From: MCKAY_MICHAEL@tandem.COM
Subject: Groups do not need to sponser events
    I find myself with a strong opinion on this (for those who know me, this is
Organization: The Internet
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 19:03:00 GMT

rare).  I am very much opposed to any rule which requires each branch to hold
one (or more) events during a year.  What are the benifits of this additional
piece of law?  The only thing semi-positive thing it will do is force a
marginal branch out of exsistence quicker (and I'm sure that there are cases
where this would not be a good thing!).  It encourages groups to hold events
(at least one, right), which may or may not be positive (how overcroweded are
your kingdom calenders).
    Now we get into the negatives.  First and foremost, it adds a layer of
beauracy.  If you are going to enforce the rule (and why have it if you don't
plan to), somebody has to keep track of all branches, and make sure that they
hold an event.  You can also get into a whole host of rules about what holding
an event means.  If a local group holds no event of its own, but does provide
local autocrats for a Kingdom event, does that qualify.  What if the kingdom
event is moved outside of the area (do to site loss)?  What if an branch for
some reason can't hold it's normal event (the above site loss is a good
example), and can't reschedule until the next year?  Does this mean they go
into abyence until they manage to hold an event (this does not sound like a
good way to encourage groups).  Recall that the Province of the Mists (Hal and
Dortheas local group) does only one event a year.  If they do not do that
event, does it go into abyence?  Would the [famous] Rockridge Bart Station
fighter practice (which is held once or twice a week) qualify as an event?
If something does happen to make a group loose it's status because it does not
hold an event, who enforces it?  Who can they appeal to?
   Finally, let me give an example of an active local group, that did not hold
it's own local event for two years running.  The Canton of Caer Darth, is one
of 4 cantons in the Barony of Darkwood.  As a barony, the barony, cantons, and
college put on 11 to 14 events a year.  Around AS XXII to AS XXIII, Caer Darth'
people were so busy putting on baronial events, and helping the other cantons
and college (the college is located inside of Caer Darth, and we have a very
close association), that they simpily did not hold any event of their own.  Yet
this was a large (15-25 official members, 30-40 others) and active canton.  We
even sponsered three Kingdom events during that time, although two of them were
held in the neighboring canton of Koniegstahdt.  Yet by Fiacha's proposal, this
group would not be allowed to be part of the SCA.  I have not even mentioned
dance, fighter, sewing, scribe, and various other assorted regular or semi-
regular workshops.  Or the occasional guest speaker who would come in after
(or instead of) a canton business meeting.  None of these would be events as I
understand his proposal, because they were not published by the Kingdom
newsletter (actually there are two clarification needed, just to help make sure
this is dead, an official SCA event does not have to be published in the
kingdom newsletter!  Second, the Page (West's newsletter) publishes contact
names and numbers for all branches, and sometimes (depending upon the who is
the chronicler, and how tight space is) includes lists of local workshops
and practices;  But I'm trying to talk generic SCA wide rules here).
     I don't think there is too much threat of one event minimum per group
rule being widespread.  But I would like to stamp it out of existence where
is exists.  Can anybody point out additional positives, or remove some of the
neagtives?  Think about why this rule is wanted, and I suspect that you can
find some much better ways of directly accomplishing what you want.  Get
rid of negative arbritary laws.  Instead work to accomplish what you want with
support structures.  Gee, I think I'm taking this rule stuff too seriously,
guess I should move over the East Kingdom ;-)

Sean MacKay (aka. MCKAY_MICHAEL@tandem.com)  Caer Darth; Darkwood; Mists; West
From: Dave.Aronson@p11.f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
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