A LETTER on the BARONIAL TRANSITION
To all to whom these letters shall come do Caoilfhionn and Gabriel, Baroness and Baron of Nordskogen, send greetings.
It has been just over four years since the Baronial coronets were set on our heads and we first sat the Baronial seats. That time has been filled with fun, smiles, and sorrows. We have been baked by the sun at Warriors and Warlords, frozen in the cold of Twelfth Nights, and figured out how to do SCA at a distance during the great pandemic that spread through the Kingdom.
Now it is time for us to consider our retirement from these roles. We intend to step down in court at next Twelfth Night, in January 2024. Thus, we seek successors to take on this role.
Any individual or pair of people can apply to fill this role. You do not need to have decades of experience in the SCA or any particular awards or honors you have. Pairs do not need to be a romantic couple or of different genders. All that matters is that you have a love for the Barony, enthusiasm and energy to share, and a willingness to serve.
If you have questions about what it takes to fill this role, please contact either or both of Their Excellencies. We also recommend talking with past Barons and Baronesses of Nordskogen, many of whom are still resident here or reachable online, and even with former territorial leaders from other baronies. We each have recommendations, observations, and information to share, and you will find great variety in the answers because each person brings something different to the role.
If you wish to apply, please send a letter of interest and your SCA and modern résumés to Their Majesties Northshield (trm@northshield.org), Their Highnesses Northshield (trh@northshield.org), to us (baron@nordskogen.org and baroness@nordskogen.org), and to the Kingdom Transitions and New Groups Deputy (tang@northshield.org). Their current Highnesses Lars and Mary will be our primary royal contacts for this process, so remember that their email address changes on April 1.
Applications will close on May 15. Further information will follow on scheduling of the candidates’ meet-and-greet and polling of Nordskogen’s populace, which is open to all who call Nordskogen home regardless of membership status.
It has been our joy and honor to serve in this role, and we look forward to celebrating our Barony and Kingdom through the remainder of our term before we pass the coronets–and all that they represent–to our successors.
NORDSKOGEN TERRITORIAL BARONAGE FAQ
From Their Excellencies Gabriel and Caoilfhionn
What does it take to be Nordskogen’s Territorial Baronage?
Society rules and Kingdom laws define Baron(s) and/or Baroness(es) (we’ll use “Territorials” here) as the ceremonial leaders of the Barony and the representatives of the Crown in the Barony. Within that structure, each Barony has its own traditions and customs around how the role is filled.
The Territorials of Nordskogen traditionally do more than stand as group MCs and Crown representatives. They lead the Barony and its canton, Nordleigh, in ways that help it grow and flourish. How is this done? Every Territorial has a different leadership style, but what all of them have in common is that they support the ideas, activities, and projects that the Barony wants to do. That means showing up to activities and baronial events, helping people connect with others in the group to make the projects and activities happen, guiding people to find and participate in the things they want to do, recognizing people in and out of the Barony with awards, and creating pageantry.
Nordskogen’s Territorials also work with the baronial and canton officers to help the officers keep the administrative side of things in order. Nordskogen Territorials have no official administrative duties, other than sending an update to each new Crown, but Territorials assist by networking within the group to find volunteers and connect people with mentors and deputies. They also work behind the scenes to troubleshoot with and support officers, and generally deliver support and encouragement where it’s needed.
At the end of the day, the main requirement for a Territorial is to love Nordskogen and want the Barony and Canton and their people to be the best they can be.
Answers to some frequently asked questions appear below, but if you want to know more about serving as a Territorial, whether next or the future, don’t hesitate to ask questions of us or former Territorials. Each former baron or baroness has had a unique experience, with different challenges and high points, and most of them are happy to talk about it—because it is also one of the most rewarding roles in the Society.
Must Territorial leadership be two people?
Not officially, but it is highly recommended. Nordskogen is a very active group, and the job is far easier when shared.
Must Territorials be a romantically attached couple?
No, you just need to work and communicate well together.
Can the Territorial couple be of the same gender?
Yes.
Do Territorials have to sit for five years?
No. Between three and five years is common, and Baronial policies require a new poll after five years if you wish to continue to serve. Additionally, per Kingdom law if you have an agreement with the Barony to only serve a certain amount of time, you cannot go past that without a new poll.
Do Territorials have to go to every baronial activity?
No. We are a busy group, and trying to do everything is a recipe for burnout. Territorials should attend all or most events hosted by the Barony and Canton, but they do not have to go to every activity. They should check in regularly with activities to see what’s happening, listen for areas that need support, and watch for people who deserve recognition via awards or could use introduction to teachers/mentors/opportunities. They also should remember to take breaks. Being a Territorial is the proverbial marathon, not a sprint.
Do Territorials have to give up their preferred activities for the duration of the reign?
No, though sometimes you will have to make trades. For example, business meetings are held once a month at the same time as fencing practice, and big projects might take time away from regular weekly activities. You might not make it to your preferred things every week, but you’re not expected to give them up.
Is it expensive to serve as Territorials?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Territorials must be paid members of the SCA, and the role typically means more driving to activities and events, with the associated travel costs. Nordskogen owns official regalia, but most new Territorials invest in new garb, especially at the beginning of a term, to look spiffy and add to the pageantry of the role. Territorials, like peers, should be generous as their resources allow–generous with time, with enthusiasm, with support, with recognition–and that can mean money spent on largesse, contributions to group projects, and/or donations directly to the group.
There are also ways to reduce expenses, such as sharing travel costs, leading group fundraising rather than paying yourself, thrifting, and traditional budgeting. The Barony does cover the site fee for its Territorials at Baronial events, although if you want to pay the fee, the donation is always welcome. You are not expected to endanger your ability to pay bills.
Must you have a car to serve as Territorials?
It is very difficult to do this job without a car. Public transit covers only part of the barony’s large territory. Most Territorial pairs prefer to have two available vehicles, the better to split up to cover activities when needed. It’s also helpful to have access to a vehicle with cargo space because Territorials often transport the baronial thrones to events.
How much space do you need for the baronial stuff?
Nordskogen has property designated specifically for the Territorials’ use, notably three pairs of coronets, two sets of thrones, baronial banners and banner stands, some heraldic garb and accessories, several plastic bins of largesse and award regalia, and so on. Baronial regalia should be kept in a climate-controlled space. A storage closet, dry basement, or corner of a guest room is handy; offsite storage can be helpful. Some items can be stored in the Baronial storage unit, but it then requires effort to make arrangements to check things out.
Must Territorials have a chamberlain (designated assistant)?
There is no requirement to have a chamberlain, but it is SO HELPFUL to have a cat herder/project manager/point person to back you up. (And to have someone to remind you to eat lunch and drink water at events.)
Do you need an extensive kingdom or interkingdom network to do this job?
No, but by the time you finish a term you will have many new friends and a much bigger network! Territorials’ first responsibility is to the barony, so it helps to have a good network locally. Beyond that, you’ll interact with the Crown and leaders of the other four baronies of Northshield in service of making special experiences across the kingdom, and that will help you make connections in-kingdom and beyond.
I’m an introvert; is this the job for me?
Going to activities/events, meeting people, and helping them build connections is a big part of the job, but you don’t have to be an outgoing party person every minute of the day to accomplish it. Territorials are “onstage” regularly, whether in court or as visible contact person for the Barony, and as with theater, it’s possible to practice ahead of time to build confidence. It’s helpful to have a pair of Territorials with complementary approaches and networks, so when one person is peopled out the other can step in. However, we do not recommend this job for those who prefer online interaction only.