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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>My apologizes if the B & B did not request combining the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>What a strange coincidence that it happened less than two weeks after they stated that is what they planned to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I did start my email with “I assume”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The topic of canceling the south meetings is a powder keg issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Those of us that live down here have had to deal with threats of no meeting for decades.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Check the Raven’s Fort archives and you’ll see it’s true.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Every couple of years or so someone decides that they don’t want to go to the effort to make the drive and it starts again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>It is an insult.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The south has never been developed to its full potential. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>If I am touchy about this issue, it is with good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>As a side note, I want to thank our Seneschal for allowing the Barony members to voice their opinions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>It is important that we have a venue for decent and collaboration. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>V NV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> ravensfort-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org [mailto:ravensfort-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Seneca of Ravensfort<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 03, 2014 11:23 AM<br><b>To:</b> Ravensfort@lists.ansteorra.org; Ravensfort Officers List<br><b>Subject:</b> [Ravensfort] a letter from your Seneschal<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>Greetings:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>It appears as your Seneschal that I have been somewhat remiss in speaking out as loudly as I could. I have approached this position as I approach eveything and everyone in my life - with the utmost respect and loyalty as is deserved. This position both demands and deserves a neutral but steady influence for the Barony. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>Over the past couple of weeks, tensions have mounted as individuals have allowed for their emotions, egos, and pride to dictate their actions. I have been very disappointed in how things have progressed recently, as we are a family - though we have arguments, fights, and misunderstandings as any other family would, it seems as though some in our Barony are looking for those fights, thereby trying to rip us apart.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>In looking over the lists (email and facebook) I do not automatically post responses, delete statements that are made, nor censure individuals in the open. Why? It is not because I do not care, nor because I agree or disagree with the statement made. We are all adults and I respect each and every one of your opinions. If inflammatory or defamatory, then I do believe that an administrator should step in - but otherwise free expression is one of the things the SCA is all about!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>As to individual issues:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>(1) There is a combined business and populace meeting this month because I chose to do it this way. I did not ask permission nor seek guidance from anyone in this decision. I chose this because I want to have a Planning meeting this month in re: Defender and the Folk festival, as one is coming up soon and one is a huge event. Three meetings in one month is burdensome on all involved, regardless of where in the Barony the individual is from. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>(2) Huntsville is chosen as the primary meeting area as it is the most central location available. It is not a slight to our Northern members in Jewiit, Centerville, and Madisionville, nor is it a sign to our Southern members in the Woodlands or Conroe that we do not welcome their input and presence - it is honestly and simply a balance of both worlds. This is a large Barony; ALL members are important.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>(3) As to the Scribal Symposium, or ANY other ideas for an event or demo, I welcome the ability to take the ideas to the Populace. If someone comes up with an idea, bring it - let us discuss it - and allow the Barony as a whole to have input. The firestorm that has errupted is unnecessary, unwarrantad, and counterproductive. No decisions have been made one way or the other as NOTHING has been presented. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>Overall, I have attempted to stay out of individual arguments and hurts as I recognize how important each of you is to the Barony and to each other. Comments made simply to inflame a situation do just that - inflame the situation and hurt all of us. I cannot be the gatekeeper of what should and should not be said - no individual can, nor has the right , to do so. Otherwise this office would become a dictatorship, censoring ideas and expressions simply because the individual holding this position disagrees. I WILL NOT do that as Seneschal. I respect the Barony, the SCA, and each of you too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>I love this Barony, as we all do. We must act together, not separate. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>YIS,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>Lady Seneca of Raven's Fort<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";color:black'>Seneschal of Raven's Fort <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>