Bylaws of the Barony of Marcaster
November 22, 2006
Whereas the Barony of Marcaster has been established by the good grace of the Kingdom of Trimaris, through its Crown and Officers, and by the Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., the following bylaws are established by Charter for the lawful and efficient operation of the Barony, subject to those amendments that may from time to time be adopted according to the procedures herein contained.
These Bylaws shall be published on the Barony of Marcaster web site, shall be printed for distribution at least once every two years, and shall be made available to any Resident of Marcaster free of charge upon request.
- The People of Marcaster
The Barony of Marcaster (Marcaster) recognizes four levels of individual participation and activity:
1.1. The Populace of Marcaster shall be broadly defined as all people of good will that participate in activities and events sponsored by Marcaster.
1.2. Honorary Members of Marcaster shall be defined as those persons designated and recorded in writing by the Baronage and Seneschal of the Barony, so long as such Honorary Membership has not been revoked and recorded in the same manner.
1.3. Residents of Marcaster shall be defined as all persons that participate in the activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and maintain a mailing address within the borders established for the Marcaster by the SCA Board of Directors and the Kingdom of Trimaris (Trimaris).
1.4. Citizens of Marcaster shall be defined as those Residents of Marcaster who have a current, paid membership in the SCA and are not under any type of banishment from any Kingdom in the SCA.
Residency, participation as a member of the Populace of Marcaster, and Honorary Membership do not necessarily convey Citizenship in Marcaster.
- The Baronage
The Baronage of Marcaster shall consist of a territorial Baron and Baroness appointed by the Crown of Trimaris. The Baronial Coronet shall be defined as the Baron and Baroness, speaking with one voice.
2.1. Requirements
2.1.1. The Baron and Baroness should be and should remain Citizens of Marcaster.
2.1.2. The Baron and Baroness must be appointed by the Crown of Trimaris, and swear allegiance or fealty to the Crown and each successor Crown of Trimaris at the earliest opportunity
2.1.3. Any fealty sworn by the Baron or the Baroness within the SCA to any other person is subordinate to their fealty to the Crown of Trimaris.
2.1.4. The Baron and Baroness shall continue to serve only at the pleasure of the Crown of Trimaris.
2.1.5. The Baron and Baroness should make every effort to attend every event sponsored by Marcaster.
2.2. Term
2.2.1. Shall serve in accordance with the laws of Trimaris.
2.2.2. If a duly appointed Baron or Baroness becomes unable to serve, the remaining Baron or Baroness may continue to serve for the full duration of the term with full rights of the Coronet.
2.2.3. If both duly appointed Baron and Baroness become unable to serve, the duties of the Coronet required for day-to-day operation of Marcaster shall be assumed by the Seneschal. The Seneschal shall seek expedited re-appointment of a Baron and Baroness so as to be in accordance with these bylaws.
2.3. Selection
2.3.1. The Baron and Baroness shall be selected in a manner consistent with Trimaris Law that allows the nomination of candidates by the Populace of Marcaster and a polling of the Citizens of Marcaster by the Kingdom.
2.3.2. The nomination process shall be administered by the Seneschal of Marcaster in a manner that promotes discussion but reduces conflict. All nominated candidates shall be submitted to the Seneschal of Trimaris for the polling, except those candidates that shall specifically request that their names not be submitted.
2.3.3. At least one month before any polling of the Citizens of Marcaster, the Seneschal of Marcaster shall publish notice in a regular business meeting and pursue with all diligence by other such means to assure general public knowledge of the polling.
2.3.4. The polling process shall proceed in accordance with Trimarian policy.
2.4. Duties and Powers
2.4.1. The Baron and Baroness shall call and preside over all Baronial Courts and Curia.
2.4.2. Baronial courts shall be held at the pleasure of the coronet.
2.4.3. The Baron and/or Baroness shall attend each business meeting of Marcaster. If neither the Baron nor the Baroness can attend a regularly scheduled business meeting, the Seneschal of Marcaster is empowered to conduct the meeting in their absence no more than once every three months.
2.4.4. The Baron and Baroness shall serve on the Financial Committee, and share jointly one (1) vote.
2.4.5. The Coronet may appoint Ambassadors or other such ceremonial positions. Such positions exist only for a limited time and only for the purpose stipulated in the appointment, and carry no precedence.
2.4.6. The Coronet may from time to time issue proclamations for the good of Marcaster that are not in conflict with modern law, SCA policies, Trimaris Law or these bylaws. Such proclamations shall be in force during the term of the Coronet.
2.4.7. The Baron and/or Baroness shall make every reasonable attempt to attend any regularly scheduled curia or Marcaster event.
2.4.8. Neither the Baron nor the Baroness shall hold any Great Kingdom Office or any Great Baronial Office, but may hold positions as deputies.
2.4.9. Neither the Baron nor the Baroness shall perform any duties or participate in any activities during an event that would hamper the performance of their duties as Baron and Baroness.
2.4.10. The Coronet may execute temporary treaties with other local groups within Trimaris and, with consent of the Crown of Trimaris, with other local groups outside of Trimaris.
2.4.11. The Presence of the Baron and/or Baroness is due the respect of all the Populace of Marcaster. The Presence shall be defined as a nine foot radius surrounding the Baron, the Baroness, the Baronial coronets, and the Baronial thrones.
- Officers
Marcaster shall maintain those officers required by the SCA and Trimaris. In the case of a vacancy in any required office, the title, responsibility and duties of the office shall be assumed by the Seneschal of Marcaster. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Seneschal, the title, responsibilities and duties shall be assumed jointly by the Baron and Baroness until such time as a new Seneschal is selected. All unspecified duties shall be assumed jointly by the Baron and Baroness, except for the duties of Financial Committee.
Each officer is responsible to comply with all requirements specified by Trimaris through Trimarian Law and the publications of their Kingdom Superior officers. These often include regular reporting requirements, a warranting process, and membership requirements. It is the responsibility of each officer to know and understand the SCA and Trimaris requirements for the office. A person may not hold two Great Baronial Offices at the same time.
Additional officers maybe authorized to exist in Marcaster, but may be inactive from time to time based on the varying interests and needs of Marcaster. Lack of an officer in a particular area shall not prohibit Marcaster from conducting activities in that area, as long as such activities are allowed under SCA policy and Trimaris Law. Duties related to an area of interest not represented by a current officer may be assumed by the Seneschal of Marcaster.
3.1. Selection and Term of Officers
Officers are selected through a deputy system: Each current officer is responsible for selecting one or more deputies and training them. Before retiring from office, the current officer designates a successor from among those deputies, subject to the approval of the Coronet and the Seneschal. The Seneschal is subject to the approval of the Coronet and the Citizens of Marcaster. In the event that neither officer can fulfill the obligation or duties of the office that position shall be deemed vacant. If a vacancy occurs and no acceptable deputy has been selected, the office will be filled by appointment of the Coronet and Seneschal; or, in the case of the Seneschal’s office, by the Coronet and a majority vote of the Citizens of Marcaster.
3.1.1. Officers serve according to Kingdom Law.
3.1.2. With approval of the Coronet and Seneschal, officers may serve a second consecutive term. No officer may hold a single office for more than four consecutive years. An officer that has held the office for four years may hold the same office again, but only after at least two years have passed. For the Seneschal to serve a second consecutive term there must be approval of the Coronet and the Citizens of Marcaster.
3.1.3. The Coronets of Marcaster shall receive complaints in writing from any two Citizens of Marcaster concerning an officer.
3.1.3.1.Such petitions shall be resolved at the discretion of the Coronet in a manner appropriate to the seriousness of the petition. Decisions of the coronet shall be submitted in writing to the petitioners and the effected officer.
3.1.3.2.The Coronets of Marcaster will at their discretion move the complaints to the complainant officer’s superior at Kingdom, the Kingdom Seneschal or to the Crowns of Trimaris as they deem appropriate.
3.1.4. An officer may resign or retire early upon written notification to the Baron, Baroness and Seneschal; in the case of a Seneschal, notification must be made to the Baron, Baroness and the Exchequer.
3.1.5. The Coronet and Seneschal, in making appointments and confirming officers other than the Seneschal’s office, may solicit votes from the Citizens or Populace of Marcaster at their discretion for guidance, but are not bound by the results of such votes.
3.1.6. All Great Baronial Officers must affirm their willingness to serve Marcaster and the Coronet faithfully upon appointment to office.
3.1.7. Greater Baronial Officers may be removed or suspended from office by the actions of their immediate Kingdom superior, or the Kingdom Seneschal. Complaints or decisions against all officers, must be made in writing to the Officer and the Kingdom Seneschals office.
- The Courts and Curia
4.1. From time to time but at least at Baronial events the Coronets shall convene a Baronial Court as they deem necessary.
4.1.1. A Baronial Court shall be held for the ceremonial business of Marcaster.
4.1.2. Ceremonial business may include but not be limited to the presentation of awards, proclamations, alliances and other such business as deemed appropriate by the Coronets.
4.2. From time to time, but at least once per year, the Coronet shall call a Baronial Curia, which is an assembly of the Populace of Marcaster to discuss specific or general matters pertaining to the operation and governance of Marcaster.
4.2.1. The Coronet shall set a written agenda in advance of the Curia.
4.2.2. The Seneschal shall announce at a regular business meeting at least two weeks before the Curia, and shall publish at least two weeks before the Curia on the Internet and/or in a regular newsletter and/or by such other means sufficient to give the Populace of Marcaster two-weeks notice of the Curia, the time, location and agenda for the Curia.
4.2.3. The Baron, and/or Baroness and/or in thier absence the Seneschal may preside over the Curia.
4.2.4. Any formal or official votes taken during the course of the Curia shall be done with each Citizen, including the Baron, the Baroness and officers, receiving one vote. Informal votes may include the Populace of Marcaster, and are only advisory to the Coronet.
- Awards
Marcaster shall register four awards with Trimaris and the SCA that may be given at the discretion of the Coronet, subject to the laws of the Trimaris, including the discretion of the Crown for armigerous awards.
5.1. The Order of the Golden Citadel of Marcaster. The Order of the Golden Citadel of Marcaster is the premier award of Marcaster, and may be given to any person regardless of age for personal and exemplary service to Marcaster. It may be given more than once to the same person. At the discretion of the Crown of Trimaris, if given to a paid member, it may convey an Award of Arms. Subject to the approval of the SCA, the badge for this award shall be: Tower with a beacon on top.
5.2. The Order of the Golden Hearth. The Order of the Golden Hearth is for personal excellence in, fostering of or advancement of any endeavor pertaining to the arts or sciences of the SCA. This award may be given to any person regardless of age. It may be given more than once to the same person. Subject to the approval of the SCA, the badge for this award shall be: A brazier.
5.3. The Order of the Golden Standard. The Order of the Golden Standard is for personal excellence in, fostering of or advancement of any endeavor pertaining to the Martial Arts of the SCA. This award may be given to any person regardless of age. It may be given more than once to the same person. Subject to the approval of the SCA, the badge for this award shall be: A banner and the top portion of a tower.
5.4. The Order of the Golden Well. The Order of the Golden Well is for personal excellence in, fostering of or advancement of any endeavor pertaining to Service in the SCA. This award may be given to any person regardless of age. It may be given more than once to the same person. Subject to the approval of the SCA, the badge for this award shall be: A natural fountain.
- Events
Marcaster shall host not less than two baronial events and will endeavor to host at least 1 kingdom level event per year each year within the Baronial territory, and shall encourage its people to participate in other Trimaris and SCA events as they are able. The Populace of Marcaster is encouraged to assist Trimaris in the hosting of kingdom events, and shall not be prohibited from assisting any recognized SCA group in the hosting of a recognized SCA event.
6.1. The two regular events shall be scheduled in advance on the Kingdom of Trimaris calendar as approved by the Coronet and Seneschal. This schedule shall be published as early as possible to the Populace of Marcaster.
6.2. The Seneschal shall announce a bid period to close at least five months prior to each scheduled event. Any member of the Populace may submit a bid to autocrat or steward any event, using standard forms provided by Marcaster or such other device as may convey the required information. The bid will include the names of all key staff members, possible themes or components of the event, the plan for carrying out the event, and a commitment to properly publish and advertise the event. The Seneschal shall set the closing date for the submission of bids, giving sufficient notice and allowing time for proper advertising.
6.3. The Seneschal shall receive all bids and make them available to the populace for comment at the next business meeting. Bids shall be considered by the Coronets and the Greater Officers of Marcaster. The decision of award shall be given to the autocrat not less than four (4) months prior to the event, then published to Marcaster in a regular business meeting, giving sufficient time to properly advertise the event.
6.4. If no bids are received by the closing date, the Seneschal shall meet with the Coronets and either cancel the event or assign responsibility to the Great Baronial Officers.
6.5. Marcaster shall also conduct regular business meetings at least once per month on a schedule approved by the Coronet and published by the Seneschal. The Seneschal shall schedule officers’ meetings as necessary for the efficient operation of Marcaster.
- Financial Policies
All funds shall be collected, maintained and reimbursed subject to modern law, SCA policies, Trimaris Law, and these financial policies.
7.1. The Baronial Financial Committee will serve to assist the Barony in all financial decisions.
7.1.1. The financial committee will consist of the Baron, Baroness, Seneschal, Exchequer and one other Greater Officer to be determined by the financial committee whenever a vacancy occurs.
7.1.2. The Seneschal, Exchequer and the other Greater Officer will each have one vote on the committee, while the Baron and Baroness will share one vote.
7.1.3. All decisions made by the financial committee will be approved by majority vote.
7.1.4. No member of the financial committee may hold more than one vote.
7.1.5. No vote of the financial committee can be considered final without the presence of the Seneschal.
7.2. All funds received and amounts paid out by Marcaster shall be recorded by the Exchequer in accordance with Kingdom Financial Policy.
7.3. No Marcaster funds may be spent in a manner that directly benefits the interest of the Baron, Baroness, any officer or any member of the Populace of Marcaster. This shall not be construed to prohibit the fair purchase of items from the Baron, Baroness, any officer or any member of the Populace of Marcaster if approved under these financial policies.
7.4. Budgets will be prepared for all expected expenses.
7.4.1. The Exchequer shall prepare an annual budget, which shall be approved by the Coronet and the Seneschal, and presented to the Citizens of Marcaster for ratification at the first business meeting in February.
7.4.2. Each officer of Marcaster shall provide annual budget requirements of their office to the Exchequer by the end of each calendar year.
7.4.3. Budgeted expenses may be paid by the Exchequer to reimburse the person that paid for the item upon presentation of proper proof of the expense, such as receipts, cancelled checks or other suitable documentation.
7.4.4. Event budgets shall be reviewed and approved as part of the event bid process.
7.4.5. Any expense that exceeds approved budgeted amounts becomes an unbudgeted expense and shall need separate approval.
7.5. Unbudgeted expenditures must be approved at the appropriate level
7.5.1. All approved unbudgeted expenses shall be reported to the Populace at the next scheduled business meeting.
7.5.2. The Coronet, Seneschal or the Exchequer may independently approve unbudgeted expenses of up to $50 per quarter, cumulative.
7.5.3. Unbudgeted expenses of up to $200 per quarter, cumulative, may be approved by a majority vote of the financial committee.
7.5.4. All other unbudgeted expenses must be approved by the Citizens of Marcaster at a regularly scheduled business meeting.
7.6. Assets, such as library items or Baronial regalia that are no longer needed may be sold at fair market value, with all proceeds being retained by Marcaster. In the case of regalia, a fair price shall be determined by consensus of the Great baronial Officers. The item will be first offered to the first Baron or Baroness that used the item to purchase at the set price. If he/she does not want the item at that price, it shall be offered in turn to successor Barons/Baronesses at the same price, or to the general public. If the item is not sold at that price, the same procedure will be followed after each reduction in price.
7.7. All funds received and amounts paid out by Marcaster shall be recorded by the Exchequer with appropriate written records, including receipts, copies of checks, invoices, bills, signed reports and such auditable documents as are appropriate to the nature of the income or expense items. The Exchequer shall promulgate forms and methods to assure a proper accounting of all Marcaster funds.