Commons Minutes
Friday, January 15^th, 2016

Attending:

• Gy Dioguardi - OSTGARDR Seneschal
• David Minsky - OSTGARDR Viceroy
• JoAnne Motylewski - OSTGARDR Vicereine
• Richard Solensky - OSTGARDR Exchequer
• Debbie Krevor - OSTGARDR Chamberlaine
• Yevgeniya Pechenaya - OSTGARDR Mistress of Arts and Sciences
• Brad Richey - OSTGARDR Captain of Archers
• Maria Dedvukaj - OSTGARDR Chatelaine
• Lavada Nahon - OSTGARDR Deputy Chatelaine


• Angela Ferber
• Gary Guarino
• Mitchell Krevor
• Devra Langsam
• Tom Martin
• Matthew Pius
• Carol Smith
• Lillie Tanksley
• Craig Shupee

OSTGARDR OFFICERS' REPORTS

OSTGARDR EXCHEQUER

Richard Solensky / Richard the Poor

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

Angela Ferber, present Exchequer of Whyt Whey, can become the Provencial Deputy when a successor Exchequer can be found for Whyt Whey. Matt Pius 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

Maria Dedvukaj / Lady Sofya

Term ends January 2017

Lavada Nahon/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 Tanksley 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 20^th. 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 20^th.

OSTGARDR EARL MARSHALL

David Minsky / Viceroy Gui reporting on behalf of Ostgardr's Earl Marshall Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver / Michael Cramer, 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 125^th 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

Brad Richey / Lord Suuder Saran

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

OSTGARDR CHAMBERLAINE

Debbie Krevor / 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

Gy Dioguardi - 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 Gy/Bish, Maria/Sofya, Angela/Angelica will coordinate envelope and stamp purchases, duplication of ballots, addressing all envelopes, stuffing, and mailing. Maria volunteered her home as work site .

UPCOMING ELECTIONS FOR SENESCHAL, EXCHEQUER, HERALD

TERM LIMITS

Don't know current term limits for Chronicler Deborah Peters / 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: Norana for Brokenbridge, John Elys / Stephen Bloch for Ostgardr, Northpass, Lions End. We think Whyt Whey is in compliance (check with Lou and Godiva).

General Query on our upcoming 50^th anniversary:

Ostgardr started in 1968.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ostgardr's 50^th anniversary

is in two years. Time to think about what we will do to celebrate this milestone.

SCA 50^th Anniversary.

Lady Magdelena / Lavada Nahon

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

BACONBRIDGE

in the Canton of Brokenbridge, Saturday February 6^th. 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 cure 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/

2^nd 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 Lori to determine her resignation date. Get copy of resignation. EK Seneschal or Southern Deputy should have this. If they do not have it, Lori 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 / Deborah Peters 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:

• Gy DioGuardi – “Bish”
• Mitch Krevor - “Baron Ian”
• Craig Shupee – 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 29^th, 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 13^th, 2 PM, at the home of the Ostgardr Chatelaine, Maria Dedvukaj / Lady Sofya, 24-47 26^th Street 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 / Maria Dedvukaj 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 / LAVADA NAHON will host the next Ostgardr Commons meeting on (the third Friday of) February, the 19^th, at her home in Peekskill, in northern Westchester County.

Locations are requested for the March and April Commons.

Canton of Brokenbridge Reports

Brokenbridge Seneschal: Brad Richey

BB had a meet the candidates night

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

Lada & Conandil – Calligraphy in Northpass

Brokenbridge Exchequer and Chatelaine

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

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

Outdoor Fighter practice at McCarren closed for the winter

A&S Minister (Erica Edelman) is holding A&S   2^nd Friday of each month

Archery... 

Gold Key held by...

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

Summary:  Overall a good 2016.

Canton of Lionsend

Have a new Deputy Seneschal, Bret Kessler, previous of An Dubhaigein.

Needs a web minister.  Bish needs help.  Norana 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  Tom Martin

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.

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Directions to February Commons

February Commons will be Friday, February 19, 2016, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Lavada Nahon, 637 Kissam Rd. Peekskill, New York.

DIRECTIONS

By Train

Metro North Hudson Line to Peekskill station.  Destination is two or three miles from the train station; plan to call a cab or a friend for pick-up.

By Car (from anywhere south of Peekskill)

Take your best route to Rte. 9 N to Peekskill.
Pass the Peekskill train station on your left.
After 0.9 mile, Route 9 turns left at a light to cross a bridge; don't cross the bridge, but continue straight on Bear Mountain State Pkwy.
After 1.1 mile, take the exit for N. Division Street and turn right.
After 0.5 mile, turn left on Constant Ave.
Take the second left onto Kissam Rd.
After 0.3 mile, Kissam Rd. reaches a T-intersection with Kissam Rd. and Kissam Rd.  Turn right (onto Kissam Rd); Lavada's home is the last unit on the left. If there's no parking in the cul-de-sac, please drive down hill just past the stop sign and park in any space on the left marked with a "V".

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Viceregal Succession

As a reminder, the election for Østgarðr's new Viceroy and Vicereine is already underway. There is one slate of candidates, Suder Saaren and Lada Monguligan, and the polling ballot has already been mailed.  If you are a paid member of the SCA, Inc. and have not received a ballot, contact the Seneschal NOW, before it's too late!  The deadline is February 29, 2016.

Even though there's only one slate of candidates, we need at least 50% of the ballots to be returned in order for the poll to be considered valid. Ballots of members 14 and up will be tallied toward the outcome. Ballots from those under 14 will be included for determining validity, but not for determining the outcome.

After that, ballots will be tallied by the Branch Polling Deputy, a Regional Seneschal, and the Kingdom Seneschal (or designate). Talliers must not reside in the branch conducting the polling or have any other conflict of interest regarding the polling. Returned ballots may only be viewed by the talliers, the Kingdom Seneschal and/or the Kingdom Seneschal's designates, and The Crown. The outcome of the polling will be determined by a simple majority of valid returned ballots. If a polling fails to result in a simple majority, the disposition of the polling falls to The Crown. (Which it technically is anyway....)

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Seneschal Election

Election of the new Seneschal of the Crown Province of Østgarðr will take place at the next meeting of the Officer Corps, on Sunday, 13 March 2016, at 2pm at the home of Lady Sofya of Østgarðr [see below].

Unlike the Meeting of the Østgarðr Commons, the Meeting of the Officer Corps are much stricter on 'who can speak and when'. Upon being recognized by the Seneschal, (running the Meeting), the indicated Officer is allowed to speak. Those who are not Officers, who wish to be recognized to speak, also must wait until recognized, but Officers have first priority.

[Editor's note: The Bylaws don't address 'who can speak and when', saying only that people other than Officers may attend by invitation; I gather that the populace at large have been invited to this particular Officers' Meeting.]

Officers must be present to vote, unless they specifically designate that a (1) proxy is sent in writing, (2) signed, & (3) presented to another, (not necessarily an Officer, but a representative chosen by the Officer), & (4) has formally informed the Seneschal of who will be holding their Officer's Proxy. The Seneschal of each Canton is considered to be an Officer of the Crown Province.

[Editor's note: the Bylaws don't specify advance notification to the Seneschal, only that proxies must be written and confined to a single topic -- e.g. the choice of a new Seneschal.]

To date (as of Monday, 18 January 2016), the Candidates for the Office of Seneschal are

• Master Ian of Clan Mitchell (Mitchell Krevor),
• Master Phillip White (Craig Shupee),
• Baron Francesco Gaetano Greco d'Edessa (Gy. G. Dioguardi, D.D.).

Again, only current Crown Provincial Officers have a vote. If a person holds more than one Crown Provincial Office, that person only holds one vote. If an Officer will not be in attendance at the Officer Corps Meeting, then that Officer may designate another person, Officer or not, to cast their vote.

Ostgardr Officer Corps:

TITULAR HEADS
• Viceroy :  Sir Guy avec Cheval
• Vicereine:   Baroness Johanne aff Visby
OFFICERS (* = Seeking Replacement)
• * Østgarðr Seneschal:  Baron Francesco Gaetano Greco d'Edessa
• * Seneschal Broken Bridge:   Lord Suuder Saran
• * Seneschal Lions End:  Baron Francesco Gaetano Greco d'Edessa
• Seneschal Northpass:  Lord Thomas of Northpass
• Seneschal Whyt Whey:  Lady Alienor Salton
• * Herald:  Baron Francesco Gaetano Greco d'Edessa
• Exchequer:  Lady Angelica di Nova Lipa
• Chatelaine:  Lady Sofya of Ostgardr
• Knight Marshal:  Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver
• * Captain of Archers:  Lord Suuder Saran
• * Arts & Sciences:   Lady Lada Monguligin
• Captain of Fence: THLady Marion of York
• Minister of Lists:  Baron Jan aff Visby
• Chronicler:  Magistra Rufina Cambrensis
• Webmaster:   Master John Elys
• Chamberlain:  Mistress Katherine Gilliesfleur
• Historian:   Master Richard the Poor of Ely

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March Officers' Meeting

will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 2016 at the home of Maria Dedvukaj, 24-47 26th St., Astoria [Qns] NY.

DIRECTIONS

By Mass Transit:

Nearest subway stop is the Astoria bound N or Q line stopping at Astoria Blvd. Walk 4 blocks in the direction of the Triboro Bridge. Turn right onto 26th Street.

By Car from Westchester/Bronx/NYC:

Take the first exit off the Triboro Bridge (31st Street/Astoria Blvd Exit). Keep left at the fork and follow signs for 31st Street and merge onto Hoyt Avenue. Turn left onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Hoyt Avenue North. Go straight (3 lights) and turn right onto 26th Street. I'm about the 5th house on the right side of the street. It's a 2 family home and I'm on the first floor.

By Car from Long Island or Queens:

take I-278 East to exit 45 (31st Street Exit). It's the last exit before the Triboro Bridge. Merge onto Hoyt Avenue North. Go straight for three lights and turn right turn onto 26th Street.

Allergen Alert:

A small friendly dog will be there to greet you. Come prepared if you have allergies.

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Østgarðr Events

• BaconBridge, Feb. 6,  2016
• Bear's Tavern, Mar. 5, 2016

From the Knight Marshal

Hear Ye, One And All,
In honor of the Viceroy's birthday (one week late), I will be sponsoring a Viceroy's Birthday Bash Practice Tourney, for
BOTH HEAVY AND RAPIER FIGHTERS
Sunday February 28, from 4 PM to 6 PM at Sword Class NYC, 1944 Madison Avenue, NYC, 10035 (that's Madison at 125th, southwest corner). It's a block from Metro North and two blocks from the 4, 5, and 6 trains. Parking is tight, but better this late on Sunday's, after church. Arrive early to gear up, as we only have the practice floor for this two hour time period.
Entry/Class fee will be $10.
Swordclass NYC (http://swordclassnyc.com) is a dojo and practice space which offers ACL, Kendo, Iado, German Longsword, Sword and Buckler, and Kids Foam Fighting classes. This is the first time we will be using the space, and this is a chance for us to try it out and for them to get to know us. Our deal with them is that we can get it at the member rate of $5 per person, per hour, for SCA practices on Sundays, with a minimum $35 (seven people) per hour. Our plan is to hold a monthly class there, one Sunday a month. This Sunday is to see how it works out.

Valgard Jarl, Knight Marshal of Ostgardr and Lord High Executioner

Fun in Whyt Whey

***SAVE the DATE***
Please join us on THURSDAY, FEB. 18th at 7:00pm for the Canton of WHYT WHEY's A&S night AND commons meeting
Godiva will be teaching an introductory class on KNITTING....covering the basics & will discuss how to use kniiting tools. 
Lady Alienor Salton will also teach/demonstrate the knitting pattern known as the "fan stitch". ALL are welcome.....and bring yarn if you wish.
Handouts will be provided....
- YiS, Godiva (MoAS Whyt Whey)
DIRECTIONS: 255 west 105th street, apt. #21 in Manhattan.
For further info, see http:/www.panix.com/~piglet/solar-directions.html

Public Demo at LaGuardia Marriott

There will be a public demo for "First Contact" on Saturday, Feb. 20 at the LaGuardia Marriott. Hands-on, interactive arts displays are encouraged. For more info, contact Gy, Richard, or Angelica.

East Kingdom Events

• K & Q Bards' Tourney, March 5, 2016
• EK Rapier Academy, Mar. 12, 2016
• Coronation, April 9, 2016
• Crown Tourney, April 30, 2016
  

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Museum Exhibits

• At the Cloisters:  The World in Play: Luxury Cards, 1430-1540 Through Apr. 17, 2016
• At the Met:  A New Look at a Van Eyck Masterpiece.  Through Apr. 24, 2016
• At the Met:  Chinese Lacquer:  Treasures from the Irving Collection, 12th-18th Century.  Through June 19, 2016
• At The Met:  New Discoveries:  Early Liturgical Textiles from Egypt, 200-400.  Through Sept. 5, 2016
• At the Frick:  Andrea del Sarto:  The Renaissance Workshop in Action.
  Through January 10, 2016

Concerts