[MR] Waterbearing.

[Alan MacNeill]

I hate to sound like a disbeliever here, but this sounds like reactive
thinking responding to a problem that may or may not actually exist...

I am not willing to drink the Corporate Kool-Aid on this until some
questions are answered...specifically:

1.  How, exactly, is waterbearing any different than Feast Preparation
and serving?  We have no issue accepting potential liability for our
Cooks accidentally poisioning the populace at a feast.  Corporate has
been able to acquire insurance at a reasonable rate that covers this.
If anything, the liability for a feast would be greater than a
waterbearing incident, as people pay for feasts.

2.  What impact will this have on event budgets?  Many (perhaps most)
events budget a reasonable sum for the purchase of water, non-contact
bottles, straws, oranges and etc for waterbearing purposes.  If
waterbearing becomes a non-sanctioned "unofficial" activity...are
events allowed to budget, spend, and/or reimburse for waterbearing
expenses?

3.  Where is the line going to be, exactly?  At Sapphire Joust every
year, Caer Mear provides hosing, shower facilities, and etc to
facilitate getting water from the site.  Will we have to cease doing
this service because it is "bearing water"?  After all, someone might
drink it.   I doubt we're the only group that does this sort of thing.

Until these questions and others are answered, I am forced to believe
this proposed change is ill-advised, improper, and probably legally
incorrect.  I've requested the answers from the President and the
"Comments" list...although I doubt they will be answered...if anyone
has a back channel to get the answers, please feel free to send this
through them and get response.

Speaking only for myself,
Gorm of Berra

On 6/17/08, Carolle Cox <geritadellamara at gmail.com> wrote:
> Please read from bottom message to top.  The formal decision is not yet
> made.  What it would mean is the disbanding of the Guild of Waterbearers as
> a "SCA" entity.  Volunteers are still allowed and encouraged to carry water
> to fighters, etc. The problem is, again, legal mumbo-jumbo and liability,
> not something the BOD, the President, or anyone else is doing to upset the
> populace, ruin the Waterbearers, or tie the hands of the Chirurgeons.