Stellari Council Meeting – St. Radegund’s Faire, Mankato, MN
17 August 2013
Present: Seneschal, TRM, Polaris, Laws Clerk and
candidate, KEM, Chronicler, Exchequer, A&S minister
Business:
Polaris report
Book of Ceremonies
The book of ceremony revision project is moving
ahead. There are 4 committee members
representing different interests in this process. Proposed changes include
altering text to better reflect where the natural breaks are in ceremonies.
Scroll of honour
Also moving ahead is the Scroll of Honour project.
Master Gevehard is currently leading the
project. The project is in need of further funding. Currently slow progress due
to limited financial resources devoted to the project. Polaris recommended (and
was supported) that a separate person be appointed to be devoted to the
solicitation of funds for this project. Current estimated cost is $2525 with
some funding already received (accounted for in estimate). General agreement
that one person needs to lead the fund raising for this specific project. Once
fully funded, project could move ahead relatively quickly.
Suggestions regarding fund raising facilitation
that require action:
Can
there be a visual representation of what it will look like? HE Shava has photos
of the Midrealm scroll. She will be solicited to share these.
Create
a description of the alterations/restoration activities to the current book
Seek
out a project support lead. i.e. cheerleader. Name suggested and will be
contacted.
Appoint
a dedicated fundraising deputy to this campaign.
Recognition
Polaris reports HE Ia, in her role as signet,
should be recognised as doing a great job.
Presumption of title
It was brought to the Polaris’s attention that an
individual has been using a title that could not be substantiated as having
been bestowed. Polaris is to contact both the individual and the (potentially)
bestowing royalty for clarification on this matter. In the event no proofs can
be provided, the individual will be asked to cease the use of this honour.
A&S Minister report
By-laws have been submitted and awaiting comments.
Kingdom Earl Marshal report
Vacancies
Seeking candidates for Minister of the Lists. An advertisement has run 2 months in the
Northwatch. One candidate has come forward to date. Should this candidate be
found acceptable, outgoing minister, HE Petranella, has agreed to help and
provide guidance as necessary.
Currently seeking a Chief of the Artillery and a
Youth Marshal. The youth area is becoming more active and the KEM has received
several requests to grant youth marshal papers. Candidates to be vetted by KEM
and background checks have been initiated by Mistress Katriona.
Renewals
In discussion with the Clerk of the Roster, it has
become apparent that the tracking of renewals has some deficiencies. This is
cause for concern as it will impact on kingdom reporting at the society level.
The clerk was unaware of the necessities of tracking prior to this point.
KEM has been in contact with Webminister to find
new ways to extract existing data to close some information gaps however more
will be necessary to meet all reporting requirements in future. In combination
with the BOD decision that no additional waivers are necessary if a fighter has
a valid, signed, blue card, makes capturing this data important. At present,
two possible expiration dates are possible. 1 – with expiration of blue card or
2 – with expiration of roster waiver.
KEM has also impressed the need for lists to
track/report expired cards.
Working with the Webminister, KEM plans to develop
an online tracking/reporting tool via the website.
Also, the offices under the KEM, including that
office, are documenting this process and changes to facilitate future
transitions.
Other projects
HE Tom still working on helmet project.
Mistress Margalit still working on concussion
materials for manuals.
Exchequer Report
Succession
Two strong candidates have come forward: Sefa
Farmansdottr and Jean du Malchance. Both deemed excellent candidates.
Considerable discussion of merits of each
candidate resulted in the suggestion that whichever candidate is successful,
the other should be deputized (if willing) to facilitate a future transition in
2 years. The idea of a cyclical office (candidate, successor as deputy) would
be very useful, particularly in the exchequer position. It takes considerable
time to get the appropriate names on all the relevant accounts so a
deputy/successor concept would offset some of the time needed to transition
into the Exchequer role in future.
A vote was held. First vote, 3-3. Tie-breaker vote
moves that Sefa be appointed as Kingdom Exchequer.
Regalia Fund
Further to previous decision, large, heavy
Midrealm legacy crowns gifted back to Ealdormere. Exchequer to be in touch with
Ealdormere exchequer to finalize the transaction.
Laws Clerk suggests that there needs to be a
functional regalia inventory system so that royals know what is available for
use. At the moment, the kingdom does not know what there is.
Regalia fund is currently sitting at $2400. This amount
is sufficient for perhaps one project, either crowns or thrones but not both.
The large royal crowns are currently under heavy wear and need to be restored
and only high-ceremonial use encouraged. Fundraising has been focused on the
crowns at the moment on account of the urgency of the need. Council seeks a
request for quotes (RFQ) for both crown and throne projects.
Next action: HE Rodrigo to initiate a RFQ for
proposed projects.
Chronicler Report
Editorial Team changes
HE Shava has officially resigned as editor to take
up her position with Tournaments Illustrated. Elena has taken over and, despite
a steep learning curve, is doing well.
Emergency deputy has been absent. Chronicler to
speak with her regarding this situation. A solicitation for a replacement
deputy will be posted shortly.
Content solicitation
General calls for content submission have so far
not been productive.
Ideas sought to increase populace contribution to
newsletter.
Northwatch scroll centrefold. Shows off scribe’s
work and displays artistry of the kingdom.
Would Northshield benefit having a reporter to
contribute and solicit material?
Pool of writers willing to assist new contributors
to dispel the myth of ‘it needs to be perfect’ and ‘I’m not a good writer’.
Suggested that Kolfinna be contacted to recommence
submitting heraldic news and updates.
E-newsletter issues
Continuing access issues. It is now recognised as
an issue and has gone to higher level authorities at society.
Seneschal Report
Inner Sea update
The group has been working with TANG and has
demonstrated that they have returned to a stable position. Recommend restore
status. Agreed.
Hvitskoger update
Hvitskoger – Ironwood, MI. This group is seeking
full status. Polaris reports that the
group heraldry has not passed, looks like it will but so far in process. Full
status is awaiting on sovereign decisions on name and heraldry. Exchequer would
like to check on how long they have been reporting and with what degree of
frequency. Consistency in reporting needs verification.
Next action: Seneschal to contact the group and
update on situation.
Wynandremer update
Wynandremer is seeking dormancy or equivalent. Current
population is insufficient and members in need of a rest and to possibly seek
new membership.
Discussion of the implications of the options.
Abeyance laws dictate how this is done. Merging with another group may be done
however given the changing nature of groups, could place their possible
reformation at risk. Both options would return the group to incipient status
and they would have to start over (in essence).
A suspension is also possible given the
possibility that the group may not have a quorum. While a suspension has
negative connotations, the suspension lasts until the group seeks the sanction
lifted. This puts the group in a position to restore their numbers and
vitality. The group is voting on next actions and this will require additional
discussion.
Schattentor Seneschal position
Current seneschal (Diarmait) has indicated a desire
to step down (term extended due to lack of sound candidates previously).
Two candidates have since come forward: Lady Sean
Morgan Aldheorte na Cettle Well and lord Timothy Morgan.
The Kingdom Seneschal was contacted by Diarmait
further to a letter sent to him regarding an incident in July. Upon further
investigation, this letter was cause for concern regarding the viability of one
of the candidates. It is the responsibility of the Kingdom Seneschal to select
subordinates and the council agreed on proposed courses of action.
Next actions: Seneschal to contact both
candidates, informing the successful candidate of their new tenure and
responsibilities.
Law Changes
Suggested that law changes that have gone through
commenting period be read into law during court at St. Radegund’s.
Next Action: Law Clerk to send in current law
changes.
Adjourned.