Collection of Internet/Collection of Internet.iso/faq/rec/sca_faq/part03

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Summary: FAQs with Answers for the Rialto - rec.org.sca and mailing
    list [e-mail].  The Society for Creative Anachronism is
    an organization that studies the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and
    recreates those parts we find most interesting.
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Archive-name: sca-faq/part03
Last-modified: 02/03/1994

                   rec.org.sca and [e-mail] FAQ
                                     or
                  Questions Frequently Asked on the Rialto
                  ----------------------------------------

This article is part 3 of the complete Frequently Asked Questions
posting for the Rialto.  An introduction and table of contents are
included in part 1.  The complete Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list
is available via FTP from rtfm.mit.edu in directory
/pub/usenet/rec.org.sca.  Those without FTP access should send e-mail to
[e-mail] with "send usenet/news.answers/finding-sources"
in the body to find out how to do FTP by e-mail.

For more complete introductions to the SCA, see the recurring postings
"Come on in -- the water's fine" (by Hal Ravn [[e-mail]] ) and
"Life in the Current Middle Ages." (by Arval Benicour
[[e-mail]] ).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 3:  Miscellaneous questions.

3.1  What does AS stand for?

        Anno Societatis, or Year of the Society, counted from May 1, 1966
    CE.  (CE = Common Era, used to avoid the religious connotations of AD,
    or Anno Domini)

3.2  Other abbreviations you may run across:

    A&S  -  Arts and Sciences (not to be confused with AS, above)
    BTW  -  By The Way
    CMA  -  Current Middle Ages
    FAQ  -  Frequently Asked Question(s)
    FYI  -  For Your Information
    IMHO -  In My Honest/Humble Opinion
    MKA  -  Modernly (or Mundanely) Known As
    OOP  -  Out Of Period
    :-)  -  not really an abbreviation, the "smiley" informally
            indicates humor.  Turn your head sideways to the left to
            understand it.

3.3  Why don't we have a badge for all the Rialto people to wear?

        We have an informal agreement that a piece of netting worn on your
    person or hanging about your camp indicates you visit the Rialto.
    Remember there are people that have nets around that do *not* visit
    here.

3.4  What is Period?

        The period (and place) of interest to the SCA, as defined in
    Corpora and the By-Laws, is Western Europe and cultures that had
    contact with Western Europe before the 17th Century.


Section 4:  Recurring events:

4.1  What is Pennsic?  When is Pennsic?

        Pennsic is an annual war, with the main contenders being the East
    and Middle Kingdoms.  It is the largest recurring event in the Laurel
    Kingdoms, with attendance in 1992 of about 8000.  It has taken place
    since 1972, and has been held at Coopers Lake Campground near Slippery
    Rock, PA since 1977.  The main battles of the war are held the third
    weekend in August, with other activities taking place the week and
    weekend preceding that. Pennsic was so named from "Pennsylvania" on the
    model of "Punic."

4.2  What is Estrella?  When is Estrella?

        Estrella is an annual war, with the main contenders being Atenveldt
    and Caid.  The West and Outlands often contribute to the mayhem :-)  It
    has taken place since 1985, and is held at Estrella Mountain Park near
    Goodyear, AZ, west of Phoenix.  It is held on President's Day weekend
    (February).

4.3  What is Lilies?  When is Lilies?

        Lilies is an annual war that takes place in Calontir.  Each year
    a new scenario is developed to vary the sides.  Past scenarios
    have included Winter Queens vs. Summer Queens, Laurels vs.
    Pelicans, Baronies vs. Shires, and so on.  It takes place at Smithville
    Lake, near Kansas City, MO.  Attendance in 1993 was 1200+.

Section 5:  Difficult topics:

        There are some topics that recur fairly regularly that are
    almost guaranteed to cause heated debate.  These topics generally
    involve matters of opinion, where debate can be entertaining,
    amusing, or informative, but often devolves into name-calling or
    worse.  Below is a listing of some such topics, including a brief
    summary of the major points of view on each.  If you decide to bring
    up one of these topics on the Rialto, be prepared for lengthy, and
    perhaps unfriendly, argument.  If you seriously are interested in
    changing how the SCA as an organization deals with these topics,
    remember you *MUST* *WRITE* the Board of Directors with your
    opinions to effect any change on the organization as a whole.  You
    will *not* change anything simply through discussing it on the
    Rialto.

5.0.5   How do I write the Board of Directors?

    (The following text was written by Ragnar the Bold, known in modern
    life as Keith Cartmell, a former member of the Board of Directors.)

    What sort of a letter is most likely to influence the Board on a
    decision?  Some of this will be plainly obvious, but you should see
    some of the letters the Board has received.  Hope this clears up
    misconceptions.

    Address it to:

    Board of Directors
    P.O. Box 360743
    Milpitas, CA. 95036-0743

    Do not send copies to individual directors, or the Society
    Seneschal, since copies will be made and sent out in the Board
    packets.

    Keep your letter to one topic.  If you wish to address several
    different topics, send several letters in the same envelope.  The
    secretary will find it easier to correctly handle your letter if you
    clearly state the topic at the beginning.  Letters that address an
    agenda item will be numbered with it.  If your letter comments on
    several agenda items, it becomes a nightmare to correctly file, and
    find again when wanted.  If it does not comment on any established
    agenda item, it will be placed into VII, Correspondence.  It will be
    assigned to a director for a response.  Every letter should get a
    response.  Your letters are carefully read to see if a new agenda
    item must be created.  This is done at the Committee of the Whole
    meeting, and any letters on the same topic will be moved to the new
    agenda item.

    The Board packets add up to a pile of paper that is never less than
    about 3" thick.  To make the best impression your letter should be
    clear, and to the point.  The letter is photocopied, and the
    original filed, so getting everything on one side of an 8.5 x 11
    page helps.  Multiple pages should be clearly labeled 1 of x, 2 of
    x, ect, and don't staple.  The main consideration in print medium is
    easy to read.  Dark typewritten print is great.  A 9 pin printer in
    draft mode badly needs a fresh ribbon.  Handwritten; if you must,
    use dark ink, double space, and be as neat as possible. For most
    people (especially me) hand printing is neater than handwriting.  It
    must be signed, and if your name is printed underneath it will be
    spelled that way in the minutes.  The Board will not accept
    anonymous correspondence.

    Timing.  Sooner is better.  Sending a letter about 2 to 6 weeks
    *after* the latest meeting is about ideal, or about 2 months *prior*
    to the next.  The packets are smaller and the directors are not
    trying to cope with all the last minute essentials.

    If your letter is a request for the Board to act as the final step
    in the channels for complaint and appeal, please include a summary
    of all the attempts to resolve the situation.  Be meticulous about
    dates, actions, and who you send copies to.  Remember that Board
    action will affect the entire SCA, not just your situation.

5.1     Same-sex consorts.

    Current situation:  According to Corpora the Sovereign and Consort
    must be of opposite gender, i.e. one male and one female by
    plumbing, regardless of affectional preference.

    Pro:  Those people in favor of allowing same-sex consorts feel that
    modern sensibilities are more important than historical practice,
    and that in the spirit of making the SCA as inclusive as possible,
    people should be allowed to fight in Crown Tourney for their
    significant other, regardless of their affectional preference.

    Con:  Those people against allowing same-sex consorts feel that
    historical accuracy is important, and that as there are no
    historical examples of a sovereign having a consort of the same sex,
    the SCA should not permit it.  An additional argument is that the
    majority of the SCA is heterosexual, and that by having two members
    of the same sex on the throne, approximately half the SCA is
    deprived of a role model during that reign.

5.2  Selecting the Crown.

    Current situation:  In all kingdoms, the Sovereign is chosen by a
    regularly recurring, double elimination Crown Tourney.  The
    frequency of this tourney varies by kingdom.  The victor of this
    tourney becomes the Heir to the throne (title varies by kingdom),
    and the person for whom the victor fought becomes the Heir's
    Consort.  After some period of time as Heirs, they are crowned
    Sovereign and Consort.

    Proposals:  We have seen many varied proposals on the Rialto for
    alternative ways of selecting the Sovereign.  Each is treated
    separately below.  In all cases, take as given the opinion (both Pro
    and Con) "We've never done it that way before."

    1.  Allow champions in Crown Tourney.  A person would fight in Crown
    Tourney for a couple.  If they are victorious, the couple would
    become Sovereign and Consort.  The fighter, in most versions of this
    proposal, would be required to serve as Champion throughout the
    reign, and would not be permitted to fight in Crown Tourney while
    they are Champion.
    Pro: allows non-fighters to be Sovereign.
    Con: people express worries about 'kingmakers' and hiring of
    champions.

    2.  Structure Crown Tourney as some combination of single combat and
    melee.
    Pro: better selects the Sovereign for leadership abilities.  Looks
    more like historical 'wars of succession' to some people.
    Con: too much opportunity for ugly politics in deciding who fights
    on which team(s).  Too unwieldy a tournament to finish in one day.

    3.  Select the Sovereign using some methods other than fighting
    tournament.  Various combinations of A&S combination, archery,
    fencing, and so on have all been suggested at one time or another.
    Pro: allows non-fighters to be Sovereign.  Emphasizes something
    other than fighting as the way to get ahead.
    Con: subjective nature of judging leaves too much opportunity for
    ugly politics.  There are no historical examples of rulers being
    chosen by similar means.

Section 6: How do you join the SCA?

        Find your local group and show up.  To attend an event, you must
    wear some attempt at pre-17th century clothing.  If you like it, you
    may want to become a registered member, which among other things
    gets you newsletters.  The Office of the Registry will provide basic
    introductory material, including a copy of your kingdom newsletter,
    on request.  They also have packets of material available for
    teachers.

            The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
            Office of the Registry
            P.O. Box 360743
            Milpitas, CA   95036-0743
            USA
            408-263-9305
            408-263-0641 fax

    In Australia (The Principality of Lochac), contact:

            Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
            PO Box 607
            UNLEY  SA  5061
            AUSTRALIA

                  ---------- End of Part 03 ----------

========================================================================
Thanks to all who have contributed to this article.

This article is a work in progress.  If you have other topics you'd like to
see included, send me email with the question(s) and your suggested
answer(s).  If you have comment on the items included, please send me
(polite) email.

          PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE RIALTO! ! !

The whole point of this effort is to reduce traffic.  I will summarize
comments sent to me, if it seems necessary.
--
  Robyyan Torr d'Elandris  Kapellenberg, Windmaster's Hill  Atlantia
  Dennis R. Sherman               Triangle Research Libraries Network
  [e-mail]       Univ. of North Carolina - Chapel Hill