Based on the CF and surrounding discussions, we seem to have the following responses:
- A significant minority who thought a Principality of some form was worth attempting, once there was sufficient local consensus
- A larger number – possibly a plurality -- who felt it wouldn't affect their game much but would be supportive if it improved things for their friends and/or the wider group
- A few who weren't sure of their own position, but thought it good to continue talking because it might generate ideas to help improve our/their current situation
- Some who thought that there were more important things to do first; most commonly mentioned were recruitment and officer training/rotation/retention
- Some who thought that the obvious negatives – mostly expressed in terms of extra officers and/or workload – would outweigh any hoped-for positives
A lot of further discussion will be needed, but here’s a possible pathway, likely to take 2-4 years or more, depending on responses. (See Bartholomew's Roadmapfor a quick handy flow-chart and some text covering this path in more detail.)
We take a casual survey to see if there is sufficient interest to develop the concept
This casual survey has already happened, in late 2020. Although it didn't commit us to anything, it has shown demonstrable interest to start the real work, likely to require a steering committee and designated action, deadlines, ultimately support from SCANZ and Kingdom etc.
We embark on more discussion, formation of working groups, feedback and iterations, to develop a Principality bid covering things like:
- Draft timeline and waypoints
- FAQ covering structure and process
- Identifying requirements for Coronet participation (eg residency, activity etc)
- Draft Laws, support statement by SCA NZ; support statement from Kingdom (specifically Crown and Seneschal), including notes of any proposed changes to Kingdom Law that may be required to accommodate Principality Law
- Communications with Kingdom, SCA US Lochac liaison officer
- Develop name/s and heraldry for public consultation and polling
- Alternative Selection Process discussion and development with populace, Kingdom; preliminary polling, support statement for this special feature from SCA NZ Inc, potentially also SCA Australia Ltd
Then request a formal poll to indicate support, covering specific aspects of the bid
including laws, selection process and name/heraldry
Major campaign needed to get high levels of participation and response
If “no”, then no further action
If “yes”, then the real fun begins as we start the transition