Quote from Charter:
The Great Council should meet at the pleasure of the Baronial Seneschal at least four times a year and must be attended by the Seneschal or by the Seneschal's duly appointed representative. The Seneschal should endeavor to give two weeks' advance notice of Council meetings to all Members. The Council will be expected to advise the Baronial Seneschal on all affairs of the Barony, especially the setting of the calendar of events and the appointment of Autocrats, if time permits. |
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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Lady Eleanor Catlyng :
I think that in a Barony our size, Council is a critical part of who we are.
It is a forum for everyone to come together to share their goings on and to
work together to decide on future courses of action. Planning events is a
large part of Carolingia. We produce, on average, 8-10 events a year, and I
know that our populace is active in supporting the events of other areas in
addition to that (including Pennsic). Although at a previous time it might
have been a less formal procedure to schedule events (the language indicates
Council should advise the Seneschal(e) on their scheduling "if time
permits"), it is now necessary that the Seneschal(e) act as more of a
coordinator of the wishes of the Barony. As such, he or she acts as a
clearing house for whether or not an event is viable given its interest
area, site arrangements, cost, time, etc. She or he should do this with the
consultation of the Council (as we did last month with the proposed Metal
Workers' Event.) In this way, the Barony can produce as many great events
as possible without overextending our resources (both people resources and
financial).
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