<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've read over a number of posts regarding
people's opinions on the creation of awards and such, since this new Optio award
was introduced, and there seems to be a point of view that is missing, so I'll
put it on the table.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Any and all awards, be they existing, or made up on
the spot, are completely within the authority of the Crown to give as they
please. Of course it is a good idea for the Crown to consult with Their
heralds, but I don't think it's a requirement. I don't recall reading
anywhere that an award *has* to be proposed, conflict checked, authenticated,
approved by the CoA, etc., before it is used. Does it make it awkward/more
difficult to change (if neccessary) after the fact? Sure! But that's what
heralds do. The Arcus Majoris is a good example, especially now that
there's a decent number of recipients of that award. We keep calling it
"the Arcus Majoris", even though that isn't the name we tried to register, and
itself isn't a registerable name. When we can actually get *something*
registered for that award, with the current Arcuses care? Maybe some will,
but the meaning behind the award doesn't change.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In my mind (and feel free to correct me if I'm
wrong), the creation of an award isn't that different from the Crown elevating
someone to a peerage order. Yes, there is generally the whole discussion
by the specific circle of the candidate to be elevated, and a poll may be taken,
but ultimately it is the authority of the Crown to elevate someone, not the
order. The order can't veto the Crown's decision if they go against the
order's poll. Granted, it doesn't do wonders for the Crown's image to go
against the wishes of Their people, but they do have that right. It's not
a democracy.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yes, there is a minimalist trend towards awards in
Ansteorra, but it is a trend, not a rule.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Something I'm more confused/surprised about goes
back one reign to Miguel and Conal, who created the Award of the Sable
Shield. This award is given for a MUNDANE reason, and has nothing to do
with anything done in the Society. I don't recall anyone saying anything
about this award. Maybe because it was created at a time we were all
feeling rather patriotic towards our country (that being the UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA), but there it is.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>~Alden</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>