Contacts

Kingdoms and individual branches can have guilds. Generally, branches have very extensive information on how to form up a guild within their branch. However, it seems that kingdoms don't really have alot of information about forming guilds. So, you can usually modify branch guild iinformation to make it work for a kingdom guild. For the intent of this article, I will refer to guild formation as those forming within a kingdom.

Guilds start our like new branches. They have to first get approved to get recognized as Incipient. Incipient Guilds cannot hold their own funds, however, they can get money and spend money, but the funds will have to be held on their behalf by the Kingdom and they will have to have a Guild Exchequer. Usually any guild goes thru an 'incipiency ' stage-just like forming a new branch. In fact, in An Tir starting a guild is exactly the same format as starting a branch . An Incipiency period is designed to see whether a guild can function as a permanent entity: whether it can report consistently and correctly, manage funds, hold events, and teach people.

Most Kingdoms have laws or regulations about forming a guild. Some kingdoms have more extensive regulations then others. You must look at Kingdom Law and see what it says about guilds. An Tir has very minimal information about how to form a guild, but it does have information about what should be in the charter. It can be very valuable to look at how other kingdoms form Guilds. So your first plan of actions should be to check out your Kingdom website http://antir.sca.org/ because this is your main resource.

From there, you have several things to check. First click on A&S and you will see the guilds already in you kingdom. One way to get information about forming a guild is to ask these guilds how they started. Or you can start by talking to the Guild heads and asking them for general info. Even if they weren't the ones who started theirs, they may know who was and that person can guide you. They should also be able to show you their 'charter' and other guild documents that explain how the guild functions, because you will need to format one for your Guild. Often you can look at several Guilds’ charters to get an idea of what they entail and take then modify yours to include all the best ideas. It really is easy if you use others' charters to build your own--it goes lightening fast then.

Next, contact your Kingdom A&S Officer. You must do them the courtesy of informing them of your intentions. Often they will be able to provide guidance as well. Some people do better if you contact them by email, others by phone, and yet others, in person. You may have to be persistent till you can get through to your Kingdom Officer.

Theoretically the reason you want to form a guild is because other people want to study and research the same things you do. So, contact everyone else who lives in your kingdom with a similar interest and start up your own ‘pre-guild ‘ elist. Be sure to give it a name that states you are starting as a hunt guild. Inother words, do not inadvaertently assume even inipiency status. That too must be granted by the Crown. For instance when our Equestrian Guild started they made up a name called HARTS(Horse Arts) for their elist and then yahoo allows you to change the name when /if you need to do so.

Once you get the process going, then put out a general call on your Kingdom Elist (and Kingdom Elist, or any other related list) and let people know they are invited to join in on your elist and discussions.

Again, before you start , be sure to let your Kingdom A&S Officer know--get their blessing and guidance in writing.

Usually any guild goes thru an 'incipiency ' stage-just like forming a new branch. In fact, in our kingdom, starting a guild is exactly the same format as starting a branch .

Incipient Branch must submit

A letter of petition from the members of the proposed guild.

A map of the area claimed.

A letter describing the new guild .

Copies of the proposed branch officers membership cards and driver’s license or equivalent ID.

A completed Job Acceptance/Change of Officer form for the ACTING Guild Adminstrator and other guild officers. An Acting Exchequer must complete a Negative Report form even though the Guild does have funds. Funds cannot be held by the Guild itself , only by the Kingdom until the incipient has gained full permanent status. Submit all to the Kingdom A&S Officer and Crown.

To gain permanent status:

A Kingdom Guild must have a proven record of reporting and communicating with the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Minster. submit quarterly reports from the Guild Admisntrator and exchequer (if you have funds) to the Kingdom Arts and Science Mininister, hold regular meetings

Ealdormere Hunt Guild

Magnus Kjrr-Thorgierson

(Chris Kerr)

KMoAS

905-338-9642

East Kingdom Hunt Guild

Madra De DraganCru'b

Jess Barabe

508-673-4017

Marshal of Hounds

Midrealm Hunt Guild

THL Corin the Huntsman, Minster