Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
Lady Bú Feiyan called the May meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Master Nikoslav Mikolaevich , greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Nikoslav read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
I need to spend $90-110 + S&H for new loaner arrows. This would get us 36 arrows (3 full quivers, 6 sets for Royal Rounds), & is a great price for them.
We need to build new target stands but have no idea yet how much they’ll cost because lumber is so expensive.
We need to figure out the parameters for phasing archery back in since it’s a combined practice for both SD and ON (and takes place on ON land). Also mine & Ben’s zip code is for Bryn Madoc; my Deputy Shawn/Conner has a Sol Haven zip code; how does this affect restarting archery practice?
I’m going to be going to the storage facility on the 12th to straighten up and count. I haven’t been there for about a month.
I’ll be getting with Wistric and find out the inventory list.
Lindsey offered to be my deputy so I wanted to run that by the officers to see what they thought. I hate paperwork so if she could do that it would be cool. (She’s willing to do it)
One or two people have posted in the FB group in the last month.
Walter has stepped down as my deputy. Cellach will be taking over as my deputy. She’s got a lot of ideas.
Thank you, Lily, for the financial acceptability class. It was amazing.
I would like to talk about transportation for new people. I would like to work on a “I need transportation help” form. This could be for meetings or events. We have talked about having people that have been background checked to be in the carpool list. I need some feedback on if it should be online (Google Form) or on paper (potential for getting lost).
There was a long discussion about background checks. It will be looked at further.
Moving forwards, I would like to create videos for newcomers.
Atlanta Pride is going to be the last weekend of Gulf Wars. Do we still want to try to do a demo?
I am looking for local festivals that I can contact about getting us tables.
Before the meeting today, we were discussing contacts at colleges. If anyone has contacts in colleges, please let me know. We would like to get things going in colleges again. I’m going to be looking to do a day-long demo for schools in the Fall or Winter.
I’m always interested in any diversity events you can think of. I am looking for more makers events.
I would like to request that the Barony officers email me their updates for the meeting. I don’t think a lot of people don’t realize how fast you talk and how hard it is to keep up. There’s also spelling of certain names and such. It would really help me a lot to have it in advance.
I am looking for a deputy. If anyone is interested, please let me know.
We have social media- we’ve gained about a dozen followers on IG, 7 on Twitter and had several new people join our Facebook group.
You might have noticed we changed our FB group to private per society recommendations that seems to have gone over well.
And finally in collaboration with Margavati- we’re celebrating pride month! I’ve changed over some of our photos and graphics in honor of this month. We will begin doing some more celebration posts as well!
We were supposed to have a class on female fighters, but it’s pride month!
We have an out of kingdom teacher that’s teaching trans 101. I’m super bad with names though. There’s a graphic that’s been posted. We will be talking about what it means to be transgendered and trans in the SCA.
I would love to feature more pride content. If you have a really cool period story about a figure that we could feature, that would be great. We would love to show off what our barony knows.
I still do not have any patterns for our beginner garb project. Please send it to the DEI email.
Updated the Seneschal’s page: added Nikoslav as Seneschal.
Removed THL Juliane de Vivonne from the People of South Downs per her request.
Fixed the Official Email address for Lady Mairghread and Captain Brendan’s Pages.
Added Burning Trumpet to the honors section of Master Lorenzo’s page.
Added all of Kál-Bárðr’s Awards to the honors section of his page.
Added Corona Graita to the honors section of Her Excellency’s page.
Requested email address from kingdom for the Demo deputy.
Updated the Chatelaine’s page: to add the demo deputy’s email address.
The fowaders for @Atlantasca.org to the new email addresses were shot down by Kingdom. Would everyone look at the website and see if I missed any of the @Atlantasca.org so we are up to date.
Created a Social Media Officer Author account on the website. Helped Isabella get logged in.
His Excellency Wistric setup the redirect from Atlantasca.org to southdowns.meridies.org.
Kingdom is giving us a new website URL southdowns.meridies.org
I would like to ask for approval from the Barony to keep the site redirected from Atlantasca.org to southdowns.meridies.org until July 1 2022 our other option is July 1 2021.
All web site content was copied to the new website on 5/19/2021
Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
Lady Bú Feiyan called the May meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
The autocrat for Crown asked me (the Trumpet Herald), to use the eric for Crown. I will take it there and bring it back.
Motion carried.
I used to work for Emory. At that time, I was getting my Master’s. When I left, they couldn’t get me the discount. I’m going to be stepping down so I can continue my education. Nick will be stepping up. Once I stop the recording, Nick will take over.
Someone will have to figure out the zoom situation
Nick needs to be added to the Baronial FB as an admin and I need to be removed.
Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
Lady Bú Feiyan called the April meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
I don’t know what I’m doing this month because I’ve scheduled things starting May through July. But, I don’t have anything for April. We will announce something in the next week or so.
Thank you to everyone for being so great and making my job super easy.
I would like to talk about what’s been on everyone’s Facebook.
The BOD made an announcement about in-person activities
We have to abide by state and local health guidelines
Masks that cover the mouth and nose by all attendees over the age of 4
Court or bardic activities must also include masks. Sound amplification is recommended
No day board, no water-bearing, or food of any kind. All attendees much provide their all food and beverages
You must remain in one spot and stay in one spot
No overnight events and they much be outdoors
There has to be a maximum of 150 people and everyone must pre-register
Small local gatherings shall remain at the discretion of the Crown and Kingdom Seneschal
The Crown and Kingdom Seneschal are working on it based on our own Kingdom guidelines. We are still in Phase Zero, which means nothing at this time. They are going to revamp that and tell us what they would like us to do. We will get guidelines that are specific to Meridies.
Red Tower
We are approved for the weekend before MGT in September
The Hard Labor Camp was not available.
There is availability in Indian Springs. However, if we are required to only do day events, we don’t know how that will work out.
We are going to wait to see what the Kingdom says within the next week.
This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone.
But there is finally light at the end of the tunnel and I am grateful to see people interacting online and making plans.
As Barony, you all have persevered throughout this year that I never foresaw us doing.
We might see people that were absent that pop up again.
As we cautiously move towards reopening, consider things about this virtual SCA that worked for you. Consider things that you would like to bring into this bold new future.
We have watched you prevail and perceiver. We are so proud.
(She was tearing up!!)
We take a great deal of pride to claim association with you. Your works and deeds are admired across the Kingdom.
SCA Business
Juliane
At the last meeting, I mentioned the Known World Bardic. I could not find it for anything. I’ve found it for this month and I’ve posted it to the Barony page.
Margavati
The Crown posted some new enamel medallions. Check out the SCA Merchants page.
I have been talking about people in the Barony about this. We’ve been talking about creating some easy garb guides for people. If you have anything that you think would be easy for people to make, please send them to me. Garb for kids would be awesome!
We’re looking for the t-tunic for what your culture would be
Una
What if we made that little book and then did a bookbinding night to make them into booklets!
Lily
Maybe some illumination so that everyone can get in on it. Like a little scrapbook.
Since we are doing a class on SCA affordability, maybe we could include that in the class.
Juliane
Maybe try to make a dress form that matching your frame
Do not name the book “How to Cover Your Booty”
Emelina
We will be having a Homecoming social soon.
Ximon
I am running a room this Saturday (@ Homecoming) and I’ll be in the “if you get hit, walk it off” room.
The opening subject is “ what does a consort do?l
So I am looking for input from fighters and non-fighters.
BYOB
The business meeting was closed @ 2019.
The next business meeting will be held on 05 May 2021, 1930, Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
THL Lucien d’Artois called the March meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
The second quarter newsletter will be coming out soon. If there are any articles that people would like to see published, please submit them to me asap.
I am going to start looking for a deputy. If anyone is interested, please let me know.
Notes submitted by Lady Raven and Captain Brendan, South Downs Backup Chroniclers.
THL Lucien d’Artois called the February meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Nothing new, but has been considering getting a table at this year’s Atlanta Pride. However, it is currently scheduled for the closing weekend of Gulf Wars, so perhaps next year? check FB group to see what interest might be. It’s possible that there may be enough interest if we don’t have as many people heading to GW as usual. Suggested FB poll to gauge interest.
(She has a Korean class at the same on Wednesdays now, so submitted report electronically) The class meeting will be a live cooking show from Ogata (Charlie). If anyone would like to take a class for the barony, please get in contact!
Site is down for the moment. Kingdom is in control until further notice. Should be coming back slowly over the next couple days.
Our website is having some temporary difficulties. This is above my paygrade and I have temporarily given up control to the kingdom webminister who has cut everybody’s access to the website both as a viewer and an admin. By tomorrow Wistric, Piers, and I should have access. Other people will come up slowly after that, as we can institute new security protocols. Aelia, you’re our priority. Once you regain access, please change your password to something difficult to guess that you haven’t used on other sites.
It is now mandatory that we only use the official kingdom email addresses on our website. As soon as I regain control, I will be changing all email addresses to the @meridies.org addresses. If you don’t have one but need one, please contact me. Please check these emails. I am sorry; I was not given a choice.
In more positive news, Piers Simmons has stepped up as my deputy. For now, he is responsible for the DP. You should make sure your DP page is up to date, and give him things to do. We have also recently put a pronouns section on DP pages, so if you are comfortable doing so, you should give us your pronouns on the DP form. This is strictly opt-in.
Since last month I have added awards to Cellach and Aelia’s pages, changed the webminister page so that it lists myself and Piers as the webmin, fixed the sidebar so that all Wednesday activities are listed instead of just the 4th Wednesday, and changed the link on the A&S page to the 2021 A&S spreadsheet. Some of these changes did not stay on the site because of the aforementioned problems, but they will be back as soon as I regain control.
Hello Loveliest of Baronies. Reminder about Baronial Shop on RedBubble. Helps pay storage fees. Aelia & Margavati have made some cute designs. Will share link.
MWAS. Baronial and Kingdom court will be on the same FB livestream, Sunday at 5pm. If you need court time, let B&B know tonight or tomorrow morning. No last-minute stuff.
A reminder that all official activity should exclude modern politics. This includes postings to Baronial FB groups.
Red Tower – we still don’t know about dates, but in thinking it over, we still don’t know where we’re going to be at that time. For those considering submitting a bid, please think about doing it as a day trip, as it will be a simpler event and will have less to adjust. Can we consider combining RT and CW again? maybe RT on Friday?
SCA Business
MWAS (Raven). Event coming up this Saturday. A&S judging is in progress NOW. 2 full tracks of classes. Judging for populace faire is on the event page right now, go vote.
We will have online activities on Saturday night, graciously hosted by Mistress Ellen and the monthly Homecoming Social. MW will be adding a bardic circle, hosted by Master William Brewer, to Homecoming, and we hope to also host a revel – still looking for someone to host it, so please contact Raven if interested.
Margavati tells us that for zoom security, a private group within public event online for Soong’s vigil.
The business meeting was closed @ 2001.
The next business meeting will be held on 03 March 2021, 1930, Zoom Meeting.
Notice: Due to the events that occurred at the Capitol Building on 06 January 2021, the normal Baronial Business Meeting was rescheduled to 13 January 2021.
Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
THL Lucien d’Artois called the January meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
On the armor side of the house. There was a request to borrow armor for a photoshoot. We officially declined due to COVID. However, unofficially, if someone wanted to loan their armor and take care of cleaning, that would be on them.
Penfeathers is looking for submissions. If any of our youth would like to submit something. That would be artwork or an article. The contact for that would be Jennifer Harrington.
We have money. We finally got paid for Midwinter. There was a problem with the mail. We have $8,443.00. We will have enough money to pay for the storage unit to pay for the rest of the year.
I started a Tik Toc account for personal use. I created a secondary account for SCA. I will see what comes of it. It will be informational/entertainment.
I am behind on the Quarterly Newsletter due to real life. However, I plan to have it ready by the end of this weekend. If anyone has any last-minute articles, I would gladly accept them.
Thank you for being flexible. It has been a stressful week. It’s okay to not be okay.
I want to emphasize that we don’t do outside political stuff during official SCA stuff
I want to talk about Red Tower.
We all know that Gulf Wars has been moved to out weekend
Don’t despair!
There are a few things being considered.
Not official! We have had an offer to combine with another group.
There are pros and cons. The biggest being that it would be two weeks before Castle Wars
Because they are a small group, we would do most of the heavy lifting
That means we would have two events without any money coming in right away since it takes a couple of weeks from PayPal
We may be able to do it on our old weekend in September.
It may not end up being a physical event
It will be decided this month.
This is our best-case scenarios
The downside is that it is very hot that weekend.
We can also roll Red Town and Castle Wars into one event
Not a good choice as one is a melee event and the other is a tournament
The kingdom is making some changes to the website structures
Pietro is no longer our Webminister
He is amazing!
SCA Business
Raven
Yes, we are doing MidWinter this year. It will be on Feb 6th.
It will also be lasting over to Feb 7th for the elevation and court.
We are looking at doing some evening activities. We are working with the HomeComing crew as their event is on the same night. They will be adding some rooms for us. Keep your eyes open for that information.
On Saturday, there will be classes. If you are interested in teaching a class, please talk to Lady Alisandre. There is a google form on the event page.
Master Lorenzo is running our regional faire.
There will be a subtlety showcase for cooks who can show their food in disguise.
Juliane and Lucien are sponsoring a prize. They are focusing on extra-European. The prize is a set of teacups.
There is no theme this year.
Emelina will be handling the advertising.
Bu
At demos, I normally have a banner for the Barony. Would it be okay if I flew something like that for Meriedies?
We would need to get permission.
We also have banners that have the badges for the Barony.
Margavati
Tammy’s vigil will be having her vigil on the first day of MidWinter.
I have created a FB group for updates.
The business meeting was closed @ 2016.
The next business meeting will be held on 03 February 2021, 1930, Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Signora Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
Lady Bú Feiyan called the December meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Class this month is a Holiday Social. We just want to talk about different traditions for personas.
I have a deputy now, it’s Lady Lily!
I am working on ways to add subtitles to things for people that can’t hear well. I am working with Kingdom and Society for a solution. We have some options that we are going to try out. It’s an ongoing process.
I want to reiterate that at the very least, I am so grateful for you all. This is my one normal time during the week. I get to see people’s faces.
South Downs has been a steady rock during all this.
This is the best Barony, if i do say so myself.
Thank you for making Virtual Castle Wars.
I personally didn’t hear any complaints
It was nice and low key.
I enjoyed it.
I want to talk to Midwinter.
I’ve already been getting questions about Midwinter.
An in-person Midwinter isn’t going to be possible, but a virtual Midwinter can happen.
Someone reached out to me about being in charge of Midwinter. (Raven) It does not have to be an all out thing. It can just be classes and faire. It is an important event for the Kingdom A&S calendar. So, we should have a presence.
It will be at the same time of year as we normally do. So, we are about 2 months out. That is a good amount of time to pull together a list of classes and get a faire.
Contracts to everyone that made a good showing at Castle Wars.
I don’t have anything that HE isn’t going to talk about.
I hope everyone is doing well.
If you have any need whatsoever, please reach out to who you feel comfortable with.
Upcoming Events
05 December 2020 – 1900 to 2300 – Meridies Homecoming (it’s a hangout to see your friends)
SCA Business
Post-mortem for Castle Wars
Juliane (personal observations)
I knew that I would not have the bandwidth to autocrat.
I have an idea to rule by committee, but I don’t think it was successful at all. I think it’s important to have one person in charge of everything. Because of that, I don’t think the communication was as good as it could have been.
I think it was a small event, but I think it was a quality event. If I have to choose, I would choose quality of quantity.
Sunneva
I wanted to bring up something I heard.
At the beginning when we were all trying to plan this. I was very much against a 3-4 day Castle Wars. If we could do a week-long event, like a class a night, that might be a better use of time.
Juliane – I think that’s a good idea because we are all Zoom exhausted. One hour a night is better than all day.
I think we could think outside the box more.
Aelia
I just want to say that I think that the way that Kal did the Baronial court was very smooth and seamless.
Juliane
Asked Kal about teaching a class on how to do Zoom streaming.
Kal – Absolutely. We can go over what you would like in the class. We can find out if you want to do the technical side or the show production side.
Pietro
I think it would be good to have an autocrat.
When Brenden was doing the tournaments, he put in the effort to make it feel like a real event.
Juliane – I’ve heard a lot of good things about that.
Juliane
I’m going to brag on South Downs
We are trend setters, we are innovators.
I think we set the standards a lot of the time.
I couldn’t be prouder of everyone.
Piers
Do we have an updated financial policy?
Juliane – No, it’s gone by the wayside. We will take care of it.,
Business meeting was closed @ 2011.
Next business meeting will be held 06 January 2021, 1930, Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Lady Aelia Bassina, South Downs Chronicler.
THL Lucien d’Artois called the November meeting to order. Our Seneschal, THL Juliane de Vivonne, greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Juliane read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Update to WordPress v5.5.3. An earlier WordPress update locked out some logins; if you have a login that doesn’t work, a password recovery should fix it.
Eastern Regional Webminister has asked us to provide an admin account to be used by the “Kingdom Web Team”. I have pushed back on this request as it is contrary to good security practice.
Eastern Regional Webminister has asked for officers to make sure they set up their kingdom email account (most have, only a few haven’t). They would like to make the kingdom email accounts the only “official” officer email accounts. I mentioned to him we thought the email addresses were too cryptic. He talked about it with the Kingdom Webminister and they aren’t willing to change them.
He also would like us to migrate to the kingdom web server, but I don’t have the energy to start a project like that now. He did offer advice and help on doing it.
Thank you for being the best barony. Talking to you all for the past months has been amazing.
Keep remembering to reach out and take time out if you need it.
I want to remind people to write letters. Write about things that are good. It helps when you are an officer and you get something good into your inbox. With November and Thanksgiving it’s the perfect opportunity.
There are some awards that are traditional awards for this Barony. We have had a committee going all summer to work on those awards to see if we need any changes. The process is taking a little longer than expected. We will get there when we get there.
First thing, we are still looking for a Provost. It’s a great entry level position. Kal has helped out a lot. If you’re interested, please contact me.
If you have not logged into your kingdom email, they know and they send me emails. Please log in. I know who you are. Let me know if you lost your password.
I clarified to see if we needed to move to the kingdom web server. It is required. But, it will get done when it gets done.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Castle Wars: The Red Tower – 20-22 November 2020
SCA Business
Castle Wars
It’s been a challenge because people are tired. We are organized by a committee. We are looking for graphics. We are two weeks out now. I’ve announced a couple of competitions. We are trying to find alternative things instead of sitting in zoom meetings all day. If you know of any heavy fighters that might be interested in doing something, let me know. I have ideas.
We need zoom classes.
Question was posed about live zooming in a kitchen.
We will have a scriptorium
There will be a social (Justina). I like the unofficial Meridian Revel format. One thing that we have done in the past is historically accurate cosplay. I’ve been wanting to do something with the children, like tea with Disney Princesses.
Onesie party?
If anyone is interested in doing a daytime social, Her Excellency does a brunch.
Midwinter (Online)
Do we want to have it and who wants to organize it?
Please think about it and let me know.
We need to check with TRM and the Kingdom A&S.
We will table this idea and think about it.
Next Wednesday is project night! Starts around 7-7:30.
There are a lot of A&S classes out there. I’ll gather information so let me (Ximon) know if you are interested.
Business meeting was closed at 2015.
Next business meeting will be held 02 December 2020, 1900, Zoom Meeting.