[Bryn-gwlad] Report to Bryn Gwlad - Part 1

[Thomas]

Greetings all, 

While most officers must prepare reports as part of their responsibilities, landed nobles are not required to do so.   However having served our barony in this special capacity for several years, I wish to provide this record of my time as Baron of Bryn Gwlad.  Most of this report has also been sent to our newsletter for publication.  

REPORT TO BRYN GWLAD - Part 1

HOSPITALITY
I hope that my time as Baron is remembered for hospitality.   As soon as I was invested, I began bringing a table out to fighter practice and providing food for the populace.  On rare occasions I encouraged others to do so as well, but usually I prefer to lead by example.  Some of those who later started bringing food out to share with others have included Talesya, Coblaith, Dore, Alina, Ysabeau, Sion, Pegasus, Neville, Stiobhard, and Ilariia among many others. 

Other examples of hospitality:  

Root Beer Floats (2006 & 2007) 
Evening Hospitality at Fall Events (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
The Baron’s Breakfast at Fall Event in 2007   
Dinner at the first Lysts                                   
Nobles Luncheons at Candlemas & Fall events
Door Prizes at Business Meetings

Most of these examples of hospitality were not charged to the barony, the the Nobles Luncheons were budgeted with the events.  Most of the hospitality was provided at my own expense and by those who generously shared what they had with others.  

ACCESSIBLILITY
I have tried to be accessible to everyone and have resisted suggestions that I should be “protected” at events, etc.   On a few occasions, I asked members of the Guard to stand watch outside the baronial manor at Castleton so I could meet privately with my herald.  However the rest of the time I’ve hopefully been approachable by anyone who wished to speak with me.  

NEWCOMERS
Soon after I first became Baron, Bryn Gwlad was proclaimed the largest barony in Ansteorra, a distinction we held for several years.  I cannot take credit for this.  I personally believe that it is because of our web presence and our many friendly folk at the parks.  I’ve continued to support the Newcomers meetings when possible, as I did before I became Baron and as I hope to do after.  It has been my privilege to welcome a number of “newcomers” during my tenure as well as people coming to us from other areas in the Society.  Most of these individuals became active members of the barony – which is the secret to keeping people, in my opinion. 

I also invested many hours struggling with the University bureaucracy trying to re-establish an SCA group on campus.  While my efforts were unsuccessful, we were fortunate the Lord Laszlo took up this quest with better results. 

MEETINGS
I attended every business meeting while I was Baron.  I met with the Financial Committee whenever they needed to meet.  I attended event planning meetings.  I attended some of the guild meetings, but not as many as I would have liked.  I also attended some meetings of the Baronial Guard.  I asked the A&S ministers to host annual meetings with the Guild Leaders each year.   I met with the Orders of the Dreigiau Bryn and Halberd two or three times a year.  I also met occasionally with members of various peerages to request their counsel.  

REVELS
Parties can be wonderful occasions to gather and enjoy being together.   While anyone may organize a revel, we’ve discovered that the best ones are officially organized by the Barony.   Here are some of these we enjoyed during my time as Baron:

Yule Revels (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Pirate Revel (at Douglas & Amata's home)
Land Courts 	
Dance Revel at Beuscher  (April 3, 2004)
April Fools Revel (April 1, 2005)
Tavern Revels (at Duncan & Aerin's home)	
All Peers Tea – organized by Clare & Myfanwy   (August 2007)


(to be continued)