This could be a major sticking point as, for many at the CF meetings, in the casual survey and elsewhere, an Alternative Selection Process (ASP) was strongly supported when considering progressing to Principality.
The view was that without having such there would be less point in becoming a Principality, despite the other opportunities and benefits the move could provide. And a number remarked that, without the greater inclusivity such a move would confer, they would be likely to reduce involvement and gradually drift away from the SCA.
Given this strong interest, it is important to continue discussing what kind of ASP can garner the widest support, while maintaining SCA culture so that a Principality bid can recognise and reflect it.
The ASP concept was based on a strong desire for a more inclusive, broader-based method of choosing a Coronet than simply by the traditional rattan combat at present specifically required for Royal Lists (further discussion below). Such a move was considered vital to attract new people, energise current members and chart a more culturally appropriate way forward.
It was strongly felt that societal changes regarding inclusivity, diversity and franchise need to be responded to in order to maintain the SCA’s good standing – particularly given widespread publicity regarding a few overseas incidences of very poor behaviour in this regard. Allowing an Alternative Selection Process would provide a very clear opportunity to make an important adaptation to strengthen the Society’s position for the future.
NZ is ideally placed to provide a geographically isolated test ground for the opportunities proffered by the non-standard class of organization already permitted in our affiliation agreement with the SCA US (more on this aspect below). We are already used to doing this as a society and have an adaptable, forward-looking populace, used to managing change carefully and capably.
In the casual survey, when asked if they liked or agreed with a heavy-only selection process (Q4):
- 58% said no
- 27% said yes
- 15% were not sure
(All 137 respondents answered this question and also the following one (Q5) on their reaction to including an alternative selection process in a Principality proposal).
Almost 22% would only support a proposal which included an alternative selection process; 49% said they would like such an inclusion (total: 71%).
Eight percent would not support a proposal containing an alternative selection process, and a further 10% would not like it (total: 18%).
Eleven percent were not sure.
Almost 100 respondents made comments on the current heavy-only selection process (Q6) with by far the most common concern being the exclusivity involved (44 mentions), and its inappropriateness as a selection tool or lack of representation of the broader aspects of the SCA (15).
The ageing population of heavies and their over-representation in Southron Gaard was a concern mentioned 10 and 5 times respectively, often in conjunction with the need to provide a broader selection method.
SCA tradition was a strong reason given for support for heavy combat selection (10), along with the way that the uniqueness of SCA heavy combat provides an eligibility criterion for reigning, reducing the chance of walk-in victors (5).