Highlights From Saturday’s BoD Meeting
As much as the Gazette would have loved to send its intrepid reporter across the kingdoms to fair Atenveldt, Baroness Leonete spent Saturday in the frigid north, waiting for news from the BoD meeting to inform you, our dear readership as to the goings-on of our great and noble society.
As was already reported in the Gazette, The Shire of Endewearde was approved to become a Barony. The news filtered from the Gazette to the populace at Birka, creating much celebration among the members of the newly created Barony.
The Social Media Policy was approved, on its fourth draft. Stay tuned for another feature with Tobias Morgan, Deputy Society Seneschal for Social Media. A new Kingdom Seneschal’s Handbook was also approved, pending changes suggested by the BoD.
The BoD discussed the creation of a Society-wide Lifetime Achievement Award, which was also referenced as a “Hero of the SCA” award. BoD member Marc Faulcon discussed the idea to create a structure of recognition that cuts across kingdom, state, and international boundaries to create a kind of hall of fame of those members of the society who truly make a difference. The BoD plans to use social media to gauge the interest of the populace on this idea, and then form a committee to look into it.
Another new project of the BoD is a youth and family badge system to encourage participation from younger SCAdians. This system will have activities to keep children engaged and be broken into three age groups. The material for the activities will be similar across all kingdoms and be managed at the corporate level. The current plan has 7 topic areas across 3 age groups for a total of 21 badges. More information about this initiative will be forthcoming.
The BoD is looking at creating more oversight for the largest wars. This will affect events of over 2,000 people and needs to include evacuation procedures, water sanitation procedures, and other considerations. There is also a need for financial oversight when events are handling monetary amounts over $75,000. The need to look into these items is coming from both insurance and legal counsel, as well as the BoD itself.
In another reminder of how real life politics affect the SCA, the BoD created a new policy prohibiting marijuana at all events, even in states where it is legal. Because federal law prohibits it, the SCA will do so as well.
Many thanks to Lady Astrina de la Meuse for providing notes, and to Don Wyllym for canvassing Atenveldt to find us a note-taker.
I have only one question…. in relation to those who take marijuana legally for medical reasons. Does it mean that they cannot go to Pennsic? Because, if I were not on the chemical version of it, I would be either smoking it or putting it in my food.
And indeed, _Federal_ law prohibits it. So, if we were to have a revel in a Hash Bar in Amsterdam, American Federal Law trumps the law of the land it’s actually _in_?
My two cents on the marijuana stuff…
Lisbeth, it would feel somewhat shameful to hide something that you know you have legally. But federal law prohibits it. I believe that in this situation it would go like any other person who smokes or uses marijuana for their own means. If you’re making edibles, and YOU are the only one eating the edibles, then that’s on you as your own private matter. As long as you’re not carousing the lands passing off pot-cookies to the populace. 😛
Tom, since there are “franchises” of the SCA in different countries, it would be based on the federal law of that region. Whatever law Amsterdam has toward it’s citizens and tourists smoking/using in areas would apply.
Federal law applies to US Federal Law
Unfortunately, only Sweden and Finland are currently affiliates. The rest of Drachenwald is ruled by BoD decisions. If those are based on US laws, the general view is ‘Tough’.
A lifetime achievement award goes beyond the scope of what the BOD is supposed to be doing. A recognition for service, such as a plaque or certificate, is not an award. The BOD should do things of that nature, but I am afraid awards are beyond the reach. That type of recognition can only be acceptable were we to change the BODs focus and definition. I believe for we need to identify and define the roles and duties of the BOD. That can only happen with a consensus from the populace, not through self governing. So I would ask for the BOD to abandon this plan.
If this is your belief, you should email comments@sca.org. This is an unofficial blog, and while we can tell you that some BoD members read our work, posting here does not guarantee your voice being heard.