Many of you, over the length of your SCA careers, have not been shy about sharing your opinions in public. If elected, would you change your participation in public discussions, including (but not limited to) e-mail lists and Great Council meetings? If so, how?

Master Aleksandr Ruslanovich and Lady Morwenna Westerne (other question responses)
Mistress Caitlin Davies and Master Justin du Coeur (other question responses)
Lord Diego Mundoz and Lady Godith Anyon (other question responses)
Lady Emmanuelle de Chenonceaux and Master Seamus Donn (other question responses)
Mistress Gwendolyn of Middlemarch and Lord Kali Harlansson of Gotland (other question responses)
Seigneur Jehan du Lac (other question responses)
Master John McGuire (other question responses)

My level of participation in the barony would probably increase. That is, I plan to attend more "public discussions" (practices, guild meetings, etc.) as baron than I do as a private citizen. However, my style of input will definitely change. Currently, as you pointed out, I am not shy about sharing my opinion. As baron, my words carry much more weight and I need to be more careful about not treading on peoples' toes, listening to all sides of a discussion, and ultimately trying to get a sense of what the barony wants, rather than always following my own opinion. I don't think this will be difficult; Carolingians aren't shy about sharing their opinions.

In many ways, this is not very different than when I was elevated to the Order of the Laurel. Many of the more experienced members of the order cautioned me that my words and actions now carried greater consequences, simply because I was a Laurel. In the time since my elevation, I have noticed this to be true -- not all of the time, but often enough that I am conscious of making a distinction of when I am speaking as an individual and when I am speaking as a member of the order. I think this experience will enable me to continue to participate in the many public discussions that take place in Carolingia without dominating them. After all, the purpose of these conversations is defeated if they are controlled by only a select few.

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Mistress Caitlin Davies :

I expect that my paricipation will continue in the same style and at a similar level: speaking up only when I have factual information to contribute to a thread or a Council discussion. I participate on the Carolingia list, SCA-East, EK-Heralds, and SCA-Cooks. I also read quite a few less public lists, for various orders, households, and offices. The number of lists I read probably won't change, either.

Master Justin du Coeur :

*Very* good question, and one that I've been thinking about. The answer for me, I believe, is "not much".

It would be a factor -- I think I'd have to install an extra "do I want to post this?" filter in my brain, because if I said something stupid online, it would have the potential to embarass not just myself, but the Barony. And I think the Baron has a particular onus to be diplomatic and reasonable, which means that outright flames (which I don't do often, but when I do, they're searing) are probably a bad idea.

But overall, no, I don't think I'd change my discussion style or quantity much. I don't think much is gained by the Baron/ess being afraid to express their honest opinions, and something is likely to be lost. (As you say, most of the candidates have been pretty expressive, and most have had useful things to say.)

Besides, I don't think I'm physically *capable* of squelching myself too far; I'd probably explode...

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Lord Diego Mundoz :

Yes. Currently, I speak only for myself (and sometimes not even that). The only harm done if I screw up (which happens) is self-inflicted.

While wearing the coronets, and acknowledging we don't get to make policy ... what we say will be taken as indicative of Carolingian sentiment even if loaded with disclaimers. I take that seriously, and - short of emergencies - will prefer to consult and ponder.

Lady Godith Anyon :

Actually, I'm generally fairly quiet in those venues. I don't expect to change that much.

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Lady Emmanuelle de Chenonceaux :

I think I will be as forthcoming in my opinions, but I may take some care where and when I express them. I would want to take care that my personal opinions not be given the weight of the coronet.

Master Seamus Donn :

The opinion of Seamus-the-Guy is very different from the opinion of Seamus-the-Baron. For example, if Seamus-the-Guy was critical of some officer's conduct of their office, there would be nothing holding him back from expressing it. But since I beleive in a frim division between the Medieval side and the Administrative side, it would be inappropriate for Seamus-the-Baron to comment on it. Additionally, people will tend to take anything said by Seamus-the-Baron with greater weight than your average person. Thus Seamus-the-Baron has to be a lot more careful in what he says! In person I would adopt the convention of my Knight while on the throne. When the coronet is in place, you are speaking as the Baron with the full weight of that position. (Coronet on: "I'm afraid the Baronial presence must depart for a short time." When removed, you are not. (Coronet off: "I have to go to the toilet!") For non-face-to-face discussion (e.g. the mailing list) I would probably use one of my alternate personas (Miley O'Malley, for a not-very-serious example) to express opinions to make it clear that these are the opinions of me as an individual rather than me as the Baron.

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Mistress Gwendolyn of Middlemarch :

The only change I can foresee at this time is trying to be conscious that some people might interpret what I say more seriously or with more weight because I am the Baronial Coronet; therefore, I will try to make it clear when I am speaking for myself on a personal basis, as opposed to speaking as the Baronial Coronet. This may cause me to *not* offer my personal opinion on some topics or in some situations.

Lord Kali Harlansson of Gotland :

A good question. Yes, while I hope it wouldn't change the person I am, the opinions I hold, or the way I treat people talking one-to-one, I expect it would change my participation in public discussions. I'd be very conscious that anything I said could be taken (rightly or wrongly) as The Voice of Carolingia speaking ex cathedra. This could then have a stifling effect - or worse, a polarizing effect - which are things I'd very much want to avoid. Hopefully I'd still chime in occasionally on matters of historical trivia and/or fact, both medieval and Carolingian. No, I wouldn't become shy, but yes, I would become more reserved.