To the Good People of Ealdormere,

I received the following email (see below) from the Society Seneschal Master Antonio Giordano da Sicilia. The process for Canadians to complete a background check to ensure the safety of the children in the SCA is a very complicated and ongoing issue. To be clear, everyone agrees that the need for a background check to be completed is a valid and necessary measure. The issue revolves around using IntelliCorp, a US-based company, to conduct the background checks. IntelliCorp requires our Social Insurance Number be provided to them to complete a background check. Both Avacal and Ealdormere have been very clear in communicating to the Board of Directors that providing our Social Insurance Numbers across an international border is unacceptable and that most Canadians would be justifiably unwilling to do so.

 The Seneschals of Avacal and Ealdormere have been told to submit an RCMP Vulnerable Sector background check to SCA Inc. We have been told that this is a provisional means of background checking the Kingdom Seneschals in Avacal and Ealdormere. I am complying with this request. Once another corporate background check for Canada has been selected that process will supersede this one.
 
At this time, it has been determined that there may be no youth activities (any activity provided specifically just for youth) or youth combat within the Kingdom unless the youth officer or youth combat marshal has a valid corporate background check. Given the circumstances surrounding completing background checks no one in our Kingdom has a valid check completed. Please ensure that we are complying with the Society Seneschal’s directive on this matter.
 
It is my hope that the Board of Directors works quickly to establish a new process, but at this time I have been provided no additional information or timelines.
 
Jocea
Duchess Jocea Valente
Seneschal, Ealdormere
ealdormere.kseneschal@gmail.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: A.J. Pongratz, Esq. <dragonslair88@yahoo.com>
​​

Date: Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 9:10 PM
Subject: A Variance for Background Checks for Kingdom Seneschals.
To: "ealdormere.kseneschal@gmail.com" <ealdormere.kseneschal@gmail.com>
Cc: "Dr. Scott Berk" <sberk@director.sca.org>, President <president@sca.org>, Renee Signorotti <renee@sca.org>, Arthur Donadio <adonadio@director.sca.org>


 The Board has granted a variance as to the Seneschals of Avacal and Ealdomere in terms of corporate background checks; as such, the Kingdom Seneschals of Avacal and Ealdomere, until otherwise determined by the Board, must submit an RCMP Vulnerable Sector background check to the Corporate Office in Milpitas California.  As the RCMP check cannot be sent outside of Canada, i.e. to Milpitas California directly, please obtain the background check and have it sent directly to your residence.  You will then forward the results of this background check in the original sealed envelope to:
 
Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
c/o Renee Signporotti, Corporate Vice President
P.O. Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036-0789
 
This is a provisional means of background checking Kingdom Seneschals in Avacal and Ealdomere; once another corporate background check for Canada has been selected, that process will supersede this provisional form of background check.
 
As for Youth Officers and Youth Combat Marshals, the present IntelliCorp background check that is currently in place shall continue to be utilized pursuant to the Seneschal's Handbook as noted below. [Emphasis added.]  If there is no youth officer or youth combat marshal with a valid corporate background check, there may be no youth activities or youth combat within the Kingdom.  The Board of Directors and the Society's Officer's are charged to protect the SCA, Inc. as fiduciaries; as such, the Board of Directors and I are duty bound to protect the corporation by ensuring that all reasonable safeguards are maintained in terms of protecting the children of the SCA and the SCA's civil liability. 
 
Best regards,
 
A.J. Pongratz
Vice President of Operations, SCA Inc.
Society Seneschal

Alas, I have missed the deadline of the Tidings this month.  The date simply got lost in amongst the 4th quarter reports, which I am pleased to write were all submitted within a day or two of the deadline.  

Thank you for your timely reporting.

I was fantastic to see many of you at Wassail and have a chance to chat in person about the activities within the Kingdom.  You are truly the representatives of this noble Society and I commend you for your attention to detail, and providing such stability for your groups.  I say fond farewells to those stepping 
down from office, and grand Welcomes to those joining the ranks of the Seneschalate.

I hope all of you were as inspired as I was by the Queen’s Prize Tourney.  As we are in the midst of the season of darkness, I hope you gather round and spend the hours creating; creating time with loved ones, completion with projects, and companionship with good friends.

I remind each and every one to travel safely over this winter season.  Be mindful of the weather and your activities.  Plan accordingly, remember this is a fun activity, and as such it is not worth loss of limb and life in effort to attend.

The Open Privy Council Meeting will occur at Winter War.

I wish you all the best this festive season, no matter what you choose to celebrate, may you find yourselves surrounded by loved ones to keep you warm and in the light.

Kersteken