<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">From: John Spiegel <<A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=vondervelde%40gmail.com">vondervelde@gmail.com</A> <vondervelde%40gmail.com>> <BR>To: <A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=webpage%40pennsicwar.org">webpage@pennsicwar.org</A> <webpage%40pennsicwar.org>; <BR><A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=publicinfo%40pennsicwar.org">publicinfo@pennsicwar.org</A> <publicinfo%40pennsicwar.org>; <BR><A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=culturalaffairs%40pennsicwar.org">culturalaffairs@pennsicwar.org</A> <culturalaffairs%40pennsicwar.org>; <BR><A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=eventresources%40pennsicwar.org">eventresources@pennsicwar.org</A> <eventresources%40pennsicwar.org>; <BR><A
href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=university%40pennsicwar.org">university@pennsicwar.org</A> <university%40pennsicwar.org>; <BR><A href="https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=aspoint%40pennsicwar.org">aspoint@pennsicwar.org</A> <aspoint%40pennsicwar.org> <BR>Sent: Mon, Jul 12, 2010 2:23 pm <BR>Subject: Please Post to the Web and cross-post everywhere- From Pennsic <BR>Mayor <BR> <BR>From the Mayor of Pennsic 39 Concerning Minors in A&S Classes <BR> <BR>Greetings to all from the Mayor of Pennsic 39! <BR> <BR>Let me first say that the war is coming together very well and we are <BR>looking forward to many great activities and wonderful memories. <BR> <BR>I am writing to clear some air and to take direct charge of the minor <BR>policies at the University. Please note as I continue this letter that <BR>all relevant youth policies dealing with young children are still in <BR>full effect.
(See Rule 11 of the Pennsic Site Rules) I do want to <BR>review with everyone the current policy in the University dealing with <BR>the teens (and twelves J ). Where do we stand today? As of the last <BR>update, Minors (12-17) were allowed to attend Adult A&S Classes if <BR>they were escorted by a responsible adult appointed by their parent or <BR>legal guardian. Each escort was allowed to be responsible for more <BR>than one child, but the escort did have to remain in the class while <BR>the minor was there. <BR> <BR>The question has come up many times demanding to know why this change <BR>is being made. Well, there are many reasons a few of which I will <BR>share here (mostly to try and keep this letter under the length of my <BR>dissertation J). <BR> <BR>On March 25, 2010, a post went out from the SCA Board of Directors as <BR>follows: <BR>Announcement from the Board of Directors, SCA, Inc. <BR>The directors and corporate staff have the
unfortunate obligation to <BR>inform the membership that the SCA, Inc. has been named in a civil <BR>suit seeking damages as a result of sexual misconduct of an adult <BR>toward minors. <BR>Unfortunately, at the time the activities occurred, the individual was <BR>a member and officer of the SCA. The SCA clearly did not sanction the <BR>alleged misconduct, had no prior knowledge of the misconduct, and had <BR>never received any complaints concerning the adult involved prior to <BR>his arrest. <BR> <BR>This suit originated in Pennsylvania, USA, and was filed in January of <BR>2010. Complete information regarding this suit is not yet known, as it <BR>is still in the preliminary stages. <BR> <BR>The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. intends to take all <BR>appropriate actions available to defend itself against the allegations <BR>in these suits. As we are able, we will continue to update our <BR>membership. <BR>Board of Directors <BR>SCA, Inc
<BR>As any responsible autocrat of Pennsic might do, I went to my senior <BR>staff and requested that they review all of their policies and <BR>procedures to make sure that we were in complete compliance with ALL <BR>youth policies. They did an amazing job to review ALL Pennsic policy, <BR>rules, procedures and activities in two months in a herculean effort. <BR>They could not have made me any more humble to know how hard they were <BR>willing to work. At the May Staff Meeting held during Aethelmearc War <BR>Practice (a GREAT event, FYI), we put our pieces on the table and <BR>created solutions to any problems or grey areas found. The Division of <BR>Cultural Affairs? policies were found to be grossly out of compliance, <BR>and the staff began working on a fix for them. <BR> <BR>As we began to overhaul these youth procedures and policies, we began <BR>to get feedback from a wide variety of sources: Society, teachers, <BR>students, past staff. We
discovered that we had grabbed the proverbial <BR>tiger by the tail. We had much larger issues that we had thought at <BR>first. Many issues began to be brought forth. Minors received <BR>materials through teachers at the University that they legally were <BR>not allowed to posses. Minors were attending classes that were not <BR>appropriate for their age, and teachers were unsure of the mundane <BR>laws dealing with their topics and Minors (brewing for an example). <BR>Issues were raised about the uncomfortable situation of going up to a <BR>minor and requesting their age (think man in 40?s and girl in teens? <BR>creepy much?). Many, many discipline issues were raised dealing with <BR>the behavior of some teens during classes in the past (I will not <BR>innumerate these to protect the children from embarrassment). With all <BR>of these issues raised and many discussions held, the staff created <BR>the only policy they felt they could legitimately
execute with the <BR>resources they had. There were many potential policies put forth, but <BR>time and time again the staff ran into the wall of resources, <BR>background checks, and volunteers. <BR> <BR>The great thing about SCA people is that when there is a dire need to <BR>help children, people are eager to step forward. We are not a Society <BR>of Complainers, but a Society of Doers. Since our most recent postings <BR>we have had many wonderful people step forward and offer their time to <BR>help. These people (many of whom have SCA background checks) are <BR>willing to give up parts of their vacations to help try to give our <BR>University more resources. So with these new resources, we are able to <BR>set a new policy and add a new service to facilitate our solutions. <BR> <BR>New Pennsic University Teen Minor Policy (12-17): (Established 7/12/2010) <BR>Minors are welcome to attend Pennsic University classes. Individual <BR>teachers and classes
may have restrictions due to topic, materials, <BR>request of instructor and such. Unruly or disruptive youth will be <BR>asked to leave the class as per Society Seneschal Handbook Policy. <BR>Classes specifically geared for minors are handled through Youth Point <BR>and will adhere to all relevant policies for youth activities. No <BR>classes through the University and Youth Point specifically for minors <BR>will be permitted in private camps or merchant booths. Further, any <BR>minor who wishes to attend regular University class in a private <BR>encampment or in a merchant booth must be escorted by a responsible <BR>adult appointed by their parent or legal guardian. <BR> <BR>New Pennsic University Service: <BR>The Pennsic University Ambassadors are a group of volunteers organized <BR>through A&S Point to aid teachers and students. They will roam through <BR>the University areas prepared to help teachers if the ?Two Deep <BR>Leadership Model? is
necessary, aid with basic classroom discipline if <BR>required, and assist all members of the populous to find class times <BR>and locations as desired. Our Ambassadors are there to help with quick <BR>easy questions. For more in depth questions and normal University <BR>business, please visit A&S Point in the middle of the University. <BR> <BR>Again, please let me thank all of the staff and volunteers who are <BR>making this new addition possible. If you would like to volunteer to <BR>help with the ambassadors, please come past A&S Point and sign up! <BR>Further, if you are SCA background checked and would like to lend a <BR>hand we are in desperate need of you. Please come past A&S Point and <BR>speak to us. <BR> <BR>Please note that the Pennsic Book went to press almost a month ago and <BR>the material dealing with this issue will be incorrect. We will make <BR>available at Troll an insert updating this policy, but please know <BR>that on
this issue the original published text will be incorrect J. <BR> <BR>Sincerely, <BR>Master John von der Velde <BR>Mayor, Pennsic 39</td></tr></table><br>