September 28, 2021
Dear Northshield,
The Board has recently announced an optional policy that the kingdom may implement requiring proof of fully vaccinated status or negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of entering an SCA event. This policy would apply to any event as defined in Corpora II.A, Society Events Defined:
The term “Society event” refers to tournaments, feasts, and other activities whereby participants can display the results of their researches into the culture and technology of the period in an environment which evokes the atmosphere of the pre-17th century Middle Ages and Renaissance. It also refers to educational activities involving either one-time classes or ongoing Society university organizations, and meetings where participants share skills or discuss the business of the group. All Society events must be sponsored by official branches of the Society, registered with the Seneschal of the sponsoring branch, publicized at least to the members of that branch, and conducted according to Society rules.
Their Majesties and I attended an extensive webinar with members of the Board of Directors, the President of the SCA, and the Society Seneschal where we had an opportunity to ask questions about how this policy is intended to be implemented. Additionally, we met to discuss how this would affect all the regions of our kingdom and our diverse population. After considerable discussion, Their Majesties and I have agreed that we will not be implementing this policy at this time in Northshield.
If you have questions, please email us at TRM and Seneschal at northshield.org
Thank you,
King Hans and Queen Genevieve
Alinore
Northshield Kingdom Seneschal
Link to an official announcement dated 10-4-21 containing a detailed list of reasons concerning this decision:
http://www.northshield.org/Posts/Display.aspx?ID=63222
FOLLOW UP LETTER
November 11, 2021
Greetings to our Northshield family,
We would like to follow up with you regarding the previous communiques on the SCA’s COVIDsafe resolution and the Kingdom’s decision in response.
Early in October, in the spirit of transparency, we posted a detailed list of reasons why those tasked with deciding whether to take advantage of the resolution decided to opt out. At that same time there was also a parallel effort that sought the issuance of multiple variances addressing those reasons so we could, in good conscience, adopt the COVIDsafe resolution in its current form. Now that matters of procedure and propriety have been satisfied in regard to that, we can detail those efforts further.
COVIDsafe, unfortunately, was not a ‘one size fits all’ policy, as evidenced by the ways in which multiple Kingdoms have struggled with it. An attempt was made, however, to make it fit Northshield to an acceptable degree. To that end, three variances to the resolution were requested in the areas of: the size and type of official gatherings subject to it, the ability to enforce it effectively, and, the type of procedures used to adhere to it. Should those three variances be deemed reasonable by the BoD, the Kingdom would have reevaluated its stance on COVIDsafe.
The BoD took an understandable amount of time to respond, given other pressing issues it has had to contend with. Last week we received a reply. Unfortunately, none of the variances were granted. Although the Society Seneschal sympathized with Northshield’s position, and appreciated that we raised some good points, they could not grant our request at this time.
This does not mark the end of the discussion. We will continue to monitor the Society’s position on this issue. We will also continue to seek out as many avenues as we can to ensure the health and safety of all of us.
In related news, now that vaccines are becoming available to all age groups eligible for participation in SCA sanctioned activities, new guidance on youth combat activities should be forthcoming from the marshalate in the next few weeks.
We wish everyone a joyous holiday season and look forward to seeing all of you in the coming months.
Their Majesties Stallari Council