Date: Fri, 1 Apr 1994 09:27:33 -0500
From: mittle@watson.ibm.com (Joshua Mittleman)
Message-Id: <9404011427.AA20751@blinn.watson.ibm.com>
To: antir@kwantlen.bc.ca, sca-west@ecst.csuchico.edu,
        carolingia@bloom-beacon.mit.edu, calontir@unl.edu,
        nordmark@ludd.luth.se, northshield@stolaf.edu, e5@uriacc.uri.edu,
        sca-reform@MIT.EDU, jaymin@maths.tcd.ie, lgrant@lanczos.maths.tcd.ie,
        rgoff@mcimail.com, 71233.3035@compuserve.com, MMS6824@tntech.edu,
        north@bransle.ucs.mun.ca
Reply-To: 72303.433@CompuServe.COM
Subject: Message from the Eastern Crown
Comment: Please forward to all SCA nets
Reply-To: mittle@watson.ibm.com


[I post this message at the behest of my liege lord and lady, Gregor et
Christence Rex et Regina Orientalis.  It has been sent to the Rialto and to
these mailing lists: antir, sca-west, carolingia, calontir, nordmark,
northshield, north, e5, sca-reform.  Please forward it to any other SCA
mailing list or bboard.]


Unto the people of the East (and anyone else who cares to read this)
		does Gregor and Christence,  King and Queen of the East
send greetings,

Good gentles,

	We have received several phone calls and E-mail correspondence over
the past week inquiring as to why there was no action taken by the Crowns
when the deadline given to the BoD in the Estrella document was not met.

	Explanation: As far as we are concerned, the BoD did respond to the
deadline.  Their response was, "we need more time".  Obviously, when the
deadline was set, none of us could have forseen that three of the Directors
would resign so soon after our requests were made.  This development has
interfered with the BoD's ability to make a well reasoned decision within
the specified time frame.  Considering the fact that the single biggest
reason for all the furor over the past months is that they did not take the
time to make a well thought out decision at their last meeting, We feel
that it is prudent for them to take the time to bring the new directors up
to speed and respond to us after careful consideration.

	We have been in constant contact with both the BoD and our Royal
cousins.  We are not letting these issues fade away, we are just trying to
be reasonable people and allow the directors the extra time they have asked
for.  The next meeting of the BoD is April 19th.  Most of the Crown heads
will be in attendance.  If a satisfactory reply to our requests of the
board is not given at that time, then the Crowns will discuss what the next
steps will be in order to live up to the promises they have made to their
people.  We, as Royalty, have given and taken oaths of fealty to and from
the people of our Kingdoms.  This fealty is not given or taken lightly, and
we will do whatever is necessary to defend and protect the people of the
East.  The pollings that we sent out, the signatures of support that we
have received, and the meeting of the peerage and landed Baronage at
Mudthaw, have served to assure us and our Heirs that we know the wishes of
the people of the East.  Thanks to your responses we know that we have your
support, which will allow us, or more likely our Heirs, to be able to act
with confidence.

	I am very optimistic that the decision for required membership will
be overturned.  But this would only be one step, not a victory.  If the
decision is overturned we cannot lose focus on the larger issues that loom
in the Society.  Accountability, representation, disclosure and the simple
decency of treating each and every participant in our Society with the
respect they deserve, (not as magazine subscribers), these are the issues
that we must continue to strive for.  There are also the financial issues
that must be dealt with, as well as determining what direction the Society
wishes to go.  Note: We say the Society, not the corporation.  No matter
what Tony Provine and some former (and perhaps present) directors may feel,
WE are the Society.  We do not exist for the corporation; the corporation
exists so that our Society can exist in a mundane world, period.  Many of
the problems that exist now are here because the vast majority of us never
paid much attention to the dealings of the corporation.  That has turned
out to be a costly mistake.  We must all act as watchdogs for the society,
look down the road to anticipate problems and then actively look for
solutions.  Talk to your ombudsman, write them letters, tell them your
concerns, offer them solutions.  An ombudsman is for the kingdom to
utilize, not just the royalty.  Any one of you can call or write them.  It
took a major, sweeping decision for the people of the society to look up
and take notice.  Dont' let your interest wane.  Keep watching, only you
can insure that you are being represented.

	In closing let us state that it is far from over,  it has only just
begun.

In service to the East and the Society,

Gregor & Christence
King and Queen of the East