From: schuldy@bedford.progress.COM (Mark Schuldenfrei)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: M-word: new ruling from Hilary
Date: 14 Apr 92 20:02:26 GMT
Organization: The Internet


I wrote:
  
  Can anyone tell me why the ability to send money to California makes one
  more suited to being a temporary officer of the local group?  I thought the
  liability insurance applied only to Directors of the Board, and their
  directly appointed officers.

A'isha bint Jamil answered:

  I don't believe that the insurance issue relates here.

Well, that may be so.  I've never seen a clear discussion of what insurance we
have, and what it covers.  But, here is the types of insurance we pay for, from
the last Board Minutes that I have (from the back page budget, with fiscal
92 estimated costs, and percentage of fiscal 92 budget expenses):

    Insurance: 34,147 (5.6%)
      General Liability	         21,627 (3.5%)
      Workmen's Compensation      1,464 (0.2%
      Liability, Dir. & Officers  1,420 (0.2%)
      Equestrian                  2,253 (0.4%)
      Property                      493 (0.1%)
      Foreign                     2,650 (0.4%)
      Cert. of Insurance          4,240 (0.7%)

The general liability I think we agree on, and it is the insurance policy that
we carry to cover our mistakes against others.  But then, what is the certificate
of insurance?  We have property insurance against the SCA's assets.  OK, I guess,
but a lot of that stuff is in Hilary's apartment.  Is that stuff covered too?

Workmen's comp, OK, we have employees.  (But note that the combined salaries,
workmen's insurance and payrolls of the SCA, Inc is 113,718 dollars.  That's
a lot.)  But over 2,000 dollars to cover equestrian activities, when we consider
fencing a "minor activity!".  My mind is officially blown. Why?

Anyway, what the heck are all these insurance policies.  And, getting back to
my question, does the "Liability, Dir. & Officers" apply to all officers, or
only corporate ones?

A'isha continues:

  I can't comment on the legal validity of whether or not being a paid member is
  significant in terms of being able to be delegated the authority to sign contracts
  on behalf of SCA, Inc.  However, I do believe that in a practical sense it is a
  good idea.

A good idea does not a fiat make.  (With apologies to foreign car lovers, everywhere).


A'isha also says:

  However, there are some types of participation that practically speaking require
  a reasonable degree of financial stability from the person involved.  One can 
  argue quite convincingly that a broke student, or someone out of work, or with
  some other reason to be extremely short of money, can participate in many of our
  activities for a very limited financial outlay.  I am convinced that those 
  activities don't include most of the great offices at even the local level (with
  the possible exception of college-based groups), or autocrats of large (i.e. 
  advertised in a Kingdom newsletter) events.  To effectively be a Seneschal, or
  Royalty, or autocrat a large event, one needs to stay in contact with many 
  people, who are often not in the local calling area.  Can someone to whom that
  $25 is a real fiscal hardship afford the little out-of-pocket expenses that 
  come up in the course of doing a good job on any of these positions?  I would
  say not.

You would say not.  But I would say, if they can manage it, why add the additional
burden of financial outlay.  I say, empower the generous of spirit (and the poor
of cash flow).  Maybe they could afford it, maybe the local group would re-imburse
such expenses.  Leave it up to them!

A'isha closes with:

  Finally, I think that a subscription to the kingdom newsletter, which is currently
  available only  if you are a member, is highly advisable for anyone who is 
  trying to autocrat an event of significant size.  

Oh, sure.  It's nice.  Nice isn't a requirement.  I think it's perfectly reasonable
to budget your phone calls, postage, and maybe even transport into an event. (I
don't do so, but then again).  These are all nice reasons why it's a good idea
to be a member.  I love good ideas.  Why make it a requirement?

	Tibor
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca