Shire of Cragmere Council Minutes

Present: Susan, Erin, Stuart, Colette, Nik, Cheridy, Paul, Nancy, Sage, Tansy, Mark, Linda
Meeting came to order at 3:48 p.m.

Old Business:

1. Discussion on Constitution: Colette distributed copies of a draft; passed with some changes; to be posted on-line and ratified at next council.
2. Discussion on joining the NSCA is put on the agenda for the next council.
3. Nik reports that Kathy is fine with the proposed agreement for those accepting Swan's Guard cloaks; and that currently Tina has those that are not yet distributed.

Officers' Reports:

1. Seneschale
   • Dealing with the Constitution!
   • Council has changed location to the Train Station in Courtenay, off Cumberland Rd. This is a permanent change. The train station is booked every Sunday from 3:30 to 6:30; I hope it gets used for dance, Arts and fighting. I will try to be there with tea and coffee on each Sunday.
   • I am trying to get my address list up to date; I will be asking several of you to tell me again, as I had a nasty computer issue and lost your information.
   • Chatelains
     • No report
   • Web mistress
     • Nothing new
   • Year CD Chronicler (Archivist)
     • CDs still have a March deadline; Alistair welcomes further input
2. Herald
   • Alisandre still needs another 2 points of CD; Nancy and Nik to work on that.
   • Ninian's name and device are in process.
   • Has been looking at fabric for the Tir Righ populace banner, but doesn't have suggestions yet.
3. MoS
   • Asa has been granted permission (encouragement) to run the rapier practice.
   • On heavies, assistance is lined up for armour construction. Justice has volunteered, too.
   • Discussion on the age limits for fighters: 16 years in helm for combat archery, 18 years fighter on Canadian soil only.
   • Fighter meeting at the January social was poor, but with good reason.
   • New person (Jenna) is interested in archery. And brings 2 kids for the Children's Chatelaine
   • Mark (Sgain) has access to rope for the list fields, and has offered to get some; accepted gratefully.
4. Exchequer
   • $1306 in the regular account.
   • Non-cash assets list is closer to being current.
   • Discussion on state of finances: some make money; those that don't tend to be the socials because of low site fee and low turn-out; requests upping both of those. Agreed to make socials a minimum of $6 per head age 16 yrs and up.
5. Children's Chatelaine
   • No report.
6. A & S
   • Art and Science (sent in an Email)

     For my A&S report, the bookmaking session we had before and during the 
     last social. I believe it was quite successful. Many thanks to Lady 
     Halima for conducting that most interesting craft. I quite enjoyed 
     myself and our newcomer participated and created a fine final product.
     
     I have an idea for a February A&S event. I'd like to make use of the train
     station on a Sunday afternoon to practice bardic arts. Either the 17th or
     the 24th would be good for me. My theme is to encourage those who don't have
     a repertoire of musical contributions to bardic events to develop one. I
     hope to have some scholarly insight to encourage some discussion.
     What I propose is to acquire some songs of various styles and practice group
     singing (I understand there is a Shire songbook of some sort, perhaps that
     can be acquired). In addition, those who feel brave enough to bring a song
     to perform solo is urged to do so as well. Sadly, as Minister of A&S, I feel
     obligated to try my hand at this too. I'll apologize in advance but I'll
     take a shot at something. I also want to encourage everyone to write a filk
     and perhaps there could be a prize for the best one.
     
     I would, of course, appreciate input and perhaps even some leadership from
     our multi-talented resident bard, Our Lord Charles. And anybody else the
     group could think of as a resource would be much appreciated.
     
     If the vocal theme of the event is too limited perhaps we could add an
     instrumental component, relying heavily on the talents our resident musical
     instrument maker, Stewart. Perhaps Stewart could give us an introduction to
     medieval instruments.
     
     Well, that's my big idea for February. I think it could be fun.
     
     Yours truly, Alisandre, de Dunbretan
     

   • Linda requests that dance practice for the Feb 23rd demo take precedence on Sundays. Thereby setting the event date to Feb 24th.

1. Demo at Heritage Faire, February 23, 2008 - at the Cumberland Rec Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
   • theme of Great Britain;
   • four tables reserved, and sunshades can provide places to hang things;
   • stage area is 16'x20';
   • set-up on Friday, 2-6 p.m., and Saturday 8-10 a.m.
   • Tables for:
     • armour and a laptop running a DVD - Paul and Mark will provide armour
     • games and any other interactive activities
     • arts and sciences (wood boxes and wares, metalwork, embroidery, weaving)
     • musical instruments
     • hang up as much as possible on the sunshades (security, attention-getting)
     • flex to include promo, heraldry or?
     Demo at the booth
     • Calligraphy - names on paper - Colette
     • Weaving - big inkle for all to try - Shannon
     • Spinning - CD spindles for all to try - Linda
     Demo on-stage, scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
     • Dancing - 10 mins; Nik, Susan, Sage, Tansy, Marla, Linda; shuffle as needed; would like at least one more person
     • Heavy - still open, but Mark volunteers if there is someone else there
     • Rapier - still open, but Paul volunteers if there is someone else there
     
     
     
2. Valhalla Hall Social, Mar 8/08 Mar 29/08 - Meredith: Valhalla Hall, a Viking occasion! At Birka; no special persona required. It is a potluck; site fee is $8 ages 16 yrs and up; Baronial candidates are being invited. Contest is to tell the best reason why your persona is there.
   
   
3. Insula Magna Heraldic Mask, May 3, 2008 - Maria of Hartwood (Lisa) is event steward with Colette as co.; heraldic display (livery and more in red, white, and black) for processional; the Beban Agri Bldg needs decor;
• $200 is requested from each branch to front the event; all branches will share in the profits thereof.
• The Heraldic theme includes a processional; will be organized by Nancy.
• Food is organized: Cragmere will do vegetables; there is no kitchen, so expect to use electrical appliances to prep.
• Advance sales: deadline is Coronet; $15 for 17 yrs and up, $10 for 11-16 yrs; off-board $10; trying for 200 people.
• Activities: fighting, dancing, heraldic races.
• Possible Ithra classes 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Linda to organize some dancing, La Farandole, Andro, Hanter dro, branles, and Trenchmore (last music by Stuart?).
• Nancy to organize voice heralds.
• Linda volunteers to create a webpage.



4. Demo, Aug 22-24/08 - Fall Fair; needs a steward, as Colette will not be here.
5. Armada, Aug 8-10/08 - Halima: We have a tentative booking for August 8-10, 2008; confirmation attempted on Jan 27/08; will confirm with Gerald Koopmans as soon as possible.
6. Swan's Birthday, June 21/08 - Doireann: site not yet set.
7. Harvest Feast, Oct 18/08 - Alisandre:
   • site is Halbe Hall in Black Creek
   • hall cost is $130
   • a full feast will be served; Colette is the Kitchen Steward
   • tickets will be pre-sold; $15 each
8. St. Nik's Day, Dec 6/08 - Charles: Grantham Hall is booked
9. Stepping-down gift for B&B - discussion; discuss further this week in case we need time; to be delivered in April at Coronet

Next Council - on Sunday Mar 2/08 at the Courtenay train station at 3:30 p.m.

Birthday cake! Many thanks to so many people for having birthdays!

Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Minutes webbed by Linda J. Doerksen; if you have any comments or corrections, call 703-0494 and let Linda know what they are.