GUILD PARTICIPATION AT RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Notice to all Members and Guest participants of the Isle of Standauffish Renaissance Guild: 
{This includes Omar Kharim's Belly Dance Guild, a chartered member group of the Isle}

This editorial is specifically written for out local group, however I am sure any Guild Master will agree that the issues are common to all Guilds so I post it here for all to see. It is our hope that it will reach people and make them realize what is involved in Guild Membership.

We, the Isle of Standauffish Renaissance Guild, have for more than 7 years now participated at the Clark County Renaissance Faire as well as many other events both here and outside the state of Nevada. We have been and still are one of the few Guilds that do this for the County free of charge, funding all our activities out of our own pockets and from our membership fees. Due to several recent events we have been forced to review our open door policy and change our strategies. For those participating with Omar Kharim Dance Guild see here as well.

Item One

Member Support

Without member support, a Guild will soon cease to exist. A Guild or other re-enactment group exists only by having a base of paid members. To be allowed to participate at an event like Clark County Renaissance Faire the Guild has to sign a contract with the Park, and the Guild is obligated to honor that contract. 

Most larger Guilds and groups are usually set up as non-profit groups. To maintain this status, the guild and its members are required to do public demos and activities. Again this requires a membership base and active participation.

You will also notice that many small groups and new guilds are not allowed into a large Faire. The main reason for this is Insurance. This will be covered in Item Three. Last year we were approached by such a Guild who said they couldn't attend due to Insurance so we offered them a "Charter" membership, and got approval from our Park contacts. They had a good period presentation and we thought would be a good addition, but right after the Faire they just up and quit. Obviously this kind of thing could put our group's status in jeopardy, but on the same hand we don't wish to close the door to a group that is seriously looking for a home.

Item Two

Contract.

The contract we sign with the Park at our Renaissance Faire includes a clause that a Guild is expected to be in its camp during faire hours doing the performances and demos agreed to by contract. It is also required that the guild participate in the daily parade of the Faire. Failure on these two issues is a considered a breach of contract for the space granted for an encampment and may result in exclusion of the guild the next year. In past years we have not needed a "get tough" policy because our members really cared about participation, however lately there has been a tendency towards "slacking off". We will be holding meetings over the next few months to rectify this and bring our Guild back to our usual standards. It seems constant vigilance shall be required.

There are rules on alcohol consumption, basically Guild members CANNOT while performing, and a Guild is considered performing during open hours of the Faire. Weapons must be peace tied a all times unless used for theatrical or demonstration purposes. Failure to do so can lead to expulsion, confiscation and even arrest. In the past we have enjoyed a "let us be" status with the park. The Guild will continue to ensure that members do not abuse this and cause us to lose this status. There are Faires around the country that are strict on sword carrying, and Victoria Australia has just made possession of swords illegal. Our Guild has a zero tolerance on brandishing of weapons and drunk and disorderly conduct.

Item Three

Insurance. 

Any major Faire or Event Producer requires merchants, performers, guilds and re-enactors to carry an Insurance Policy for 1,000,000.00 coverage indemnifying the Event from all law suits and possible damage. Up to a year ago most Historical groups had insurance coverage from a group called "Ye Olde World Living History Foundation" This was the best and most affordable coverage available for what we do. But even this carrier required a membership of at least 25 people in a group, hence the inability for a small guild to get coverage. Medieval recreation is potentially dangerous, and last year there were too many claims, so the underwriter dropped the coverage, leaving groups scrambling for higher cost coverage. We think one of the issues the underwriter balked at was the under 18 fighters that some groups were allowing based on the old policy coverage. We know for sure it was a problem the local Kingdom of Albion had to face. See Attached

I think also very few people realize the cost of this coverage. With the foundation it was a base of 500.00 a year, which covered two major events, then 25.00 PER PERSON after the base group. Since our Guild only charged 25.00 a year for membership. that just barely covered the insurance per member.

Our new coverage is done under our commercial banner, namely Blue Knight Productions, and will require people that participate with us at our events to be either A} Paid in full members, B} Be associates that provide their own coverage, or C} Provide us with a Waiver that states they have permission from the Park to participate. This specifically covers the use of our stage, {which is and shall continue to remain free to those wishing to perform on it.}

Item Four

General Membership Duties. 

We set up our Guild simply because we enjoy what we do. In that context we are prepared to put in extra effort to "get the job done" both in preliminary work such as making and maintaining equipment and such, and event setup. Creating authentic props and setups comes with a certain satisfaction and gratification. That being said however, we are not interested in doing all the work all the time, then having what's refereed to as "good time charlie's" coming in to enjoy the fruits of our labor. While sometimes its advantageous to fill a camp for display with people, its not something we want to see on a permanent basis from the membership.

So here below are a few points on being a good active member. After all it is assumed you have joined a Historical re-creation group to re-create History

1} Be true to your word!

No one can be at every event all the time, and no one expects you to, but if you promise to be somewhere, or do something, then we expect you to honor that, {barring any unforeseen circumstances beyond your control}. If you just bale at the last minute, someone else has to fill in for you, and at last minute this is usually not possible. This puts the reputation of the Guild at stake, and the rest of the members might not think kindly of you.

2} Volunteer between events;

All that cool equipment and tents that make such a wonderful encampment need service. Repairs, touchup, cleaning and storage as well as creating new things need to be done between events. Volunteer when ever you can. Its a cool way to build up credit for those events you cannot attend for setup!

3} Participate by organizing;

A Historical Guild has as its main focus learning and teaching about the History we are creating. A Guild needs activities to keep the members interested. Things like classes and workshops are one way, where members learn how to make things they can use for their personas. Things like brewing and baking can have added things like a tasting competition/party. Group outings to Movie openings is something we are well known for. How about just a party like our annual Faerie Feast in May? These things need people to help organize, even to come up with new ideas. Don't worry if you have never done this before, we will be there to help. We had one girl who took on the food prep at our last Faerie feast. She wasn't sure she could do it at first, but the end result was an awesome array of foods, all appropriately decorated... {kitchen was a disaster after  LOL}

4} Be there for set up and stay to help tear down;

This is one of everyone's pet peeves. We all have mundane jobs, school and private obligations. Yet to be able to participate at an event we have to make sacrifices like take a day or two extra off work, etc. The camp has to be set up and by a deadline, and it has to be packed up. There are cases where you simply cannot get the time off, but Faire is the same time every year, and I know few bosses that won't give you time off if you ask in advance.
If you can't, but still manage to get the time to go to faire, then at least show initiative by going to the camp master and offer to help DURING the event. There is much to do. Police the site during the event for Mundane trash etc. Offer to do guard duty at the gate. Food prep and clean up for the parties and feats we run....
But if all you want to do is come in, drop your sleeping bag in one of our tents, then run off and "see the faire" perhaps you may wish to seek a new group to join.

5} Matters of Camp Etiquette;

While most Medieval etiquette like recognizing Crowns and how to address your peers, and such things like Feast etiquette and general expect persona behavior are usually covered in Guild lessons, we are always amazed at the lack of general courtesy and etiquette in many new and prospective members. So for the sake of all we will post a few of the main ones here. Feel free to add any if you think we missed some.  I know not if this text will help, but at least we can point offenders to this page and say "Here, read this, there will be a test!......"

1} A rope is a fence. A tent is a home.

This may be one of the most often overlooked "rule of etiquette". Would you just walk into someone's home unannounced? {answering Yes to this would be bad.....} In this country you might get charged with trespassing, or may be shot, so why would you do so with someone's tent or encampment? Remember the tent is our home when we are in persona. This is why you see guards posted at Guild encampments.

2} Mundane trash.

Most of us go to a lot of time and effort, as well as expense to make our encampment look period. Nothing is more annoying than to find plastic bottles, beer bottles, fast food bags and cigarette butts all over the encampment. Clean them up, better yet don't bring them out in plain view. A tankard is not expensive. If you are a member of a Historical group your first item of equipment should be feast gear anyway.

If you see mundane trash, take a moment to pick it up, then seek out the offender. Obviously we cannot pursue the patrons, though we CAN shame them with game taunts and insults... But if its a member... well we DO have kitchen duties...

No one expects you to keep all mundane stuff at home, especially new members. But we DO expect you to keep it hidden. And cigarettes are not period, please be courteous and keep it out of sight, and please use an ashtray.

3} Speech.

While not everyone is an actor, and "keeping in character" the whole time  is difficult at best, an attempt at least should be made to learn some period speech. However it is bad etiquette to be discussing non period things such as computers. We all do it, but lets not let the faire patrons hear it.

4} Potlucks and Feasts.

It is generally good form when invited to a potluck to bring something to the table, usually enough to say serve 20 people is a good rule of thumb. It is also a very good idea to check with the host on what would be needed, so you don't have 20 people showing up with the same dish. And tossing in a bag of potato chips is generally not quite what we had in mind. It is a Medieval feast after all. Show some initiative. 

At a formal feast that requires an admission fee, be prompt in signing up. The food is expensive and is usually prepped in advance. Showing up at the last minute, even if you are willing to pay, is not good form, as portions have usually been accounted for by the feast-o-crat based on advance notice.

Bring your own feasts gear!!! We do not provide this save for invited guests. It is not expensive to get a plate, bowl and cutlery set, and you should already have a mug or goblet.

Libations. Generally it is up to the individual member or guest to "BYOB" If you plan to share, present it to the host, and it will be put out for all to share. Alcohol laws vary from state to state, but most have laws regarding this because we are at a public event. If you leave a party, it is generally bad form to take what you have offered the host back home with you. {you miser}

And finally clean up after yourself! The feast hall is usually used for other evening activities. Please leave it clean for others to enjoy.

5} Tents etc.
Our Guild has provided period tents and other equipment for the use of members. We expect you to take care of this equipment, and to keep your area generally clean and orderly as we are on display to the public. Failure to do this will definately result in your name being removed from the loaber list. If its your own equipment, it is still expected you will keep your area presentable. {We don't care what or who you keep inside the tent...}
 

Personal Gain

Our Guild is a registered State of Nevada non-profit group. That gives us the right to do fundraising for the Guild. It does not allow us to let members put on attractions and pocket money for their own gain. While the Guild needs these activities to present itself, any money recieved must forfeit to the Guild and be duely reported. So don't even ask us to set up with us for this purpose unless you have cleared this with the Event authorities and are donating a portion to the Guild. If you have met those requirement we welcome your participation and will support you. If not, then see the event people and pay your space like everyone else.

The only reason this is brought up here is that we are a Merchantile Guild, and over the past several years have had various guild members that are merchants set up with and within our camp to add realism to our "Port". These merchants, even though eligible for a discount through us, have opted to pay the regular merchant fee anyway. Outsiders seeing the merchants in our camp tend to mis-interpret there participation.
 

In Service,
Dame Madison de Malo
Chancellor to the Kingdom of Albion

Subject: [Adrian Empire] Insurance
Date: Mon., 14 Mar 2005 20:53:35 -0500

Unto the Populace,

The Adrian Empire carries a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy. Liability insurance is not health insurance and does not cover our personal injuries. It covers accidental damage done to others and their property by us during our events. This protects us from legal liability or lawsuits. Also, many of the facilities that the Empire uses (parks) require us to have this insurance. Without it several subdivisions would have to move their events from public parks back to private homes.

Just a few days ago we received a notice from our Insurance Company that because we have minors participating in our events they were canceling us in 30 days. Not only would this remove our liability protecting but would also mean we would have to vacate the many parks throughout the Empire. Dame Lenora instantly contacted our Insurance Agent to protest. Because of her negotiating, the company offered to maintain our insurance if we stopped all children activities in combat and archery. This notice was immediately brought before the Imperial Estates. The Estates decided in an effort to keep our insurance coverage we would temporary restrict the children from entering the combat and archery lists until we find are able to fix this problem.

We are currently exploring several avenues. They are attempting to find out why the Insurance company changed our coverage and change back to the previous coverage, find new insurance or possibly self insure. We are researching what insurance other reenactment groups and sport groups use. We are also looking into purchasing surety bonds to use in place of insurance (commonly referred to self insuring). As soon as we have a viable option we shall implement it so the children can resume their full participation and make up events can be held so they will be able to earn their points.

We are endeavoring to make this problem a temporary one. We ask the populace to bear with us.

Lord Wright, Emperor
Adrian Empire