Why do you want the job? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I'm looking to do more service to the Barony. Our current Seneschal put
the idea into my head a few years back. She felt I had the makings for a
good Seneschal. Quite honestly I have never considered it before that.
Now the opportunity has arisen at a good point in my life for me to be
able to do this.
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What strenghts do you feel you bring to the job? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
Organization. Good communications. An eye for detail and making sure to
cover all the bases.
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What aspect of the job do you anticipate being hardest for you? How do you plan to compensate for this? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I'm not sure what will be "hardest". I know one thing that will be
"harder". Public speaking. I've done it before, but it's not really my
strong point. I will simply have to take a deep breathe, relax, and do my
best. I'm sure it will be fine, but it still makes me a little bit
nervous.
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What current responsibilities in the SCA (if any) do you anticipate giving up if elected? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I would begin looking for a replacement for Baronial Marshal of Fence. I
could maintain both positions, but we have other marshals who could do the
job just as well as I. So why push myself to do both?
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What is your current estimate of how long you intend to hold the position if elected? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
Roughly 4 years. Obviously, circumstances could change that.
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Name (at least) one thing that bugs the $%^&* out of you about the way Carolingia, the East, or the Society operates ... that you're going to sit on the impulse to do something about while you're in office. :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
The one thing that personally bugs me the most about the SCA, is that a
select group of individuals who have the most influence to decide how our
game is played, is chosen based on physical prowess, and nothing else. The
core of the SCA is built around this tradition. To change it would be to
change the SCA into something completely different. It would no longer be
the SCA.
First let me state that being the Seneschal does not give me the right to
impose my personal views on others or on the way the game is played. My
"job" would be to interpret (with help), the laws of our Kingdom and our
Barony and do my best to make sure they are properly followed. In this
job, the interests of the Barony comes first. My personal feelings and
opinions come dead last. As long as that is clear, then I can answer this
question with the honest knowledge that I have no plans to change any
aspect of the SCA by being Seneschal.
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What is your feelings on the current scheduling system? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
It seems to work well. We have flexible but firm guidelines that we try
to adhere to. I think they are working out fine.
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Do you beleive the current lenght of Council meetings is too long, too short, or about right? Why? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
Most times they are "about right". Occasionally a hot topic comes up that
lasts longer than I prefer. However there is something to be said about
everyone getting a chance to speak their mind as well.
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Describe your interpretation of the charter stating that the Senechal consults with Council. :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
My personal view is that the Seneschal can call for a general "show of
hands" to get the feeling of Council. The Seneschal should also allow
individual feedback from anyone in the room on a given topic. All of this
gives food for thought and helps with the decision making of the
Seneschal. If it comes to an actual vote, limited to official Council
Members, then the results of that vote should be the final decision.
In several spots it refers to Council advising the Seneschal, or the
Seneschal advised by Council. The simple interpretation is that the
Council is required to keep the Seneschal informed. The means the
Seneschal should also listen to Council when advice is being offered. When
all is said and done, it is up to the Seneschal to make the final
decision.
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Do you think there is any activity, borough, or household in Carolingia that currently requires extra attention or support from the Senechal? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I am not aware of any.
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What would you have done if you were Senechal during the Pay to Play bod crisis? Are your personal feelings different that how you would act as an elected Senechal? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I did not follow any 'crisis' during that time period. So I have no
information with which to offer an opinion. I do not believe I was an
active member of this Barony at that time. I assume I would have looked
to Council for advice and acted according to the best interests of the
Barony.
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What were your personal feelings about the singing of the Star Spangled Banner during Court at Legends this year? How as Senechal would you have responded (if at all)? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
I have no personal feelings, either negative or positive on that issue. It
is simply something that happened. I did not see that a response was
needed. If people approached me with concerns, then I would have sought
out advice from others before making any response (if one was needed).
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Do you see the boroughs as having a different role than other components of Carolingia because the borough members tend to be younger, newer, and have higher turn over? :
Lord Brokk Jarlsson :
Yes. They need more guidance and certainly more information. Boroughs
are part of the strength of Carolingia. Their high-turnover can also be
part of our weakness. We need to aware of both and treat them
accordingly. We need to remember that the members of Boroughs are not
seasoned Scandians. They need appropriate guidance, help and information.
I feel we have been doing a relatively good job of this on average. I
would like to see that continue.
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