Spring Equinox Meeting Minutes 3/20/04

Attending:

Aonghus
Vollund
Eberwulf
Elysia
Dairchan
Brogan
Helska
Fercha

Absent:

Valerian
Faellon
Guthrum
Finnoualla
Falgon
Sil
Momus
Colin

The following people received fines for not wearing their torcs:

Aonghus
Eberwulf
Brogan (also received a fine for not having a copy of the laws with him)

At 1:56PM, the meeting started with a blessing by the Druid.

What News:

Brogan – has been healing from his hip surgery, and meanwhile helped Dairchan and Elysia to build their second section of the great table.
Elysia – made clothing for Falgon, has been studying Irish (Gailge), and worked on the feast table.
Dairchan – worked on the feast table, has been studying Irish (Gailge) and pursuing druidic studies.
Vollund – has been studying Irish (Gailge) and working on wood carving.
Aonghus – has been studying Irish (Gailge) and helped Dairchan and Elysia with their feast table, has read M. Llewellyn's "Fionn MacCumhal", and "The Colloquy of the Ancients". He stated that the progress on the TdB website is temporarily stymied due to computer troubles.
Helska – took pictures at Imbolc.
Faircha – is considering starting an illuminated manuscript on the subject of the Táin (aka "The Cattle Raid of Cooley").

Treasury Report: Unknown, as the treasurer was not present.

Old Business:

Membership Process: Motion by Eberwulf, seconded by Brogan. Motion – Due to overwhelming demand for change, Eberwulf brought up a possible plan for new membership process, as previously posted on the Bhriain Yahoo group. Since the motion requires a unanimous vote, it was automatically tabled until the next clann meeting.
Membership Process: Motion made by Aonghus, seconded by Brogan. Motion – To change the current requirement for a unanimous vote to a requirement for ¾ majority vote. (Motioned as a technicality just to keep the subject "live" and on the table at the next meeting.) Automatically tabled until the next clann meeting.

New Business:

Motion – Dairchan motioned that the required reading for new probates be as follows:

a. Required Reading: The deor-fuidir should read and understand the laws of the clan.
The Tuatha de Bhriain is a medieval re-creation group. Members assume a persona of someone living during the time period we represent. In order to have an informed opinion of the time period and culture the deor-fuidir should have a working knowledge of 5th century AD Celtic Ireland in the areas of history, archeology (tools and art style), and mythology. Read one book from each category:

(1) General Celtic Culture:

o "The World of the Celts" by Simon James
o "The Story of the Irish Race" by Seamus McManus
(ch. 1 -20, 22, 24, 27, 31-35)

(2) Irish Dark Ages:

o "Early Irish Law" by Fergus Kelly (ch. 1-9)
o "A Social History of Ancient Ireland: Manners, Customs, and Domestic Life of the Ancient
Irish" by P. W. Joyce

(2) Mythology:

o "Gods and Fighting Men" by Lady Gregory
o "The Táin: Translated from the Irish Epic Táin Bo Cuailgne" by T. Kinsella
o "Tales of the Elders of Ireland: Acallam Na Senorach" by Anne Dooley
o "Red Branch" by Morgan Llywellyn
o "Finn McCool" by Morgan Llywellyn

The motion was seconded by Elysia. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – Aonghus motioned that a portion of every meeting be allocated for review of existing probates' advancement in the membership process. Seconded by Eberwulf. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – Aonghus motioned that a probate must complete all of the tasks on the task checklist before their membership may be brought up for a vote, as described here:

b. Handbook Tasks: The handbook task serve to introduce the probate to the necessary chores of running the group, as a vehicle for members to get to know the probate in question, and evaluate how well they will work in the group environment toward clan goals. The deor-fuidir must have completed or significantly assisted in the completion of the following tasks and should be performed as specified in the Clan Handbook:
Water Hookup, Water Hookup Break Down, Shower Hookup, Shower Hookup Break Down, Water Heater Set Up, Water Heater Break Down, Fire Pit Set Up, Fire Pit Break Down,Firewood, Fire Starting / Tending, Keg and Jockey Box Set Up, Keg and Jockey Break Down, Coolers and Ice Set Up, Coolers and Ice Break down, Grill Set Up, Grill Break Down, Spit Set Up, Spit Break Down, Great Table Set UpSheet Wall Set Up, Sheet Wall Break Down, Day Board, Cooking Dinner Main Course, Cooking Dinner Side Dish, The Dishes, Re-season Cast Iron Pot, Torch Set Up, Garbage Detail, Town Run, Last Person on Site, Imbolc Hall Clean Up. (A checklist is provided separately for convinience).

In jobs that have both a set up and break down component, the deor-fuidir must do both for proper credit. Motion seconded by Brogan. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Aonghus, seconded by Elysia.
Under normal circumstances, repeating tasks would not be grounds to exempt the deor-fuidir from other tasks. Motion passed 4-1-1.

Motion – made by Eberwulf, seconded by Dairchan.
Tasks must be completed under the supervision of a member. The supervising member need not be the sponsor, in fact, the probate should endeavor to work with as many different members as possible. A checklist with only a few names repeated as a supervising members will most likely be received poorly. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Aonghus, seconded by Dairchan.
A supervising member is within rights to refuse signing off on the check list and recommend the task be repeated on any chore the deor-fuidir's assistance was lacking in any way or if they exhibited a poor attitude. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion - made by Aonghus, seconded by Brogan.
Sponsors are encouraged to make motion for a "freebie" check off the list when the deor-fuidir does something not specified on the list but is of particular benefit to the group. The freebie should not be applied to any reading. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion - made by Aonghus, seconded by Elysia.
Should a deor-fuidir be physically unable to perform a task, the sponsor can apply for an exemption, however, since assisting in a task is acceptable for credit, such exemptions should be applied for and granted sparingly. Motion passed 5-1.

Motion – made by Dairchan, seconded by Elysia.
Deor-fuidirs must faithfully attend 3 events and four meetings prior to their membership vote, with the understanding that such attendance is expected of full members. However, the length of their probationary period may extend as long as a sponsor deems fit. Attending Pennsic is NOT a requirement but DOES count as attending an event. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Aonghus, seconded by Eberwulf.
Clan Projects Deor-fuidirs are to contribute significantly to two sponsor approved projects that provide for the common good of the clan with the understanding that such participation is expected of members.
The projects are intentionally non-specific as they could be anything from helping out on trailer day or consistently entertaining the clan by building armor and fighting, learning a period instrument and performing, or doing something more academic such as a historical topic or craft presentation etc. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Aonghus, seconded by Eberwulf.
The deor-fuidir should obtain all the equipment of the "Ocaire" as described by clan law, that being: A set of period style garb of wool or linen. (Tunic, trews, bog dress, Leine) , Period feast gear: bowl, trencher, or plate of wood or clay, Eating utensils of iron, bronze, or silver, A period drinking vessel (horn, wood, clay) and a Torc. Note: A Period Tent is a bonus item that will increase your honor price status as a probate (Bothach Status). You will be expected to get a tent eventually as a member. (Items are listed on the checklist for convenience). Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Eberwulf, seconded by Dairchan.
To become a member a person must first go through a probationary period. It is expected that the applicant will have attended a few events and at least one meeting before seeking probationary status.
A person wishing to become a member must obtain sponsorship from an existing member. The sponsor will move for a vote at a clan meeting (not and event) and upon a 2/3 aproval of the clan, the clan Druid will ask the following to the applicant: "Will you socialize, work toward the goals of the clan and enjoy camp life in a reasonably pleasant and harmonious manner, with your primary loyalty firmly set towards the good of the group?". Upon an affirmative response from the applicant they shall be elevated to Deor-fuidir (aka Probate) status. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion – made by Elysia, seconded by Brogan.
Upon unanimous approval of the clan, the deor-fuidir will be escorted back to the assembly by their sponsor and asked to recite the Oath of a Kinsman before the clan druid.

The Oath of a Kinsman
(Should be recited with bodhran accompaniment)

_______ swear before our Gods and all assembled:
To obey the laws of the clan and to defer to its leaders,
to assist my clanfolk and contribute to the clan good by all reasonable means,
to settle grievance by clan law and to fulfill in deed that which my tongue set before me.
may the earth split and consume me
may the sky crack and fall upon me
may the seas rise and swallow me.

Upon completion of the Oath, the deor-fuidir is elevated to "aurrad" (aka full member) status with whatever honor price they are entitled to. Motion passed unanimously.

Beltaine Event Planning:

Date of event moved to Friday, the 11th of June through Sunday, the 13th of June, with the possibility of Thursday the 10th thrown in. Date of event changed for mundane medical reasons.

Task List:
Aonghus – rake fire pit, main course, Sunday AM trash pick-up
Brogan – transport trailer, transport cooler, provide beer funds, white cooler, cleanup, assist w/ main course
Eberwulf – water hookup and breakdown, jockeybox setup and breakdown, pottage
Helska – cider
Guthrum – storing leftovers, beer
Finnoualla – vegetarian dish
Elysia – feast-o-crat, table setup, bacon kale
Dairchan – bus tables, help w/ dishes, turnips, help pack trailer, assist w/ druidic ceremony
Faellon – bread and honey butter
Falgon – start fire for cooks, set up the spit, pack the trailer w/ Dairchan assisting
Sil – dessert, rake path between campsites
Colin – firewood, help Elysia w/ feast and table setup
Momus – assist Elysia w/ feast setup
Vollund – tiki torches, welcome stew, dessert, Ard Droi
Valerian – dayboard, dishes (assisted by Dairchan)

Trailer Issue:
May 1st is "Trailer Work Day" – the kitchen trailer has developed some structural problems that need to be resolved. All help appreciated! Call Aonghus for additional information.

2004 Clann Tee Shirts:

Project assigned to Dairchan. Designs to be presented at a later date.

Motion to end the meeting made by Aonghus, seconded by Elysia. Motion passed nearly unanimously, except for Dairchan, who abstained for the hell of it.