Orbits of a deluded mind

In response to:

The SCA's Board of Directors has received a number of inquiries regarding
the status of the Chirurgeonate at Pennsic 35.

Due to a number of incidences, the Board was informed that the Pennsic
Autocrat, late Saturday  night, made the determination to have
Chirurgeon's point operated by the EMS services on site. This decision was
confirmed by the three Kingdom Seneschals from the East, Middle and
Aethelmearc, and the Society Seneschal.

Northwest EMS services personnel are performing triage services, and
clients that require first aid service are being sent to the first aid
volunteers. Viscountess  Kaellyn mac Dermott is the volunteer first aid
coordinator. All Chirurgeons not involved in the incidents leading up to
the decision have been invited to stay on as first aid providers under the
management of Northwest EMS, and under the coordination of the volunteer
first aid coordinator.

Although the Chirurgeonate is not running Pennsic War 35 first aid
services, all warranted chirurgeons retain their status as officers of the
SCA for the duration of their warrants. However, all organized chirurgeon
activities must be coordinated with the on-site EMS provider for the
remainder of Pennsic 35.

Jason Williams - Chairman, SCA, Inc.
(Duke John ap Gwyndaf, KSCA, OL)

Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email [email protected]
or reply to this message.



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I posted this reply to the Live Journal entry including the announcement (http://community.livejournal.com/sca/477007.html?view=4070479#t4070479)

There are two different ways to look that this level of secrecy. It's either and issue of an on-going investigation of improper actions or it’s the pointy hats deciding to cover their own arses. One explanation could be explained indirectly, but can’t be discussed in detail out of privacy reasons. The other reason would be an outgrowth of the on-going cancer spreading into parts of the SCA.

Sadly, a simple explanation of why things were done would have defused this. A better treatment of the volunteer staff at the event would also have helped dramatically. As it stands, we the populace of the SCA, the folks that deserve to know what’s happening that affects our Society, are being left in the dark and forced to guess. It shows a level of arrogance and distain for the membership. These are the very folks the event and SCA leadership are supposed to serve, not vice versa.

[Editted] I mentioned it to a friend last night and I’ll say it again. Something is terribly wrong with the SCA. It is not the organization I joined over 15 years ago. It seems the bureaucrats are ditating the direction of the SCA, not the populace. Much as I hate to say it, but The Adrian Empire and the Empire of Chivalry and Steel are starting to look a whole lot better (attractive, reasonable and more honorable) at a senior organizational level.

In a personal and direct note to the BoD and the leadership of the SCA, may I offer this:

This organization was founded years ago on the basis of chivalry, courtesy and honorable conduct. How we interact with with each other, especially in the context of specialized volunteer activities, reflects on the Soceity as a whole. When a major support organization within the SCA is essentially to "told pack up and get out; your services are not needed," then many of us who freely have offered support and assistance in other fields of the SCA start to wonder whether or not we're next.

IF this we how the Chirurgeonate staff was approached or dealt with at the premiere SCA event in the world each year, shame on the staff and the officials who participated. It would be terribly unchivalrous, highly dishonorable and certainly not reflective of our ideals.

IF the contract or insurance drove this issue, shame on the planners for missing something horrendously important to the event and the folks who volunteered their time/skills to support this activity. Poor planning on the part of the staff, should not constitute or create mayhem for the populace and volunteers.

IF someone in the Chirurgeonate staff did do something improper, then a full explanation (less indentifying names) should be forthcoming. A notice saying that an investigation is ongoing should be posted now if such is the case. Anything less merely contributes to the rumor mill spinning rapidly up to speed.

We are a unique organization. Though we are not a business, certainly not like any other major non-profit, and nothing like a fraternal organization; however we embody each and every one of those type organizations activities and attitudes. At the very least, the volunteers and the populace deserves a measure of respect for their intrlligence and a somewhat clearer explanation what happened. You have embers and kindling waiting to combine. Say or do nothing and this situation will certainly explode into a firestorm that will hurt the SCA.