On Thursday, October 7, 45 members and our special quest came together on Zoom for our monthly meeting. Several members logged in early to enjoy some socializing prior to the meeting. Alan Brown started the meeting shortly after 2:00 and welcomed us all with some gentle reminders when using the Zoom platform.
President John McGinn thanked the members for coming and welcomed everyone to the new season of Glacier Probus Club. He is hopeful that before the year is out, we will be able to meet in person. President McGinn acknowleged Steve Ray as our new Technology/AV Director and Dorothy McGinn as our new Treasurer.
President McGinn stated that the bylaws were to be reviewed every 3 years. Therefore, this past June-August, Management Committee (MC) members were working on this review. Proposed changes were sent out to all members in September for consideration prior to the scheduled vote at this October meeting.
Each of the proposed bylaw changes were voted on individually by the members present with the exception of Bylaw #7. After some discussion the proposed change to Bylaw #7 was withdrawn. All the other proposed Bylaw changes were approved. Going forward, President McGinn reported that a committee has been formed consisting of Steve Ray and Ian Thompson who will further review the Club's bylaws.
Michele Morton reported on the Club Christmas Party on December 4 in the ballroom of the d'Esterre Senior's Centre in Comox. The cost is $35/person with catering by Dei and music by Don Boliver. The 56 members who have expressed an interest in attending will eventually receive an email asking whether they are still interested. If more people show an interest they may also be accomodated.
Jim Belair noted that the success of the Glacier Probus Club has been the willingness of members to step up and lead Activity Groups. Jim introduced Sandra Wagner, a new member last year. Sandra is interested in starting a new Activity Group for anyone interested in Travel. Members could share travel, adventures, slides, photos, and travel tips. Ian Thompson will also send out an email to all members with Sandra's contact information. For now, any meetings would be on Zoom.
Alan Brown, looking very dapper in Elaine's homemade medieval vest with accompanying sword, introduced our special guest, Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis.
Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis, or Duchess Tangwystl Tudur as she is known, has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for 36 years, joining in 1985. The SCA started out as a 'backyard' group in Berkley, California in the 1960s. By October 1968, there was already a handbook on how to start one's own Shires and Baronies. In 1969 there were 3 Kingdoms, consisting of The West-California, The East-Europe and eastern USA, and the Middle Kingdom consisting of the rest of the world. Today the SCA has 20 Kingdoms worldwide (including China), with 30,000 members and over 60,000 participants as one does not need to be a member to take part casually. Their aim is the study of Europoean medieval culture and history bringing it to life through armoured combat, archery, thrown weapons, equestrian tournaments, dance, medieval arts such as gunpowder, brewing, cooking, spinning, glass blowing, and theatre; plus the study and practice of Heraldry, as well as Calligraphy and Illumination with beautiful gold foil (to name but a few).
Within the Society, members create personas or characters to help understand the Medieval people and their values of honour, respect, and chivalry. There are small events such as potlucks and practices and huge Kingdom events. Duchess Tangwystl Tudur sited an event in Pennsylvania pre-Covid where 10,000 participants camped for 2 weeks. She mentioned some other interesting facts: battles are not scripted but depend on honour and chivalry and a King and Queen rule over Principalities and Shires.
When asked about the cost of joining the SCA, Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis reported that a combined international and family membership was roughly $80.00. One's individual cost above that is strictly driven by the level one wants to play at. Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis showed us her beautiful crown of gold plate with real gems.
Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis ended by saying that since 1985, the people she has met with a shared interest in the SCA have become family. She said that in the SCA there is a culture of acceptance and respect and repeatedly noted there is "no pressure" on participants. Duchess Tangwystl Tudur welcomed us to the Middle Ages on Saturday nights at 5:30 in the Pavilion at Comox Marina.
Alan Brown asked how active the club is locally. Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis replied that Tuesday evenings there is Archery practice on Fern Road. Other nights there are Thrown Weapon practices (including axes and knives) and Arts and Science nights also.
To contact the local chapter, check out their Facebook page: The Shire of Hartwood or email Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis at: [email protected]
President McGinn thanked our special guest for an incredibly interesting report on the SCA.
Dorothy McGinn announced the winners of Church Street Bakery gift cards who were: Jim Belair, Martha Nihls, Shelley Combs, and Jane Keliher.
The meeting ended at 3:20.
President John McGinn thanked the members for coming and welcomed everyone to the new season of Glacier Probus Club. He is hopeful that before the year is out, we will be able to meet in person. President McGinn acknowleged Steve Ray as our new Technology/AV Director and Dorothy McGinn as our new Treasurer.
President McGinn stated that the bylaws were to be reviewed every 3 years. Therefore, this past June-August, Management Committee (MC) members were working on this review. Proposed changes were sent out to all members in September for consideration prior to the scheduled vote at this October meeting.
Each of the proposed bylaw changes were voted on individually by the members present with the exception of Bylaw #7. After some discussion the proposed change to Bylaw #7 was withdrawn. All the other proposed Bylaw changes were approved. Going forward, President McGinn reported that a committee has been formed consisting of Steve Ray and Ian Thompson who will further review the Club's bylaws.
Michele Morton reported on the Club Christmas Party on December 4 in the ballroom of the d'Esterre Senior's Centre in Comox. The cost is $35/person with catering by Dei and music by Don Boliver. The 56 members who have expressed an interest in attending will eventually receive an email asking whether they are still interested. If more people show an interest they may also be accomodated.
Jim Belair noted that the success of the Glacier Probus Club has been the willingness of members to step up and lead Activity Groups. Jim introduced Sandra Wagner, a new member last year. Sandra is interested in starting a new Activity Group for anyone interested in Travel. Members could share travel, adventures, slides, photos, and travel tips. Ian Thompson will also send out an email to all members with Sandra's contact information. For now, any meetings would be on Zoom.
Alan Brown, looking very dapper in Elaine's homemade medieval vest with accompanying sword, introduced our special guest, Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis.
Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis, or Duchess Tangwystl Tudur as she is known, has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for 36 years, joining in 1985. The SCA started out as a 'backyard' group in Berkley, California in the 1960s. By October 1968, there was already a handbook on how to start one's own Shires and Baronies. In 1969 there were 3 Kingdoms, consisting of The West-California, The East-Europe and eastern USA, and the Middle Kingdom consisting of the rest of the world. Today the SCA has 20 Kingdoms worldwide (including China), with 30,000 members and over 60,000 participants as one does not need to be a member to take part casually. Their aim is the study of Europoean medieval culture and history bringing it to life through armoured combat, archery, thrown weapons, equestrian tournaments, dance, medieval arts such as gunpowder, brewing, cooking, spinning, glass blowing, and theatre; plus the study and practice of Heraldry, as well as Calligraphy and Illumination with beautiful gold foil (to name but a few).
Within the Society, members create personas or characters to help understand the Medieval people and their values of honour, respect, and chivalry. There are small events such as potlucks and practices and huge Kingdom events. Duchess Tangwystl Tudur sited an event in Pennsylvania pre-Covid where 10,000 participants camped for 2 weeks. She mentioned some other interesting facts: battles are not scripted but depend on honour and chivalry and a King and Queen rule over Principalities and Shires.
When asked about the cost of joining the SCA, Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis reported that a combined international and family membership was roughly $80.00. One's individual cost above that is strictly driven by the level one wants to play at. Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis showed us her beautiful crown of gold plate with real gems.
Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis ended by saying that since 1985, the people she has met with a shared interest in the SCA have become family. She said that in the SCA there is a culture of acceptance and respect and repeatedly noted there is "no pressure" on participants. Duchess Tangwystl Tudur welcomed us to the Middle Ages on Saturday nights at 5:30 in the Pavilion at Comox Marina.
Alan Brown asked how active the club is locally. Mrs. Ollerhead De Santis replied that Tuesday evenings there is Archery practice on Fern Road. Other nights there are Thrown Weapon practices (including axes and knives) and Arts and Science nights also.
To contact the local chapter, check out their Facebook page: The Shire of Hartwood or email Mrs. Catherine Ollerhead De Santis at: [email protected]
President McGinn thanked our special guest for an incredibly interesting report on the SCA.
Dorothy McGinn announced the winners of Church Street Bakery gift cards who were: Jim Belair, Martha Nihls, Shelley Combs, and Jane Keliher.
The meeting ended at 3:20.