The late-2023 informal survey showed continued support for the idea of forming an NZ Principality. It also captured the level of enthusiasm for the idea, with just under 14% being notably opposed, more than a third only mildly pro or con, with the remaining 51% being enthusiastic.
The net result was an "enthusiasm score" of 68%, with over 80% of respondents at least mildly in favour.
Assuming the survey reflects how our membership would vote in a formal "should we go Principality?" poll, then several questions arise.
2. How much do regional differences in enthusiasm matter?
1. What kind of Principality?
In the past this question would barely register. But the longstanding Alternate Selection debate means that NZ SCAdians have to consider whether we would prefer to try for something different from the traditional "armoured combat" selection process - even if that attempt might fail at the US Board level.
There is also a tactical consideration: do we initially make a maximal ask - something that provides the most strongly-supported level of inclusiveness and other benefits, or do we deliberately ask for something that may be more likely to be accepted by the Board?
That leads to a secondary question: if an attempt at alternate selection is made and the US Board declines, what then? Do we:
- Pause until the SCA one day changes in our favour?
- Try again for a less-divergent - though still non-standard - Principality, one which the US Board may be more likely to accept?
- Form a traditional Principality - thus capitalising on all the work done to get that far - and then keep pressing for change?
- Use the leeway provided in our affiliation agreement to experiment with a "non-standard class of organization" and form something structured like a Principality - but with a selection process that suits us better?
For more on this issue, see Alternate Selection - Why Now, Why Us?
For now, all of us should at least be considering not just what selection option(s) would best suit us and our groups, but also what paths we'd prefer to take if the first response from the US is "no, sorry".
2. How much do regional differences in enthusiasm matter?
Respondents from all four official groups were significantly in favour except Darton, which was evenly split. Five out of the six hamlets were also in favour, the sixth being Sherwater in Darton.
Per this FAQ entry, there is little chance that most of NZ could form a Principality while leaving one group behind. Therefore it's very desirable that any group-specific concerns are understood, expressed and addressed as clearly as possible in the lead-up to any formal Principality poll.
Apart from local/internal discussions, opportunities for doing this include in-person meetings at CF, March Crown and May Coronation, any widely-used social media groups, the Althing mailing list, the Principality working group email lists - especially NZ General - and any future informal surveys.
3. What happens next?
Initially, more discussion - particularly at upcoming SCA events and activities.
If working groups members feel inspired by the informal survey results and resulting discussions, we can expect outcomes such as refined or additional heraldic designs or selection ideas, tentative draft laws, recommendations about finances and at least one more informal survey in the first half of 2024.
Nothing that comes from those working groups and the informal surveys automatically sets policy for any formal Principality move. But the research, education, discussion, brainstorming and wider body of work they are creating will very likely inform several of the key questions asked of our members if any formal poll results.
4. Who will do the work?
The 64-million dollar question. At present, more than 30 volunteers are signed up to the four informal working groups formed three years ago.
Activity levels vary substantially over time and between individuals but they're working fairly steadily through the steps in the 2020 Roadmap. The most obvious efforts to date have gone into the heraldry and selection areas, mainly because those benefit from the deepest thought and widest consultation.
The current informal/grassroots process works with relatively little concern or pressure on participants until either:
a. there seems to be little left that can be usefully resolved by further research, discussion or education - in which case one or more formal polls would be needed to crystallise key decisions based on everything we've learned
and/or
b. enough people feel that a more formal mechanism is needed - in which case they'd approach the Kingdom Seneschal, who'd very likely conduct a formal yes/no poll first and then - if that is positive - appoint a team to finalise a Principality bid
In 2020, we were a long way from either of those outcomes. We are much closer now.
Whatever path is taken from here, any move to Principality will depend on people willing to put in time and effort and share ideas and enthusiasm to make it happen. In that respect:
- New ideas - or new emphasis on old ones - might provide solutions to log-jams or multiply the benefits we are seeking
- Constructive negative feedback is just as useful as positive - being in favour is fine, but being engaged is better!
- There is no one true and only way but, as we approach "this is getting real", efforts will naturally become more focused
- It is vastly easier to introduce a new idea now than at the 11th hour - so early engagement provides the greatest benefits
In 2024, we face real difficulties in reaching the widest possible range of our active folk - we have drifted into different communication silos over the past decade and this creates a risk that people will be (or will feel) left out when they shouldn't.
That puts added emphasis on in-person discussions when those are possible - such as the upcoming CF meeting (8pm Sun 21st, in the hall). But it also means we should all keep trying to share information, ideas and concerns across the varied media we use - keeping it flowing both outwards and inwards.
In short: if you're one of the 80% in favour of an NZ Principality, and/or you believe one is likely to happen, please discuss it actively in coming months, take part in working groups if you can and of course respond to future surveys or formal polls. That way whatever forms - if it does - will be closer to the kind of Principality you want.
(To join one or more working groups, see https://principality.sca.org.nz/workinggroups)