Canton's Device

Porte de l'Eau Status Committee

At July 17th's business meeting we accepted a proposal to form a committee to investigate changing Porte de l'Eau's branch status.  On Monday July 24th, this committee held its first meeting. We will be discussing this report and where to go from here at our next business meeting on August 21.  Comments are welcome from all members of the PDL populace.  If you are unable to attend the meeting you you can send your comments to Aleksandra.

Preliminary Report

Canton Status Committee

DRAFT

Introduction

In accordance with the instructions set forth at the July 18th business meeting of the Canton of Porte de l’Eau, the Branch Status Committee (composed of Tristin Sale [Tayla], Peter Durham [Trahaearn] and Ken Stoner [Cystennin]) held a meeting on July 24th at the home of Mickie Wehr. In addition to the three committee members appointed at the Canton Business Meeting, 12 other residents of the Canton were in attendance and contributed to this report. The meeting began at 7:00 PM and concluded at 9:30 PM.

Scope

The committee was charged with enumerating the pros and cons of four different scenarios involving the Canton’s status as a branch of the society, and reporting this information back to the Canton at the next Business Meeting. These scenarios were:

 

  1. The Canton is contained within a “greater Madrone” (ie: a Crown Principality encompassing the area currently designated as the Barony of Madrone). The end status of the Canton remains undetermined, although this allows room for branches to move up a level should they wish to.

  2. The Canton becomes a separate entity from the Barony of Madrone, either as a Shire or a Barony.

  3. The Canton becomes a Barony that also includes all or part of Wyewood within its borders. Porte de l’Eau and Wyewood could maintain their status as Cantons within the new Barony.

  4. The Canton’s status as a branch remains unchanged.

Scenario 1

 The Canton is contained within a “greater Madrone” (ie: a Crown Principality encompassing the area currently designated as the Barony of Madrone). The end status of the Canton remains undetermined, although this allows room for branches to move up a level should they wish to.

 

In general, the discussion tried to stay focused on the aspects of this scenario that are controllable by the Canton.

 

PROS

 

CONS

Retains identity as part of Madrone, allowing a continuity of history and shared culture

 

 

Continues affiliation with other King County groups

 

 

Offers opportunities for development of people and organizations

 

 

Canton resources are available for larger Madrone projects

 

 

Madrone resources can be leveraged for Canton projects

 

 

 

Scenario 2

The Canton becomes a separate entity from the Barony of Madrone, either as a Shire or as a Barony.

 

In this scenario, the Canton’s status is changed to that of an Independent Barony or Shire. The committee encountered some difficulty in addressing this issue as a combined topic, and determined to discuss the opposition of these ideas separately.

 

PROS

 

CONS

Overall

 

 

Simplifies administration by removing a reporting level 

 

Potentially lose the support of other King Co groups for events and participation

Improves our ability to influence regional decisions and the crown by having a local Baron and Baroness

 

Separation from Madrone could cut us off from the shared history, particularly awards.

A change like this might bringing back people who are currently intimidated by Madrone’s size.  The theory applies to officers, champions tourneys and general participation

 

This could make reintegration with Madrone difficult in the future (as in a Madrone principality)

We are already somewhat independent and largely running our own affairs, this would just formalize the situation.

 

Could reinforce existing geographical boundaries.

Barony

 

 

We would gain a local ceremonial presence

 

 

By reducing the population and territory, the burden of the Madrone and PDL Baron and Baroness would be much smaller, particularly drive time.

 

Does not address perceived need for change within the Barony.

Shire

 

 

Transforming to a Shire would require the less work then creating a Barony, as Canton and Shire are equivalents.

 

Loss of Baronial representation, awards

Provides room to grow without the mandates for action that a Barony endures.

 

 

 

Scenario 3

The East and South King County area becomes a Barony that also includes all or part of Wyewood within its borders. Porte de l’Eau and Wyewood could maintain their status as Cantons within that new Barony.

 

In this scenario, the Cantons of Wyewood and Porte de l’Eau are combined into a single unit, most likely a Barony which maintains the Cantons as separate entities.

 

PROS

 

CONS

The resources of both Cantons are available to fill the demands of baronial status

 

Historic “Single Canton” encountered travel difficulties.

Maintains lines of communication

 

Separate cultures of each group

Shared history

 

B&B would have to split energy between the North and South groups.

Scenario 4

The Canton’s status as a branch remains unchanged.

 

In this scenario, the status of the Canton remains unchanged, effectively maintaining the status quo.

 

PROS

 

CONS

Requires least effort.

 

Perception is that the Baronial situation is degrading: increasing factionalization ; decreasing energy, community spirit, and event attendance; more and more people are slipping away to play only at the Kingdom level.

Provides opportunity to address Madrone challenges and factional forces.

 

The current work load for Baronial Officers is daunting.

Allows the Canton to be as independant as it likes with out the burdens of Baronial status.

 

The current situation may degrade further, making meaningful change may become impossible

 

 

Current activity and strong desire for change should be capitalized

 

 

Potential increase in general malaise and alienation

 

 

There is currently no animosity between the cantons and various groups.  Decisions could be made with minimal emotional influences.

 

Conclusion

In accordance with the wishes of the Canton Business Meeting, the committee made no conclusions based upon the data compiled, and is not making any recommendations for action on any of the scenarios.

 

 


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