Report from the Grand Council: Quarter 1, 2007

A. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY

The committee began the quarter continuing to work on the topic from last quarter - developing and prioritizing a list of topics for possible inclusion in the next edition of the Known World Handbook. Many side discussions developed from this, the most germane of which are summarized in various sections below. No specific motions were made, nor was there a vote called.

With no specific topic assigned by the Board, the committee then began discussions on a variety of issues of general interest, most touching on organizational structure, focus, or culture of the SCA. These discussions are also summarized in the body of this report.

B. ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR KNOWN WORLD HANDBOOK

These recommendations include additional topic suggestions as well as suggestions for possible organizational schemes for the new KWH. As these were not formally ranked by the committee, they are presented here in no particular order.

Many felt the KWH would be best organized by topic category, much like the 3^rd edition. Suggested categories included:

Introduction

Structure, History and Traditions of the SCA

Holding Office and Planning Events

Getting Started

Attending Events

Arts and Sciences

Costuming

Camping in the SCA

Youth Activities

Heraldry

Research and Documentation

Combat and Martial Activities

Others believed the KWH should be divided into two major sections – Beginning and Advanced – with topic categories as subsections within each.

Specific topics suggested in addition to those in last quarter’s report included:

Documentation for different situations – A&S competitions, versus classes, demos, etc.

Overview of SCA vs. Period armor styles, including padding and gambesons

Survey of period and SCA pavilion styles, including practical considerations before making or purchasing a pavilion and major SCA suppliers.

Heraldic display in the SCA – how to use and show your device

Teens in the SCA – activities and ways to be involved

Overview of households and other informal SCA groups – what they are and things to consider before joining one

Training New Fighters – Fighter Practice Notes

How to buy gear instead of making it – what to look for when buying garb, armor, pavilions, feast gear, and camping gear – probably multiple articles.

C. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED

A number of topics were suggested internally, following the conclusion of the Known World Handbook discussion. These included discussions of the need for a business plan, and issues of basic organizational structure. Some committee members believe this is particularly important when considering international growth and the need to work more closely and harmoniously with affiliated corporations. Others believed the greatest benefit would come from examining our relationships with non-SCA entities.

The committee also spent a great deal of time and energy discussing issues surrounding group unity, and how the structure of SCA, Inc and in particular the game-side organizational structure and procedures impact group unity. In particular, a deal of attention was focused on the potential benefits of making the distribution of such things as awards, offices, and event staff positions appear more fair and open. Some felt that the current system promotes the appearance of nepotism or cronyism, while others believed the resulting competition for resources – including opportunities to autocrat events or hold local office – was a major source of factionalism at the local branch level.

A number of potential problems with the current system were identified. Chief among them were:

Competition for awards and opportunities to “earn awards.”

Confusion about how and why awards are given.

The need for more transparent event bid procedures

The need for more transparent officer selection procedures

Perceived cronyism and/or nepotism in awards, positions, etc.

Lack of appreciation or utilization of mundane skills – in particular a tendency to discount management skills or training acquired outside an SCA context.

Need for conflict resolution training for officers

Tendency for key personnel to “burn themselves out,” and the degree to which our culture encourages or rewards such self-destructive behavior

Conflict between a “bottom up” culture and a “top down” official structure.

Institutional barriers to sustained growth – is the current structure viable were the SCA to double in size.

Increasing complexity and workload in some key offices – SCA Seneschal and SCA Exchequer were mentioned specifically – result in a decreasing pool of truly qualified volunteers. As the jobs grow, the needed skill-set becomes increasingly rare.

Perception that the Board is not answerable to the membership – one suggested solution was to move to a system in which the Board Members are elected.

Geographic exclusivity model of branch formation sometimes forces incompatible groups of people with different goals to try to co-exist in a local branch, resulting in increased factionalism and political infighting.

Current system/culture does not do enough to reward cooperation and punish factionalism

There is a perception that the Board is using R&D proceedings to punish people for bad game-side behavior, or for being on the losing side of an SCA political struggle. One reason for this perception is that there is no aggregate data released about the reasons for R&D’s – such as the number imposed for financial malfeasance or misfeasance, the number also involving mundane legal proceedings, etc.

While the committee has yet to develop a consensus plan for addressing these issues, there is widespread agreement that radical change is impractical and therefore any plan to address one or more of these issues should consist of a series of gradual steps so that intended changes are more easily accepted by both the Corporation and the membership and participants at large.

D. COMMITTEE STATUS AND COMMENDATIONS

There were two resignations from the committee. One of these was the result of a committee member becoming Seneschal of her Kingdom.

E. PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY

The Grand Council examined a number of topics during the first quarter of 2007. Initially, it expanded on the deliberations regarding the Known World Handbook begun in the fourth quarter of 2006. In addition, the Council examined issues of basic organizational structure as well as the need for a business plan and mission statement for management and planning purposes.

These discussions lead to discussions of SCA culture, focusing particularly on issues of advancement within the SCA, title and rank. These were discussed within the context of promoting group unity and the benefits and potential disadvantages of competition for offices, events and event sites, and opportunities to “do things” within the SCA.

F. CONFIDENTIAL

Nothing to report.