[Officers] Draft - Baronial vote update

[Jason Pfafman]

Officers:

Below is the proposed draft to the populace on the upcoming Baronial poll.  I 
would ask each of you to take time to review the Q&A for content and 
sensibility.  I have endeavored to hit all the necessary points and provide the 
needed information.  As this is a draft document, I would ask that it be kept to 
this list rather than the main list until such peer review deems it ready.  


I would ask that any comments be provided in advance of the Revel.  

Thanks for your time on this,

Constantine




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Greetings unto the Shire of Wyewood:

Much discussion has there been about renewing our bid to becoming a Barony.  The 
time quickly approaches that each man, woman, and child shall be asked to step 
up and give voice to their preference on the matter.  The Kingdom Seneschal,  
Baron James Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, indicates that an on-line polling will soon 
be available for the populace to make their opinions known.  



Question & Answer:


Q: I live outside the zip codes that belong to the Shire of Wyewood, yet I play 
within and identify myself as a citizen of Wyewood.  Will I still be able to 
poll?
A: No.  Those citizens living outside branch boundaries are unable to 
participate in the on-line poll, per Kingdom and Corporate policy.  HOWEVER, as 
there are a number of the populace that does fall into this category, I 
encourage each and every one of you to write in person to the Kingdom Seneschal 
to express your position.  In your submission letter, please include:

Modern Name
SCA number and expiration
SCA name
Your position on the topic
Why you identify yourself with Wyewood

Understand that due to the volume of emails our Kingdom Seneschal receives, he 
may not be able to personally respond.  You are certainly welcome to include 
more than a yes/no to the topic, but remember that as with anyone reading large 
volumes of mail that brief and to the point often wins the day.  The Kingdom 
Seneschal may be contacted at: seneschal at antir.sca.org

Q: Will my position on the  matter be published, or otherwise be made available 
for others to review?
A: No.  Your ballot in the poll is between you and the Kingdom Seneschal and 
those others pertinent to the process (e.g. Their Royal Majesties).  Officers of 
the branch (including the Seneschal) and the populace do not have access to the 
ballots.

Q: I am too new to the branch to decide; I live in Wyewood but play elsewhere 
(e.g. Madrone, Blatha an Oir, Kingdom level); I just don't care: Should I still 
vote?
A: YES!  Their are two hurdles for us to clear in order to be considered for 
Baronial status: First - 51% of the populace within our borders MUST respond to 
the poll.  As of the second quarter ended June 30th, Wyewood claims 160 
citizens.  We must hear from at least 82 people.  My belief is that we can and 
should have numbers far above that threshold.  Second - after clearing the first 
hurdle, we must garner 75% positive response  for Kingdom to grant approval.  


If you wish to abstain on the decision, that is your right to do so.  However, 
do not equate an abstention with a vote not sent.  Kingdom has no way to 
distinguish between voter apathy from abstentions.  If you are going to abstain, 
please indicate that on your ballot.  I would encourage you to write about why 
you are abstaining.  Voter apathy is the scourge of this process.  I am tasking 
every citizen within Wyewood to go out and talk to and encourage each other to 
respond to the poll.  Of particular importance are those citizens not on our 
list, because they participate elsewhere.  They may not know of the poll or have 
a preferred outcome.  We still need those ballots.

Q: I am the parent of a minor that is a paid member of the SCA.  Is the minor 
entitled to a vote?
A: Yes.  SCA policy is to count ballots from each card-carrying member  
regardless of age.

Q: My SCA membership is presently expired, but I still play all the time.  Will 
I be able to case a ballot?
A: No.  SCA policy dictates that current membership in the organization must be 
maintained in order to vote on the matter.  You may go here to update your 
membership:https://membership.sca.org/

IMPORTANT: Your membership is with the Society; the update of records between 
Society and Kingdom is not instantaneous and can take 2-3 weeks.  If you renew 
and immediately take the poll, your record will likely NOT be accepted by 
Kingdom.  Therefore, if this issue is important to you, please do not delay in 
updating your membership!

Q: Are we voting for a Baron and Baroness at this time?
A: No.  Should Wyewood be granted Baronial status by Kingdom, we will hold a 
second poll to select representatives.
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