The Board of Directors is seeking nominations from the populace for individuals to serve as members of the following Board Committees:

Finance and Audit Committee

Mission:  to assist the Board’s oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, the audit and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditor

Communications Committee

Mission:  to develop and oversee advertising; public relations; publications, social media and other communications initiatives of the Society

Membership Committee

Mission:  grow and sustain membership in the Society; evaluate and oversee implementation of programs and initiatives for membership support

If you are interested in serving on any of these Committees, please send a letter of interest, together with your SCA and mundane resumes to the following committee chairpersons:

Finance Committee: Richard Sherman (rsherman@director.sca.org)

Communications Committee: Vandy Donelson (vdonelson@director.sca.org)

Membership Committee: Chele Martines (cmartines@director.sca.org)

If you would like additional information, or have any questions about the Committees or the nomination process please contact the Committee chairperson or the Corporate Office.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is seeking candidates for the position of Society Exchequer. This position reports to the SCA Corporate Treasurer.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Track and review quarterly reports on Kingdom accounts
2. Review Financial Policies and submit to the Board for approval
3. Report quarterly to the Board and the Corporate Treasurer.
4. Conduct training of Kingdom Exchequers.
5. Maintain the various exchequer handbooks/manuals as scheduled.
6. Work with the Tax Specialist in maintaining exchequer reporting forms.
7. Review and process requests to open or change bank accounts.
8. Monitor use of Paypal and the training by Paypal specialist.

Preferred Skills:

1. Moderate to expert MS Excel proficiency.
2. Moderate MS Word proficiency.
3. Good communication skills.
4. Previous experience as a Kingdom Exchequer required.
5. Bachelor’s degree in accounting preferred.

Prior experience as an exchequer in the SCA is required; prior Kingdom Exchequer experience is highly desired. Working knowledge of SCA’s accounting procedures is necessary. Individuals with accounting backgrounds or training are highly desired. Dependable email access and dependable phone access are required for this position.

The Society Exchequer receives a stipend for their services and will receive a 1099 for tax purposes. Work load will vary but expect to put in an average of 15 hours per week.

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, together with modern and SCA qualifications, via hardcopy to:

Renee Signorotti

Society for Creative Anachronism

PO Box 360789

Milpitas, CA  95036-0789

Courtesy copies should be provided via email to:

resumes@sca.org

treasurer@sca.org.

The deadline for applications is April 1, 2017.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310. Public domain in the US

The Board of Directors is accepting applications for the position of Corporate Treasurer.  This is a part-time, stipend position, which requires approximately 5-10 hours per week except when finalizing the yearly budget.

Applicants must be available for at least the October quarterly Board Discussion Session (typically held on Friday), in addition to the October Board meeting (typically on Saturday).  Additional traveling may be required.

Skills:

1)  Working knowledge of basic financial spreadsheet program (QuickBooks or other);

2)  Experience with managing budgets and financial forecasting, including tracking and analyzing variances;

3)  Basic suite of office communication skills – spreadsheets, presentations, Word, etc.

4)  Preference for degree in accounting or finance.

Duties of the Treasurer:

• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives.
• Work with the Society Exchequer, the Vice President for Corporate Operations and the outside accountant to ensure all financial filings are maintained.
• Work with the Society Exchequer to ensure that our relationships with third party financial vendors (i.e. banks) are maintained.
• Understand financial accounting for nonprofit organizations.
• Work with the President and the Vice President of Corporate Operations to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis.
• Prepare and present the annual budget to the Board of Directors.
• Develop and maintain internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities such as budget administration.
• Work with the Society Exchequer, President and the Vice President of Corporate Operations to maintain and improve internal control policies, guidelines and procedures for PayPal.
• Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations in order to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.
• Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ensure development and broad review of financial policies and procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, together with modern and SCA qualifications, via hardcopy to:

Renee Signorotti
Society for Creative Anachronism
PO Box 360789
Milpitas, CA  95036-0789

Courtesy copies should be provided via email to:

resumes@sca.org

treasurer@sca.org.

The deadline for applications is April 1, 2017.

Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

This post combines two separate emails from the SCA Announcements email list – Ed.

Requests for nomination for the Finance, Communications and Peerage Committees have been sent to all Kingdoms (Crown and Seneschal) asking for nomination of members from the populace.

Please contact your Kingdom Seneschal if you are interested.

Requests for nomination of members for the remaining committees will be sent at the end of Q1 2017.

The following proposal is a summary of the Board Committee structure approved by the SCA Board of Directors on October 22, 2012.

1. The Board approves the formation of the following committees to serve at the pleasure of the Board, with the mission of each committee to be as set forth below that committee’s name:

Executive Committee
Mission: Execute day-to-day oversight of Society business between Board meetings and such other responsibilities as may be designated by the Board from time to time in its discretion.

Finance and Audit
Membership to include 3 representatives of membership at large.
Mission: assist the Board’s oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, the audit and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditor

Risk Management
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: Oversee insurance, legal, and related matters.

Nominating and Governance
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: recommend to the Board the persons to be nominated for appointment as directors; recommend to the Board the directors to be appointed to each committee of the Board; develop and recommend to the Board Society governance guidelines and policies

Communications
Membership to include 3 to 7 members at large
Mission: develop and oversee advertising; public relations; publications, social media and other communications initiatives of the Society

Membership
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: grow and sustain membership in the Society; evaluate and oversee implementation of programs and initiatives for membership support

2. The Board also approves formation of the following ad hoc committees to serve for a specified period of time or until their mission is completed in the discretion of the Board:

Youth Activities
Membership to include 2 members at large
Mission: Completion of design and implementation of YAFA programs

Technology
Membership to include 4 members at large
Mission: Prepare 5-year technology development plan for Society

Peerage
Membership to include 4 members at large
Mission: Review proposals for the creation of new peerage

From time to time the Board, at its discretion, may form other ad hoc committees for special projects. The Board has the authority to dissolve or modify any committee or its membership at any time. Committees will make recommendations to the Board and give quarterly reports, but final decision making on all issues will remain with the Board.

Committees will consist of Board members, Society officers, and members-at-large to be nominated in response to a Request for Nomination (RFN) sent by the Board to each Kingdom Seneschal, describing the mission of the committee and suggested minimum qualifications for committee members. Nominations may be made by the sitting Crown with the advice and consent of the Kingdom Seneschal.  RFNs for membership of the Finance, Communications and Peerage Committees will be promulgated by the Board on or before year-end, 2016.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310. Public domain in the US

Detail from the Hunterian Psalter, Glasgow University Library MS Hunter 229 (U.3.2) circa 1170. Public domain in the US

Greetings unto the Populace of the SCA

In July of 2014, the SCA launched its partnership with the Amazon Smile program. This launch was worldwide and through your participation in the program, we have had some very good results.

As of our first anniversary in July 2015, the Amazon Smile program donated $2,234.89 to SCA Inc. As of our second year anniversary in July of 2016, the Amazon Smile program has donated an additional $1,746.47 to SCA Inc.

It is your participation in this partnership that has made it a success. For those of you already participating, we send you a big thank you. We appreciate your continued support of this partnership and SCA Inc.

For those who haven’t heard of the Amazon Smile program, here is the original announcement:

Many of us shop at Amazon for a wide range of products.  Did you know that the SCA can benefit from each purchase you make at no additional charge to you?

Here’s how:  Go to smile.amazon.com.  Sign into your account and a “pop up” page will appear. On the right side of the page, at the bottom is a “search” window.  Type in: Society for Creative Anachronism and click the search button.  Click on the top one and you are done.  Your donations will be automatic for any purchase within the Amazon Smile program (which is most merchandise). You can also use the following link.    http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1698556

Amazon donates 0.5% of each purchase to the non-profit organizations of your choice and the Society for Creative Anachronism is one of those organizations.  This is a painless way to support our organization.  These donations will be deposited quarterly from the AmazonSmile Foundation into a separate SCA corporate account dedicated for these donations.

What is the AmazonSmile Foundation?

The AmazonSmile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created by Amazon to administer the AmazonSmile program. All donation amounts generated by the AmazonSmile program are remitted to the AmazonSmile Foundation. In turn, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates those amounts to the charitable organizations selected by our customers. Amazon pays all expenses of the AmazonSmile Foundation; they are not deducted from the donation amounts generated by purchases on AmazonSmile.

Yours in Service,

John Fulton

President, SCA Inc.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

At its August 22, 2016 meeting the Board of Directors approved the development and implementation of an expanded Board committee structure to encourage and facilitate transparency, participation in and understanding of Society governance throughout the membership of the Society.

The Board shall establish Board committees to serve at the pleasure of the Board. Each of these committees will include representatives of the membership-at-large of the Society, to be nominated by the Kingdoms. A request for nomination process is expected to be in place for the initial committees in the 4^th quarter of 2016. Committees to be established include the following:

• Finance and Audit – Mission: assist the Board’s oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, the audit and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditor
• Risk Management – Mission: Oversee insurance, legal, and related matters.
• Nominating and Governance – Mission: recommend to the Board the persons to be nominated for appointment as directors; recommend to the Board the directors to be appointed to each committee of the Board; develop and recommend to the Board Society governance guidelines and policies
• Communications – Mission: develop and oversee advertising; public relations; publications, social media and other communications initiatives of the Society
• Membership – Mission: grow and sustain membership in the Society; evaluate and oversee implementation of programs and initiatives for membership support

The Board has also formed the following ad hoc committees to serve until their mission is completed in the discretion of the Board:

• Youth Activities – Mission: Completion of design and implementation of YAFA programs
• Technology – Mission: Prepare 5-year technology development plan for Society
• Peerage – Mission:     Review proposals for the creation of new peerage

From time to time the Board may form other ad hoc committees for special projects.

The Board has the authority to dissolve or modify any committee or its membership at any time.   Committee members serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to a 3-year term limit. Initial appointments may at the discretion of the Board be for staggered terms so that the term of all such members of a committee do not expire at the same time. Committees will make recommendations to the Board and give quarterly reports. Committee members will be appointed by the Board and Committee chairs designated by the Board.  Committee members at large will be nominated in response to a Request for Nomination (RFN) sent by the Board to each Kingdom Seneschal, describing the mission of the committee and suggested minimum qualifications for committee members.  Kingdoms may then (within a defined period of time) nominate individuals in their Kingdom.  Nominations would be made by the sitting Crown with the advice and consent of the Kingdom Seneschal.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310. Public domain in the US

The new President of the SCA, John Fulton (Duke John the Bearkiller), was named at the recent  Board meeting.

In addition, it was announced that the Grand Council is disbanded. The official notice on the SCA.org website reads:

The Grand Council was formed in 1994; a time before email and social media.  There was a need then for a committee that made sure that the membership had a way to communicate with the directors on issues of importance to the SCA.  Twenty years later, members have access to the Internet and with it direct lines of communication to the directors and Corporate officers.  We know we still have problems receiving input from, and transmitting information to, the membership; but we don’t think an intermediary body provides us with the solution to these problems today.
So with thanks for the long and faithful service of the Grand Council, we have decided to disband the committee and work on new methods and approaches for increasing our responsiveness to the members of the SCA.

Society President John Fulton, Director Richard Sherman, and Director Andrew Coleman have been directed to investigate the creation of a new vehicle to facilitate communication between the membership and the directors that recognizes and utilizes the changes in technology, demographics and culture that have changed the way the Society conducts business in the 22 years since creation of the Grand Council.

Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310, public domain in the US

Reposted from The East Kingdom Gazette:

These updates have been gleaned from Kelly Magill’s updates posted on the Society Seneschal’s web page. You can view the originals by starting with this link: January 2016 Board Meeting Updates

These are not official minutes of the meeting, and should be treated as unofficial until any changes involved are announced from more formal sources.

Highlights, selected for relevance to the East:

• Mr. Richard Sherman from Hawaii is our new Director Elect. Mr. Sherman is known in the Society as THL William Walworth de Durham, from the Kingdom of Caid. You can view his full biography here: Board Member Biographies
• The Board of Directors is still seeking applicants for the position of President of SCA, Inc. Details on the position can be found here: SCA President Job Posting
• Several Marshal Handbooks have been updated. Updates should be posted on-line by the relevant officers in due course. [Editor’s note: it’s not clear if these are the handbooks mentioned later, or in addition to those.]
•  A communications proposal was submitted by the Society Publications Director. After discussion, the Board has decided to table it “for more work and for more strategic planning for the future of communications.”

Director Chele Martines, the Board Ombudsman for Publications,  offered the following statement: “We would like to thank Gloria and her team for their work on the communication proposal. Gloria’s vision for moving SCA communications into the 21st-century is inspiring. We are currently evaluating SCA.org and how we can improve the site and incorporate many of the items listed in Gloria’s proposal. We look forward to working with her and her team on this endeavor.”

• The Board has decided to allow electronic newsletter access for people with family memberships as well as the primary member.
• Event Module – “We are close to do the final stages of testing. Request will go out for testing pool help via the Kingdoms Seneschals shortly. It’s hopeful that it will be up and running in early spring.” [Editor’s note: we believe this refers to a plan discussed at the Q4 2015 Board meeting to create a system for pre-registering via the SCA’s own web site. See Director Andrew Coleman’s comments, quoted in this report on that meeting, under the Paypal Acceptance discussion: Aethelmearc Gazette reports on the Oct. 2015 Board Meeting]
• The Board has identified a Canadian company to handle Canadian Background checks. Final vetting is expected to be completed with the next 15 business days, after which more details will be announced.
• A new Seige Engines handbook was presented and has been approved.
• A revision to the Youth Combat Handbook was presents and approved by the Board.
• Potential Rate Change Proposal – “With the increasing costs of services, IT infrastructure and insurance for SCA Inc  to run, a proposal has been put forth.  Discussions are happening as to how to implement. No decision has been made and the topic has been remanded for further discussion and further research. Further communications will be forthcoming as new information is available.”
• The list of Board Meet and Greet sessions has been updated. Upcoming in 2016 are one at Gulf Wars, one at the 50 Year Celebration, and an initial event still to be determined. One will also be held at Market Day at Birka in Stonemarche in 2017. [Editor’s note: Typically these do not involve the entire Board attending. It is more likely to be two or three representatives, giving the populace a chance to ask questions and raise concerns in an informal setting.]
• The Board continues to seek additional nominees for Board positions, and commentary up those already under consideration.  The list of nominees is available here: Current Board Nominees
• future board meeting dates:
  • April 23, 2016 – Milpitas, CA
  • July 16, 2016 – Milpitas, CA
  • October 22, 2016 – Milpitas, CA