Baronial Advancement and Transitions

The growth and development of groups in our fair Kingdom can be a confusing process. As a group commences with the process of deciding upon a change in their status and/or selecting a new Baron/Baroness, the Transition Office can assist with guidance and administrative support. While the process may at times seem cumbersome, it is designed to enable all members of the group to voice their opinions at several stages during the transition.

For the most part, the polling process will take place according to the needs and desires of the group, with the restriction being that the process follow the minimum polling requirements listed in Kingdom Law and Corpora.

Two types of polls may be used during this process. The first, an internally administered poll, is conducted at the local branch level. An outside moderator should be selected by the group to facilitate, conduct and count the polls. The second type of poll is an external, or kingdom level poll. The Transition Officer, through the Kingdom Seneschal’s office, will administer this poll. Steps one through three (below) may be conducted as internal polls. An external poll, however, may be requested at the will of the Seneschal, group, or Baron/Baroness (if applicable). The Kingdom Seneschal or Transition Officer may also elect to conduct an external poll if there are problems. The Transition Officer will always conduct step four.

The following is a brief description of the processes and rules involved in both types of transitions.

For Groups wishing to determine if they want to become a Barony

A. The group seneschal will communicate the group's wish to begin the process to the Regional Seneschal, the Transition Officer, and the Kingdom Seneschal. B. An announcement of meeting and polling dates (can be tentative) and seneschal contact information must be published in the Pale. Meetings to discuss the status of the group, nominations, and group discussions regarding becoming barony must be announced at local meetings and published in the local newsletter. C. The Transition Officer will ask the seneschal to produce an updated listing of all zip codes in the group. This is very important, as every paid member inside the group’s zip codes is entitled to vote at each phase of the polling process. D. The process will usually occur in four parts: 1. Group status assessment: This step determines if the group will remain the same, will become a barony/ shire/province, will dissolve, or will split into more than one shire/barony. 2. Nominations: The local seneschal will collect a list of nominees, which will be forwarded to the Transition Officer. The Transition Officer will contact the nominated candidates and determine if they are willing to stand for the polling process. 3. Initial (internal) polling of candidates: this polling helps to reduce from a large number of candidates down to a smaller pool. Any number of polling methods may be used, but the method of polling must be discussed and agreed upon in advance by the group. The Transition Officer or moderator will tally the polls received and narrow the list to the top 3 to 4 candidates, depending on the size of the group and/or the list of nominees. 4. Final (external) polling of candidates: this polling helps the barony arrive at a list of the top 3 vote-getters. This poll is conducted through the office of the Transition Officer. This short list of candidates is presented along with a transition petition to the Crown for their consideration. The Crown generally selects the top individual(s), but this is not required. E. Lastly, the group will also be asked to produce a baronial packet which will contain the following information: transition petition, results of discussion regarding term of office and term limits, expectations of the baron(ess), a map and list of zip codes for the group, letters of support from local and/or regional officers and letters of support from Kingdom officers. This packet, along with the poll results, will be submitted by the Transition Officer to the Kingdom Seneschal and Crown. Generally this process will take from three to six months. For Baronies whose Baron and/or Baroness are stepping down

A. The transition process begins when the Baron and/or Baroness inform their populace of their intention to step down. The Baron and Baroness should talk with their Baronial Seneschal roughly six months or so prior to the end of their term of office, or their desired date to step down. The Baronial Seneschal will need to communicate the impending change to his/her regional superior, the Kingdom Seneschal, and the Transition Officer. B. An announcement of meeting and polling dates (can be tentative) and seneschal contact information must be published in the Pale. Meetings to discuss the status of the group, nominations, and group discussions regarding becoming barony must be announced at local meetings and published in the local newsletter. C. The Transition Officer will contact the baronial seneschal and the Baron(ess) to discuss the specific needs of the barony. The Transition Officer will ask the baronial seneschal to produce an updated listing of all zip codes in the barony. This is very important, as every paid member inside the baronial zip codes is entitled to vote at each phase of the polling process. D. The polling process occurs in much the same manner as for new Baronies (steps 1-4). Although a full Baronial packet will not be required, a transition petition will be needed at the time that the final polling is complete. The petition should include a letter from the outgoing Baron(ess), group seneschal and anyone else wishing to submit letters with the petition. If the group’s boundaries have changed since the last baronial investiture, the group should also include a map and a list of the groups’ zip codes being claimed. E. This process will generally take from three to six months. If the baron(ess) decide to step down and a vacancy is left, then the Crown will appoint a Vicar(ess) to oversee the barony during the transition process.

The rules for both types of transitions

 No one living inside a branch being polled will administer a poll. It is strongly encouraged that each group invite in a moderator, acceptable to members of the group and to the Transition Officer, to administer any intermediate polls.  Baron(ess) may elect to include a letter with the first poll stating their opinions and endorsements, but they cannot create restrictions against candidacy beyond those specified in Corpora and Kingdom Law.  A landed baron is an officer of the crown and must be a paid member of the society with access to the Kingdom newsletter.  As an officer of the Crown, Their Majesties may require regular reporting of Their officers. Officers who do not report may be removed or suspended by the Crown.  A Seneschal who is a candidate for baronial office will be asked to step down for the duration of the process. This person may re-assume the office once the process is complete (if they are not selected as Baron or baroness). One may not hold the office of Baron(ess) and the office of Seneschal at the same level concurrently.  No Baron(ess) will be appointed over the substantial objection of the populace.  A Barony must contain at a minimum, 40 members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. It should be able to show that it has maintained and will continue to maintain this minimum membership level.

When properly completed, the above policy is designed to ensure the peaceful transition of a barony to its new estate, within the confines of Kingdom Law and Corporate Policy.

A more detailed list of guidelines may be obtained from the Transition Officer listed in the back of the Pale.