Report from the Grand Council: Quarter 2, 2008

 

Respectfully submitted by Baroness Bianca the Inquisitive, Secretary of the Grand Council 

 

A. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY

The Council received an assigned topic via its BoD Ombudsman to consider the demographics of the SCA, who are we, where are we headed.  How are things changing? Do they differ across Kingdoms?

In addition, the Council was asked to discuss officer retention and recruiting. 

B. COMMITTEE STATUS AND COMMENDATIONS

Results of Officer Elections:

CHAIRMAN – Brendan ap Llewelyn

VICE-CHAIRMAN - Daniel de Blare

SECRETARY – Bianca the Inquisitive

CLERK - Ariel of Lindisfarne

MODERATOR - Elias Gedney

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR – Wulfred Hansard of Richmond

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIR – Berengaria de Montfort de Carcassonne

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Leyland O'Lee, Therasia von Tux, and Kat MacLochlainn

MODERATOR – Elias Gedney

 

Other Changes

None

Resignations:

Timothy O’Brien stepped down as the Outland’s Representative

Additions:

Conal Mac Nachtan began his term as Outlands’ Kingdom representative

C. PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY

 

The Grand Council examined two specific topics related to officer retention and the demographics of our members. The specifics can be found in Section E (Discussions).

The Council also held internal elections for the various offices and posts within the Council.

 

D. CONFIDENTIAL

 

Nothing to report

 

E. DISCUSSIONS

Demographics

This proved to be a difficult topic to quantify.  Observations by various GC members appear to agree that the average age of participants is rising, while there seems to be fewer college aged participants.  Some attributed that to the increased attraction of on-line games and virtual worlds.  Some have speculated that the increase of gas prices have affected participation as well.  It was also mentioned that demographics are bound to be different amongst each Kingdom.  Additionally, some of the new participants seem to have a lower level of dedication than previously experienced.  The number of military families also plays into the changing demographics.

It is felt that the Grand Council is unable to furnish reliable data and/or answers to these questions, without more info from the BoD.  Questions regarding median age, income, racial mix, educational levels, family size, costs of participation could be quantified with some degree of effort.  It would need to be done consistently across the known world to really hold any merit.  Also, should we only consider paid memberships, or all participants?  If we should consider all participants, then the problem comes in obtaining the requested information from them, as it’s much easier to ask these types of questions on a membership application.

A suggestion was made to draft a short 10 question survey that could be distributed at major events.  Questions suggested are zip code, age bracket, family size, and how many are members, income to nearest $10,000, number of events attending this year – increased or decreased, do you rent or own your home, highest level of education, white or blue collar, and what one thing would make you attend more events.

It was further noted that any type of survey/questionnaire would need to be adapted for the populace residing in Lochac and Drachenwald.

 

 

Officer Retention

Some GC members commented that there are times when it’s difficult to get new officers recruited and trained.  The new screening measures currently in place for Youth Ministers was briefly brought up as one obstacle.  Smaller branches – i.e. Shires/Baronies sometimes struggle with recruiting.  On the Kingdom levels, there are other concerns that compound the issue. Travel burdens, perceptions of political issues and time requirements all have the potential to turn away qualified applicants.

Another potential issue is the fact that someone could potentially serve in a Kingdom level position without having any prior experience.  Some Kingdoms are also experiencing a lack of follow-through from the Kingdom level officers to the local level officers.  Some local level officers feel like they are left with no guidance and/or lack of communication from their superiors and often get over-whelmed.   There are many volunteers who “double up” serving both a Kingdom level and a local level position. Burnout is a valid concern. 

It is the general consensus that adequate training, support and recognition will aid in the recruiting and retention of quality officers.  This training also needs to be extended to the Crowns and Heirs, as They are often not aware of all that is involved in each office.  It was further suggested that term limits need to be consistently enforced across the board.

Suggestions for retention included clear and concise job descriptions, treating officers with respect, consult on areas that affect them, provide guidance and support and effective communication.

Some suggested areas of training included:

1.      Child safety policies and implementations

2.      Child safety training and how to spot potentially hazardous situations

3.      Basic SCA financial management

4.      Common conflict resolution strategies

5.      Escalation methods (who to contact above you and when)

6.      what the insurance is and what it actually covers

 

F. PREVIOUSLY APPROVED DISCUSSION TOPICS, TO BE ADDRESSED AS TIME PERMITS

Therefore there are no such topics at this time.

G. SUGGESTED FUTURE OR ON-GOING DISCUSSION TOPICS

Creating a 10-year plan

Creating a business plan

APPENDIX: LIST OF COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DISCUSSIONS

 

SCA Name	Kingdom Rep/at-large	Kingdom
Annalies Grossmund	At large	Calontir
Ariel of Lindisfarne	Kingdom	Drachenwald
AshaHito	At large	Atlantia
Berengaria de Montfort de Carcasson	At large	An Tir
Bianca the Inquisitive	At large	Meridies
Brenden ap Llewelyn	At large	An Tir
Caelin on Andrede	Kingdom	Ansteorra
Cathal	Kingdom	Meridies
Chiara Francesca Arianna d'Onofrio	At large	Ansteorra
Conal Mac Nachtan	Kingdom	Outlands
Daniel de Blare	Kingdom	West
Dietrich von Vogelsang	At large	Caid
Elias Gedney	At large	East
Fiskr Hammondson	At large	Northshield
Flanna Dunwalton	At large	West
Fridrikr Tomasson av Knusslig Hamm	Kingdom	Aethelmearc
Galleron de Cressy	At large	East
Helena Bryenissa Raoulaina	At large	An Tir
Herzog Dietrich von Vogelsang	At large	Caid
Kat MacLochlainn	At large	Ansteorra
Katriona ni Chonarain	Kingdom	Northshield
Kevin Eriôl	At large	Meridies
Madog Maelgwn Llewelyn	At large	Middle
Marion “Leyland” O’Lee	At large	Calontir
Megan nic Alister of Thornwood	At large	West
Mitchell MacBain	Kingdom	East
Nicklas	At Large	Ansteorra
Orla Carey	Kingdom	Atlantia
Rebecca with the Greyhound	At Large	Gleann Abhann
Roger of Belden Abbey	Kingdom	An Tir
Simone Ui'Dunlainghe	At large	Ansteorra
Theodora of Trebizond	At large	Artemisia
Therasia von Tux	At large	Ansteorra
T’ressa	At Large	Northsheild
TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview	At large	Ealdormere
Wulfred Hansard of Richmond	At large	Atlantia