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Barony of Highland Foorde Charter

Being the desire of the Populace of the Barony of Highland Foorde to codify our traditions, our territorial boundaries and requirements of office, we do hereby ordain and establish this charter, subject to the approval of the Seneschal of the Kingdom of Atlantia and at the Pleasure of Their Majesties.

1. THE POPULACE

   The Populace of Highland Foorde shall be defined as those gentlefolk who participate in the activities of the Barony of Highland Foorde. A Resident shall be defined as a member of the Populace who holds a mailing address within our borders. A Citizen of the Barony of Highland Foorde shall be defined as a Resident who has a paid membership to the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.

   Every member of the Populace of the Barony has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect.

   Any member of the Populace may bear the badge of the Barony on a shield, banner and garment or in other appropriate fashion.

   As specified in Corpora and Kingdom Law, only Citizens may be polled in regards to certain issues, among them being the election of a Baron and Baroness. Citizenship is also required to hold offices, unless waved by Baronial vote from the Populace, per voting procedures as seen in section VI.

2. TERRITORY

   The territory of Highland Foorde shall be defined as those lands within the boundaries of four counties belonging to the modern state known as Maryland. These four counties are Frederick, Washington, Garret and Allegheny. A list of the postal zip codes, which are included in the Barony, may be found in Appendix B, which is updated annually and sent to Kingdom.

3. THE BARONIAL CORONET

   The Baronial Coronet shall be defined as the territorial Baron and / or Baroness appointed by the Crown of Atlantia.

   1. TERRITORIAL BARON AND BARONESS

      Territorial Barons and Baroness are the representatives of the Crown in their Barony. Upon their investiture, they are confirmed as the Baron or Baroness and receive a Grant of Arms. On stepping down from their office, Founding Barons and Baronesses may be styled as "Founding Baron/ess (name of Barony)."

      The tenure of territorial Barons and Baronesses shall be no longer than four consecutive years. A term is defined as two years. Barons and Baronesses may serve consecutive terms so long as the four years tenure is not exceeded.

      In groups, where the Baron and /or Baroness may serve consecutive terms, a vote of confidence is required. The procedure is the same as outlined below with the exception that only one candidate (the incumbent) will appear on the polling. If the crown feels that support for the incumbent is insufficient, the Crown will instruct the Baronial Seneschal to begin a replacement process using the procedure outlined in 5.4 of the Red Tape.

      All Territorial Barons and Baronesses serve at the behest of the Crown. Any Territorial Baron or Baroness may be removed from office during their tenure by the Crown after soliciting a written vote of confidence or the written opinion of the members of the Barony.

      The following procedure shall be used in the selection process for a Territorial Baron and/or Baroness.

      The group shall develop a list of candidates which is then given to the Baronial Seneschal.

      No polling shall have less than two candidates without the express written permission of the Crown. EXCEPTION: Votes of Confidence.

      The group Seneschal shall mail a polling to each paid member within the Barony. Groups may send polling to non-members at their own discretion. The Seneschal shall send a list of all persons receiving the polling to the Crown so they may validate returned polling.

      Each Barony must develop a permanent policy for polling members/non-members.

      The group Seneschal shall publish the mailing date for pollings in the Baronial newsletter.

      The completed individual responses shall then be sent directly to the Crown for their evaluation. The responses may not be collected locally before being forwarded to the Crown; this is an effort to respect the privacy of the individual respondents.

      Pollings must be signed in a legible fashion with both legal and society signatures when returned to the Crown to ensure validation. Unsigned pollings shall not be counted.

      It shall be the responsibility of Territorial Barons and Baronesses to recognize those of their Barony who are deserving of Baronial Awards. They shall also recommend to the Crown those members of their Barony who are deserving of Kingdom recognition.

      All Territorial Barons and Baronesses must be paid members of the SCA for the duration of their tenure.

      All Territorial Barons and Baronesses must reside within the boundaries of their Barony for the duration of their tenure.

   2. ROLES AND DUTIES OF THE BARON AND BARONESS

      The Baron/Baroness of Highland Foorde reign in the name of the Crown and in accordance with the Bylaws and Corpora of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. They are the ceremonial head of the Barony, and may at their pleasure, reward members of the Populace with any of the Baronial Awards, select Baronial Champions and Notables.

      In appropriate years, nominations for the new Baron/Baroness will be submitted to the Seneschal in February, to provide sufficient time to prepare for an April polling as described in Kingdom Law.

      Investiture of the Baron and / or Baroness will take place in June, at the Baronial Birthday event.

      The duties of the Baron and Baroness shall be as follows:

      1. The Baron and / or Baroness shall be in attendance at all Baronial Business Meetings.
      2. They may appoint Ambassadors or other ceremonial positions.
      3. They will make brief written reports to each new Crown on the occasion of the coronation, concerning the state of the Barony, and make them available to the public.
      4. They will make every reasonable attempt to attend Curia, Unevent and Coronation to swear fealty to the Crown.
      5. They may not hold any major Baronial Office but may hold positions as deputies.
      6. They may not hold any office as a Great Officer.
      7. They may not perform any duty at a Baronial Event that would hamper the performance of their duties as Coronet.
      8. They must swear fealty to the Crown on behalf of the Barony.
      9. They may not, as Coronet, swear fealty to any other individual.
      10. They may entreaty with other local groups to form alliances during times of war.
4. MEETINGS OF THE POPULACE

   The Seneschal or duly appointed representative shall convene a meeting of the Baronial Populace at least once a month. The purpose of this meeting is to conduct routine business, and to monitor progress of key projects and activities. The site shall be determined in advance, and announced in the newsletter or by other appropriate means.

   The Populace is welcome, and encouraged to attend all Baronial Meetings. They may enter freely into all discussions of any matters brought before the meeting.

   Officers, including each of the Coronets, shall have only one vote. This also includes any other member of the Populace. Officers holding more than one office shall have only one vote. No one shall have more than one vote.

   Seneschals for any and all cantons and colleges under protection of the Barony are considered voting officers.

   Voting procedures are listed below.

5. VOTING PROCEDURES

   This policy applies to the voting process conducted within the Barony of Highland Foorde in order to make internal, governing decisions.

   All votes will be conducted at Baronial Business meetings. No proxy votes will be taken.

   All motions must be made by one member, and seconded by another member. Motions must comply with Mundane, SCA, and Kingdom law and policy.

   The Seneschal will not sponsor any motions except those that apply directly to Seneschal’s office.

   Votes will be conducted by hand vote, unless the issue is of a sensitive nature sensitive issues, votes will be conducted by ballot.

   Any active member in the Barony of Highland Foorde, regardless of SCA membership status, can participate in a vote at the Business meetings.

   The Seneschal will prepare the agenda for the Business meeting and a list of those items planned for vote. If members want to have an issue added to the agenda, they need to contact the Seneschal at least 5 days before the Baronial meeting. If the Seneschal has not been contacted in advance, then best attempt will be made to fit the issue into the Business meeting as time allows.

   This agenda for the Baronial business meeting will be distributed at least 3 days in advance (typically no later than Sunday night) via e-mail to allow members the opportunity to make the best attempt to attend the meeting.

   All motions that affect long term Baronial policy or Baronial resources may be tabled, upon request, until the following Baronial Business meeting to allow for discussion among Barony members. Otherwise, motions will be voted upon when they are presented in regular business meetings. Positions such as event autocrats and officer positions will allow for a one-month period to ask for candidates before a vote is cast at the following Baronial Business meeting.

   If emergency meetings are needed to decide issues, they can be called by the Seneschal. Meetings of this type will be announced via e-mail. Votes may be conducted under these circumstances.

   Any motion that affects Baronial long-term policy can be brought up in a business meeting, and brought to an immediate vote.

   If a member cannot be present for a vote at a particular Business meeting, but feels that a motion should be tabled until they can be there to discuss it, then the member needs to make their concerns known to the Seneschal. The Seneschal will present the concerns to the group for consideration. Attempts will be made to table the vote until the concerned party can attend.

   It will be the responsibility of the Seneschal and the other Baronial Officers to indicate any motions that are in violation of Mundane, SCA, Kingdom or existing Baronial law or policy.

   It will be the Seneschal’s responsibility to coordinate the motions during the Business meeting to verify the accuracy of the motions (with the assistance of the other Baronial Officers), and ask for discussion.

   It will be the Herald’s responsibility to count and report the results of the vote to the group.

   It will be the Chronicler’s responsibility to document in the Baronial newsletter all proposed votes in a one-month review state and the voting results.

   It will be the responsibility of the Web Minister to keep an accurate Baronial e-mail distribution list for the agenda distribution and meeting notifications.

   If a vote is later found to be against Mundane, SCA or Kingdom law or policy, it will be recalled immediately.

   A vote once made can only be recalled by another Baronial vote.

   Waivers to Baronial policy or law can only be granted by Baronial vote.

6. BARONIAL OFFICERS

   The Barony shall maintain a complete slate of Baronial Officers as required by Corpora and Kingdom Law.

   All Officers are responsible to their Kingdom superiors for all functions of their office as directed by Corpora and Kingdom Law. This includes obtaining and maintaining their Warrant of Office, and training, maintaining and warranting suitable deputies.

7. AWARDS

   The Barony of Highland Foorde has devised several awards to recognize the efforts of the Populace. These awards may be given at the pleasure of the Baron and / or Baroness.

   All members of the Populace are encouraged to recommend to the Coronets those worthy individuals who are deserving of such recognition. Written recommendations that cite specific examples or which document activities are most welcome. Petitions are also effective, as a coordinated effort to recognize those deserving of notice.

   The awards for the Barony of Highland Foorde are listed in Appendix C.

8. DISBURSAL OF FUNDS

   For these procedures please see the Corpora and Red Tape.

9. GRIEVANCE POLICY

   All members of the Barony of Highland Foorde are encouraged to settle any differences between themselves and any other member of the Populace in a chivalrous and responsible manner.

   The following procedure should be used in cases where a member of the populace has a grievance with an officer within the Barony of Highland Foorde. This process is based on "The Kingdom Seneschal's Handbook."

   1. Try to get together, one-on-one, and lay the facts on the table. Facts include describing your own feelings. Facts do not include accusations or blame of any sort.
   2. If getting together doesn't work, then ask another Highland Foorde Baronial Officer or someone within the Barony that you respect to mediate. An independent third party can often "defuse" an emotional situation.
   3. If a third party within the Barony hasn't been able to help, then put the matter in writing. Write a letter to the Baronial Officer explaining the situation as you see it. Try to be as factual as possible. Try to put yourself in the Officer's shoes, making any solution that you propose acceptable to the Baronial Officer. Indicate a two-week time period for the Officer to respond, and indicate if you don't hear a reply you will send copies to the independent 3rd party and the Baronial Seneschal (assuming it's not the Seneschal who is the target of the grievance). If you do not hear a reply from the Baronial Officer in question, then you should send the copies to the Baronial Seneschal and 3rd party.
   4. If you still do not get a reply or results, send another letter to the Baronial Officer in question, much in the same context as the last letter, but this time include the Baronial Officer's Kingdom Superior, along with the Baronial Seneschal. Allow 30 days for a reply.
   5. If you still get no results, send a letter directly to the Kingdom Officer, with a copy to the Baronial Officer in question. Allow for a 30 day response.
   6. If you still get no responses, send a letter to the Crown, with copies to the Kingdom Officer and Baronial Officer in question. Allow for a 30 day response.
   7. The final official complaint is a letter to the relevant SCA Corporate Officer, with copies to the Crown, the Kingdom Officer, and to the Baronial Officer in Question.

   Final Advice: Whether you got results or not, at some point it is best to drop the issue. A problem is often like a dead fish - once you've found out as many facts as possible about how the fish died and why, the best thing is to bury the fish. Otherwise, whoever is holding the dead fish is going to smell just like it.

10. AMENDING THE CHARTER

    Any member of the Populace at any Baronial Meeting may propose amendments to this Charter. In accordance with the voting procedures, the proposed amendment will be published in the Undercurrents (the Baronial newsletter). The amendment shall be considered to have passed if 2/3 majority of those present vote in favor. Amendments will then be listed in the next issue of the Undercurrents.

    The Charter shall be published at least once every two years, whether or not there have been substantive changes.

 

APPENDIX A: OFFICERS SIGNED AGREEMENT

This charter is hereby accepted by the undersigned Officers of the Barony of Highland Foorde, this19th day of June, Anno Societatis XXXV, being the year 1999 of the Gregorian calendar.

(Followed by Signatures of the Queen of Atlantia, Baron & Baroness, and all Baronial Officers)

 

APPENDIX B: BARONIAL ZIP CODE LIST

21501 21502 21503 21504 21506 21507 21508 21509 21510 21511 21512 21513 21514 21515 21516 21517 21518 21519 21520 21521 21522 21523 21524 21525 21526 21527 21528 21529 21530 21531 21532 21533 21534 21535 21536 21537 21538 21539 21540 21541 21542 21543 21544 21545 21546 21547 21548 21549 21550 21551 21552 21553 21554 21555 21556 21557 21558 21559 21560 21561 21562 21563 21564 21565 21566 21567 21568 21569 21570 21571 21572 21573 21574 21575 21576 21577 21578 21579 21580 21581 21582 21583 21584 21585 21586 21587 21588 21589 21590 21591 21592 21593 21594 21595 21596 21597 21598 21599 21701 21702 21703 21704 21705 21706 21707 21708 21709 21710 21711 21712 21713 21714 21715 21716 21717 21718 21719 21720 21721 21722 21723 21724 21725 21726 21727 21728 21729 21730 21731 21732 21733 21734 21735 21736 21737 21738 21739 21740 21741 21742 21743 21744 21745 21746 21747 21748 21749 21750 21751 21752 21753 21754 21755 21756 21757 21758 21759 21760 21761 21762 21763 21764 21765 21766 21767 21768 21769 21770 21771 21772 21773 21774 21775 21776 21777 21778 21779 21780 21781 21782 21783 21784 21785 21786 21787 21788 21789 21792 21791 21792 21793 21794 21795 21796 21797 21798 21799

 

APPENDIX C: BARONIAL AWARDS

Order of the Mountain Hart given to recognize outstanding service and dedication by residents of the Barony of Highland Foorde over a long period of time and with the promise of continuing service in the future.

Order of the Mountain Lark given to those residents within the Barony of Highland Foorde who have distinguished themselves by their long-term efforts in Arts & Sciences. This includes the teaching of that art in the Barony and / or its use on the Barony's behalf.

Order of the Mountain Hawk given to recognize superior performance and dedication in the Arts of War by residents of the Barony of Highland Foorde. The Arts of War include heavy weapons, rapier or archery as well as any new forms, which may be approved by the Kingdom of Atlantia.

The Baronial Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding achievement in any particular area of endeavor by the Populace. The award is given at the pleasure of the Coronets and may be received more than once.