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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Eisteddfod as a stand-alone event works quite
well. In 1983, Harald Bodvarsson won such a competition. We also
held it that way in 1986 (Roselynde), 1988 (Caitrin) 1989 (Robin), 1990
(Cadfan). 1993 (Margery), 1995 (Finnican), 1997 (Galen), and several earlier
ones that I can't remember off the top of my head.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But we no longer have the tool that actually
produced these events. </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>The College of Bards
was an organized group that could make things happen -- and we had the authority
to set up the event. If this discussion were happening at a College
meeting, we'd already have a couple of volunteer event stewards pledged to
go talk to their branches, and probably have committtes set up to organize
advertising, decorations, feast, etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But the kingdom calendar mess and the kingdom laws
about bids for kingdom events make people far less willing to schedule new
events. The lead time is far worse than it used to be, and the rules are
far less inviting. Remember, we can't just decide to do it. We can
only decide to produce a bid for the kingdom to accept or reject.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If we produce a good bid, that the kingdom believes
will make money (or at least not lose any) then we'll get the bid; I'm not
worried about that. But we have to remember that step in the
process.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We can't get a site, a date, a plan, and an event
up in a few months time any more. Back in 1990, due to problems in the
branch originally scheduled to do it, the Steppes had to produce a Kingdom
Warlord in six weeks. The Kingdom Seneschal called us at baronial meeting
to ask, and in twenty minutes we had an autocrat, a site committee, a feast
committee, and they were all working on it right then. We pulled it off in
six weeks. But now it takes most of a year. To do this requires our
commitment -- now.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ihon -- it's your baby. Will you commit
*now* to producing a stand-alone Eisteddfod? I don't recommend that
you become the event steward -- you'll be busy all day. But you're in
charge of finding a steward, and (maybe) of organizing the start of the
process.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The weekend of November 21-23 (between Bordermarch
Melees and Thanksgiving) is open at present, as is February 27-March 1, 2009
(the last weekend before Gulf War). I don't recommend January, which
already has three kingdom-level events. The last weekend in March and the
first weekend in April are open. This would be much better weather --
but be wary. Crown is not yet scheduled. Eisteddfod can be
scheduled on top of other events, but it's kinder to schedule the kingdom one
first, and then local groups can choose to conflict with us. That's one
reason that we are in a race to get scheduled.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But the decisions are upon us. Scheduling a
kingdom event a year in advance is already pushing. If we wait much longer
we'll be putting it on top of other people's plans -- which is what we're trying
to get away from.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What do we need to do? I
think:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Start *now*. Plan the event enough to know
what weather is acceptable, and what sites will work. Decide on a set of
acceptable dates. Pick a coordinator -- *not* an event steward (not until
we know where it will be held).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Then some people volunteer to look for sites
that will work, open on acceptable weekends, near a branch willing to take
part. (We needs locals to do a lot of the work.). Make a *quick*
decision, and get on the calendar. Get an official event
steward.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Write up a bid, and send it to the
kingdom. Wait for their acceptance. (The wait won't be too onerous,
if we have a well-developed and reasonable budget. But the rules for
finances must be carefully observed, so we have to plan for a delay at this
point.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4. Start passing out the assignments.
Decorations, feast, scheduling, etc. At that point, we treat it like any
other event, except that the bards -- all over the kingdom -- need to take
ownership of it. Whereever we are in the process, I suggest that we try to
have event meetings at Twelfth Night, Coronation and/or Red Tape. This
list is a wonderful tool, but not all bards are on it, and there are a lot of
non-bards who might want to be involved.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We can do it. We *cannot* talk about it for
three months and then try to do it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Robin of Gilwell / Jay
Rudin</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>