[MR] Was: Newcomers Thread, Now: Promissories

[Lora Franks]

  Greetings all!
There is actually a need still for promissories.  While it is awesome to 
have completed scrolls, it is sometimes not the best option.  We are 
moving away from giving scrolls at war.  People are not prepared to 
transport them safely home.  Considering the many hours of work that 
goes into even the simplest of scrolls, we do not want them destroyed.  
Also, there are occasions when there is a last minute recommendation to 
Their Majesties (or a planned award that the person unexpectedly showed 
for this event) and a promissory is all the scribes have time to 
create.  There are also times when we know that the person receiving the 
scroll would prefer a specific scribe do the scroll or they want to wait 
until their arms have passed (no longer a requirement but frequently a 
choice).  And, it is a good draw for new scribes at events because it is 
not as intimidating.
However, we moved away from promissories for two main reasons.  One was 
that people were starting to put as much time and effort into a 
promissory as they could have put into a finished scrolls.  If you are 
going to take the time to do calligraphy and hand paint the 
promissory...make a scroll.  Another factor was that with so much effort 
going into promissories, the backlog was getting huge.
If someone wants to pick up and make some promissories, I'm sure that we 
will have the opportunity to use them.  There are even still templates 
on the Clerk Signet web site.  I would like to add a couple of requests 
if you chose to make promissories for the Kingdom though.
Please use a nice marker or paint and avoid colored pencils or crayon.  
Do not spend as much time on them as a finished scroll, however, keep in 
mind that many people frame their promissory and their finished scroll.  
Please add a note on the back in pencil which reads "Please contact the 
Clerk Signet at Signet AT Atlantia Dot SCA DoT Org to replace this 
promissory with a scroll."  (you can use the @ symbols on the scroll)
If you are considering presenting some to Their Majesties, please show 
them the promissories but present them with a notice that you/your group 
has given X number of promissory blanks to the Clerk Signet and then 
mail or give the promissories to me for organizing and distributing to 
lead scribes and Their Majesties.
Now, before you go wild making tons of promissories...my goal is to only 
ever need 1 or 2 promissories at any given event and have the rest as 
finished scrolls.  Take a look at the Royal Progress events and realize 
that we will not need a large number of promissories.  We _will_ need a 
large number of scrolls.  If your group makes 40 promissories for King 
Bryan and Queen Brianna, we may reach the end of the reign without using 
them and those extras would go to waste.
On that note, while everyone is talking about ways to connect with 
people at events and promissories were/are an option, I would also like 
to suggest that hand made Thank You cards are an excellent item for gift 
baskets at all levels (for class instructors, Baronial gift baskets, 
autocrat supplies, etc.)  You could do a small design which is easily 
finished at the event and have something that is a contribution to the 
Barony or Kingdom.  If you make them with scroll-like designs you will 
also help get the new scribe's feet wet that way.  It is also a 
fantastic place to practice calligraphy so that you can make some scroll 
blanks later....just an idea.

Baroness Tegan de Moreton
Undine Pursuivant
Clerk of the Signet




On 10/18/2010 12:03 PM, ldmolly at md.metrocast.net wrote:
> Hi Hrothny! And greetings to the others still gathered in the Tavern as well!
>
> We used to have those in Caid as well...I _loved_ them! We did a lot of Newcomer scrolls that way. It was a great way to bring folks together, provide service to the group as a whole...and for many future scribes, it was a great, non-threatening way to "get their feet wet" at trying scribal arts. We went through a lot of crayola markers, but as you said, a great many friends were made and for many people, those first scrolls were dearly treasured.Molly
>
>
>
> On Sun 10/17/10 2:57 PM , "Terri Morgan" online2much at cox.net sent:
> I wish we had something like the old promissory 'scrolls' to have at events.
> <SNIP>
>
> Hrothny
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