Introduction
The following should serve as a guide towards all who would wish to join The House of the Sable Dawn. The principles outlined below are not meant to cover every situation; they should form but one corner of a triangle. The other two critical elements of the triangle being; good judgment, and respect for your House Brethren and their interests. We are all friends who wish to help each other. There is one Head of the Household; his position is referred to as the Archon.
Governing Principles
- Lead by Deed, not Words. We can all meet the base requirements of the S.C.A., we collectively acknowledge that we strive for more in; Service, Courtesy, and in Authenticity.
- Everyone plays the game differently, show consideration to all and support your House Brethren in their S.C.A. endeavors.
- The Household and its members are not held in Fealty by virtue of their membership. Personal choices of Fealty, by individual Members are their own concern.
- Problems within the Household should be addressed within the Household.
- Your words and actions reflect upon your House Brethren. Act and Speak accordingly.
- We are a Household in Service to the Barony. While exercising good taste, we shall strive to assist their Excellencies of L'Ile du Dragon Dormant in their whims.
- Support of the S.C.A. is important; membership in the Society is encouraged.
- Members of the House will do their best to sit together at local feasts. Camping together at events is also encouraged.
Household Rules
- No one but the Archon speaks on behalf of the Household. The Archon should consult the rest of the House before he speaks for the Household. He does not speak for any individual member.
- Members of the household may advise the Archon on decisions and direction as needed. Such advice is non binding upon the Archon. The only binding input made by household members is in regards to admission votes (As discussed below).
- On-Watch and Members
- There are three categories of gentles associated with the Household.
- On-Watch - Are gentles sponsored by House Members for potential membership. They have no obligation towards dues, nor are they entitled a vote in household matters.
- Any member in good standing can sponsor one prospective member (1 at any one time) by speaking to the Archon.
- Sponsored members are put 'On Watch' until they can attend 4 SCA events where 2 or more household members have attended (organized Household meetings/work days can count for two of the four events) but for a minimum of 6 months. At this time, House Members should try to meet the prospective member.
- After 6 months and the 4 SCA events where 2 or more household members have attended (which can include up to two organized Household meetings and work days) all House members take an anonymous vote (paper ballot). Yay's and Nay's are counted for the prospective member. An abstention shall be counted as a Nay and Inactive members shall not vote. The prospective member will not be present at this meeting and the vote is called by the Archon at the wish of the Sponsoring member. Proxy voting will be allowed.
- One Fifth (1/5) or more Nay's (rounded up) of the full household membership prevent the prospective member from joining for one year from the vote.
- After the ballot, should the 'On Watch' member be accepted by the Household, they are granted the status of a full member, bearing all of the responsibilities and rights with the following exception; New members may not sponsor anyone for 'On Watch' for their first 6 months as a new member. This time is to ensure that the dynamic of the Household does not drastically change in a short order of time.
- Full Members
- Existing members of the Household with full rights and obligations such as yearly dues ($10CDN), the right to sponsor an On-Watch, and membership votes.
- Inactive Members
- Those full members who are called away by real-life for more than six months. They retain the right to voice their opinions about any household matter. However an Inactive member can not vote on Household matters, nor place anyone On-Watch while they remain on inactive status. An Inactive member is also exempt from Household dues for the period that they are inactive.
- The inability to attend three consecutive household functions will result in a full household member being listed as an Inactive member.
- An Inactive member may return to full status at any time of their choosing.
- On-Watch can not become Inactive members.
- A House Member, whose actions have been so contradictory to the goals of the House, may be voted out of the House using the same mechanism as is used for new members (as above). The Archon reserves the right to veto this decision, with an explanation to the Household. If vetoed the vote may be retaken in 6 months, with the results being binding to all.
- Every year at the Household meeting in April a new Household Treasurer is selected by popular choice. She shall maintain the House's dues. The dues ($10 CDN) are collected from each Member. Outstanding dues suspend your right to vote on House issues.
- If you think that you will miss a House meeting, let the Archon know.
- The Archon does not have a set term and reserves the right to step down as Household Head on three months notice. The Archon shall choose his replacement based on input from other House members.
- Any full House Member may wear the Household badge [Fieldless] On a Sun Sable, a Pavilion Argent.
- Carrying the Household Banner (which displays the Household Device, Argent, a sun sable, and on a chief nebuly purpure three pavilions argent) is an Honor. The Archon reserves the right to choose who carries the Household banner into Their Excellencies Court when/if the Household is summoned.
Projects and Meetings
- The House will attempt to have a rotating potluck meal, every 'even' Month (February, April, June, August, October, December). Consult the hosts and the Household before you invite guests.
- In the 'odd' months (January, March, May, July, September, November) that the House does not have a potluck, we will strive to have a House Project Day (usually on a Saturday). These days are for furthering personal projects as well as Household projects.
- Every 12 months, restarting in the month of April, the House shall choose 4 projects (two for the Barony and two for the House) by popular choice.
- The Household shall alternate the scope of its projects (one for the Household and then one for the Barony).
- The Archon will decide by which order the projects are started. The input of House Members is encouraged.
Household Units
- Sable Dawn may form SCA units (as pertains to SCA combat or competition) as desired, with the following constraints upon their creation, conduct and membership;
- Membership within any unit is available to those who meet these criteria;
- All full members of the household
- Those duly authorized to compete in such activity as required by the SCA.
- The agreement that they will adopt the method in which the unit displays the household badge (as described below).
- Members shall be selected based upon their prowess in the relevant activity if there are a limited number of positions available in a given competition.
- All such units will compete on behalf of the Barony when called upon.
- Unit members will uniformly wear the household badge prominently while acting as a unit at a SCA event or household function (but not during SCA practices). The form by which the badge is displayed should be achieved by majority consensus within the unit, defaulting to a uniform sash worn about the waist if such consensus can not be achieved.