By-Laws of Caer Anterth Mawr

I. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international, not-for-profit educational organization devoted to the study and re-creation of pre-17th century European and Middle Eastern cultures. The members of the SCA endeavor to recapture the ambiance of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and also to rekindle the lost ideals of chivalry, courtesy, honor and graciousness.

As a participant, you may study medieval martial arts, costuming, armor making, leather work, archery, heraldry, metalwork, vintning and brewing, cooking, dancing, calligraphy and manuscript illumination, needlecrafts, music, and much more. Feasts, tournaments, dances, guilds and classes are just a few of the many activities offered by the SCA.

The Milwaukee metropolitan branch, called the Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr, has a membership from Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties that comprises all ages and interests.

II. The Mission Statement of Caer Anterth Mawr
Caer Anterth Mawr is dedicated to providing an atmosphere of learning, sharing, growth and recognition through the studies and re-enactment of Medieval Life, by providing quality events, programs, activities and services to its members and prospective members; and by a commitment to the retention and recruitment of its members.

III. Policies
All members of the Society for Creative Anachronism are bound by the laws and policies set forth by the corporation (the Society), their Kingdom, and local governing branches. The governing and policy decisions listed are set forth by the Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr.

The Bylaws will be published annually in the Baronial newsletter. Curia will thereafter review said document and based on feedback and data collected will make changes as needed. All policies or changes will be published in the monthly newsletter known as The Song of the Tower, on the Baronial website and presented at Curia.

If a topic has not been listed, please refer to the Organizational Handbook, which list Corpora and by-laws. The policies of the Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr will be superseded by the Laws and Policies set forth by the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Kingdom of Northshield.

IV.  OFFICERS
The Greater Officers of the Barony (The Curia) shall be:
SENESCHAL
HERALD/PURSUIVANT
KNIGHT'S MARSHAL
MINISTER OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
CHRONICLER
CHATELAINE
WEB MINISTER

The Lesser Officers of the Barony shall be:
CHIRURGEON
ARCHERY CAPTAIN, a deputy of the Knight’s Marshal
QUARTERMASTER, a deputy of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
RAPIER MARSHAL, a deputy of the Knight’s Marshal
The MINISTER OF YOUTH, a deputy of the Seneschal

The Curia may create temporary or permanent lesser officers as needed.
    
V. Eligibility of Officers
a. Each officer must be a member in good standing to the Society of Creative Anachronism and receive a subscription to their kingdom newsletter at their place of residence.
b. Each officer must have access to the Baronial Newsletter.
c. Each officer must contact their Kingdom Superior regarding the requirements for other publications.
d. Each officer's reports are to be done in a timely manner and follow guidelines set forth by Kingdom Laws.
e. Each officer shall acquaint themselves with the bylaws.
f. Each officer is responsible for reporting to the Baronial curia and Baronial newsletter on a monthly basis
g. Each officer is encouraged to provide the Seneschal, Baron, and Baroness with a copy of their quarterly reports.
h. The Knight’s Marshal, Archery Captain, and Rapier Marshal shall be warranted marshals or marshals-in-training.
i. The Quartermaster shall hold the keys to the Baronial storage unit and is responsible for the safekeeping of all property. The Quartermaster shall submit quarterly reports to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.


VI. Appointment to Office
a. Six months before a term of office is over a notice requesting Letters of Intent will be announced at all public meetings and be published in the monthly newsletter. The Letters of Intent are to be given to the present officer, the Baron and Baroness and the Seneschal.
b. The existing officer, the Baron and Baroness and the Seneschal will review Letters of Intent, followed by consultation with the Curia. If the position being vacated is that of Seneschal, a fourth person will be appointed by the Baron and Baroness to review the applicants.
c. In the case of an emergency, as decided on by the Baron and/or Baroness and three greater officers, the time frame for greater officer changeover is reduced from six months to one.

VII. Tenure of Officers
a. All officers will hold office for a term of two years. At the end of that term the officer may request an additional year and must follow the guidelines set forth by Curia for application, i.e., (letter of intent). An officer will not hold office for more than three consecutive years without re-application and the approval of curia.
b. In the event that no qualified application(s) have been received or in the event of extenuating circumstances Curia will vote to extend term for one year. At the end of six months a notice must be placed in the newsletter requesting applications for the office.

VIII. Deputies
a. All officers are encouraged to recruit the help of at least one Deputy. The Deputy's duties will be outlined by the Officer.
b. In the event that the Officer leaves office before notification can be made in the newsletter and Letters of Intent received, the Deputy will perform the duties of the vacant office.
c. If the Deputy wishes to continue in the position, he/she needs to write a Letter of Intent and follow all procedures for (VI) Appointment of Office.
d. Deputies are encouraged to apply but present position does not guarantee elevation to office.
e. Event Stewards, of events to be listed on the Kingdom Calendar, are considered deputies of the Seneschal and shall be paid members of the Society. Event Stewards shall submit event announcements and reports to the Chronicler.

IX. Attendance of Officers
a. All Greater Officers are required to attend all Curia Meetings.
b. In the event that absence is unavoidable, a representative must attend in the officer's place. Any member of the populace, including a Greater Officer, can serve as a representative.
c. In the event of three unexcused Curia meetings, the process to remove the officer will be initiated.

X. Voting
a. The Baron and Baroness look for the input and counsel of the populace. The general populace of the barony, in attendance, may vote on matters at the monthly planned business meeting, regardless of SCA membership, unless Society or Kingdom requires membership on said matter.
b. A voting quorum consists of:
Baron and/or Baroness
Seneschal or Baronial approved representative
A majority of the remaining Greater Officers or their representative(s)
c. Telephone voting is used only in the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstances and must be conducted by the Baron and/or Baroness and/or Seneschal. Only the Curia will be polled. If the situation is not an emergency, the item is to be presented and discussed at the next Curia meeting.
d.Other electronic communication will not be used for voting purposes.

XI. Procedures
1. Web Site Protocol and Guidelines
a. The primary purpose of Caer Anterth Mawr's web presence is to disseminate information. The scope of this information includes the Barony, the SCA and information relevant to them. This would include educational information targeted to period and SCA study, event information, officer listings and online directory. Caer Anterth Mawr's web site should comply with the SCA's electronic publication policies and Kingdom Laws and Web Minister's guidelines. The Web Minister reserves the right to decline a link based on content, tone, or other issues, just as an editor of an SCA publication may decline submissions. Caer Anterth Mawr's website should comply with the SCA's electronic publications policies and with kingdom laws and Web Minister guidelines.
b. No personal information may be put on the Caer Anterth Mawr web site without the express written consent of the parties involved. This includes names, address or other information. The Web Minister may only use SCA Names without consent. Consent must be provided in writing or e-mail and removed in the same fashion.
c. Officers and event stewards shall provide the Web Minister with information on up-coming practices, meetings, and events for the Baronial website. Guilds and Groups are encouraged to provide the Web Minister with information on up-coming meetings and events.


2. Procedures for Uncashed Checks
a. This policy covers any check that is left outstanding for more than 180 days unless otherwise specified. (Special circumstances would include such items as site deposits).
b. When a check becomes outstanding for 5 months, the Chancellor of the Exchequer's office will send a letter to the person to whom the check was issued. This letter will include the information that our records indicated that a check (giving check number, amount, date issued and reason) is still outstanding on our books. This letter will also give a specific amount of time for the payee to respond either by letter or by cashing the check. This time frame is to correspond with the check's six-month anniversary of issuance.
c. If after the specified time has elapsed and the check remains uncashed, the check will be voided and funds returned to the checking account.
d. A "Thank you for your donations to our Barony" card will be sent to the payee.

3. Procedures for Advance of Funds
a. Fund Advances must first be approved by Curia for both the item and the amount allowed to be spent.
b. Funds will be issued by check with the appropriate form completed and signed by the Seneschal at that time.
c. Items are to be purchased within 14 days of the receipt of funds.
d. A receipt plus any remaining funds are to be returned to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in person and reconciled with 30 days of issuance of funds. No reconciliation will be done by mail.
e. Lost checks, failure to provide receipts, failure to provide balance of funds due or other non-compliance may result in individual no longer being able to obtain advances for purchases.

4. Procedures for Submission of Receipts for events
a .Receipts shall be submitted to the Exchequer for reimbursement no later than thirty (30) days after the event. The deadline can be modified, for cause, with the approval of the Seneschal and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
b. After the deadline had elapsed, the receipt will be considered a donation to the Barony.

5. Baronial Transition Process
a. Eligibility for Baron and/or Baroness:
Individuals and Couples are both eligible.
Individuals and Couples wishing to give a letter of intent should note that Kingdom law defines a required level of activity should they be selected and should already be fulfilling those requirements prior to submitting a letter of intent.
A person may only give one letter of intent as either an individual or as part of one couple

b. Term of the Baron and/or Baroness
3 years with a maximum of three consecutive terms
A vote of confidence will be held at the end of each term, except at the end of a third consecutive term. A positive return of 2/3 of the returned votes will mean reinstatement of another term. Should the sitting Baron and/or Baroness fail to receive a 2/3 positive return, they shall step down and begin the transition process. The Curia can call for a vote of confidence at any time.

c. Baronial Transition
The timeframe for transition to be set by Baron and/or Baroness who are stepping down, exceed 9 months.

Required actions
The sitting Baron and/or Baroness must notify Curia before an announcement is to be made.
An announcement of the timeframe will be on all applicable forms of media
Requests for letters of intent will be made
The Baron and/or Baroness, and Seneschal will review letters and candidates and invite those they wish to be polled by the populace. A person outside the barony may also be invited to help in this process to settle disputes.
A poll is to be conducted according to Kingdom policy and results will be given to the Crown to help Them make a final decision. The Crown may choose to interview the candidates as well, in a manner of Their choosing, and will also welcome letters of recommendation or comment.

Revised 9/1996	By-laws Article I. Paragraph added.
Revised 12/1996	Procedures 1 added.
Revised 4/1997	Procedures 2 added
Revised 5/1997	Procedure 3 added.
Revised 1/2000	Web Minister made lesser office, Archery Captain, Quartermaster added. Quorum changed from 5 to 4.
Revised 5/2003	Numerous changes including addition of Web Minister as Greater Office, Rapier Marshal as a lesser office, Minister of Youth as a lesser Office, and Web Site Policies.
Revised 5/2004	Named Racine & Kenosha counties to Sec I, Chirurgeon made lesser office, Quorum rules revised, Sec XI, para 4 added.
Revised 4/2005	Numerous changes including removal officer duty descriptions and all members of the populace in attendance can vote at curia meetings.
Revised 8/2006	Added Baronial Transition Process
Revised 9/2007	Added Section VI, paragraph c