[Ponte Alto] Options for Award Structure Changes

[Jessica Wilbur]

Greetings unto the populace of Ponte Alto!

The awards committee would like to put forward the results of our
discussions. We considered input provided by barony members, the current
award structure, and possibilities for better meeting the needs and
desires of the populace. We came up with a large number of potential
permutations of these options, but we felt it was better to "package"
different options together in order to keep the process from getting out
of hand. Please consider these options for yourselves, discuss them and
prepare to decide which you feel is best.

It may be helpful to note that we took a "tier" approach to considering
the award structure. Also note that awards may be given multiple times,
whereas members are inducted into orders only once.

Option 1: Leave the award structure as it currently exists and make no
changes. The current structure includes one award, the Venerable Bead,
and one order, the Order of the Garland. This amounts to two tiers of
awards.

Option 2: Retain the Bead (Tier I)
                Add an intermediate award (or order). This would be a
generic award, that is, not given specifically for                 any
particular pursuit such as A&S, service or fighting). It would be given
for the same type of work and                 dedication that the
Garland is now, but on a less intensive level -  a "Garland Jr." if you
will. (Tier II)
                 Retain the Garland. (Tier III)

Option 3: Replace the Bead with a Baronial "Award of Excellence" or
something along the same lines. This award                  could be
given to both members who live in the barony and those who do not
physically reside in the                     barony's borders, but who
play with and serve the barony on a regular basis. (This is currently
the case                 with the Bead and the Garland.) This would be
given at the Baron and Baroness's discretion, though they
    would also still be able to give out personal tokens.  (Tier I)
                Add three intermediate awards or orders, given for
excellence in A&S, service and martial combat. This
follows the kingdom example of the Pearl, Golden Dolphin and Sea Stag
(or Kraken). (Tier II)
                Retain the Garland. (Tier III)

Option 4: Replace the Bead with a Baronial Award of Excellence or
something similar (Tier I)
                Add three intermediate awards or orders, awarded for
A&S, service, martial combat (Tier II)
                Retire/close the Garland. Replace with three upper level
awards or orders, also awarded for A&S,                         service
or martial combat. These would be awarded for work above and beyond the
intermediate                         awards/orders. (Tier III)


Again, please discuss and consider these options. Feel free to ask
questions if anything is unclear or absent. We are planning to conduct a
straw poll at the February barony business meeting. If you are unable to
attend that meeting, you may submit your vote in writing beforehand. The
committee has not yet determined which method will be used in conducting
the straw poll, but we will decide that and make sure the information is
published well in advance.

Thanks for your time and attention!
Yours in Service,
Courtney, Giuliana, Marcellus, Ranulf and Tirloch