Tentative Class Schedule for Northern Region War Camp

If you are teaching, please let me know privately whether the times work.

Thanks,

Liam

Tentative Class Schedule for Northern Region War Camp
9 a.m.

1. SCA 102: Master Liam will teach a general SCA knowledge class that will be both for new folks and "advanced beginners" or anyone else who wants to come.

2. Open.

3. Open.

10 a.m.

1. Picking and Documenting a Medieval Name  

Mistress Ailis

This class is designed for the novice herald or the non-herald.  We
will discuss the SCA's requirements for names, how to identify good
research sources, sources to avoid, common naming patterns, and how to
go about putting together a period name

2. Enameling and cloissone basics.

Lady Frigga

Learn how to make and take home a penny-sized pendant!!  We will be using glass powders, copper wire and a bit o' flame.  Modern methods will be used during the class with discussion on how it would have been done back in the day.  Please wear appropriate clothing and have hair tied back.  ALL AGES are welcome.  If under age ten, adult accompaniment is required.  There is no class fee; however, a small donation of $.50 to $1 will gladly be accepted.

3. An Introduction to Fibers

Lady Finnguala

Everything you do in the SCA involves fiber, from period bowstrings to casting metal to smoking barley over a period sheep-dung fire. Come learn about different kinds of fibers we use in the SCA and what they can do. This will be a hands-on, introductory level class that will cover basics of fiber identification, properties, and care; all levels of interest are welcome!

11 a.m.

1. Introduction to the Submissions and Registration Process

Mistress Ailis

This class will cover the requirements and procedure for submitting
and registering a name and armory through the SCA College of Heralds,
including the paperwork needed, what happens to the paperwork, the
commentary process, and why it takes several months to register items.

2. Bead-making

3. Enameling and cloissone basics (second hour)

Noon

1. Kvithuhathar: Skaldic Poetry Made Simple. It's an introduction to writing skaldic poetry using the kvithuhathar form, and a basic lesson on building simple kennings.

Magnus hvalmagi

2. Pewter casting with Mistress Ignatia. (First hour)

3. Bead-making. (Second hour)

4. . SCA 101 walking tour with Master Liam. We'll walk and see things and talk abou tthe SCA. Meet at Gate.

1 p.m.

1. Wire-weaving with Queen Avelina

2. Book-binding (Heather Rose de Gourdon).

3. Pewter Casting (second hour)

4. Heraldic tour of the site with Mistress Ailis (90 minutes). Meet at Gate.

After a brief discussion about period methods of heraldic display, we
will do a walking tour of the site, including a visit to the fighting
and fencing fields, to view how people are display their armory and
badges.

2 p.m.

1. Spinning In Period. Mistress Brid

2. Book-binding (second hour)

3. An Introduction to "Period" All-Grain Brewing

Lord Magnus hvalmagi

Discussion of all-grain brewing from a modern perspective, and a redaction of one late-period recipe. We'll do a tasting to compare it to other styles.

EK Pelican-Laurel Challenge . . .

I hope you are all aware of this -- http://www.laurelsvspelicans.com/

There are now several additional cool offers.

1. Master Toki says:

So here's my next offer:

In a couple of sagas, characters are killed by having their intestines
pulled out. (I know. Ewww.) One of those characters recites poetry while
this is happening. So...

If total donations in the name of "Bloodbeard the Beowulf Battler" reach
$200, I will disembowel myself (using boffer intestines...don't get your
hopes up) and recite poetry, while trying to thwack people with
Grendel's arm.

If total donations in the name of "Bloodbeard the Beowulf Battler" reach
$300, I will disemboffer-bowel myself and NOT recite poetry, while
trying to thwack people with Grendel's arm. That's right, I'll keep my
mouth shut!

2. Mistress Aofe says:

I am not to be outdone! ;D

More importantly, I am having way too much fun with this.  And I would like to continue to give people incentives to contribute to the cause.  I think Toki's incentives are fantastic, and they can continue to be contributed to after the deadline for new weapons.  Therefore, I've come up with a few of my own.

So... at $200, I get a "braining mace."  A mace with a huge brain to hit people with.

At $225, I will compose my "last words" in verse to recite dramatically as I die on the field.  Probably in three variations.

At $300, I will compose a satire against my enemies to cripple their ability to stand against us.  (For those of you who aren't familiar with Irish culture, a satire was a poetic curse that could do anything from leaving someone with an unpleasant moniker that would follow them to the end of their days... to actually disfiguring or killing a man.)  I have never written such a thing before, because I feared someone would take it seriously.  If there was ever a time when people *wouldn't* take it seriously?  I think it's the boffer tourny.

I have a lot of writing to do, if I'm going to be able to do this. ;)  Please give me a reason to use it.

3. Master Liam says:

For each donation of $10 or more to Mistress Nataliia, I will go to the camp of your choice and sing loudly.

For each donation of $10 or more to Mistress Nataliia, I will issue "insurance," so that if someone sends me to work camp, I will bounce off to the camp of your choice.

More, I am sure, to come  . . .

How Liam earned yet another quest . . .

OK, now it can be told.

I have not shared all of what happened at War of the Roses, and I am sure my friends will fill it in, but you may remember that earlier this year I made an innocuous comment on "The Book of Face" about trading my prince for a certain princess.

All in good fun, and while TRM Kenric and Avelina are my king and queen, they are old and dear friends and we share the same Pelican/Laurel.

Kenric and Avelina also love court schtick, and this was an opportunity, which included commanding me into the royal presence at Coronation and when I did not come (I had to work), also included taking Baroness Leonete as a ward of the their court.

That spun off into Sharc Pit telling them "You can have her, and we won't take her back unless you give us something we want."

Things spiraled.

I got called into court at War of the Roses.

Their Majesties questioned me, asking if I was "possessed by the devil." I said no. The king then asked me if I was insane.

Note: Yes, my king asked me in open court, "Liam, were you insane at the time?" I assured him I was on my meds. (Actually I said, No, Your Majesty.")

He proceeded to pronounce I was guilty of treason.

My punishment, since I "had lost sight of the true meaning of the crown" was to come to the royal dinner at Pennsic and offered to polish every crown there.

Since I do not know when to shut up (yes, I said it, OK?), I said that I liked Konrad's Beer Quest better. His Majesty was intrigued. (Remember, Prince Edward sent me on a quest to introduce all of Pennsic to each other when he was on the throne.)

I explained that Konrad had instructed me to drink a beer from a brewer from each of the 19 kingdoms.

"So what you are saying, Liam, is that you can get me a beer from every kingdom?"

"Two," sez Her Majesty. "One for each of us."

So I get two quests.

Let me add that the next day, Lady Katherine Ashwode (aka the Pocket Bard) wrote a song about all this which -- with the approval  of the queen of Ansteorra (I haven't shown it to her quite yet)  -- she will herald me into the royal dinner with.

Now you know . . .  the rest of the story.

PLQ Resume Services

PLQ Freelancing

Resume-Writing Services

Background: I have been a professional writer for more than 30 years, and I worked for about a year in an agency that handled services for the New York Department of Labor, dealing with unemployment.

During that time, I wrote dozens of resumes and worked on cover letters. I also acquired a lot of job-search skills.

After budget cuts led me to be laid off at the unemployment office (my life is not like the other lives), I started doing resumes on a freelance basis. I have been doing that for the last two years.

I have been responding to individual queries most of the time and have now decided to codify things in a single place.

What I need: The approach I have developed is unusual, but effective. The resume starts with a series of 12 to 15 bullet points that highlight the skills and abilities you have that qualify you for the jobs you are applying for. The beauty of this is that the list can be adjusted based on the specific job.

So, I will ask for the standard material -- Name, address, contact information, your most current resume, any additions to it, information on education and any related volunteer activities and anything else you think is pertinent.

I will also ask for a list of 12 to 15 skills and abilities you have that relate to the jobs you're seeking. The more the better. They can be specific like "Five years of daily experience using InDesign to lay out newspaper pages," to the less specific, such as "highly developed communication skills, particularly in working from a remote office."

Note to SCA members: I have extensive experience in translating skills from the Society for Creative Anachronism into real-world business skills. I can do this for other hobbies as well.

What you get: I will do one overall resume, then will tailor at least one more to a different specialty area or job. I will do a generic cover letter if you like and will write two more specific ones. I will format a references list if you would like.

Cost: The standard resume package is $150, which I think you will find is a very reasonable rate. Discounts available for SCA members and those who are currently unemployed. Please ask if you have questions.

Contact: Email to liamstliam@gmail.com. Payment can be by Paypal to that address or to: Bill Toscano, 107 Cooper St., Glens Falls, NY, 12801.

My friend Ernie, the hero . . .

Everybody knows Ernie Martinez.

You may not know him, but you know a guy just like him.

That guy has a quick smile and an even quicker wit. You know he likes you,
because he needles you. But when you need him, he’s there in a heartbeat for as
long as you need him.

The other thing you need to know about “my” buddy Ernie is that he’s a certified
hero.

He’s got a Silver Star commendation from Vietnam that says that. His Bronze Star
says the same thing, and his Purple Heart backs it up.

Ernie is a lot like many of the Vietnam vets we all know. He doesn’t talk about it
much, but when he does, there’s a lot of pain and bitterness, especially about how
he was treated when he got back.

The treatment of his awards, which were given to him while he was still in
Vietnam, has always been a dull ache, too.

Let him tell you about it.

“Back in 1968 I was awarded the Silver Star . . . but I was never officially
presented with the award, it was tossed over my shoulder as we were preparing
to move out on a mission. I had to fly to division HQ and prove that I'd earned a
Purple Heart for being wounded in combat even though I'd spent three months in the hospital recovering from the wounds I received in the engagement for which I'd been given my Silver Star. I received my Bronze Star in the back of a jeep as I was leaving my base camp to head to Saigon as I was leaving Vietnam to come home.”


Ernie came back, married a woman he loved and had a full life and career. He
makes friends easily and inspires intense loyalty.

Eighteen years ago, that loyalty was at play when a group of folks he’d met and
bonded with through an Internet site – back in the early days before Facebook
make such things easy – visited his house in Danbury, Conn., for a picnic and put
together their own ceremony for him.

And in the SCA
That was about the time I started to get to know him, through the Society for
Creative Anachronism, an international group of folks whose idea of a good time
is to spend weekends dressing up in Medieval clothes and taking part in medieval
activities.

If you’re in the SCA, you known Baron Ernst. If you don’t know him, you know
someone just like him

Ernst is one of those guys who make things go. He doesn’t put on armor and fight.
He’s not a cook or an artisan, but when the king needs someone to speak for him,
it’s Ernst’s voice we hear. When people need motivating, he’s there with a verbal
push. When things simply need doing, he does them.

Ernie’s a man still in love with his “bride” decades after the fact and the kind of
guy you have to love, even if he’s a Yankee fan.

Thinking about Ernie
Ernie comes into my mind a lot, especially around Memorial Day and Veterans
Day.

He’ll certainly be in my mind on Memorial Day afternoon, but this time for a
really special, positive, reason.

At 2 p.m. this Memorial Day, at the Purple Heart Hall of Honor near West Point,
N.Y., my friend Ernie will – more than 40 years later – be officially awarded the
medals he earned defending our country.

In the commendation for his Silver Star – the third-highest award for valor in
combat – the Army tells the story of what Ernie did on the morning of Feb. 10,
1968, during the Tet Offensive:

“With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Specialist Martinez braved intense mortar, rocket and small arms fire to run 200 meters to the base camp’s aid station, secure a medical kit and run to the scene of the heaviest fighting. There he moved from bunker to bunker, treating the most serious wounds of his injured comrades. Although blown off his feet and wounded by the blast of an exploding enemy rocket, Specialist Martinez continued to administer aid to the casualties until ordered to seek attention for his own wounds an hour and a half later.


“Specialist Five Martinez’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.”


Monday, he will officially receive that medal in a formal ceremony.

You know Ernie Martinez, and you know just how much this means to him.

My first letter to the Board

The Board wanted commentary, and I sent some.

I will likely follow up.

I share here:

Dear Board Members;

I am deeply disappointed in the proposed change regarding same-gender consorts in Crown, and frankly I do not understand it.

I just do not understand why it is difficult for you to do the right thing and remove prejudice from Society law.

In the past, the Board has not been afraid to take the difficult stands, regardless of public opinion or perception. Why is that not the case here?

I feel you are abdicating your responsibility and putting undue pressure on Crowns, who already have the ability to keep anyone out of the lists anyway.

I also feel you are giving into perceived pressure. I firmly believe the "Superduke Argument" is a straw man.

Have you actually asked Lucan, Andreas, Michael of Bedford, Uther, Jade or any of the others whether they would actually do that? I have, and they won't.

People join and leave the SCA all the time, by the way. This is not going to cost you members, and for some of us, it will strengthen our belief in the Society.

By putting this law out for comment, you are simply delaying the opportunity for people to fight for the ones who really inspire them, and that's not fair.

I would submit that there are two roads here -- leave prejudicial language in the laws of a Society that is supposed to be focused on chivalry or "remove the four words."

Thank you.

Liam St. Liam

East Kingdom

Not using titles, because they don't matter here

Remove the four words!

The SCA Board of Directors has come up with a proposal for addressing the issue of same-gender consorts in Crown lists.

The proposal would change this:

Each competitor in a Royal Lists must be fighting for a consort of the opposite gender.

To:

"Each competitor in a Royal Lists must be fighting for a consort of the opposite gender.  Crowns may permit entry into the Royal Lists by same-gender couples."

My yardstick for evaluation is" "Does this give those of us who support 'Inspirational Equality' what we want?"

My answer is: "No."

It certainly delays equality and honestly doesn't make sense.

As far as I know every set of royals has the ability to control its own lists already and can exclude as they well. (Correct me if I am wrong, but that's my understanding. I know it is the case in the East.).

What sense does it make to have a law then say, "But exceptions can be made?"

To me, much of the point of this is having the SCA say it is not prejudiced against people who are partners with people of the same sex.

This does not do it.

I see it as a cop-out, a way to shift responsibility.

I am going to find it very, very hard to support anything other than striking the words, "of the opposite gender."

Remove The Four Words!

Minor correction

I was mistaken when I said Prince Lucian and his lady would reign at Pennsic.

Calontir is changing Crown dates. This will be a four-month reign, and there will be a Crown Tournament, in May.

New prince and princess of Ansteorra

Hrafn Olafsson and  Elizabeta di Valore della Rosawill reign as Ansteorra's king and queen at Pennsic for the second time in four years as a result of today's crown tournament.

The prince defeated Iarrl Owen ap Trahaerne in the finals, after besting Jarl Jean Paul de Sens to advance. Jean Paul eliminated Duke Ulstead the Unsteady in the other semifinal.

Calontir, like the Midrealm and the East, will have a first-time king.

(On a personal note, squee!!!!)

Sir Marius Lucian Fidelis, fighting for Mistress Conna Ingen Ui Chearbhaill defeated Duke Sir Dongal Erikson, fighting for Her Ladyship Catalina de Azazuri, in the final of Calontir crown.

From another angle

As I thought about the inter-kingdom differences in people's views of Pennsic, I also realized there were differences regardless of kingdoms.

Several of my friends have already pointed out that the switching of alliances doesn't impact them at all. These are folks who come strictly to run their camps or teach or shop or display their A&S work. They are not married to -- or family of -- fighters, and the battles that many of us care so much about, don't mean anything to them.

I ma also unsure what impact the change have for folks outside the Midrealm and the East. After all, Atlantia and Aethelmearc have fought together and against each other before. So have, I assume, all of the other kingdoms. It seems to me there may have even been a year Calontir fought alongside the East.

This change and the reactions to it are reminding me that we all see the SCA through different prisms. I have talked about this before.

I think a lot of your experience in the SCA stems from where you break in and who you know when you start. I also find that I tend to look at people as I knew them when I came in. Lucan, say, was a knight and a king when I came in. Prince Kenric, on the other hand, was a newbie with me, so even though he will be king at Pennsic, I tend to look at him as a peer (with a small "p"). I hold certain views based on the views of people I respected when I broke in and of the people in the places where I live.

I am always fascinated in analyzing the SCA experience.

More Pennsic thoughts

One of the aspects of the discussion about the new alliances at Pennsic is that it's an interesting example of inter-kingdom anthropology.

For most of the folks in my immediate and extended circles, Pennsic is central to our SCA experience. Obviously, this is more true for some than others, but for the most part, it's a bug deal.

The reason is fairly obvious. I have always lived in areas that are no more than, say, 10 hours from Pennsic, and the folks I know well tend to be from the East, Aethelmearc, Ealdormere and Atlantia, all of which tend to lie within that circle or perhaps an hour more. These are the folks I know, and like me, Pennsic tends to be a yearly, or almost yearly ritual.

Obviously, the closer to Cooper's Lake you live, the more likely it is you'll be able to go. (Unless there are other issues). If I think about places that are farther away, but are still well-represented, I can think of pretty solid groups from Portland, Maine, Boston, Montreal and Ottawa, Raleigh, NC, and Burlington, Vt. It's hard to think of places beyond those -- which are all under 12 hours from Pennsic -- that are well-represented.

There are a couple of others that are farther away, such as Minneapolis, 14 hours, and parts of Texas, such as Austin, 23 hours, but those tend to be smaller groups. There are always dedicated travelers from Caid and the West, as well as Australia.

As I look at those who regularly attend, I also examine why folks from farther away, say outside six or eight hours are there. Some of this applies for those within an easy drive, too. (Only for Pennsic is six to eight hours and "easy" drive).

Obviously you have the serious fighters, who really live for a week of solid tournaments and battles. You also tend to see people who are very active on the kingdom and Society levels, especially officers. Obviously, you see merchants in that mix as well. One thing I have seen is that people who are consistently involved with royal activities -- either having been on the throne or worked multiple royal households -- are often drawn in from farther away. That is certainly the case for me and my wife. Sometimes, it's a household or local group pull. "Everyone else" is going.

The farther away, the less of an impact. Certainly for the "average" Scadian outside the six- to eight-hour window, there's less chance of coming, and the farther west you get -- note that most of the places I mentioned do not involve crossing the Mississippi Rover -- the less important Pennsic becomes. True also for Drachenwald.

I find I often forget that other people's SCA experiences are not at all structured like mine, and for a vast part of the Society, Pennsic doesn't matter at all.

Thoughts about the new Pennsic

Here are some immediate reactions to the new alliances at Pennsic.

First of all, it's a creative, bold idea, and I think it will revitalize the war. Things had gotten into a rut.

Personally, I think it's great that we get to ally with the Midrealm, plan with them, fight with them and drink with them. For two long, fighters in the East have been told to dislike the Midrealm and beat Midrealmers at Pennsic. This will bind the kingdoms better.

I do not fear losing friendships with Atlantia and Aethelmearc, which were once part of the East. Those relationships are solid.

In terms of fighting and war points -- assuming those are in the plan -- it's all going to come down to additional allies. Ealdormere and Ansteorra will be among the keys. They tend to bring good, solid armies. In the past, Calontir has allied with Ansteorra by treaty. How about if Bloodguard is fighting behind the Calon Shield Wall? Norhshield will also carry some importance, and it will be interesting to see where the other kingdoms go.

In fencing, I feel even more strong that Ansteorra can change the tide. I hope they do fencing as they have been -- two mass battles and a champions' battle.

Ok, now to think some more.

What do you think?

This changes everything

I had decided to start blogging here again.

there is a lot going in the SCA, and I am working on publicity for Team USA for Battle of the Nations (more to come).

So I am thinking about what to post, then it falls in my lap.

Here's how I put it for the Pennsic Independent, which asked me to get something together.

Pennsic XLI is going to be different from any Pennsic before it.

For the first time, the traditional opponents, the East Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom, will be fighting as allies, against Aethelmearc, in whose lands Pennsic lies, and Atlantia.

The alliances were announced at courts in the four kingdoms' on Saturday, Jan. 7.

At East Kingdom Twelfth Night in the Barony of Carillion, Prince Kenric announced the alliance, as did Prince Savaric at the Midrealm's 12th Night in the Barony of Northwoods. Both men will be sitting the throne for the first time.

Prince  Bryan and Princess Brianna of Atlantia made their announcement the at Winter Ball in their Barony of Bright Hills.  Andreas Morgan, prince of Aethelmearc, made his announcement at 12th Night in the Shire of Sylvan Glen. 

He, like the prince and princess of the Midrealm and the East, will be on the throne for the first time. Prince Bryan has reigned before.

Pennsic has traditionally, for the last four decades, been a war between the East and the Middle with the other kingdoms allying on either sides. Some kingdoms do have treaties or agreements on who they will fight alongside at Pennsic. The announcements of the sides is a major part of Opening Ceremonies, even though most of the decisions have been agreed upon by them.

Details of the war points and battles have not yet been announced. Additional alliances have not been announced either.

Pennsic will take place from July 27 to August 12, 2012, at Cooper's Lake Campground in Pennsylvania.

Analysis to come.

Press Release Version 1.0

This is a really rough draft of a press release for Team USA.

Please pick it apart and suggest more.

I can personalize for anyone, just as I personalized this one for Rob.

I was fortunate with him, because he has a blog I could steal quotes from.

James: We certainly don't have to use those specific quotes. That's for effect for now.

They come from across the U.S., and they range is age from 25 to 53. The 24 members of Team USA come from all walks of life, and their are bound together by their love of armored sword-fighting and their desire to represent their county in Poland in April.

Their goal is to stand against teams from around the world in the annual Battle of the Nations, which was held earlier this year in Xxxxxx, and will be held April XX-XX in XXXXXX. Poland.

Rob Roach, a 37-year-old network engineer from Naperville is one of those fighters who is actively training and raising money to be part of the first American team to travel to the competition.

When he's not fighting in armor, Roach, 37, is a network engineer. He is 5-foot-11, 290 pounds and has been fighting in armor for 11 years. He has also been involved in mixed martial arts and similar disciplines. When dressed for fighting, he wears armor from 1375.

Like Roach, many of the team members are long-time participants in the Society For Creative Anachronism and others have come to the competition through other paths.

Their number includes a millwright, and Army ICU nurse, a corporate pilot, a professional jouster and a Marine Corps reservist who is also a professional armorer.

Russia has won the first two competitions and was spo dominant this past year that two Russian teams fought in the finals. Other teams include Ukraine, Belarus, Italy, Germany and Quebec. All those teams are expected to return, and there is a possibility of more teams, including one from Australia and New Zealand.

James Etherton, a 45-year-old technical manager, is the captain of Team USA, and he is exceedingly proud of his teammates.

"For many, this deed of arms represents the culmination of a life’s pursuit of armored combat. There is something you should know about these men. In their own right they are great men," he said. ". They are family men, working men and patriotic men. But also many of these men come from other organizations and groups where armored combat is a way to gain great renown.

"What is interesting is all these men come here and accept no title at all. They come simply as John, Mike, William and such ... with their own identity ready to prove themselves once again in a new realm ready to have their swords speak for them. We are gathered here in the same spirit that makes our nation great, the equal opportunity to succeed. "

The competition is held in a number of formats, including one-on-one, five-on-five and 15-on-15. The weapons are made of steel, The armor is real armor, and the swords are real steel.

For Roach, part of this is deeply personal. His grandmother was raised in what was then Czechoslovakia, Polish border, and came to the U.S. on a steamer when she was 12.

"I personally know very little about the family before then, but it makes me feel . . . well, I’m not sure yet how it makes me feel to travel to the area where my Grandmother came from.

"I do know there are some visceral feelings stirring underneath. The thought of traveling there “on campaign” to fly both the U.S. colors, and my own personal standard over a field in my Grandmother’s “land”; To stand in full harness to trade stout blows with Men of coat armor where much of my “blood” came from stirs . . . something. I’m not quite sure yet what it is."

For more information on team USA, go to http://www.statutaarmorum.org/ . To see a video of this year's competition, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifVBhKmBCt8 .

Some ideas about publicity for "Battle of Nations"

To my regular readers: I had promised some of the folks who are planning to go to Poland in the Spring to fight in Battle of Nations (see YouTube), that I would post some ideas for fund-raising and publicity.

I figured this would be a good place to park them.

Greetings, all.

I have a number of ideas about securing sponsorships or donations for the trip to Poland.

For those who do not know me, I am Master Liam St. Liam, an East Kingdom Pelican, who has worked royal reigns for at least two team members.

Mundanely, I am Bill Toscano. I am the managing editor at a group of small, local weekly newspapers on the New York/Vermont border. I have been in the business for 30 years, and I am a teacher when I am not a journalist.

These are just ideas. You do not *have* to listen to me. God knows, Lucan and Andreas didn’t always listen to me. Fast Eddie *never* listens to me.

To me, publicity is critical. Not all of these suggestions will result in funds right away, but I believe they will put you out in the public eye.

1. Put together a press packet.  This won’t be just for the press. It will also be for potential sponsors.

Start with three photos, you fighting in good armor, you posing in good armor and a head-and shoulders shot of you in the good armor without a helm. If you know someone with a digital SLR, that’s the best way to go. Save them at the highest resolution you can.

Write a letter of introduction. Include your mundane name, where you work, your SCA or Medieval fighting name and background in Medieval fighting and re-enactment. (Note: I realize this is not an SCA “thing,” but I think mentioning what you have done in the SCA is important).

Then hit them with something to the effect of, “My passion for Medieval fighting is going to lead me to Poland, and I hope you will share this with your readers.”

Write about the team and what you’re going to be doing and include a link to the video of the first 15 minutes of Battle of Nations.

Put it all together, have it proofread, and get ready to send it.

2. Determine your best bet for local newspapers. I would be glad to help advise on that. For daily papers, get the name and email for the city editor. For weeklies, the editor is the best way to go.

Also see if there is a Patch.com or other hyper-local internet site covering your area.

Part of this will hinge on where you live. If you’re in a big city, you may have more choices.

3. Expand your approach to local civic groups.

Find contact information for the local Rotary, Lions, etc. Heck, you may be *in* one of these groups.

Let them know you are available to speak at meetings about your trip to Poland. (If you can bring video, even better). Be brief when you talk. Bring show-and-tell.

At the very least, you will get a free meal and a coffee mug or pen. If you’re lucky, they may pass the hat or you might get a sponsorship inquiry.

3. Do at least one or two school visits. Money is unlikely here, but again your name gets out, the newspaper may come, and you never know. The library youth group is also another opportunity. Also, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will love every minute of it. They might even make a donation.

4. If you are in the VFW or American Legion, you might want to pass the word there. Think about any community groups you are in.

5. Set up a PayPal account. Write a post about why you are going and post it to whatever social-networking sites you use and ask folks to pass it along. I know some of you won’t want to do this, but some will, and I can tell you from Special Olympics Polar Plunge fund-raising, it works.

I will come up with other ideas as we go along, and I have been mulling over the answer to “What benefits do I get from sponsoring you” for when potential sponsors ask.

In service,

Liam

The official board announcement

Greetings!

I have just returned home from both Great Western War and the October Board of Directors meeting. We did not hold a Meet ‘n Greet at GWW. I myself was not able to confirm my ability to drive out until the Tuesday before – modern world work obligations can affect volunteers at all levels in our organization. I was able to speak with the Society Officers that were there, as well as several people who have applied for Society Offices or who may be on the nominee list for the Board. Commentary on Board nominees from any and all who know the nominees is essential to the Board and the health of the orginization. There are so many excellent people in our organization that could be nominated that the seven current Directors cannot know all of them personally!

The Census Committee has extracted and validated more data for review and release at the Oct. BoD meeting. The two sets of data to be released are the results of questions related to an additional peerage or peeragesand same-sex consorts for Crown/Coronet Lists. This data will be placed on the Census Committee website within the next two weeks. The Board recognizes the possible need for change in both of these areas expressed by participants in the SCA. Such potentially significant change to the structure of our organization would require changes to Corpora. The process for any changes to Corpora requires that the wording changes be sent out for commentary to the SCA as a whole for a minimum of 60 days. Given the interest in these two topics already observed by the Board, I am certain once any proposed changes are sent out for commentary that we will hear from all of you! We want to ensure that we have heard from as many participants as possible before any changes this significant to how our game is played are implemented.

I want to thank everyone who has communicated with the Board in one fashion or another in the last quarter. We all want to hear your opinions, in person or through Comments@sca.org; or through email or letters to Officers and/or Ombudsmen. We are participants in the SCA as well as volunteers for the administration and stewardship of our organization, and we look forward to hearing from everyone.

Leslie Vaughn, Chairman

aka Baronessa Isabeau della Farfalla

Mark Faulcon, Vice-Chairman

aka Duke Martin Lochner

John Fulton, Director

aka Duke John the Bearkiller

Denise Hundley, Director

aka Countess Denise Duvalier

Tim Jennings, Director

aka Master Garraed Galbraith

Lisa A. May, Director

aka CountessMargaret ni Conner

Kim McAuley, Director

aka Viscountess Kaellyn mac Dermott

Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

Board discusses same-sex consorts

The SCA Board of Directors, at its quarterly meeting Oct. 15 in Seattle, discussed the issue of same-gender consorts in the SCA, and according to several people who attended, the Board seems to want to address the issue, but has some concerns about it.

According to SCA by-laws, when a person fights for a kingdom crown, he or she must fight for "a person of the opposite gender." The Inspirational Equality movement in the society, which first began on a serious basis in An Tir (which includes Seattle) has been pushing for a change in that law.

At the most recent An Tir crown tournament, three peers asked to fight for consorts of the same gender. The king and queen, who strongly support the movement, said they wished they could allow it, but said it was against SCA law.

The board also approved a ruling by the Society Seneschal, confirming that there are no restrictions on same-gender baronages. The specific case involved two of the other leaders of the same-gender consort movement, Baron Giles Hill and  Messire Giuseppe Francesco da Borgia of the Barony of Gyldenholt, in the Kingdom of Caid, mundanely Orange County, Calif. The future barons are married to each other. They are currently the reeves of the barony and will step up in June.

There is a very thorough post by Ariel de Courtenay, who was at the meeting up at http://www.scatoday.net/node/21565

More Crown Tournament results . . .

Eight of the 19 monarchs who will reign at Pennsic 41 have been determined, and many of the rest will be decided in the next several weeks.

Just yesterday,  in Ealdormere,  Count Sir Edward the Red won for Countess  Rylyn Buchanan.


Sir Wulfgar Von Ostrand, won in Northshield,  inspired by the Honorable Lady Devon French. Sir Wulfgar defeated Sir Yngvar inn Heppni, fighting for the honor of Lady Luce Tolle, in the final bout.


Jarl Syr Ailgheanan mac Sithigh was the victor of the Meridies Crown Tournament. His Grace was inspired by Amber. Jarl Ailgheanan was victorious over THLord Ragnarr in the final bouts.  


Sean Kirkpatrick Tarragon was the victor of the Crown Tourney in the Kingdom of Artemisia. Prince Sean was inspired by Qamar un 'Nisa al Anatolia.

Duke Uther Sciemann der Hunt was the vicitor of the Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of the West. His Highness was inspired by Duchess Kara Báreksdóttir. Duke Uther defeated Conor, fighting for Isa, in two out of three bouts to win the Crown. The field consisted of 62 combatants.


In other crown tournaments, already reported here, Captain Savaric de Pardieu became prince of the Middle Kingdom, inspired by Baroness Julianna de Pardieu, defeated Sir Ixtilixochitl Cacique, fighting for Maestra Margherita Alessia, in the final round; Duke Sven Gunnarsson will reign with Lady Siobhan Inghean Ui Liathain in Drachenwald; and Andreas Martin and  Kallista Morganova will be on the thrones of Aethelmearc.

Fascinated by crown and coronet results

As some of you may know, the start of the crown tournament season -- which leads to being king at Pennsic -- got off to an interesting start with an unbelted fighter, Lord Andreas, defeating Duke Timothy of Arindale, formerly of the East in the finals of Aethelmearc crown. The prince had also previously lived in the East. He was recently squired to Duke Henri. Lord Andreas fought for the honor of Lady Kallista Morgunova.
They are from Sylvan Glen in West Virginia.

The same day Duke Sven Gunnarson, who recently stepped down as kingdom seneschal won crown in Drachenwald. He won for his lady, Lady Siobhan, formerly of Aethelmearc. The prince is from Sweden.

This past weekend, the crown of the Midrealm went to Sergeant Savaric de Pardieu, who defeated Sir Ixtilixochitl de Los Indios , the only Aztec knight in the society.

The final was noteworthy, because Sir Ix threw a blow that Savaric declared as good, but Sir Ix felt it might not have been hard enough, offered Savaric a chance to decline, and the fight went on, ending on the next pass when Savaric killed Sir Ix. The prince was fighting for his lady, lady Juliana de Pardieu.

Now, Sir Ix is a dear friend, even though he lives halfway across the country. He is a long-time youth fighting trainer at Pennsic and at home, and I have known him for the better part of a decade, because he helped teach my daughter, Baroness Leonete D'Angely, to fight. He is a classy guy, and honestly, this is exactly the sort of thing I would expect from him.

It's this kind of chivalry that we need to remind ourselves about what the society really means.

Personally, I was ecstatic to hear the results of the coronet tournament in the Principality of the Mists, the area of the West Kingdom around San Francisco.

Lord Ajax Thermopylokles , who has been a friend since I first joined the SCA back in the early 1990s, won the tournament for his consort, Uta. Ajax is one of the good guys, and I cannot wait to see him and congratulate him. He is missed by many of us in the East.

Some thoughts about place and time in the SCA

I think a lot about how I look at things and people in the SCA. The most recent set of thoughts started from something Master Elias Gedney wrote about trying to keep a canton alive when folks preferred to play/work at the baronial level.

It stirred something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

We're getting into some interesting Intra-Kingdom Anthropology questions.

I have not lived there for about nine years, but when I was living in the Barony Beyond the Mountain, what you had was four stable (almost all the time) cantons that made up a unified barony.

There were two levels -- cantonial and baronial -- and they were both very steady.

Master Elias posted about having issues as a cantonial seneschal, trying to keep the canton going while most people wanted to play/work at the baronial level.

Now here's the thing, I am developing a personal philosophy of the SCA that posits that the structures, mores, views, etc. that you encounter when you start in the SCA are the ones that stick with you.

If I had moved to Elias' canton (same state, different barony), I would not have thought twice about taking both cantonial and baronial offices.

I look at this in terms of many things.

Just an example: In terms of knighthood.

Sir Kenric is always going to seem like a "young" or new knight to me. He broke in at about the same time. I put both of the men called Sir Angus into this group, as well as Sir Kai from Bergental. We interacted for a long time as non-peers. Do I respect them any less? Not at all. [Please read knight as "member of the Order of Chivalry."]

There are, then, "old knights." This is where it's a good thing that I do not fight, so they cannot remind me how young they are. 

These would include people who became members of the Order of Chivalry  before I started in 1993 and would include Master Feral, Viscount Edward, Duke Balfar, Sir Stephen, Sir Mord and others. Always been knights. This list also includes men who became knights early in my SCA career, including Count Robin Wallace and Earl Yngvar of Aethelmearc and Sir Torrin and Sir Torvald.

Then there are those I consider "younger knights." This usually includes either people who started in the Society well after me or who have been knighted since I became a peer. This would include our king, Sir Yesungge and Sir Antonio. (Note, Sir Seosamh does not fall in here because while he just became a knight in the last two years, I have always known him as a peer and one of the scariest people in the SCA). [Just kidding.]

This works for me for most peerages, groups, laws, etc. 


Same thing with events. There are events that are still at the same time, at the same site as when I started. (Northern Region War Camp, Fourth of July weekend, Shire of Glenn Linn, for example).


There are events that had traditional sites in the past and have new traditional sites (Great Northeastern War, Birka).


There are events that are no more, and there are new events.

Anyway, I have been thinking on this.

Thoughts?