Draft Corpora

The Corpora of the Society for Creative Anchronism, Inc.

August 21, 2025

An introduction to the Society for Creative Anchronism (SCA)

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of world history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities.

In pursuing its mission, the SCA is committed to excellence in its programs, communications, and activities. The SCA expects that all its members and participants will conduct themselves in accordance with the SCA Core Values, to:

• Act in accordance with the chivalric virtues of honor and service in all interactions with SCA members and participants;
• Be a responsible steward of SCA resources;
• Deal fairly with others, and value and respect the worth and dignity of all individuals,
• Practice inclusiveness and respect diversity;
• Promote a safe and respectful environment for all SCA members and participants;
• Act with transparency, fairness, integrity, and honesty;
• Maintain a harassment-free environment in SCA spaces; and,
• Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on the SCA or other SCA members and participants.

The SCA provides an environment in which members can recreate various aspects of the cultures and technology of the period, as well as doing more traditional historical research. The SCA sponsors events, which may include tournaments, feasts, martial activities, classes, and other activities reflective of pre-17th century life. Members dress in pre-17th century clothing styles worn all over the world and participate in activities based on the civil and martial skills of the period. These activities recreate aspects of the life and culture, dress, pastimes, and above all the chivalric ideals of the period, unifying our events and activities. Members have free choice of what areas they will explore. The SCA is expressly welcoming to all people of any race, sex, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

The SCA currently has active branches in North America, Europe, Australasia, Asia, and Africa. This "Known World" is divided into Kingdoms. Each Kingdom has a Sovereign and Consort selected by tournament combat. Some of the Kingdoms include Principalities ruled by individuals also chosen by combat. These organizations are responsible for the smaller branches based in individual towns, cities, or counties.

These governing documents set forth the workings of the SCA, Inc. and of the Society. Except where otherwise noted, the rules of the modern corporation (the By-Laws and the Corporate Policies of the SCA, Inc.) apply only to the US and other areas not separately incorporated, while the introduction and the document named Corpora governs all the Kingdoms of the Society, wherever they exist.

Glossary

In this volume, the following terms are used only with the meanings given here: Society: The entirety of the Society for Creative Anachronism (a worldwide group of affiliated organizations).

SCA, Inc. or SCA

The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., California nonprofit (or not-for-profit) corporation

Board

The Board of Directors of the SCA, Inc.

Governing documents

The Organizational Handbook, which contains the Introduction, Corpora, the Articles of Incorporation of the SCA, Inc., the By-Laws of the SCA, Inc., the Corporate Policies of the SCA, Inc., and any amendments and appendices.

By-Laws

The By-Laws of the SCA, Inc.

Corpora

The policies governing historical re-creation within the Society, and those policies applicable to the entire Society.

Society Member

Membership in the Society is defined in the By-Laws of the SCA, Inc., or in the approved organizational documents of any corporation affiliated with the SCA, Inc.

SCA, Inc. Waiver Card

A card which indicates that a properly executed waiver is on file at the corporate office. This card may also contain membership information.

Armigerous award

An award that can convey Arms by Award, Grant, or Patent.

Consort

The member for whom the combatant fights in a Royal Lists.

Coronet

The Sovereign and Consort of a principality, acting together.

Crown

The Sovereign and Consort of a kingdom, acting together.

Officer

A Society member serving in an appointed office as defined in Corpora, or as an appointed deputy in such an office, or in another office as may be defined by Kingdom Law, at any level of the Society, or in the role of organizer of a Society event (commonly referred to as "Autocrat" or "Steward"), or as a Territorial Baron or Baroness, or as Crown or Coronet or heir to a Crown or Coronet.

Peerage

Collectively, the members of the populace who hold a patent of arms. Any person holding a patent is a peer.

Period

The era used by the Society as the base for its re-creation activities. The Society is based on the life and culture of the landed nobility of pre-17th Century history, focusing on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Realm

A kingdom (including any principalities), or a principality.

Royal Lists

Properly constituted armored combat tournaments to determine the successors to current royalty. They are known as "Crown Lists" for kingdoms and "Coronet Lists" for principalities.

Royal heirs

The victor in the Royal Lists and the victor’s consort for the period between the victory and the Coronation (kingdom) or Investiture (principality).

Royal Peer

An individual who has reigned as Sovereign or Consort, or as Prince or Princess of a principality, is referred to as a Royal Peer.

Royalty

The persons who hold the offices of Sovereign or Consort of a kingdom or principality. The heirs to those positions are also considered royal, but Corpora uses the terms "royalty" and "reigning royalty" interchangeably, and only to refer to Sovereigns and Consorts.

Sovereign and Consort

The victor in the Royal Lists and the victor’s consort, respectively, after their Coronation or Investiture.

Subject

Any person who physically resides within the borders of a realm for more than half the year.

Those who do not maintain a residence meeting this definition may be considered subjects of the realm where they participate most frequently if they obtain written acknowledgment from the royalty of that realm. Those who participate in Society activities primarily in a realm other than the one where they reside may be considered subjects of that realm if they obtain written permission and acknowledgment from the royalty of both realms. Decisions of the Coronet in such matters depend upon the approval of the Crown.

I. General

A. Precedence of Law

1. The approved English language version of any Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. document is the official version. In case of conflict between the English language version and a translation into another language, the English language version governs.
2. Despite the use of the word "law" to describe the operating documents of its regional branches, the Society recognizes the absolute precedence of law issued by civil authorities over any of its internal rules. The SCA, Inc. as a corporate person, along with all of its members as citizens, must obey the law of whatever jurisdictions apply to them in exactly the same fashion as all other corporations or citizens in those jurisdictions.
3. Within the Society, if there is any conflict among the provisions of the following types of rules, those higher on the list will govern over those lower:
   1. The By-Laws of the appropriate organization
   2. The Corporate Policies of the appropriate organization
   3. The Corpora of the Society
   4. Society Officers' Policies approved by the Board
   5. Kingdom Law (within the kingdom that enacts it)
   6. Decision of the Crown (within the kingdom and for the duration of the current reign)
   7. Principality Law (within the principality that enacts it)
   8. Decision of the Coronet (within the principality and for the duration of the current reign)
4. If they find it useful to codify their customs, branches and organizations such as orders, guilds, et cetera, are permitted to create charters. Charters are primarily administrative tools that can help the group to define structure and procedures. Unless written into kingdom or principality law, organizational charters do not have the force of law. Branch charters may not be written into law.

B. Role of Corpora

Corpora serves as a framework for the structure of the historical re-creation activities of the Society, and applies equally to all branches worldwide, regardless of corporate affiliation. The various Board approved Policies of Society officers provide guidance for the operations of those offices. Kingdoms may follow custom or make law in areas where these policies are silent, as long as they remain consistent with the general approach embodied therein. They may also impose additional rules and requirements for branches, offices, and awards within their jurisdiction, but may not reduce, contradict or waive any specified requirement contained at a higher level in the Precedence of Law.

C. Role of the Board

Rules

The Board of Directors of the SCA Inc. establishes the rules of the Society’s historical re-creation activities and the minimum administrative requirements for officers and branches; these are published in Corpora. It is the final arbiter of the interpretations of these rules as made by the officers of the Society. It reserves to itself various powers as described in Corpora, and these reservations apply to all branches, regardless of corporate affiliation.

Intervention

If the Board finds it necessary to intervene in branch affairs to protect the SCA's legal standing, its action will be directed as nearly as possible at the individuals responsible for the lapse. The Board will move against a branch as a whole only if repeated failures prove it incapable of locating and maintaining reliable officers, to be determined and defined on a case-by-case basis.

Publication of changes

1. Under normal circumstances, the Board will publicize proposed changes to Corpora in sufficient time to allow comment from the membership before making a final determination.
2. The Board of Directors shall give a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days notice to Kingdom Administrations of the effective date of changes made to Corpora. This notice shall be in written form and the sixty days shall count from the date of mailing. In case of an emergency, less notice may be given, such notice to be no less than thirty (30) days before the implementation date for such changes. In all cases where less than sixty days' notice was given, the notice shall be accompanied by a letter of explanation of the emergency prompting the change.

Relationship with branches

1. The Board will maintain a policy of non-interference with branch activities. The Board reserves the right to intervene in branch affairs if:
   1. the events leading to such intervention appear to cause a threat to the integrity of the Society or the SCA, Inc.;
   2. the governing documents of the Society appear to have been violated;
   3. there is a threat to the SCA's legal standing; or
   4. the Board is asked to become involved.
2. If the Board finds it necessary to intervene in branch affairs to protect the SCA's legal standing, its action will be directed as nearly as possible at the individuals responsible for the lapse. The Board will move against a branch as a whole only if repeated failures prove it incapable of locating and maintaining reliable officers.
3. The application of any sanctions will depend upon the severity of the lapse, and the degree to which the affected parties were involved in either causing the problem or attempting to solve it.
4. The Board shall ensure that each kingdom shall have a specific Board member, called an ombudsman, assigned to act as its representative to the Board, and vice versa, for matters concerning that kingdom.

Right of appeal

1. The Board is the ultimate determiner and arbiter of the rules of the Society, regardless of what authority it may delegate elsewhere. All members of the Society shall therefore have the right of appeal to the Board, provided they follow proper channels for complaint and appeal.
2. When individual actions or decisions are appealed to the Board, any Directors who have been personally involved with the matters in question within the medieval structure of the Society must declare the potential conflict of interest and withdraw from the ruling.

Impeachment

A Director's tenure on the Board can be challenged by means of a petition presented to the Board (via the Corporate Office) by a majority of either the current Crowns or current Kingdom Seneschals. Such a petition will invoke the impeachment procedures presented in the By-Laws of the SCA, Inc.

Communications with the Board of Directors of the SCA, Inc.

1. The Corporate Office serves as the primary channel of communications to and from the Board, and materials intended for the agenda must be sent to the Corporate Office for distribution, with a copy to the ombudsman for the affected kingdom and/or office and the administration of the affiliated corporation of which the correspondent is a member, if applicable. The Corporate Office prepares and distributes Board minutes, and arranges for publication of any decisions by the Board pertaining to the Governing Documents, any proposals for such decisions which the Board wishes disseminated for comment, and any other communications from the Board to the membership.
2. Decisions of the Board are effective immediately but shall not be considered binding until made available to the segment of the membership they affect via direct mailing, printing in the appropriate corporate publications, or other methods the Board shall establish.
3. Any written communication with the Board is considered public, subject to any confidentiality provisions of Corpora, Corporate Policy, and approved Officer Handbooks, unless the author stipulates at the time of writing that the document is to be considered confidential. Any communications regarding sanctions and/or Board/Officer work-product are deemed confidential communications. Confidential documents will not be distributed outside the corporate staff unless the author's permission has been obtained. Reasonable requests for copies of other communications must be made in writing to the corporate office, and all such requests are automatically considered public documents. The Board reserves the right to declare any communication confidential subject to the author's right to republish the communication. Reasonable requests for copies of other communications must be made in writing to the corporate office, and all such requests are automatically considered public documents.
4. For communications to be considered by the Board, they must be dated and include the author’s legal name. A Society name may also be included when appropriate. A method of contacting the author (either postal or email address) must be included.
5. The Board does not accept anonymous communications, and electronic communications with no identifier of the sender other than an email address will be considered anonymous.

Operations outside the USA

The Board recognizes that the development of branches outside the United States enhances the Society as a whole by providing additional sources of ideas and materials, and additional opportunities for travel and education among the membership. However, while it is desirable for the SCA, Inc. to make an effort to assist such branches in their early development, it is not appropriate for one group of members to subsidize another indefinitely. The members in each country must eventually contribute enough to cover the ongoing expenses of operation in their country.

D. Membership requirements

General

Participants should expect to show proof of membership in order to qualify for member privileges. The level of proof required should be commensurate with the long-term risk to the Society posed by an erroneous claim to membership.

Officers

1. Officers at all levels of the Society must be Society members as defined in the By-Laws and Corporate Polices of the SCA, Inc. This standard also applies to deputies designated as successors to officers subject to this provision or assigned independent
2. The warrants and/or appointments of officers found to be without a valid membership shall be considered terminated as of the date of the lapse.
3. Warrants terminated due to a lapse in membership may or may not be reinstated upon demonstration of a valid membership at the pleasure of the warranting authority and within the confines of the governing documents and kingdom law.

Awards

Each Kingdom may, if it so desires, require paid membership in the Society for any of the following: receiving a Patent of Arms; receiving a Grant of Arms; receiving an Award of Arms; admission to an armigerous order. Such requirements must be written into Kingdom Law and may not imply or state that a person must remain a member to retain such awards or titles once given. A Kingdom which establishes such laws must ensure that its populace is informed of these requirements and is responsible for their enforcement.

E. Unofficial Entities

In many kingdoms, there are groups in which many people participate but which are not formally recognized by the Society. These can range from highly structured guilds to loosely associated camping groups. Entities that fall into this category can have many names, including but not limited to households, guilds, ships, and clans. Although these entities are not recognized by the Society in any formal way, some kingdoms have awards that can be given to these groups. Because they are not official Society groups, unofficial entities cannot sponsor Society events.

F. Sanctions

1. Sanctions and administrative actions should be proportionate and appropriate. Major sanctions, such as a ban on attendance or participation, should not be a substitute for appropriate administrative or legal action.
2. Administrative sanctions include, but are not limited to, suspension or removal from office, revocation of authorization, or removal of a disruptive element from an event by the individual responsible for the event, as defined in the appropriate section of Corpora. The Royalty should work with the appropriate officers to impose any sanctions.
3. Offenses against contemporary civil or criminal law should be dealt with through the appropriate legal system. This does not preclude the SCA from taking other appropriate actions.

II. Events

A. Society Events Defined

The term "Society event" refers to tournaments, feasts, and other activities whereby participants can display the results of their research into the culture and technology of the period in an environment which evokes the atmosphere of the pre-17th century Middle Ages and Renaissance. It also refers to educational activities involving either one-time classes or ongoing Society university organizations, and meetings where participants share skills or discuss the business of the group. All Society events must be sponsored by official branches of the Society, registered with the Seneschal of the sponsoring branch, publicized at least to the members of that branch, and conducted according to Society rules.

B. Requirements for Participants at Society Events

Anyone may attend Society events provided they wear an attempt at pre-17th century clothing, conform to the rules of Society, and comply with any other requirements (including but not limited to site fees or waivers) which may be imposed. At business meetings and informal classes, the requirement to wear pre-17th century dress may be waived. All participants are expected to behave in an appropriate and respectful manner.

C. Business Requiring Prior Announcement

Formal actions and announcements with long-term impact on the Society may occur only at Society events for which a full announcement including date, time, and place has been published in advance in the appropriate corporate publication. These actions include Crown and Coronet Tournaments, Coronations and Investitures, appointment of officers, presentation of awards and titles, proclamation of law, and the establishment or advancement of branches. However, deputy officers and officers below principality level need not be appointed at published events.

D. Individuals in Charge of Events

Each Society event must have one Society member appointed by the sponsoring branch in attendance and responsible for the general conduct of the event. Where an event involves only one type of Society activity, the responsible member is the appropriate branch officer, or someone designated by that officer (usually called an Event Steward). Where an event includes a variety of activities, the responsible member is the branch Seneschal, or someone designated by the branch Seneschal (usually called an Event Steward). Events including Society combat or combat-related activities must have at least one warranted marshal, designated by the Marshal of the sponsoring branch, in attendance and responsible for those activities.

E. Duty to Enforce Requirements

1. The officer(s) of the sponsoring branch responsible for an event shall ensure that the event operates according to the rules set forth in this document. If transgressions occur which seriously compromise the integrity of the event or endanger the health and safety of the attendees, the responsible officers shall correct the problem immediately as follows:
2. Disruptive elements at an event may be removed from the event by the individual responsible for that event or other appropriate officer. Offenses against contemporary civil or criminal law should be dealt with through the appropriate legal system. This does not preclude the Society from taking other appropriate actions as described in Corpora X.
3. The responsible officer for the event may find it necessary to remove Society approval for the event, or call the appropriate civil authorities, such as police, fire, or medical personnel. If the responsible officer cannot or will not do so, the senior Seneschal present, or (in cases involving the Rules of the Lists) the senior Marshal present shall do whatever is necessary to end the transgressions and notify the responsible officers and the owner of the site or the owner's agent that the Society will no longer be responsible for the event. In such a case, all official actions properly performed prior to the point when sanction was removed will be considered valid. However, no action taken after that point, including transfers of office or bestowal of awards, will be considered valid. If an event is terminated in this manner, the person(s) doing so must notify the Society Seneschal, the appropriate kingdom officers, and any other appropriate Society officers as soon as possible. They must also file a complete written report of the circumstances with the Society Seneschal, the appropriate kingdom officers, and any other appropriate Society officers within 30 days.
4. It is not the responsibility of Crowns to deal with violations of modern law. When asked to resolve situations that fall under the jurisdiction of modern authorities, it is the Crown’s responsibility to cooperate in referring such violations to the modern authorities. Further, it is the responsibility of the officers, particularly the local or Kingdom Seneschal, to ensure that the modern authorities are promptly notified.

F. Policy on Religion

1. Having no wish to recreate the religious conflicts of the period under study, the Society shall neither establish nor prohibit any system of belief among its members. No one shall perform any religious or magical ceremony at a Society event (or in association with the name of the Society) in such a way as to imply that the ceremony is authorized, sponsored, or promulgated by the Society or to force anyone at a Society event, by direct or indirect pressure, to observe or join the ceremony. However, this provision is in no way intended to discourage the study of historical belief systems and their effects on the development of Western culture.
2. Except as provided herein, neither the Society nor any member acting in its name or that of any of its parts shall interfere with any person’s lawful ceremonies, nor shall any member discriminate against another upon grounds related to either member's system of belief.

G. Waterbearing

The activity of providing beverages to combatants and spectators at SCA Combat activities is not regulated, warranted, organized, controlled, or sanctioned by the SCA, Inc. or any affiliate or subsidiary entity. Any warrants, authorizations, or other formal recognition of this activity which may currently exist are revoked by publication of this change. The change does not address or restrict any volunteer activities regarding providing beverages to combatants or spectators at SCA Combat activities nor the methods by which such provisions may be made. This does not preclude or affect SCA award recognition.

III. BRANCHES

A. General

The Society defines standard categories for branches based on several criteria. Groups are encouraged to develop well beyond the required minimum levels before petitioning for a change in status, to assure the stability and permanence of the branch if the petition is granted. Since members have free choice of what areas they will explore, it follows that Society branches cannot decide to specialize. The choice of a single time and place for a branch would make it hard for members there to pursue other interests of their own.

B. Borders

1. Each branch must have established borders, enclosing a single, contiguous area. At the Board’s discretion, exceptions may be made in the case of overseas areas dependent upon kingdoms or principalities. Branch borders need not necessarily follow state lines or similar political divisions, if other clearly definable lines are available. In some cases, the “border” may be defined in terms of an institution rather than a specific map reference. 2. Branches below principality level may not cross over state or national borders without the authorization of the Society Seneschal. The Kingdom Seneschal, with the approval of the Crown, may approve border adjustments below the principality level; specifically including adjustments to Baronial level borders to allow areas to form independent branches, as long as such adjustments are consistent with branch organization and designations. 3. All kingdom and principality border adjustment petitions should be prepared by the Kingdom Seneschal(s) involved, and sent to the Society Seneschal, who will present them to the Board. C. Branch Designations 1. The designations given below are considered standard, and their use for branches of the appropriate type needs no special justification: a. Kingdom: area ruled by a Sovereign and Consort b. Principality: area within a kingdom ruled by a Coronet c. Barony: area administered by a Baron and/or Baroness, the ceremonial representative(s) of the Crown d. Province: equivalent of a barony without a ceremonial representative e. Shire: local branch reporting directly to a kingdom or principality f. Canton: local branch reporting through a barony g. Riding: local branch reporting through a province h. College: institutional branch based at a school, research facility, etc. i. Stronghold: institutional branch based at a military installation j. Port: institutional branch based at a military installation in situations where groups of members will be detached for long periods, as with ships at sea 2. The Society recognizes that the use of these terms has developed over time, and does not require branches which adopted any of them in a sense other than that described herein prior to release of the 1989 Governing Documents to conform to the policy. Further, the Society recognizes that equivalent terms exist in many languages and permits a branch to use any valid equivalent for the standard designation for a branch of its level, as determined by the College of Arms. Any branch wishing to use a term which has not yet been included on the College’s list of established alternates should apply through its kingdom’s College of Heralds for permission to use the new designation. 3. Lateral changes in branch designation (such as between barony and province or between shire and college) must be submitted to the Society Seneschal for review and approval, in order to provide an outside confirmation that the needs of the membership will be served by the change. 4. Kingdom: A kingdom is a sovereign entity within the Society which has the right to select a ruling Sovereign and Consort by armored combat. A branch or contiguous group of branches may petition for kingdom status if the resulting entity would fulfill the requirements listed below: a. At least 400 members. b. Candidates for all Great Officer positions, each of whom is acceptable to the Society Officer responsible for the direction of that aspect of Society activity. c. A name and device registered with the College of Arms. d. Consensus favoring advancement in branch status by the members in the proposed kingdom, demonstrated by procedures acceptable to the Kingdom and Society Seneschals. e. A record of well-attended events together with regular study or guild meetings, demonstrations, and other educational activities for the benefit of the members and the community at large. f. Sufficient members of the orders conferring Patents of Arms to advise the Crown regarding the admission of candidates to those orders and to foster the development of those orders and the skills they represent within the kingdom. g. Sufficient fighters of such caliber as to invest the competition for the Crown with the dignity and value it merits. h. A body of kingdom law which provides for the maintenance and succession of the Crown; for the definition and advancement of local branches; for the appointment and removal of territorial Barons and Baronesses; and for such other matters as are found necessary. Draft laws, in the form to be presented to the victors of the first Crown Lists, must accompany a petition for kingdom status. i. A newsletter with quality and stability suitable for conversion to a corporate publication of the Society. 5. Principality: A principality is a part of a kingdom which has the right to select a reigning Prince and Princess by armored combat. A branch or contiguous group of branches within a kingdom may petition for principality status if the resulting entity would fulfill the requirements listed below: a. At least 100 members. b. Candidates for all Great Officer positions, each of whom is acceptable to the kingdom officer responsible for the direction of that aspect of Society activity, and such other officers as kingdom law and custom may require. c. A name and device registered with the College of Arms. d. Consensus favoring advancement in branch status by the members in the proposed principality, demonstrated by procedures acceptable to the Kingdom and Society Seneschals. e. A record of well-attended events together with regular study or guild meetings, demonstrations, and other educational activities for the benefit of the members and the community at large. f. Sufficient members of the orders conferring Patents of Arms to foster the development of those orders and the skills they represent within the principality. g. Sufficient fighters of such caliber as to provide appropriate competition for the Coronet. h. A body of principality law which provides for the maintenance and succession of the Coronet, and for any other matters delegated or permitted by the parent kingdom. Draft laws, in the form in which they will be presented to the victors of the first Coronet Lists, must accompany a petition for principality status. 6. Baronies and Provinces: Baronies and provinces are large branches within and subject to the administration of a kingdom (or principality, if any). They are alike in status and in the ability to administer other branches within their borders, but differ in that baronies possess a Baron and/or Baroness, ceremonial representatives appointed by the Crown, and therefore have the ability to create and administer awards, while provinces do not. A branch or contiguous group of branches may petition for baronial or provincial status at the members’ option, subject to the approval of the Crown and (if applicable) the Coronet, if the resulting entity meets the requirements listed below: a. At least 25 members. b. A set of officers acceptable to the Crown (and Coronet, if applicable). c. A name and device registered with the College of Arms. d. Consensus favoring advancement in branch status and favoring the type of branch (barony or province) specified in the petition. This consensus is determined by kingdom law and custom. If the branch is to be a barony, arrangements shall have been made with the Crown at the time of application for baronial status to select and appoint a Baron and/or Baroness in accordance with kingdom law and custom. e. A strong record of activity in a variety of fields of Society endeavor. 7. Other local branches: Below baronial/provincial level, branch establishment proceeds according to kingdom law and custom, subject to the Society Seneschal‘s review and the requirements set forth below. These branches may adopt designations as provided for by the laws and customs of their kingdoms and as established in this document. Minimum requirements include: a. At least 5 members b. At least 3 officers, including a Seneschal, an Exchequer, and one of the following: a Herald, a Marshal, or a Minister of Arts and Sciences. Local branches are encouraged to fill all the latter positions. c. A name registered with the College of Arms. d. Consensus among members in the area favoring establishment of the proposed branch. e. A special type of local branch is available for use at schools or military bases, or in other situations where membership is likely to fluctuate for reasons beyond the members’ control. The “territory” of such branches is defined in terms of affiliation with the institution where they are based, not in terms of physical boundaries. Institutional branches may report directly to a kingdom, but if their institution is located within the borders of a branch of any other class, they report through that branch. They differ from other local branches in that they go dormant if membership falls below five (5), rather than being disbanded. D. Establishment and Advancement 1. The Society and Kingdom Seneschals will work together as necessary to process petitions for branch establishment or advancement. Society members who wish to form a branch, advance an existing branch in status, or advance a group of branches in status must first determine whether the area they have in mind is eligible for such treatment. This process shall involve consultation with the Kingdom (and Principality, if any) Seneschal, and with the Seneschals of any nearby branches. 2. The Society permits very broad participation by people who are not members as defined in the By-Laws. However, no part of the Society can be required to solicit or heed non-member views regarding branch status, or any other situation where the opinion of the populace is to be consulted. Law, custom, or actual practice may allow consultation with nonmembers, but it cannot be required. 3. If necessary, the members shall reach a consensus as to a proposed name (and device, where required) and register it with the College of Arms before any petition for recognition can be granted. 4. The members of the proposed branch shall prepare a petition for the proposed action, stating the proportion of their numbers favoring the move, and demonstrating that the requirements are met. The petition shall be submitted as specified by kingdom law and custom. The Kingdom Seneschal shall review the petition to determine whether the proposed branch elevation conforms to Corpora and kingdom law and custom, consulting royalty and other kingdom or principality officers as appropriate for the level of branch under consideration. If the Kingdom Seneschal decides to recommend that the petition should be granted, the action to be taken depends on the level of branch, as follows: a. Kingdoms: The Kingdom Seneschal of the parent kingdom shall determine whether the petition package is complete. The Seneschal shall forward the entire petition package (together with the accumulated recommendations, comments, and reasons for approval) to the Society Seneschal for review. The Society Seneschal shall bring the petition before the Board for formal action. b. Principalities: The Kingdom Seneschal shall forward the entire petition package (together with the accumulated recommendations, comments, and reasons for approval) to the Society Seneschal for review. The Society Seneschal shall bring the petition before the Board for formal action. c. Baronies and provinces: The Kingdom Seneschal shall forward the entire petition package, including statements regarding the opinions of the relevant officers and royalty, to the Society Seneschal for review. The Society Seneschal shall determine the acceptability of the petition and either notify the Seneschal that the branch advancement may proceed, or that there are deficiencies which need to be corrected before the petition can be approved. The Society Seneschal will report the change in status to the Board. d. Institutional branches and local branches other than baronies and provinces: The Kingdom Seneschal shall advise the Crown if the petition is acceptable. After the Crown acknowledges the creation of the branch, the Kingdom Seneschal shall inform the Society Seneschal of the name, location and date of elevation and the Society Seneschal shall then notify the Board. 5. Appeals: If a petition to change branch status is denied at any stage, the petition will be returned to the originator(s) together with the accumulated recommendations, comments, and reasons for denial. Any denial may be appealed to the next level. E. Reservations to the Board The Board specifically reserves to itself the following functions with respect to branches of the Society: 1. To set and revise the borders of principalities and kingdoms. 2. To deny recognition to any group, regardless of other criteria met, for just cause, stated in writing to the affected people. 3. To change the status of any branch to reflect its current qualifications. 4. To dissolve a branch should it fail to continue to meet the qualifications for a branch of any level, or for other just cause, stated in writing to the affected people. 5. To authorize a branch or group of branches to experiment with a non-standard class of organization. Any such authorization is specific to the branch obtaining it.