Both Corpora (p.18) and the Society Seneschal’s Handbook (p. 52) are very clear that the Society Seneschal needs to be involved in the process of applying to become a Principality ‘from the start’ of the process. The Australian and New Zealand affiliation agreements do not give the respective boards the authority to create a new Principality without the involvement of the SCA Inc in the USA. It is likely that all three Boards will be involved in verifying that the requirements for a Principality outlined above are met.
The process for gathering the data to show there is a consensus in favour of advancing to a Principality (requirement d) is done through an official poll. All paid members must be given a chance to comment but it must be set up to ensure that each person can only return one response each. The wording of the poll must be unambiguous (see page 51 of the Society’s Seneschal’s handbook). While there is no requirement for non-members to be allowed to vote, sometimes voting is extended to non-members but this is a decision to be made by the Boards if and when such a poll is created. (See page 53-54 of the handbook)
A package will be sent to the Boards and Society Seneschal to make the decision around whether the group will be given Principality status. This will need to include
- The dates, wording and explanation of the poll that was sent to members
- An analysis of the results of the poll. This will need to include a discussion of minority opinions revealed as part of the polling and how these would be addressed if a new Principality was to be created.
- A map and explanation of the proposed geographic area of the new Principality. The Society Seneschal’s handbook mentions post codes but, for us as we are looking at an entire country, this will be part of the discussion with the Society Seneschal as to what information is required in our specific case.
- Statements from the Greater Kingdom Officers (Earl Marshal, Exchequer,Herald, Arts and Sciences and Chronicler) supporting the move to a Principality and indicating they believe that the new Principality can operate at this new level.
- Draft laws to be presented to victors of the first Coronet tournament.
- A Financial Policy along with any asset transfers from the Kingdom
- A date or several potential dates for the first Coronet tourney with plans for establishing the first set of royals e.g. will the Coronation happen straight after or at another event?
A decision would then be made by all three Boards; Australian, New Zealand and USA, as to whether the application to become a Principality was successful.
Even if New Zealand was to become a Principality, we would still be part of Lochac and the modern legal management would still be SCANZ’s remit.
Corpora can be found here
The Society Seneschal’s Handbook can be found here
The Affiliation Agreements for New Zealand with both the US and Australia can be found here