[Southern] Merger

[Erik Langhans]

Please include in your next issues of the Tir Medon and Tempio official newsletters as well as post to all local email lists that your groups have.  I would also request you read the letter at your next populace meetings.

Thanks

Modius

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Heartfelt greetings unto the shires of Tempio and Tir Medoin!  First off, I wanted to say how great I think is that your two groups are considering merging.  The pollings and discussions over the last month showed an overwhelming support for this union.  If anyone has any problems or concerns, we want to hear from you so we can address your worries.  Please feel free to email your local seneschals, Baroness Jan (your regional seneschal), or me.

This is an exciting time: a time for new growth and new opportunities, a time to make new friends, and a time to create a strong foundation.  The process of merging the two groups may take a bit of time, so please have patience.  There are a lot of small details that cannot be overlooked, including how and where to merge the bank accounts, where meetings should be held, and what name the new group should use going forward.  All officers are affected by this change, including up the line to the Kingdom Officers.  So many, many conversations will need to be held. 

I have heard that your two groups are considering having a joint Yule revel.  That is a wonderful idea.  This will allow you all to get to know one another.  Looking for opportunities to do joint events, practices, and meetings will be very beneficial going forward.

Please be thinking about what name and device you would like to have for this new group.  Do you wish to call it Tempio, Tir Medoin, or signify a new beginning with a completely new name and device?  I would like to request that you take some time in the next couple of populace meetings and on your email lists to discuss these three options.  Be creative, have fun, and get your soon to be announced regional herald involved.  As you consider your decision, keep in mind that you must have a name and device passed to attain status as a group, so choosing a new name and device may prolong the merger, since the name and device will have to go through the heraldic registration process.  The Heralds are ok with fast-tracking a new name and arms out of kingdom to the College of Arms (corporate) but once it gets to corporate there is no expedited process available.  Over the next couple of months, I recommend that you discuss the various naming options and narrow down your list of names and devices.  Then, at a populace meeting or at your joint Yule Revel, you can do the final voting.

This spirit of cooperation and community makes me proud to be your Kingdom Seneschal.

Modius