As Baron/ess, you would become a bestower of awards. What do you feel about the SCA Award System, especially as it exists here in the East and in Carolingia? Do you have any criticisms of it, and if so how will that be reflected in how you deal with giving awards? Do you prefer to "err early" or "err late" in giving awards?

We prefer to "err late" in giving awards. It's better for the recipient when the reaction from the populace "She/he is so deserving! About time!" and not simply a shrug and polite applause.

We need to do two things about this. First, the orders need to accelerate the decision process -- it should not take 14-18 months as it can in some cases now. The orders should meet more often, and the poll process be sped up.

Second, we need more ways to acknowledge people's contributions beyond considering them for the Daystar, Moon, or Perseus. This can be anything from tokens, to honorary titles or privileges, to attendants for a day, to championships, public thanks.... In general, I prefer to err a little early, especially for the kind of person I see growing in the role after the award has been given. The right kind of person to give an award to early is the kind who will continue to learn, to teach, to administer, to improve their martial skill, to become more personally mature and wise. And this is the kind of person most deserving of awards anyway.

• It has nothing in particular to do with period;
• It has a nasty tendency to get people focused on the awards and rewards, in place of simply doing what they enjoy;
• It tends to discourage people as much as encouraging them.

That last point deserves some clarification. The system is reasonably effective when it works well: if someone gets an award at just the right time, it feels quite good. But if you get it early, it feels kind of hollow, and if you get it late, it's easy to wind up a tad bitter about it.

I've been through both sides of this. My AoA was so late (after almost six years of heavy involvement) that I went all the way through the bitter phase and came out the other side with a bit of perspective. And my Laurel was so early (only about three years after the AoA) that I've always been slightly disappointed that I didn't really feel I deserved it when it came. (Had it been a year or so later, I probably would have been a lot happier about it.)

The result is that I do what I can do remove the focus from awards. When someone new is starting out, if they seem to be somewhat "merit-badge" focused, I try to encourage them to instead concentrate on doing what they like, and let the awards come when they may. I tend to point out the fact that the system is highly subjective, and there's a fair amount of just-plain-luck in when they come. Basically, I try to impart some of that perspective, to help fend off the bitter edge if an award comes late.

Now, all that said, much though I sometimes wish the SCA's award model didn't exist, it's a fact of life, and one that isn't going to go away. I therefore do what I can to hit awards "on the mark", when they seem to really be due. I don't actually have a simple answer to erring early or late; over time, I've gradually moved towards trying to understand the person involved, and erring accordingly. If they're likely to get bitter if the award is late, I'll tend to err early; if they're relatively self-directed and self-critical, I'll tend to err a little late, so that they appreciate it when it comes.

Now Carolingia is a somewhat special case, since we traditionally take the idea of accepting people in by consensus of the Order much more strongly than the Kingdom does. If I wound up Baron, I'd probably tend towards the traditional model of how the awards work. We don't require a unanimous vote of the order any more, but I think I'd shoot for it when possible. (Actually, as I recall the original Charter, it didn't require unanimity so much as disclosure -- if the vote wasn't unanimous, the candidate had to be told quietly in advance, so they had the opportunity to decline if they felt it would be an issue.)

When we rewrote the Charter to remove the requirement for unanimity, one of the views expounded was that it's the B/B's responsibility, in the face of a "no" vote, to talk to the person so voting and understand their objection. If it's clearly a matter of simple personal bias, or not understanding the candidate's works, or simply unreasonably high standards, then it's appropriate to override the vote. But it's a serious matter, and I think the B/B has a particular responsibility to think carefully about it.

In general, the Order's opinion has a much stronger influence here than in the Kingdom at large. The implication there is that the B/B has a responsibility to *lead* the Orders, rather than just ruling them. The King can simply listen to opinions and make up his own mind; the B/B needs to encourage the Orders to give the awards at a level s/he feels appropriate, since it's principally up to them.

In bestowal, I prefer not to err, but if we must to err late. Recipients are exemplars (though one might differ to what degree); let that continue to be the case.

Bear with me for a short digression. In Drachenwald the most argued over law was the requirements for entry into Crown Tourney. The main issue was that Americans would come to Europe with the military, enter Crown Tourney, and win. There was a long period with no native monarchs which a major point of friction. Contrary to my normal leanings, I was actualy against making the entrance requirements stricter (mainly in terms of length of residency). Firstly it is better to use repeated "foreign" monarchs as an incentive to improve your fighting standard than to lower the bar by excluding people. Secondly, the American Military are inarguably part of Drachenwald. And to create a rule specifically that excludes them (they are normally there for 3 year rotations, and strict residency rules would prevent any of them from entering) is not fair.

So, in Carolingia we have the Boroughs. Borough folk are often here, do great service, and often leave before any gaining any award. Only to have to start over from the bottom where they go. To see these people move on without recognition has caused me no end of consternation. I would dearly like to see this changed.

Let us be clear about one thing: awards do not cost money and they make people happy. True, to give them out casually would be inappropriate and "devalue" them, however I still feel this is a very strong arugment in favour for "err early".

Sadly, the most appropriate award is the AoA which is determined at Kingdom level. The Baron only has influence, not control, of this. An alternative might be to establish a "Foreign Office" that tracks where people have gone, and ensures that "letters of reccomendation" get passed on to appropriate people in their new home. I'm already trying to do this for those gentles I have personally known. As Baron I might seek other's help.

I certainly have criticisms of the SCA's award system, but I don't believe that would be reflected in how I gave awards. Whatever I think of the award, the recipient, or the giver, the giving of the award should be treated as a very important, joyful thing happening to a very important person. Giving awards is certainly not the time for airing any criticisms. My view is influenced by the fact that I, personally, have had the experience of having awards I just received denigrated, or the giver's competence dismissed.

As far as the "err early or late" goes of course one prefers to be "on time", and it really comes down to a case by case basis, but I would prefer to "err early."

I think there are also some shortcomings that are inherent in the existing award system. One of the serious ones is the inability to repeat an award: as long as the Laurel recognizes depth of achievement in a field more than breadth over several, for instance, then doing Manche-quality work in four different fields still gets you only the one Manche you got in the first field. I think there are other shortcomings in the order system of as well: the overwhelmingly ubiquitous arts-martial arts-service tripartite division, for example, and the love of "surprising" people with awards. (Come on, how often in the First Middle Ages was a peer of the realm elevated to that rank without knowing it well ahead of time?)

I would like the Coronet (whether that's me or anyone else) to look for other ways to award the Carolingian orders more promptly and more often, and for ways of extending recognition besides order membership. Badges of favor, for instance, or less specific gifts from the Coronet can be meaningful expressions of public recognition; the creation of a Baronial Guard or Household, putting the best of the barony out in full view. Aquel and Johanna began to do some of this; I would like to see it taken further.

I know that awards are unevenly distributed. Some people labor long in relative obscurity, and for some reason the recognition passes them by. Others have a few enthusiastic friends in high places, and they are recognized for what some would consider small achievements. The system can't be made perfect. We can only try to be paying attention and notice the quiet ones. It won't always happen -- sadly, I don't think they award omniscience with the coronet.

As for which way to err, I can only strive for balance. If we "err early" too often, it cheapens the award. To "err late" too often discourages people. I don't have a policy that could be applied in all situations, each case would have to be considered individually. I do believe that an individual's comportment and courtesy are important factors in any award, whether they are part of the official requirements or not.

What little bits I have control over, I try to keep as period as possible. If I take an apprentice, we have a contract and I follow that. I do not give a green belt. When my apprentice has mastered the basics and has reached the point that they are researching and starting to create their own works and start to teach others the basics, I promote them to Journeyman, particularly if they have done an initial masterwork.

I prefer to be slightly early rather than too late. Someone who feels that it is slightly early is often revitalized and tries to live up to the award, but if you are much too late often the person is slightly burnt out and does not appreciate it as much. Better late than never though.

Aquel and Johanna have made positive changes in the way baronial awards are given, and they should be continued. As Principal of the Perseus, Yelizaveta has personal experience with their award philosophies, and admires them.

In general, we would prefer to "err early", provided there is enough support from the order. We have seen how receiving an unexpected award often makes people shine all the more from their desire to "live up to it". They become more determined to be deserving, and become excellent representatives of the group. In contrast, people who receive the award "late" (in their own estimation/opinion) might not be as encouraged to continue to grow. Some even develop a small sense of resentment or resignation that can taint their enjoyment of the recognition. Perfect award timing would be ideal, but in reality that's very hard, so giving people a positive boost and a good feeling would be preferable.