Policies of the Silver Buccle Herald


I. SUBMISSIONS

A. Armoury

All armoury submissions (devices, badges, resubmissions, appeals) must include three color copies, one black-and-white copy, and two 40%-reduced black-and-white copies. Black-and-white copies (both full size and miniature) should not be photocpies of color copies. They should be copies made before anything is colored. If documentation is needed, please include three copies of all substantiating documentation, including book title pages. All submissions should be signed by a rostered herald. As a courtesy, please include two self-addressed, stamped envelopes with each submission.

B. Names

All name submissions (new, resubmissions, and appeals) must include two copies of the original form and two copies of all substantiating documentation, including book title pages. As a courtesy, please include two self-addressed, stamped envelopes with each submission.

C. Payment information

Each submission (a name, device, or badge) costs $10.00. Resubmissions are free for up to one year following notification of the submitter of the return of the original submission. Checks should be written to "SCA, INC. - ĘTHELMEARC COLLEGE OF HERALDS." The Silver Buccle office prefers not to accept cash --checks or money orders are strongly encouraged.

D. Handling cash

If a herald must accept cash for a submission, he or she must provide the submitter with a written receipt, dated and signed.

E. Branch names and armoury

All branch name and armoury submissions must follow the policies outlined above. Submissions involving the name or arms of an active branch must include evidence of support for the action on the part of a majority of the active members of the branch. In the case of branches with no ruling noble, this support may be demonstrated by a petition of a majority of the populace and officers or by a petition of the seneschal and at least three-quarters of the other local officers. In the case of branches with ruling nobles, such petitions must also include a statement of support from the ruling noble. Evidence of support is not required for award names, branch badges, or guild names. Groups are expected to pay for heraldic submissions out of the group account, not from a member's personal funds.

II. HANDLING OF SUBMISSIONS

A. Timeliness of transfer to Garnet Herald

Heralds will make every effort to process submissions in a timely manner. Submissions should be in the hands of the Garnet Herald within 14 days of payment.

B. Internal letters of intent

Submissions will appear on the next Internal Letter of Intent published after their receipt by the Garnet Herald. Letters of Intent will be published at least every two months; every effort will be made to publish them on a monthly basis.

C. Client notification

The Garnet Herald will inform the client via letter when decisions are made regarding the submission at Kingdom and Laurel level.

III. FINANCES

A. Silver Buccle checking account

Silver Buccle Herald is responsible for the maintenance of the Silver Buccle checking account. In the maintenance of the account, Silver Buccle Herald will adhere to the policies of the Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer. Per Kingdom financial policy, no herald except the Silver Buccle Herald may maintain a separate account for submission monies.

B. Financial reporting

Heralds who accept submission funds must report these funds to the Silver Buccle Herald as part of their bi-annual reports (see section VI). All heralds who channel submission funds through their local group bank account or receive reimbursement for submission-related expenses must provide a quarterly accounting of funds to their local exchequers. The Silver Buccle Herald must provide an accounting of money in accordance with Kingdom financial policy.

IV. STAFF

A. Appointing staff

Silver Buccle Herald may appoint such staff as he or she feels necessary for the operation of the office.

B. Silver Buccle staff titles

The following titles are available for use by the Silver Buccle office: Silver Buccle Herald, Sycamore Herald, Golden Alce Herald, Keystone Herald, Cornelian Herald, Garnet Herald, Fleur of Ęthelmearc Herald, Millrind Herald, Scarlet Guard Herald, Gage Herald, Seedling Herald.

V. TERMS OF OFFICE

A. Membership requirements

All members of the Ęthelmearc College of Heralds must be paid members of the SCA in good standing, as per Corpora.

B. Term for Silver Buccle and staff

Silver Buccle's term of office is per Kingdom Law. All Silver Buccle staff members' terms of office correspond to Silver Buccle's term; Silver Buccle may, however, choose to replace any staff member at any time.

C. Term for branch pursuivants and pursuivants-at-large

All branch pursuivants and pursuivants-at-large are rostered by the Silver Buccle office. Terms of local pursuivants are per their local group's policy. Local pursuivants must notify Silver Buccle when they acquire or step down from a local pursuivant position.

VI. REPORTS

A. Quarterly Reports

All members of the senior staff, including regional deputies, must report on a quarterly basis: on the 15th of March, June, September, and December. Report forms are available, but need not be used. Reports should include a summary of all heraldic activities happening within their purview, and a list of their own personal activities. Reports may be submitted on paper, or via e-mail, assuming Silver Buccle Herald has e-mail.

B. Biannual Reports

All local pursuivants and pursuivants-at-large must report twice a year (on June 15 and December 15) to their regional herald. Report forms are available, but need not be used. Reports should include a list of all submissions accepted (including submission money), a list of courts held within the branch, and a brief summary of other heraldic activities (such as classes, consulting, and demos). Reports may be submitted on paper, or via e-mail, assuming Silver Buccle Herald has e-mail.

C. Court Reports

Royal Court reports must be sent to the Silver Buccle Herald within 14 days after the court. Silver Buccle will distribute courtesy copies to the Crown, Sylvan Signet, Keeper of the Polling Lists, Kingdom Chronicler, Golden Alce Herald, and the Kingdom announcement list-serv. Baronial Court reports should also be sent to the Silver Buccle Herald, who will distribute them to the above as necessary. Court report forms are available, but need not be used. Court reports must include the following information: date, location, and event name; presiding Royalty/Baronage; SCA name of presiding and reporting herald; order of awards; the SCA name of each recipient; award given; whether a scroll was received; and the name of the scribe. Court reports may be submitted on paper or via e-mail, assuming that the Silver Buccle Herald has an e-mail account.

VII. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Silver Buccle Office will maintain an up-to-date Kingdom Order of Precedence. The OP will be kept primarily in a digital format, and may be viewed through the Kingdom's web page. Printed copies of the Order of Precedence will be made available to local Seneschals upon request to the Silver Buccle Herald.

VIII. DISCLAIMER

No policy of this office supersedes, or will be assumed or interpreted to supersede, the Administrative Guidelines of the Laurel Sovereign of Arms and College of Arms or Corpora.