Classes! Feasting! (Twelfth Night feast is potluck – check FB event page or website (below) for details)
    • Event website
  • Midwinter Arts + Sciences (3-5 February 2017)
    • We should start looking for closer-in event sites where we can hold MWA+S and we can spread out; weekend event with A+S on Saturday and fighting on Sunday at the same site, for example
    • Entry deadline for Stella Nova @ is coming up
    • We have a whopping 2 reservations (!!!) please pre-reg!
    • We have 11 teachers, looking for more – talk to Lady Veronica if you are interested
    • We need volunteers for troll, people to put up and take down directional signs. Master Ximon has volunteered to take care of the street signs
    • We need volunteers for setup, who can be on site early Saturday morning early. Because the site is not secure, it is recommended we set up Saturday morning (6:30-7:00am) instead of Friday night. Several people volunteered.
    • There is no official floor plan, but we’d love to have one set up for reference (chronicler’s note: there is now a simple one on the event program)
    • The Meridian Order of the Blade will sponsor a fundraiser lunch – stew, drink, cookies for $5. There was discussion about where can lunch be set up, especially if weather is bad?
    • We have two merchants already requesting space, we could possibly fit as many as 4 on the first floor merchants area, with maybe a couple more on a different floor
    • Please contact Zeliha if you would like to pre-register
    • Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact Lord Pietro
    • Will there be a regional practice on Sunday, since War College will be the same weekend? Unlikely, but we will still have our regular practice that Sunday
  • Kingdom-Level Events for 2017
    • Bids for Red Tower and Castle Wars are due in April to encourage newer autocrats to step up – it’s never too early to put a bid together for these events!
    • Iazzie has offered to co-autocrat to help teach/supervise a newer autocrat
    • Red Tower (7 October 2017) – potential site is Booker T Washington Park in Chattanooga (where Crown Lyst was held).
      • We would need to put reservation in with 50% deposit. It’s a relatively expensive site with weird pricing structure, but we have the resources to give it a shot. Payoff could be HUGE
      • Bacon Bash is not a conflict in 2017
      • Duke John expressed concern that we have to go out of state for an event. Where else can we get a large cabin site for such events? We are always looking for closer-in sites, but there aren’t many that could handle an event this size.

 

Other SCA Business

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

 

Non-SCA Business

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

 

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

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

Happy holidays!

–Raven

Castle Wars, Events, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S

December Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

7 December 2016, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

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

THL Bjorn called the meeting to order.

Officer Reports

  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Herald (THL Bjorn Gullharr)
    • Submissions – Devices
      • Iastreb Desislavich – passed Kingdom
      • Stella di Silvestri – returned from Kingdom
    • Court Reports
      • Castle Wars – Royal Court
        • Pietro di Conti – AoA
      • Castle Wars – Baronial Court
        • Wistric Oftun – Tower Or
        • Veronica de Lucca – Tower Or
        • Alisandre Ysabeau de la Chapelle – Baronial Arts Champion
    • Bjorn announced that he will be stepping down as South Downs herald, and Lucien d’Artois will step up as the new Baronial Herald. Bjorn got a big round of applause in gratitude for all his work.
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
    • Mistress Allesandra taught a very well-received class last week on A+S submissions. There is a lot of interest in offering it again before Midwinter A+S, with more time before the event so everyone would have time to make adjustments to their A+S entries.
    • Allesandra is interested in teaching a class in January (topic TBD)
    • THL Mattias would like to teach a class on performing arts (discussion with Veronica will ensue)
    • Will there be an open A+S competition at MW, or just Stella Nova? As of now, there isn’t other A+S planned, but perhaps there should be to encourage non-beginners?
  • Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a website!
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • We continue to have practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (weather and event schedule permitting).
    • We have a new winter practice location for Tuesday evenings, at Gerrick’s house in Peachtree Corners, with a backup at Brendan’s office warehouse.
    • For the latest info on practice status, check Atlanta SCA Fighting group on Facebook!
    • Wistric was named QRC at Magna Faire; everyone laughed that he will have to stand up in court again
  • Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)
    • Final numbers from Castle Wars – $5739.60 profit (more to follow in post-mortem)
    • Numbers are also available from Gulf Wars (need to get info from Maire)
    • We really need to look at where we should spend money for the Barony – conversation and plans are ongoing. Ximon suggested that we devote some time at next month’s meeting for proposals, etc.
    • We need to look at reducing/not increasing charges for events next year; we were quite fortunate in how we were charged for site rentals, etc. will discuss this further at January’s meeting.
    • Shower trailers for events at the Castle Wars site were suggested
    • Iastreb bought one of the pavilions we discussed previously and brought it to Crown. Was quite pleased with it, we could easily use 5 more.
  • Their Excellencies
    • Scribal nights that have been held on first Thursdays will now be on the first Monday of the month at Their Excellencies’ home.
    • The populace is encourage to write recommendation letters for those who they find inspiring – Midwinter is coming! Matthias reminded everyone that if you are not 100% sure that a person has a particular award check the Meridian Order of Precedence – you would be surprised at the awards people deserve but DONT HAVE.
  • Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
    • We have had some new people show up at 5th Wednesday social and/or went to magna faire, yay!
  • Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
    • We had two injuries at Castle Wars
    • War Practice to be held Saturday, 10 December, in the shire of Depedale; likely SD practice Sunday as usual.

 

Recent Events

  • Castle Wars (17-20 November 2016) Post Mortem
    • Note: There is a more detailed analysis of the event compiled by CW staff. Please check with Wistric if you’d like to see it (Google Docs)
    • Pros
      • Live weapons field adjacent to rapier/armored was a big hit!
      • We had approximately an extra 100 people likely from Richard RaeFen’s memorial; would like to get the attendance numbers without the sad circumstances that increase attendance this year.
      • Having feast hall/tent available all weekend to hang out in was a great gathering spot
      • Excellent merchant turnout
      • Wistric has supply suggestions/needs for future
      • Feast was amazing, we should do it again! First Castle Wars feast in many years
      • Revel was excellent, but Justina stressed about the timing between court/memorial/feast/revel
  • Cons
    • Bulk of problems occurred during load-in
    • FIRE ANTS! Thorough fire ant treatment would cost $300 (suggested schedule: month before, 2 weeks before, and day before)
    • We need to address needing help to set up/staff/strike
      • Discussion about where to get more volunteers – within barony? encourage other groups? we should look at models of other large kingdom/interkingdom events
      • We go to other events to have a good time, we should make sure things are taken care of so others can have a good time. more service at our own events
      • Autocrats need to be more aggressive in recruiting volunteers
      • We need to develop culture where everyone is expected to help out in some way
      • We should work on how to get information out about what is needed
      • How to build rapport with other groups to coordinate service?
    • Traveler’s fare – there was confusion about whether it was being offered Thursday night (it wasn’t, but communication can be clearer about it)? Friday night kitchen tech failed. REMINDER – these were all experimental, hadn’t done at previous CW events. Overall, it was much appreciated.
    • With the drought and the high winds during the weekend, there was confusion about the burn ban.
    • Information point needs to be out on the field, not (just) at Troll

 

Upcoming Events

  • Bryn Madoc Twelfth Night (7 January 2017)
  • Midwinter Arts + Sciences (3-5 February 2017)
    • Need teachers for classes! Matthias will teach heraldry 101; Mariana has offered to teach a course as well
    • War college on same weekend – should contact HRM to suggest it perhaps there’s a better weekend to assign it into kingdom law than the same weekend as MW
  • Kingdom-Level Events for 2017
    • Bids for Red Tower and Castle Wars are due in April to encourage newer autocrats to step up – it’s never too early to put a bid together for these events!
    • Iazzie has offered to co-autocrat to help teach/supervise a newer autocrat
    • Red Tower (7 October 2017) – potential site is Booker T Washington Park in Chattanooga (where Crown Lyst was held).
      • We would need to put reservation in with 50% deposit. It’s a relatively expensive site with weird pricing structure, but we have the resources to give it a shot. Payoff could be HUGE
      • Bacon Bash is not a conflict in 2017
      • Duke John expressed concern that we have to go out of state for an event. Where else can we get a large cabin site for such events? We are always looking for closer-in sites, but there aren’t many that could handle an event this size.

 

Other SCA Business

  • Secret Santa! gift exchange will be at January business meeting

 

Non-SCA Business

  • Mattias and Mistress Mara just bought a house – housewarming party on 12/23!

 

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

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

Happy holidays!

–Raven

Castle Wars, Meeting Minutes, Midwinter A&S

November Baronial Business Meeting

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

2 November 2016, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

 

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

Lord Bjorn called the meeting to order.

 

Officer Reports

  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report, thanks to Brendan for covering the meeting
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • All is well in rapier world. We continue to have practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (weather and event schedule permitting). For the latest info on practice status, check Atlanta SCA Fighting group on Facebook!
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
    • This month’s 5th Wednesday class (due to the Thanksgiving holiday) will be on how to prepare your A+S project for competition, taught by Mistress Allesandra. The A+S class meeting is also the 5th Wednesday potluck
    • Interested in taking part in Stella Nova at Midwinter A+S? Registration for Stella Nova closes in 15 days (17 November)!
      • For registration, you only need to include your name, your (Laurel) sponsor’s name, and project category
  • Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
    • We have some new members! yay!
    • We will be taking part in ConjurationCon this coming weekend (5 November 2016). We will need dancers and ???
    • Castle Wars
      • Class schedule and Castle Wars patrol
      • Need two popups
      • Next meeting – we will paint arms of the populace for Castle Wars
  • Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)
    • We have money!
    • Yearly report sent in tonight (2 days late)
  • Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a website! (yay!) We also have a website for Castle Wars! (yay encore!)
  • Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
    • Castle Wars – schedule sent to Wistric and has been posted on website
    • Please contact Robert on Facebook if you are interested in helping marshal
    • There will be Youth Combat at Castle Wars (yay!)
  • Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
    • Submissions
      • Stella di Silvestri – submitted device
      • Iazzie – submitted new badge
  • Their Excellencies
    • Scribal night at-home will be tomorrow night (3 November)
      • Silk banners this weekend!
      • ??? banners
    • Castle Wars – please volunteer! We need volunteers throughout the event, especially cleanup!
    • If you are interested in retaining for Their Excellencies, please contact them
  • Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
    • Nothing to report

 

Upcoming Events

  • ConjurationCon (5 November 2016)
    • Bryn Madoc and South Downs are co-coordinating the demo – if you are interested in taking part, please contact ???
    • If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch with His Excellency Lorenzo
  • Crown List (11-13 November 2016)
    • Iazzie and Camulocaros will both be fighting in Crown List!
    • Baronial Pavilion will be near the field – all are welcome to stop by
  • Castle Wars (17 – 20 November 2016)
    • Takes place the week after Crown List
    • Still need volunteers:
      • Setup crew, starting at noon on Thursday 17 November
      • To help with stamping and threading site tokens – at meeting the Wednesday before Castle Wars
      • Troll
      • Kitchen cleanup
      • Site cleanup
      • Potty crew
      • Staff for Information Point
    • Revel at Castle Wars
      • Hat was passed for Revel donations. Justina has also coordinating a GoFundMe (not affiliated with South Downs, Meridies, or Society)
      • Need a tap for a commercial keg
      • Need beverage contributions
    • Zeliha is managing registration and announced she is happy to take reservations at the meeting
      • 160 total registered
      • 60 for feast (out of 100 spaces)
    • There will not be an overnight troll shift; troll will be closed between 2:00am and 7:00am
    • Registration will be extended – see website for details
    • Volunteer raffle – need donations!
    • 17 merchants have registered for Castle Wars
    • Anyone interested in camping with South Downs, please contact Lady Alisandre
    • Memorial events
      • Jochi Naran (Friday night)
      • Sir Richard Raefen
      • Viking ceremony to honor 6+ people who have passed this year, will be held Saturday evening after Court
  • Bryn Madoc Twelfth Night (7 January 2017)
    • His Excellency South Downs will be attending
    • Feast will be potluck
    • Is anyone interested in creating a South Downs Twelfth Night event? It’s been done in the past, very low-key
  • Midwinter A&S (3 – 5 February 2017)
    • Will host Stella Nova
      • 12 entries already received, six from South Downs!
      • Reminder: Stella Nova registration only requires Name/Laurel Sponsor/Category; no details are required at this point
  • Bids for Future Events
    • Kingdom Level events for 2017
      • Spring Coronation
        • Site: Booker T Washington Park, in Chattanooga
        • First weekend in April (31 March – 2 April 2017)
        • Portia is willing to help/autocrat

 

Other SCA Business

  • Informal Baronial At-Home at Castle Wars
    • Pavilion will be open for knitting, knitting instruction, and socializing
    • Begins at 10:00am
    • Closes before Court
    • There will be alcohol
    • We will also be working on relic bags (for those who don’t knit) – materials will be provided

 

Non-SCA Business

  • Andreva announced upcoming choir concerts, 2 and 4 December; please contact her for further information
  • SERFO (Southeast Renaissance Fencing Open) (11-13 November)
    • Organized by Master David, will be held at the Stone Mountain Community Center
    • Officially a HEMA event, but several SCA fencers take part
  • Duke John mentioned the Shakespeare First Folio exhibit at Emory
  • Vyviant at Georgia Tech needs volunteers to be interviewed for a research project on re-enacting
  • Fathom Events will be screening a rebroadcast of The National Theatre’s Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, on 15 November

 

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

 

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 7 December 2016, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

Midwinter A&S

Midwinter A&S update

From Alisandre de la Chapelle, the Event Steward:

Midwinter A&S (February 4, 2017)

Site opens at 8 am, classes begin at 9am. Site closes at 6 pm/after court.

Event Fee: $5 Non-SCA members add $5 surcharge to site fee. No charge for children under 17. Please make checks payable to SCA, Inc. Barony of South Downs.

Event Steward
Lady Alisandre de la Chapelle mka Alison Petrisek
3456 Kiveton Drive,
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Phone: 678-995-2913
Email: alpetrisek AT gmail DOT com

Reservationist
Lady Zeliha bint Sayyid
mka Leslie Colley
1712 Piper Cir SE,
Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: 678-622-6229
Email: zeliha.sayyid AT gmail DOT com

Stella Nova
Mistress Serafina Almanni
mka Kimberly Powell
facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups
/175143642890637/

Directions:
From Atlanta, travel I-20W to exit 124 (Villa Rica/UWG). Turn left (West) onto Highway 61. Take Hwy 61 for 12 miles then turn left onto the 166 Bypass. At the 6th traffic light, turn right onto Maple Street/Hwy 166. The University will be on the left.

Additional directions at: westga.edu/index_directions.php.

Meeting Minutes

October Baronial Business Meeting

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

5 October 2016, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

 

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

Lord Bjorn called the meeting to order.

 

Officer Reports

  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Nothing to report
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
    • This month’s 4th Wednesday class will feature Italian hemstitching, taught by Lady Alisandre.
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • We continue to have practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons (weather and event schedule permitting). For the latest info on practice status, check Atlanta SCA Fighting group on Facebook!
    • Lots of fighting at Red Tower – will discuss further in post mortem.
  • Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a website!
  • Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
    • Thank you to all who helped with Gold Key for Red Tower!
    • Are we interested in taking part in ConjurationCon (5 November 2016)?
  • Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
    • Nothing to report
  • Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
    • Submissions – Name
      • Stella di Silvestri – passed Laurel
    • Court Reports
      • Red Tower – Royal Court
        • Tiberius of Meridies – Sovereign’s Pleasure
        • Sebastiannos Ionnides – Sovereign’s Pleasure
        • Ysabella Lucia Tirado de Aragon – AoA
        • Rebekah Zsido – AoA
        • Magnus Andersson – AoA
        • Camulocaros Bodogenicnos – Meridien Cross
        • Bjorn Gullhar – GoA
      • Red Tower – Baronial Court
        • Bjorn Gullhar – Red Raven
        • Pietro di Conti – Tower Gules
        • Jürgen der Veilfras – Tower Or
        • Juliane de Vivonne – Tower Or
        • Lucien d’Artois – Tower Or
        • Maire Dhocair Inghean Chiarain – Red Raven
        • Raven Helmsplitter – Heart of South Downs
      • Meridien Grand Tournament – Royal Court
        • Mandin Leon – OVO
  • Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)
    • Still waiting on some receipts from Red Tower, so report will be next month
    • Castle Wars – will need to get some lights/lantern for site, esp important for primitive site. Would like to buy 5 (approved by populace)
    • Also need to buy a printer/scanner, hoping to spend ~$100 by the time the new reeve takes over
    • Popups for barony – Maire has a lead on period canvas popups ($68), canvas only. Will need to get poles for them separately (6ft?) Lowe’s 2x2x6; dogbones; ropes, and containers/totes for each. Faire will be submitting a proposal outlining all prices. Looking to get 4 popups. Mikhail has a store in Stone Mountain and sells iron stakes. questions about details (black/blue vs white, costs,etc) Went to a vote (passed nearly unanimously)
  • Their Excellencies
    • Coronation is coming up this weekend – in case anything unfortunate should happen…
    • Other events Their Excellencies will be attending:
      • War of the Wings coming up (12-16 October)
      • Danelaw (22 October)
      • Silver Hammer (22 October)
      • Gatalop (29 October)
      • Panhandle (4-6 November) – Bill Bosch is bringing his smoker (!!!)
  • Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
    • Nothing to report

 

Recent Events

  • Red Tower (30 September – 2 October 2016)
    • Pros
      • No one complained about portapotties!
      • Feast!!!
      • Having feast hall/tent available all weekend to hang out in was a great gathering spot
      • Having rapier and rattan fight side by side
      • Lyst mistresses were awesome!
      • Rattan/rapier team tournament was a ton of fun!
      • Troll was well-organized
    • Cons
      • There was a fair amount of confusion about where things went on Friday (during setup);
      • Communication issues
      • Could use more space between the pavilions and the lyst field for walk space and safety
      • Kids – can we share the responsibility of supervising kids’ activities so everyone can enjoy the event more? Talk to the KMoC to get info for background checks, so more people can volunteer
      • Hand sanitizer in portapotties and more toilet paper
      • Torches at night? If we do this, then they’ll have to be monitored; option: everyone carries lanterns?
      • Solar powered lights in portapotties!! Like Pennsic? We should have them! Snorri (?) will be loaning a set of lanterns for all the portapotties for Castle Wars
      • Trash bags/cans for portapotties (for sanitary supplies, etc)
      • Need plan for trash pickup and site cleanup – better organization needed!

 

Upcoming Events

  • Demo at Darlington School (Rome GA) (21 October 2016)
    • Matthias was contacted about having us take part in a demo for high schoolers at the Darlington School, in conjunction with the Rome Shakespeare Festival. They’re particularly interested in anything late period
    • Event/demo is on a Friday morning (the afternoon before Danelaw), so anyone who can come out to help would be appreciated. Contact Matthias if interested.
  • Castle Wars (17 – 20 November 2016)
    • Still need volunteers:
      • Kids’ activities supervisor/coordinator
      • Set up coordinator – Maire volunteered, since she’ll already be onsite (for troll?)
      • Strike coordinator
      • Revel coordinator – does not mean you have to do it yourself, just coordinate
    • Site will open at 4:00pm on Thursday for attendees, set up starts at noon Thursday
    • Maire will be bringing 6 people to help set up, but can use more volunteers as well
    • Castle walls are currently living in Sir Tim’s garage, and he will help get them to site (per Mathias). We need to talk to Tir Briste to coordinate since we share the walls – can we get a neutral storage space for them? Perhaps a storage locker in Macon, and split costs with Tir Briste? or perhaps the Shriners would let us build a shed onsite? After some discussion, Ximon suggested we table the discussion until the next meeting
    • Feast is finalized, 4 courses – one from each of the cultures represented in the fighting scenarios
    • A+S – still collecting info
    • Spinning the hype!
    • There will be a fabulous ball Friday night!
  • Midwinter A&S (3 – 5 February 2017)
    • Site has been confirmed! MWA&S will be held at the University of West Georgia (where RUM and last year’s MWA&S were held)
    • The Meridian Order of the Blade (MoB) wants to do a fundraiser lunch – looking for lunch ideas. Perhaps the Companions of the Argent Rapier (CAR) will be interested in assisting?
  • Bids for Future Events
    • Kingdom Level events for 2017
      • If interested, it’s not too early to get a bid together Artsy Crown? Spring Coronation?
      • Portia is willing to help/autocrat
    • Event dates for 2019 – need to get them on the calendar now (!!!)
      • Midwinter
      • Red Tower

 

Other SCA Business

  • Justina is working on getting a local boy scout and girl scout troop together for an SCA demo; Bam also has a local troop up his way who would be interested. In addition to all the good things that demos do, this could help us get access to some of the local girl scout camps for events.
  • Youth Marshal needs gear, especially armored fighting gear – there is nothing in the loaner kit right now (Charmone)

 

Non-SCA Business

  • Margavati mentioned Abel needs to borrow a popup for western maker faire. He’s also working on something with flintlocks
  • Indian dance festival – Margavati is performing (Jimmy Carter Blvd)
  • Bam – has officially moved back to South Downs! And there was much rejoicing!

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

 

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 2 November 2016, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

Meeting Minutes

September Baronial Business Meeting Minutes

South Downs Baronial Business Meeting

7 September 2016, 7:30pm

Atlanta Friends Meeting House

 

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

Lord Bjorn called the meeting to order.

 

Officer Reports

  • Chronicler (Lady Raven Helmsplitter)
    • Was informed by Kingdom Chronicler that I need a warrant – His Excellency suggested we discuss sthis further after the meeting.
  • Armored Marshal (Lord Robert Throckmorton)
    • We had 12 armored fighters at the most recent Sunday practice
    • Looking at adding a Tuesday evening practice at Blackburn to the practice schedule
    • Seeking an Minister/Mistress of the Lyst for Red Tower; Mistress Margala is potentially available, would like to have at least one more MoL as well
  • Rapier Marshal (Lord Brendan de Hay)
    • Also seeking MoL for Red Tower – talk to Brendan if interested
    • Janet came by Tuesday evening wanting to learn armored fighting
  • Webminister (Master Wistric Oftun)
    • We have a website!
    • We now have a hardworking deputy Webminister, Lord Pietro! yay!
  • Chatelaine (Lady Stella di Silvestri)
    • DragonCon rocked! Fan table rocked! We had a great response, several potential new recruits
  • Their Excellencies
    • Nothing to report
  • Herald (Lord Bjorn Gullharr)
    • Nothing to report
  • Arts & Sciences (Lady Veronica da Lucca)
    • This month’s 4th Wednesday class will be on how to troll an event, and will be taught by THL Maire. This will be just in time for Red Tower!
  • Reeve (THL Maire Dhocair Inghean Chairain)

    • If you wish to give her money for Red Tower, she’ll be happy to take it
  • Seneschal (THL Mathias Blackett)
    • Nothing to report

 

Recent Events

  • DragonCon (1-5 September 2016)
    • New idea from the demo/fan table – we should come up with a dedicated demo box that belongs to the Barony, so we don’t have to clear the table when we need the displayed items for other purposes:
      • A second banner
      • several samples of high-quality work to show off the range of skills we have (and new people can learn/aspire to)
      • Smaller, active demos in front of the fan table could be a good draw – big enough to draw attention, small enough to not block the table or passers-by
      • Posters mounted on foamcore to place in front of the table or hang behind it
      • Projector/laptop to project videos (example: the Scottish Highland dance group’s presentation)
    • We could use more marshals during the parade to help monitor fighters and crowds

 

Upcoming Events

  • Demo at Darlington School (Rome GA) (21 October 2016)
    • Matthias was contacted about having us take part in a demo at the Darlington School, in conjunction with the Rome Shakespeare Festival. They’re particularly interested in anything late period
    • Event/demo is on a Friday morning, so anyone who can come out to help would be appreciated. Contact Matthias if interested.
  • Red Tower (30 September – 2 October 2016)
    • Matthias contacted Siegfried in Bryn Madoc about possibly helping out with site heralding, as we still need someone. Is waiting for a respsonse.
    • Fundraiser lunch will be offered out to non-South Downs groups:
      • The Welcome Home group was suggested (Dalla Dyrfinna)? Matthias will reach out to Dalla
      • House Excelsior is already planning to do a fundraiser, so they probably won’t be interested
    • Feastcrat – the current iteration of the feast has been posted on the Facebook event page
    • Classes @ Red Tower – 16 class slots available in the schedule, 8 have been taken; if you’re interested in teaching a class, please contact Veronica. She will be posting the schedule soon.
    • Travelers’ fare – Maire will be taking care of Travelers’ fare Friday evening, and will cook enough to have leftovers available for Saturday breakfast.
    • Archery targets?
    • Tournaments at Red Tower (all with rapier and armored fighting):
      • Red Tower Tourney
      • Baroness’ prize
      • Third tourney – perhaps joint rapier and armored teams?
    • Pottycrat – Jürgen and a second person have volunteered – thanks!
    • Mistress Margala and Julianne will MoL the armored tourneys
    • Zerafina has volunteered to be the liaison for the Royal entourage
    • Mistress Allesandra has volunteered to be the Kid Wrangler
    • The Shire of Depedale will be loaning us a pavilion, and Master Geoffrey is loaning us benches (for feast?)
    • Should we have a handicapped gentle liaison? If not for Red Tower, then perhaps we should consider adding it to the list of volunteers for future events
    • We will be reusing site tokens from previous events for Red Tower
    • Still need volunteers for to coordinate waterbearing, as well as a merchantcrat
  • Castle Wars (17 – 20 November 2016)
    • Planning moves apace
    • Pietro is working on a temporary website
    • Still need someone to organize revel
    • Ideas for site tokens:
      • Possible leftovers from Red Tower?
      • Master Ximon suggested buying tokens in bulk from Chinese online vendors
      • Sir Iazzie suggested along the same line, buying old Russian coins in bulk would be both gentle on the budget and consistent with the event theme
    • We have reservations!
    • Maddie will be feastcrat
    • Veronica announced that she needs people to teach classes! Contact her if interested
    • There is a Facebook group for Artisans’ Row vendors
  • Midwinter A&S (3 – 5 February 2017)
    • Lady Allesandre has submitted a bid – MWA&S to be held at University of West Georgia (where RUM and last year’s MWA&S were held). Bid passed financial committee (yay!)
    • HRH Bart has asked Sir Tim to host a College of War the same weekend as Midwinter A&S, in Alabama (Montgomery?). This will be within the 200-mile radius for events, but it should be OK
    • If we focus our event on arts and sciences, could we do a long workshop option on Sunday, taking a specific class/topic more in-depth?

 

Other SCA Business

  • Based on previous reports from the Reeve, we have approximately $12,000 in the baronial bank account; how would we like to prioritize spending some of it?
    • Serving ware
    • Items for the demo box
    • Dedicated troll supplies set
    • It was suggested that we set up a survey to make recommendations in more detail. What do we need? How much would such an item cost? Survey will go on Facebook, baronial website, and the Yahoo! group.

 

Non-SCA Business

  • For those who attended DragonCon, your badge will get you a 50% discount at the Center for Puppetry Arts (through the end of September)

 
The business meeting was closed.

 

Next South Downs business meeting will be held Wednesday, 5 October 2016, at the Atlanta Friends Meeting House.

–Raven

Announcements

Practice A&S Faire!

From Mistress Alessandra Fioravanti:

On the 5th Wednesday in November (11/30/16) the Laurels of South Downs will be offering a Practice A&S Faire in conjunction with Garb and Potluck night.

If you have considered entering A&S this is your chance to get feedback in a format similar to entering A&S Faire, but no pressure! Bring your finished or in-progress entries, with documentation, and a panel of Judges will give you feedback on how to improve your entry for an actual A&S Faire. Complete with judging forms to help you get a feel for the process. Conveniently, this is just before Magna Faire!

This is 6 weeks from today, so you have plenty of time to start something if you haven’t begun an entry already.

In addition to practice entering, you can also shadow judge or take a shot at judging an entry yourself! Get a feel for what it’s like to be a judge by giving a critique on a provided finished A&S project.

If you plan on bringing an entry it would be helpful if you could send me a PM.

Announcements

Wednesday project night

From Stella di Silvestri:

The meeting this week [ed. note: 12 October] is a group project meeting! Yay!

This month, we’re going to paint pennants with your personal arms (if you have them) or the Baronial arms so that we can proudly display our populace at Castle Wars and future events!

Fabric and paints will be included, and the pennants will be sewn at home.

We are in the small room in the back. If there’s not enough table space, we may move this project to next month.

Medieval Recreation in Atlanta, GA