[ANSTHRLD] A few updates and announcements

[Sara Penrose]

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a restful and joy-filled
holiday season.

The new year brings lots of exciting changes and learning opportunities for
the College of Heralds, so I'd like to share some of those things with you:


   - The office of *Equinox Pursuivant* (Northern Regional herald) has
   transitioned from HL Meadhbh inghean Rois to Lord Kenneth MacAlister. My
   sincere thanks to Meadhbh for her outstanding service to the Kingdom and
   the College of Heralds during her tenure. Thanks to her hard work and
   dedication, the office is in excellent shape for her successor. I look
   forward to working with Kenneth in the upcoming year.
   - At the upcoming Round Table, the office of *Star Signet* (head of the
   College of Scribes) will transition from HL Lillias MacGuffin to Mistress
   Katerine le Roux d'Anjou. I am grateful to Lillias for her years of
   exemplary service to the College of Scribes. I know that Mistress Kat will
   will continue that tradition of service to our scribes.
   - The *Award Texts*, *Award Constitutions*, and *Court Report Forms*
   have been updated to include the new youth awards. You can find all the
   updated documents here: http://heraldry.ansteorra.org/publications.php
   - The commentary period for the new *Achievement Guidelines* proposal is
   complete. Many thanks to everyone who provided feedback. Look for a formal
   announcement about the results at Round Table on January 17.
   - *New learning opportunities* are available in January at Round Table
   and wInterkingdom. Round Table will include the traditional meetings for
   the College of Heralds and the College of Scribes, as well as a warranting
   class and a decision meeting. Among other things, wInterkingdom will
   include an introduction to Silent Heraldry by the new Society-level deputy
   for Silent Heralds. Scribes and heralds of all level of experience are
   welcome and encouraged to attend these events and participate as part of
   our community.
   - *Kudos!!* to Meadhbh inghean Rois and Valeria Marcella Martinez, who
   both received Stars of Merit within the last quarter for their
   contributions to the heraldic community. Also, Christofle de Lorraine
   (Eldern Hills herald) received his AoA, Kenneth MacAlister (new Equinox)
   received a Thistle in Iconography, and Ines Alfon (former Bordermarch
   herald) received a Sable Crane. If I've missed any other special
   recognitions in the last quarter, please sing out so that we can share all
   the good news!
   - Extra special *congratulations* to *Reis ap Tuder*, who has been
   invited to join the Order of the Pelican, in part for his work as Codex
   Herald at the society level; and to *Katerine le Roux d'Anjou*, our
   incoming Star Signet, who was elevated to the Order of the Laurel in
   October.

I will be traveling a lot in January, so please stop by and say hi if you
are at one of these events:

   - 1/3 - Steppes 12th Night
   - 1/10 - Crown Tournament
   - 1/17 - Round Table
   - 1/31 - wInterkingdom

I am especially interested in hearing from you if you are a local herald. I
would love to hear about how things are going in your group, and what
challenges I can help you resolve.

Wishing you all a fantastic 2015,
Sara

-- 

Sara Penrose
Star Principal Herald
Ansteorra
http://heraldry.ansteorra.org/