Ostgardr Commons Minutes for April

Start Time: 8:15pm

SENESCHAL REQUEST
The Seneschal requests that all CANTON SENESCHALS please email him a list of Officers of your Cantons. Also, all CROWN PROVINCIAL OFFICERS, please email a full listing of all Deputies. Include their:
-Mundane Name
-SCA name (including title)
-Membership number
-Expiration date
-Email address
-Let’s make sure ALL officers are members!
-As an FYI, Seneschals can get a census of all EK members with their membership numbers and expiration date by contacting Milpitas, but it costs $5.

OFFICER’S REPORTS


Minister of Fencing, Marion of York (sent via email)
Other than Cake and Death fighter practice, I haven’t done much to report. Ettore has found space in a church  

Arts and Sciences, Lada Monguligin (sent via email):
-Call went out from TRM for beads for newcomers. So we will have a BEAD MAKING CLASS at Piglet’s on Saturday June 18th taught by Lord Conor  O Ceallaigh. Materials fee is $20 and can be paid at the door. Please RSVP to Lada to hold your space.
-Pennsic U deadline is May 1st- Consider teaching a class and sharing your knowledge. Additionally this year is Bog U which is exactly what it sounds like.
-SCRIBAL SHOPPING on April 30th: We will meet at the Astor Place Starbucks at 9am depart from there at 9:30am and head to two art stores nearby: Dick Blick and New York Central Art Supply. Then we will make the trip Uptown to Lee’s Art Shop on W57th.

 

Chronicler (via email)
-There is one deputy, John Elys, who is Webminister. It was noted by those attending that he has expressed interest in stepping down as webminister.

-MUSICIANS DAY – Blue Mountain Lodge was unavailable for traditional weekend (Nov 19-20), so we’re pencilled in for November 12-13. It does NOT conflict with Hundred Minutes’ War’ WarMusicians Day. Projected budget available
-Thomas of Northpass has been in touch with them. We are only pencilled in so we need to give them a check moderately soon or tell them we are cancelling. Cost is $600 for 2 days plus $200 deposit.

-It was noted by Francesco that not many people have administrative access to ostgard@panix so it would be better to move the list to an East Kingdom server.

Northpass, Thomas of Northpass
– Much of last meeting was spent on Barleycorn, but many details have changed since then (including the fact that it will 95% chance be investiture). Wilhelm is autocrat. Co-autocrat is Phil. Feastocrat is Sheldon Wax. Sephardic cooking was the original idea, but since it’s now investiture, a Mongolian feast would be fitting.

-The cost is $3000 for entire weekend, $1800 for feast. It has all been paid for. Northpass had ~$6k in their coffers (including the money given to pay for Barleycorn).

-Also GOAT’S TAVERN is coming up in the fall at Blue Mountain Lodge.

 

-Next month’s meeting is going to be at the beach instead of at Wilhelm’s so if you come up early you’re welcome to use Tom’s canoes and such.

Chatelaine of Northpass
Northpass has a new Chatelaine, Phil! He is trying to get some friends at Westchester Community College to see if they can get a club going. Needs to have 2 students to start club. He already has someone who can be staff sponsor.

Chatelaine, Sofya of Ostgardr
-Congrats to our new Chatelaine of Northpass, Phil!
-Next week, Sunday the 24th, is a GOLD KEY WORKSHOP. We have a lot of people coming to help make new loaner garb and even have a newcomer coming! Everyone is welcome to join in! Contact Sofya for details.
-Sofya is typing up an inventory of the current Gold Key and it will be in Exchequer’s hands by next meeting
-She will also be making queens favors if anyone wants to join in on that.


History, Richard the Poor:
-Viceregal polling is approved!

-We will be having an investiture in the not to distant future, and majesties will be required to be there. They will also be able to give out awards, so think about who you might want to NOMINATE AWARDS for, and check out next issue of E Horse to see the article about how to do that effectively.

 

-Piglet mentions about a museum? Or library? That’s interested in SCA archival materials. She will look it up and let people know the info.
EDITED TO ADD: Piglet found the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/17551346704/permalink/10153575174811705/
“the University of California Riverside Libraries has created a permanent SCA archival collection…If you have publications or media you would like to contribute, please contact the SCA Liaison to the UCR Libraries, Countess Leonora Morgana (Stacie Tibbetts) at collections@sca.org or at 714-544-8490 before 8 pm PST. (The University Libraries are unable to accept direct donations on behalf of the Society, and sending them materials directly could result in their loss.)”

Exchequer, Angelica di Nova Lipa
– We have about $7600 in checkings and $7400 in savings, so we have money.
-We have not gotten rid of funds from the (now-defunct?) Gilded Pearl (an East Kingdom guild that was focused on the Renaissance time period. It was started here and needed somewhere to put their money) yet, which is about $128. We will figure out what is the appropriate thing to do with the money

 

Whyt Whey, Alienor Salton
– Thorfinnr reports that Picnic in Ruins had to be rescheduled due to site permit issue. We were sent the permit, but the Parks Service double-booked the park and rescinded our permit.
-There will be QUEEN’S FAVOR KITS available at the next Solar. The class will be VIKING WIRE WEAVING taught by Thorfinnr. We may also be taste testing the Anglo-Norman dishes for a feast. (Was going to be for investiture, but that is going to be Barleycorn which already has a feastocrat)
-We will also be discussing the new Whyt Whey heraldry at the NEXT Solar. Two options are currently being conflict checked.


Captain of Archers, Suuder Saran:
We are starting ARCHERY this weekend at Staten Island.
– Haven’t heard from the Lions End marshall, so not sure when they will start up. She MAY step up to be Captain of Archers after investiture.

Brokenbridge, Suuder Saran
Baconbridge was well attended.
-Brokenbridge is NOT changing heraldry. That was a miscommunication.
-Ragnar Blitzkeg is going to step up as drop-dead Seneschal after investiture



Lion’s End, Francesco G Greco
– We have about $2600. Our last meeting had 3 people so couldn’t have quorum. Needed 6 officers and only had 5, so meeting was unofficial (?).
– Heraldry tabard was passed to Moungou (Gary), and Maria is freshening the tabard up now.


RECENTLY PASSED EVENTS

No recently passed events

UPCOMING EVENTS

Viking Day: May 14
-In Owl’s Head Park, put on the Scandinavian Museum.
-No more conflictcontradiction with Picnic in the Park.
-Brad will get in contact with site for details about when we need to arrive, leave, etc.
-Maria asked if we could put it on the EK Calendar.
-As long as posted in E Horse then we are covered for insurance. (EK calendar isn’t necessary for insurance), but we CAN post demo, so let’s do that.

Note by Thomas
– What is Ostgardr going to do with June 2-3 reservation at Veteran Memorial Park in Putnam Valley (was made as a possible investiture date) that Tom paid for out of pocket ($150)? Should he get money back or get future date? Tom has got a list of all future available dates and given it to Brad. But we can’t wait to decide.
-The site misses us doing demo and likes us
-We can get a much better deal, it’s only $150. Could hold 300-400 people piece of cake, but doesn’t have functioning kitchen. We can even have horses if let them know in time.
–Vote was made. Decided to get the money back, since it is relatively easy to re-reserve it when we decide when we need it.

 

Riverdale: Sunday, June 5 (NOT JUNE 4!!!)
-Laurie will autocrat it.
-We need(?) $600 for it.
-We will need to figure out how to do the tent once Mitch(?) leaves for Europe. It’s more a matter of transport and storage than how to get it up. Piglet has access to a van. Luigi can volunteer to keep stuff in his garage.

-We thought it was on the EK calendar, but it isn’t. We’ll need to fix that.

 

Queen’s Farm: Sept 25
– Ian is autocrat. Camping, fighting, and everything else.

Cloisters: Sept 18 (not yet official date)
– Because the museum puts out a yearly calendar that starts in the early summer, the Cloisters date is not officially official. But Piglet has asked her contact if we can verify the date as firm and will put it on EK Calendar when she hears. It should be Sept 18 which is 2 weeksish earlier than normal.

Investiture: Barleycorn
Their Majesties have contacted us, and said polling was valid. Congrats Lada and Suuder!
-Suuder: We have been in contact with TRM and Gui has been instrumental in talking with them. We are looking at Barleycorn for investiture. About a week ago TRM sent us a message saying that  Barony of Smoking Rock put in the same date as  Barleycorn for THEIR investiture, but since their polling is still in process, TRM has asked Smoking Rock to use a different date. Smoking Rock has tentatively agreed.  So we are 95% sure that it will be Barleycorn. Brad will let you know ASAP when it can be made official.
-Maria mentioned that it would be a nice gesture to thank Smoking Rock. Suuder says he and Lada plan on visiting them in Pennsic to thank them and possibly giving a gift. (Maybe also go to their investiture?)
See also: EternalCon demo and New Dorp HS Con demo mentioned in New Business


NEW BUSINESS

Bylaw Committee, Francesco G Greco
-The new Bylaw Committee is a committee to go through our laws and bylaws and find loopholes and other things that need to be fixed. Richard the PoorRufina, John, Beatrice, and Valgard have volunteered for this at the last Commons. We can still take volunteers if anyone wants to join.

Youth Participation, Thomas of Northpass
– His daughter (17 yo) doesn’t want to go to Pennsic, because it’s not fun for teens. She’s going to write a thesis paper about why. Thomas wants to create a committee to find out why kids don’t want to go. Is the SCA a fighter’s group or a family group?
-Tom wants to have two meetings at Pennsic one with 11 and under (with parents) and one with 12 and over (without parents). But he may need more Minor Chancellors? Would like to get Sir Edward (pennsic mayor) and some Royals to come.
-What sort of changes can we institute?
-Piglet mentioned the East Kingdom Forum of Teen Activities that has been having roundtables with teens and kids and started on doing some similar activites.
-Jackie recommended getting input from families who HAVE successfully had teenagers grow in the SCA and stay active

Old Known World Handbook
-If you have the old (1994?) version of Knowne World Handbooke, (the one with the blurb about Fun Mavens and Authenticity Mavens) contact Tom:


Eternal Con Demo: June 10-12, Zorikh
– There is a really good demo opportunity at a SFF con, EternalCon, June 10-12 in Garden City, NY at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. eternalcon.com
-The date is in conflict with Southern Region War Camp, but not everyone goes.
– ACL and several LARP groups had successful demos in parking lot. ACL might not be able to make it, but the con runners are interested in having similar. We can have a table or lots (workshop, lecture, panel discussion, fight demo. The more we do the more discounts or free passes they can give us.
– We Voted YES to do it
-We discussed whether we wanted to do one or two days. We thought two days would be a lot, but Maria is going to ask An Dubh if they wanted to do the other day since the con is near the border. For now, we will plan for Saturday only.
-Zorikh asks people to think about any workshops or lectures or other programming that they would like to give/hold.


New Dorp Fine Arts High School Comic con Demo: May 21
-Gui has brought to our attention a comic con being put on by the students at a high school in Staten Island
-It is very easy to access via public transport and car and there is parking.
-They will have an arena for LARPers, etc.
-Is anyone interested in taking the lead on this? Let us know!

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

 

May: Baron Francesco (Lion’s End)
June: Lada and Suuder’s new home (Brokenbridge)
July: Nonexistent for Pennsic
August: Piglet (Whyt Whey)

Motion to adjourn: 10:33

Commons minutes January 2016

Commons Minutes
Friday, January 15th, 2016

Attending:

Francesco Gaetano Greco d’Edessa, called Bish, – OSTGARDR Seneschal
Guy Cheveux de Guise – OSTGARDR Viceroy
Johanne i Visby – OSTGARDR Vicereine
Richard the Poor – OSTGARDR Exchequer
Katherine Gilliesfleur – OSTGARDR Chamberlaine
Lada Monguligun – OSTGARDR Mistress of Arts and Sciences
Suuder Saran – OSTGARDR Captain of Archers
Sofya Gianetta di Trieste – OSTGARDR Chatelaine
Magdelana Caminante – OSTGARDR Deputy Chatelaine
Angelica di Nova Lipa
Mongu Chinua
Ian of Clan Mitchell
Devra the Baker
Thomas of Northpass
Ibrahim al-Rashid
Brekke Franksdottir
Lillie Redtowers
Philip White

OSTGARDR OFFICERS’ REPORTS

OSTGARDR EXCHEQUER, Richard the Poor

4th Q 2016 report sent in.

Notes that five checks have to go out tonight

Item of interest: Received a notice on Savings account (about $6,000) has been steadily earning interest of about $1.00 per month, but is otherwise dormant; this amount of dormancy can lead to escheatment (surrender of the funds) to NYS. Tomorrow I will go to Capitol One to straighten this out. Future Exchequer (To Be Determined) is reminded to maintain activity in the savings account by moving money into/out of it at least yearly.

Re: term in office, Richard met with EK Exchequer, and asked that his warrant as Exchquer not be renewed as of Feb 15th. Richard will hold onto the paperwork, and advise the future Provencial Exchequer.

Angelica di Nova Lipa, present Exchequer of Whyt Whey, can become the Provencial Deputy when a successor Exchequer can be found for Whyt Whey. Ibrahim al-Rashid has volunteered to take the position, with support from Angela.

Books are in order; there was an EK review of finances and property. EK Informed us that we should have an inventory of items such as feast gear. Viceroy opines that feastgear is fully depreciated. We will likely do a count of current feast gear (pots, pans, serving dishes, utensils) for our own information.

Guy notes that we need to inventory the chains of state, etc.

Musicians’ Day was reported as a great success in terms of the classes, music, and food, however we are still waiting on the financials.

OSTGARDR CHATELAINE, Lady Sofya

Term ends January 2017

Lady Magdelena has volunteered as Deputy Chatelaine

Gold Key (loaner clothing): Inventory will be taken for our own information, and reported to Exchequer for EK reports

From the $100 allocated by the Province, we are looking at two dates in February, to make basic tunics for men and women.

Updating handouts to reflect new EK emails and web site address

Officer holders are reminded to update any of their own communications and to use the new EK email assigned to you.

Just sent out Chatelaine’s report, apologies to the Seneschal

Thank Lillie Redtowers for her update on Brokenbridge.

Don’t need a formal report from the Cantons, but would find it helpful to have notice of new people who have expressed interest or joined the SCA in the Cantons. Where a Canton does not have a chatelaine, the Seneschal or other Canton officer is requested to contact me. An email would do nicely.

Demo for First Contact at the LaGuardia Marriott on February 20th. Bish, Richard, Angelica, will join. This will be a hands-on/interactive demo including Silk painting, brass-rubbings, games, and other items/crafts where the public can literally see and touch our reenactment of the current middle ages. The Ostgardr populace will receive many reminders via official Yahoo groups, Facebook Groups, and we request that the E-Horse include a notice in the next regular edition put out prior to February 20th.

OSTGARDR EARL MARSHALL, Viceroy Gui reporting on behalf of Ostgardr’s Earl Marshall Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver, who is currently delayed in California by a family event.

Outdoor fighter practice has been suspended for the cold season.

Indoor Practice is available at the Knights’ Hall, also known as The Akron. Sparring space is available for $35 per hour.

Knights’ Hall
1944 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10035
between 124th, 125th streets in East Harlem
BY SUBWAY: The 4/5/6 Express stop at 125 St east of Madison.
BY METRONORTH COMMUTER RAILWAY: Park AVe at 125th Street
BY MTA BUS: Numerous bus routes cross through the area, including the M1 both north and southbound, the M60 east and westbound.

We are considering announcing fight workshops / classes at fixed date/times (not free exercise)

Lady Marion (on Long Island) is willing to come into Manhattan to the location to run fencing training. But would have to be assured that people would show up in numbers.

Gui is willing to teach a greatsword class, given sufficient interest.

Gui’s postings on making armor have, for the most part, been ignored; hasn’t received much feedback on armor making.

OSTGARDR CAPTAIN OF ARCHERS, Lord Suuder Saran

Practices are now over for the winter. We did have an additional practice due to fair weather and Mongu Chinua.

OSTGARDR CHAMBERLAINE, Mistress Katherine Gilliesfleur

The large green & White tent is in storage.

Feast gear is in Wilhelm’s garage

Asks to set up inventory (more for us than EK), will need volunteers

UPCOMING VICEREGAL ELECTIONS

Bish – OSTGARDR Seneschal

We have received a copy of the ballot from the EK representative who will receive mailed ballots and tally them.

As soon as we receive the populace address labels, volunteers Bish, Sofya, Angelica will coordinate envelope and stamp purchases, duplication of ballots, addressing all envelopes, stuffing, and mailing. Sofya volunteered her home as work site.

UPCOMING ELECTIONS FOR SENESCHAL, EXCHEQUER, HERALD

TERM LIMITS

Don’t know current term limits for Chronicler Magistra Rufina
[Ed. Note: per Acting Seneschal’s request, I contacted my Kingdom superior asking about Kingdom-imposed term limits, and never got an answer.]

EAST KINGDOM EMAIL BOXES FOR OSTGARDR AND CANTON OFFICERS

All officers should have (and use!) office-named e-mail addresses on the eastkingdom.org server. If you don’t have one yet, check with your Webmaster: Arnora for Brokenbridge, John Elys for Ostgardr and Lions End, Wilhelm for Northpass. We think Whyt Whey is in compliance (check with Lou and Godiva).

General Query on our upcoming 50th anniversary:

Ostgardr started in 1968.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ostgardr’s 50th anniversary is in two years. Time to think about what we will do to celebrate this milestone.

SCA 50th Anniversary.

Lady Magdelena is part of the East Kingdom crew coordinating the multimedia display for presentation during the anniversary event. As we were, and still are an important part of the Kingdom, our members undoubtedly have many old photos, and can produce new images by photo or scan of award and recognition scrolls, A&S items of all types.

The East Kingdom display for our 50th Anniversary will be in an 8 foot by 20 footprint, including the original crowns, seals, and oils of dedication. Everything else will be displayed on two 22″ monitors for the high resolution displays in the EK exhibit.

The display will be finalized mid-May. So, keep those e-cards and letters coming in. There will be a scanner at Birka.

Locally, Angelica di Nova Lipa will be happy to take scans of your hard copy photos, and to return the photos directly to you.

As this is a private showing of media, no model/artist releases are required.

Following the 50th anniversary, there may later be a ‘traveling show’ available for the local groups.

BACONBRIDGE in the Canton of Brokenbridge, Saturday February 6th. 10 AM – 6 PM
HAVE WE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A FREE / DONATION ONLY EVENT?

Join the canton of BrokenBridge for the celebration of Bacon, and all foods cured with our first ever BACONBRIDGE. Baconbridge will feature classes, on curing different meats, making jerky, origami pigs, bacon-fat candles, and more. Bring us your odes to bacon and curing, to the Baconbridge Balladry Battle, a contest for all who wish to write haikus, sonnets, or quatrain (try to keep your poem under 100 words). For those who wish to personify the essence of bacon, we will have Sir Francis Bacon Garb Contest, a contest of the fashionable. There will also be, wait for it, RAFFLE ITEMS!
Please, check out our comprehensive event website at http://brokenbridge.eastkingdom.org/event-calendar/bacon/

2nd floor Community Room
140 Cadman Plaza West, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Whether you think you’re coming or not, PRE-Register! This site is in a doorman building, and if your name is not on the list, you’’re not getting in, no matter how anachronistically you are dressed!

BEAR’S TAVERN

March 4-6

Pitched to be family friendly with the theme “Robin Hood”. Bear will do his best to be there. For more info, see http://www.eastkingdom.org/EventDetails.php?eid=2937

The head chef for this event is Lou from Three Skulls, a notable expert in populace pleasing cuisine!

ACTION ITEMS FOR VARIOUS OFFICE HOLDERS AND INDIVIDUALS

Bish to follow up with Elionora to determine her resignation date. Get copy of resignation. EK Seneschal or Southern Deputy should have this. If they do not have it, Elionora needs to be prompted to formalize resignation to EK Seneschal, and copy Bish, Gui, and Johanne, at minimum.
[Editor: this has since been done, and the resignation letter posted to the relevant e-lists.]

Mistress Rufina is requested to create a special edition of the E-Horse regarding the upcoming Seneschal elections.
[Editor: done.]

Populace of the Crown Province, including all Cantons, is encouraged to speak their minds to their Canton and Provencial Seneschals, on which of the candidates for the Ostgardr Seneschals they prefer.

The current slate of Ostgardr Seneschal Candidates are:

“Bish”
Baron Ian”
Master Philip White

Any additional nominations for the office of Seneschal for the Crown Province of Ostgardr need to be tendered by the end of February, the 29th, and addressed to our Viceroy Gui, Vicereine Johanne, and Seneschal ‘Bish’.

The eligible officers [per Bylaws, “Viceregency, all the rostered officers of the Province, and the Seneschals of each of the Cantons”] will cast their votes at the Ostgardr Officers’ Meeting. Our beloved Vicereine Johanne encourages the populace to think on these elections and to make their wishes known. This election will go forward on Sunday March 13th, 2 PM, at the home of the Ostgardr Chatelaine, Lady Sofya, in Astoria. All may attend, however only the named officers may vote. Ostgardr by-laws are in full force; all voting-eligible officers are encouraged to attend.

NEW BUSINESS

SEASONS BEATINGS:

Chatelaine Lady Sofya proposes that the Province and Cantons again sponsor Seasons Beatings, a free one day event (current cost is reported as $200 for the Blue Mountain Lodge site in Peekskill), and requests that the Province and Cantons contribute $75 dollars each for the event. Cantons and Province are requested to confirm or deny this financial contribution for the next Seasons Beatings event for December 2016 or January 2017, dependent on site scheduling.

This event has been highly successful in terms of populace and newcomer attendance and enjoyment, and is high on the list of most-requested events.

FUTURE COMMONS MEETINGS

LADY MAGDELENA CARMINANTE will host the next Ostgardr Commons meeting on (the third Friday of) February, the 19th, at her home in Peekskill, in northern Westchester County.

Locations are requested for the March and April Commons.

Canton of Brokenbridge Reports

Brokenbridge Seneschal: Suuder Saran

BB had a meet the candidates night

A&S: Lady Lada reports Lots of things going on.

Lada & Conandil – Calligraphy in Northpass

Brokenbridge Exchequer and Chatelaine

Lillie Redtowers, Exchequer: Money: $2,712.17 held by Province of Ostgardr

Chatelaine: 4th Q – contacts. One young man has been participating, but not yet joined.

Outdoor Fighter practice at McCarren closed for the winter

A&S Minister (Anneke Valmarsdotter) is holding A&S 2nd Friday of each month

Archery…

Gold Key held by…

Feb event coming up: Baconbridge, needs to see everyone there Saturday Feb 6th.

Summary: Overall a good 2016.

Canton of Lionsend

Have a new Deputy Seneschal, Alec MacLachlan, previous of An Dubhaigein.

Needs a web minister. Bish needs help. Arnora is suggested as a resource, and Michele the Ubiquitous has offered assistance.

Recurrent issue, Need the correct procedure to change officer names / email in the Pikestaff and on websites.

Ostgardr Officer candidates should be persons who routinely attend Ostgardr Commons and Officer meetings a minimum of 50% of the time, plus 1 additional time. (? Per by-laws?)

Canton of Northpass, given by Northpass Seneschal, Thomas of Northpass

Upcoming soon, Bear’s Tavern, the theme for which this year is Robin Hood, which Bear intends to attend (currently hospitalized in King’s Hospital, and very bored, could use company.)

Northpass is solvent

There are forms planning for “Goats Tavern” for the autumn, to have the theme of preparing for winter.

Vicereine Johanne asks that the group be updated on John the Bear’s progress, and that he be advised of our warm regard.