The Gift Letter..."Prize

[Mark Harris]

I believe the first letter was also talking about "stepping-down"
prizes for barons and baronesses, too. In this case, there is not
even the hint of some kind of contest, other than perhaps one of
popularity or being a favorite of a particular crown.

No, the giving of gifts to our ceremonial heads of state should
be encouraged, but they should be given out of "pass the hat"
collections or individual donations not from the public coffers.

Stefan li Rous

"But two hammers is not much more useful than two nails..."

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Date: 7/30/96 1:17 PM
To: Mark Harris
From: ansteorra at eden.com
Sir Kief here...writings from Lorraine's account. Let's see if I've got this
straight. "Prizes" for _winning a Competition_ are OK. "Gifts" are not. I
would put a thought before you... The "gifts" that are given to the incoming
Crowns are a _direct_ result of one of Their Majesties _winning a competetion_
Without the _winning_ of Crown Tournament those folk would have never received
a single "gift". The point being that all Stepping Up and Stepping Down
"gifts"
 are, in actual fact, "prizes". Just as there are no set rules as to what is
given to the winners of the various Tournaments throughout the Kingdoms (other
than a $600.00 limit per person, per year, I seem to recall.) All of the
things
given any Crown are the "prizes" resulting from the _winning of a
competition_.
In my opinion, which is not necessarily humble, my interpretation falls within
the Spirit of the law, as well as within the Letter of the law. Also, given
the
recent letter on the tax status, these "prizes/gifts" fall under the
"educational purpose 
of the Society" a "re-creation of the historical practice of giving the new
Crown their just due". 

I thank all of you for your time, consideration, and comment on these matters.

Sir Kief     (Lee Cockerham, Texan!)

"Better the Hammer than the nail..."