Kingdom Law - Officers

Officers

Kingdom Officers

Great Officers

There shall be seven Great Officers in Lochac. They shall be:

1. the Kingdom Seneschal
2. the Crux Australis Herald
3. the Earl Marshal
4. the Minister of Arts and Sciences
5. the Chancellor of the Exchequer
6. the Kingdom Chronicler
7. the Kingdom Chatelaine.

Lesser Officers

There shall be four Lesser Officers in Lochac. They shall be:

1. the Provost of the College of Scribes
2. the Keeper of Regalia
3. the Kingdom Historian
4. and the Kingdom Web Minister.

Term of office

1. The normal term of office for a Kingdom Officer shall be two years.
2. This term shall only be extended in exceptional circumstances.
3. No Kingdom Officer may serve for more than four years consecutively.

Responsibilities of Kingdom Officers

To the Crown

1. The Great and Lesser Officers are responsible to the Crown for carrying out the Laws and administering the affairs of Lochac.
2. They owe allegiance to the Crown in the performance of their offices.
3. In addition to the specific duties defined hereunder, each officer shall carry out such other duties as are appropriate to the office, or as are directed by the Crown.

Documentation of the office

As part of their responsibility to the administration of the kingdom, the Great and Lesser Officers shall produce and/or maintain written policies of their office, and seek approval of the Crown, the Kingdom Seneschal, and the Board of SCA Ltd and Committee of SCANZ for any changes to the written policies of their office.

Communication

It shall be the responsibility and duty of each Great and Lesser Officer of the kingdom to maintain regular contact with, provide support to and collect reports from the local officers below them.

Deputies

1. It shall be the duty of each Great and Lesser Officer, within six months of assuming office, to obtain a deputy capable of assuming their office in case of emergency.
2. Emergency replacement deputies must be approved in the same manner as the office holder.

Duties of Kingdom Officers

Kingdom Seneschal

1. The Kingdom Seneschal is responsible for coordinating the administration of the kingdom's recreation activities, which includes coordinating the other Kingdom Officers as required for the smooth operation of the kingdom.
2. The Kingdom Seneschal is responsible for assisting new branches and for branch elevations.
3. The Kingdom Seneschal shall:
   1. Receive reports from all other Great and Lesser Officers on the status of their office.
   2. Make such reports as may be required by the Crown.
   3. Sit on the Council of the Purse.
   4. Sit on the Council of the Regalia.
   5. Ensure that details of upcoming Crown events, attendance at which is required for the winners of the next Crown Tournament (as defined in Corpora IV - Royalty), are properly published via the kingdom's normal publishing processes, including appearing in Pegasus at least one month before that Crown Tournament takes place.
   6. Support the Crown with processing proposed changes to Kingdom Law, and inform the Society Seneschal and the SCA Inc Board ombudsman for the kingdom of approved changes.
4. The Kingdom Seneschal is ineligible to enter or be fought for in Crown Tournaments for any reign that would coincide with their term of office.

Crux Australis Herald

Crux Australis Herald is the principal heraldic officer of the Crown, and the head of the College of Heralds in Lochac, and shall be responsible for:

1. Provision of the Crown's voice at events.
2. Registration of names and armoury.
3. Maintenance of the Order of Precedence of Lochac.
4. Provision of new ceremony.
5. Devising of new protocol for Lochac subject to the Crown's approval.

Earl Marshal

1. The Earl Marshal is the principal martial officer of the Crown, and the head of the marshallate in Lochac, and shall be responsible for:
   1. Development of combat conventions for the kingdom, as required.
   2. Encouraging the development of chivalry on the field.
   3. Maintenance, publication and enforcement of the kingdom standards for construction and use of weapons and armour.
2. The Earl Marshal, in consultation with the Crown and Kingdom Seneschal, shall appoint deputies in the areas of Keeper of the Lists, Fencing, Archery, Equestrian and Armoured Combat to perform duties in respect of the marshallate.
3. Further deputies with specific duties may be appointed by the Earl Marshal, in consultation with the Crown.
4. The Earl Marshal must appoint deputies for any of the disciplines they are not themselves an authorising marshal for. The Earl Marshal may subsume one or more of these roles into their own office, if they are qualified to do so, and so desire.
5. The Earl Marshal must be an authorising marshal in the kingdom in at least one of the following fields: armoured combat, rapier, equestrian.

Minister of Arts and Sciences

The Minister of Arts and Sciences shall be responsible for:

1. Encouraging period arts and sciences in Lochac.
2. Organsing the annual Lochac Arts and Sciences Competition.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

1. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for:
   1. Coordinating the financial administration of funds for the Kingdom of Lochac and its branches.
   2. Collecting, safeguarding and disbursing the monies of the kingdom.
   3. Receiving financial reports from the local groups of Lochac.
   4. Sitting on the Council of the Purse.
2. A deputy must also be appointed to to represent them for either Australia or New Zealand (whichever country they are not a resident in).
3. This deputy shall be responsible for:
   1. Managing the kingdom finances in their respective country.
   2. Sitting on the Council of the Purse

Kingdom Chronicler

The Kingdom Chronicler is responsible for the monthly publication and distribution of the official newsletter Pegasus for receipt by members before the first full weekend of the month.

Kingdom Chatelaine

The Kingdom Chatelaine is the bridge between newcomers and the SCA for the kingdom, and shall be responsible for:

1. Coordinating public and media relations and encouraging the growth and integration of the kingdom.
2. Maintaining communications with, and providing resources for, group chatelaines to ensure that newcomers feel welcome at events.

Provost of the College of Scribes

The Provost of the College of Scribes shall be responsible for:

1. Co-ordinating the production of such scrolls as may be directed by the Crown, and as may pertain to the Lochac kingdom awards
2. Provision of such other documents as the Crown may require.

Keeper of Regalia

The Keeper of Regalia shall serve under the Kingdom Seneschal and shall be responsible for liaising with the Crown through the Council for Regalia regarding the purchase, maintenance, storage and transport of the kingdom regalia as outlined in the Keeper of Regalia Handbook.

Kingdom Historian

The Kingdom Historian shall collect and compile materials relating to the history of Lochac and shall compose a chronicle of this history to be available to the people of Lochac.

Kingdom Web Minister

The Kingdom Web Minister shall serve under the Kingdom Seneschal and shall be responsible for the maintenance and updating of the kingdom website.

Group officers

Baronies

Baronies are required to have at least seven officers. The required offices shall be:

1. Seneschal
2. Reeve
3. Herald
4. Marshal (of any discipline)
5. Arts and Sciences Minister
6. Chronicler
7. Chatelaine.

All other groups, excluding hamlets

All other groups are required to have at least three officers. The required offices shall be:

1. Seneschal
2. Reeve
3. one of Herald, Marshal (of any discipline), or Arts and Sciences Minister.

Term of office

1. The normal term of office for a group officer shall be two years.
2. This term shall only be extended in exceptional circumstances.
3. No group officer may serve for more than four years consecutively.

Duties of group officers

1. The duties of group officers closely mirror their kingdom-level counterparts, but at the group level.
2. The duties are laid out in the officer handbooks and policies for each office.

Reporting

1. The reporting schedule of all officers throughout the kingdom shall be as follows:
   1. The Kingdom Seneschal shall report quarterly, by the 1st of March, June, September, and December, to the Society Seneschal, the Lochac Ombudman, the Crown, the Heirs, Board of SCA Ltd, and committee of SCANZ.
   2. The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall report to the Kingdom Seneschal quarterly as required by SCA Ltd and SCANZ requirements, also taking into account the annual reporting dates specified in section 7 (Finances) of Kingdom Law.
   3. Other Kingdom Officers shall report to the Kingdom Seneschal, and their Society equivalent officer (where applicable) quarterly, by the 15th of February, May, August, and November.
   4. Reeves shall send a report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the deputy exchequer quarterly, by the 15th of January, April, July, and October.
   5. Seneschals of baronies and shires shall report to the Kingdom Seneschal quarterly, by the 15th of February, May, August, and November
   6. Other officers of baronies and shires shall report to their local seneschal quarterly, by the 1st of February, May, August, and November.
   7. Seneschals of incipient groups, colleges and cantons shall report to the Kingdom Seneschal or their local seneschal (as applicable) quarterly, by the 15th of January, April, July and October.
   8. Other officers of colleges and cantons shall report to their seneschal quarterly, by the 1st of January, April, July and October.
2. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is grounds for the officer to be suspended or removed from office.

Appointment of officers

Appointment of Kingdom Officers

1. The Kingdom Seneschal is appointed by the Board of SCA Ltd and committee of SCANZ.
2. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is appointed by the Board of SCA Ltd and committee of SCANZ.
   1. The Deputy Exchequer for New Zealand or Australia is also appointed by the Board of SCA Ltd and committee of SCANZ.
3. The Crux Australis Herald, Earl Marshal, Minister of Arts and Sciences, Kingdom Chronicler, Kingdom Chatelaine, Provost of the College of Scribes and the Kingdom Historian are appointed by the Crown, in consultation with the Kingdom Seneschal and the outgoing officer.
4. The Keeper of the Regalia and the Kingdom Web Minister are appointed by the Kingdom Seneschal in consultation with the outgoing officer.
5. Emergency replacement deputies for all Kingdom Officers are appointed the same way as the substantive office holder.

Appointment of group officers

1. Group seneschals are appointed by the Kingdom Seneschal in consultation with the outgoing officer.
2. Group reeves are appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer or relevant Deputy Exchequer for that country in consultation with the group seneschal and the outgoing officer.
3. Other group officers are appointed by the relevant Kingdom Officer, in consultation with the group seneschal and the outgoing officer.
4. Emergency replacement deputies for all group officers are appointed the same way as the substantive office holder.

Removal of an officer

With sufficient evidence that an officer is not fulfilling the duties of that office, the relevant appointing authority may remove and replace that officer.

Suspension of an officer

1. An officer may be suspended by the relevant appointing authority for failing to comply with the requirements of their office.
2. The duties of a suspended officer shall be performed by that officer's appointed deputy for the duration of the suspension.
3. If there is no appointed deputy, then the duties of a suspended officer shall be performed by the seneschal at the relevant level, i.e. group or kingdom.

Requirements for holding office

Conflict of interest

1. No person may hold more than one Kingdom Office excepting as noted under the Earl Marshal's office
2. No corporate officer of the SCA may hold any Greater Kingdom Office. What about Lesser Offices as they are very arbitrary distinctions?
3. The Crown shall hold no other office in Lochac, or its subsidiary groups, during their reign.
   1. Offices normally held by them shall be filled by their oeputies, or such other persons as they may appoint for the duration of their reign.

Kingdom Officers may not be local seneschals or reeves

heading not required, it's still under conflicts of interest

4. No person may hold simultaneously a Kingdom Office and the office of seneschal or reeve in a local branch of the kingdom.

Membership

1. All officers - including Greater and Lesser Kingdom, Officers and all local officers - must be members of the SCASCA Ltd or SCANZ.
2. Officers shall maintain their membership throughout their tenure.

Residence

1. All Kingdom officers shall reside in Lochac, and shall have resided in Lochac for at least the six months prior to taking office. Suggest not just kingdom officers
2. The following officers must have resided in Lochac for at least 1 year prior to taking office: As per SCANZ constitution
   • Kingdom Seneschal
   • Chancellor of the Exchequer and their deputy
   • Group seneschals
   • Group reeves

Other eligibility

The following officers are also officers of SCANZ, and must meet the eligibility requirements for being an officer of a New Zealand incorporated society:

1. The Kingdom Seneschal and their emergency replacement (regardless of residence or membership)
2. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, their emergency replacement, and the Deputy Exchequers for New Zealand and Australia (regardless of residence or membership)
3. Seneschals of New Zealand groups
4. Reeves of New Zealand groups.

Territorial baronages

Appointment

1. The Crown shall appoint as baronage those individual(s) deemed most fit to represent the royal presence in the barony.
2. The Crown shall give consideration to the wishes of the populace of the barony and the advice of the reigning baronage before making such an appointment.
3. Territorial baronages of New Zealand baronies are officers of SCANZ and must be eligible to be an officer of a New Zealand incorporated society.

Vicars

In the case of an extended, but temporary, absence of the baronage, they may request that the Crown appoint a vicar to fulfil the duties of the baronage until their return.

Membership

LandedTerritorial baronages must be members of SCA Ltd or SCANZ for the duration of their tenure.

Reporting

Remove

1. The baronial reporting schedule will be annually as follows:
   • March Crown: Innilgard, Ynys Fawr, Mordenvale, Krae Glas.
   • May Coronation: Stormhold, Saint-Florian-de-la-rivière, Southron Gaard, Rowany, River Haven.
   • September Crown: Politarchopolis, Aneala, Ildhafn
2. The verbal reports given in court should be brief and informative. Is unclear who the baronage is reporting to. The Crown? Populace at large? If a court report is verbal, is there a requirement for more detailed written report? Just curious. (SC)