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			Grand Council Chronicle
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		      Issue #23 -- July 5, 1995


Contents of this issue:

	Deputy Sec'y: Short issue
	Alysoun: GC: putting things together

This is the Grand Council Chronicle, the proceedings of the Grand
Council of the Known World, a body chartered to examine the structure
of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and make recommendations
of changes. The contents represent the opinions of the contributing
authors, and do not necessarily represent the official policies of
the SCA, Inc.


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>From the Deputy Secretary's Terminal

Yep, I've received only one comment for this Chronicle, and yes, my
email seems to be working just fine...

Edward


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Date: 	 Fri, 30 Jun 1995 10:35:20 -0400
Sender: Carole.C.Roos.2@nd.edu (Carole Roos)
Subject: GC: putting things together

Greetings from Alysoun

I agree with Terras that the central body should not be thought of
simply as a business. I think the governance function is important but
that does not make the central body strictly a government either. We
spend a lot of time worrying about power and rules, when we should be
thinking about problems and solutions.

As Finnvarr says, bureaucratic solutions to the "problem" of
children--regardless of what level those solutions come from--are not
going to be effective. This does not mean that governing bodies on all
levels shouldn't be concerned about the situation--only that they
should realize that this is not something that will be solved in a
moment by enacting some sort of rule. The sensible approach is to
raise awareness of the problem, discover what solutions are being
devised in various parts of the Known World, and communicate these to
other parts of the Known World. In practice, this means sending word
through the chain that this is something we are concerned about--so
that people on all levels are alert in noticing what's working (and
what's not)--and encouraging people who have a working model to share
it with the rest of us (through TI for example). 

If you will remember my educational model, the Known World teaches by
doing. People notice what "works," what "counts," what is recognized
by the Crown. When they see a household which has successfully figured
out how to make their children a part of the event experience, they
will be inclined to try something like it. When they see that others
value this approach, they will be even more inclined. The governing
bodies can help bring these things to people's attention and provide
incentives for strengthening weak areas. This doesn't have to do with
rules and regulations, but it does have a lot to do with two-way
communication, thoughtful analysis, and long-term planning.

Many of us seem to be hung up on "seat of power" issues. This is a
wrongheaded way of looking at it. Each level of the organization has a
proper sphere of influence. We need to consider how these spheres can
best augment and support each other. The real question is what the
board and the kingdoms have to say to each other.

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<End of Grand Council Chronicle #23>