Tag Archives: procedures

A new Kingdom Competition system

By   17 February, 2018

The Kingdom-wide survey of A&S opinions and activity showed that one of the areas we needed to improve was our Kingdom Competition format. It really isn’t working for most of the Kingdom. This can be seen by a simple comparison between the number of entries received at competitions and the dis-engagement around the process of entering and judging versus numbers and the energy surrounding artisan displays like the one held at Canterbury Faire or Laurel Prize at Rowany Festival.

Respondents gave specific reasons they didn’t enter competitions. A large number of responses said that they just couldn’t get to the events to enter, many said they found the topics too narrow and were only likely to enter something if they were already planning to make it. So this means that entrants are drawn from a very tiny set of people that are going to a specific Kingdom event AND  were already making something that fit a competition topic. I don’t know about you but that seems unlikely and not the culture of Lochac.

Other respondents talked about how they didn’t feel good enough to enter, were intimidated by Kingdom level expectations, or even didn’t want to enter as they didn’t want to discourage other entries (in the case of Laurels). So, yet again, we have broad swathes of the populace feeling like competitions as designed are not for them. We are a Kingdom that likes to cheer people on for their efforts, their enthusiasm and for how they have improved. If our competitions are too intimidating for the populace then we should change them.

Finally there were some really good and sensible suggestions. Group entries, the Anealan rubric, a focus on feedback, improvement and being able to compare yourself across the Kingdom as the purpose of the competitions.

Introducing Lochac A&S competitions for the post AS50 era

Featuring: A new rubric! New forms! Group entries! Winners announced by experience not topic!

Judging allowed around the Kingdom, not just at Kingdom events!

Here’s our current Kingdom Minister for A&S explaining the changes:

 

What does this mean?!

The less exclamation pointed explanation is: From now on Kingdom competitions can be judged at any time in the Kingdom at any official SCA event, as long as it is supervised by the local A&S officer, the Kingdom Minister of A&S or someone they have deputised (like an A&S co-ordinator for an event). The beauty of a well-written, standardised rubric (how judging points are allocated) is that it should calibrate judging across the Kingdom. This means entries can be judged at disparate locations and achieve reasonably comparable scores. We are a large Kingdom and this means better access and more inclusive competitions. It means we can actually find outstanding artisans across the Kingdom and not just those who are able to travel to Kingdom events.

The way we award winners is changing too. Instead of a winner for a competition topic, we’re going to award winners for experience levels. This means that our beginners have a chance to shine, and our more experienced artisans can set themselves challenges without fear of tall poppy syndrome. The experience levels are explained on the rules page.

There’s now also a group entry category. The Kingdom was inspired by the Politarchopolis Pentathlon. Many people have spoken to me about how they like to work with others and would like our competitions to allow this. So now they do. Go forth collaborative artisans! Show us what you can make together!!

Want to know more?!

We’ve written some new pages for the website. Check out:

Introduction to A&S competitions

The competition rules

How to organise A&S competitions

How to enter A&S competitions

How to judge A&S competitions

Looking for Deputies

By   11 May, 2017

We’re currently seeking people to fill the following roles of Deputy to the KMoAS:

  1. Cockatrice Editor – taking over from the very competent THL Elisabetta Foscari. This is a great chance to actively contribute to A&S in Lochac, by ensuring our quarterly journal continues to provide a place to share good research in the Kingdom. Elisabetta will mentor the successful candidate through their first edition so you’ll be in capable hands.
  2. Sciences Deputy – a new role. This role will start by examining the “sciences” aspect of Arts and Sciences in Lochac, determining if there are ways be can better support and promote Sciences. This was a theme that emerged from last year’s A&S survey. They will also work with the Society Deputy for Sciences, Galen Of Ockham to see how Lochac can contribute to his work.
  3. Knowledge Management Deputy – a new role. This role will look at how we share and archive the various bits and pieces of A&S knowledge and teaching that our excellent artisans generate – trying to ensure that distance is not a barrier to being able to learn from others, again a theme that emerged from last year’s survey

Each role is described on the Roles page on this site.

The Cockatrice editor is a 2 year appointment. The other two roles are appointed for as long as the current KMoAS is in the role (currently to Midwinter 2018), but could be confirmed by the next KMoAS.

To apply: send an email to the Arts&Sciences email account, setting out:

  1. Which role you’re applying for
  2. Why you’re interested in the role
  3. What experience or ideas you have that would contribute to the role

Applications are open for 2 weeks – until Friday 26th May

Expanding the criteria for Lochac A&S Champion

By   11 February, 2017

Over the last 6 months I have had numerous conversations that indicate the current format for choosing the Arts & Sciences champion is not meeting the needs of the Kingdom. This is demonstrated by low entries in A&S competitions, and low recognition of the champion, or even the existence of the title, across the Kingdom.

This consultation paper (5 pages) sets out the issues, relevant responses from the Kingdom A&S survey, and details on the proposed changes.

The TL;DR version is:

  1. A champion per reign, announced in Court at Coronation.
  2. The champion is determined through a points system which takes into account the various ways that the populace contributes to A&S in Lochac, and not just through 4 competitions per year (see the paper for the proposed points system)

Points towards the championship will be allocated for the following activities.

  • Contribute an item to an A&S display, Kingdom or local event level. Includes Laurel Prize at Rowany Festival, and A&S display at Canterbury Fair
  • Perform a period piece of entertainment at an event. Think music, singing, poem, theatre.
  • Teach a class at any event
  • Have an article published in Cockatrice
  • Have something scored in a competition that follows the Kingdom competition score sheet, or similar. This can include local competitions. The test is, are you scoring the item out of 50, with a clear description of how points are allocated, and at least 2 people have scored the item. If the scoring is a different scale to 50 then the final score will need to be adjusted to fit the point bands.
  • Attain a ranking in a guild. Where a guild has a different set of ranks, then the equivalent names and scores should be negotiated with the Guilds Deputy, and the decision should be recorded in the guilds documents and the Champion webpage.

Points are allocated on a scale between 1-4 depending on the effort and reviewability of the activity. The specific points are set out in the consultation paper.

The collection of points will be managed by the Arts & Sciences Officers of the Kingdom, as well as Guild Administrators. An online form will be created for officers to input points with their quarterly reports.

Consultation Questions

I’m interested in answers to the following questions. You can comment below or send an email. Also happy to discuss in person/on the phone (email me for a phone number).

  1. Is this a workable model? What benefits and pitfalls can you see?
  2. What else could be included in the points system? How would we fairly allocate points across the Kingdom for that thing?
  3. How do we include research and science in this schema?
  4. Should we include period arts martial, including Archery, in this schema?
  5. What sort of item should we consider for perpetual regalia?
  6. Anything else you think we’ve missed or should consider?

Consultation is open until 15 March (just over 4 weeks).