[Cynnabar] BoC - Settlement funding discussion

Tue Feb 7 17:54:31 UTC 2012

The suggestion for giving more than our required amount appears to be based on other local groups potentially being in a financial bind. Before we give additional money on this premise, I would like to see that need confirmed. Perhaps we could do some quick checking with some of the other groups. If we find that our neighbors are going to come up short, then would it be possible to make a contribution directly to them or pay what they can not? 

I recognize that there will continue to be legal expenses at the corporate level. I would recommend that those individuals that wish to immediately help shore up the corporate coffers by renewing memberships, opting out of printed newsletters, etc do so. Alternately they can wait for further information about how to give directly. Beyond that I believe that we as a group or as individuals, will be able give more, specifically earmarked for the legal costs, at a later date. 

Margarete 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cynnabar Seneschal" <boc.seneschal at gmail.com> 
To: barony at cynnabar.org 
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 11:15:31 AM 
Subject: [Cynnabar] BoC - Settlement funding discussion 

Greetings unto the members of Cynnabar. 

As I’m sure most, if not all, of you are aware, there has been a settlement of the lawsuit against the SCA finally. In the end, in order to meet with the settlement, the SCA Inc. is requiring all Kingdoms to contribute 18% of their cash assets. This goes down to the individual group (shire, barony) level. So Cynnabar must contribute 18% of our cash assets to Kingdom which will contribute it to the Society level. This must be done by this weekend (2/11/12) and we will be planning on handing a check at Val Day directly to the Kingdom Exchequer. 

As far as what is our cash assets, it is only our checking account that falls into that category, so it makes calculations easy (we have no CDs or any other liquid assets to worry about). Now, here comes the fun part… 

The 18% calculation is based on the 2010 Doomsday. Our 12/31/2010 balance is $1840.36 which 18% is $331.26. 

However our 2011 balance as of 12/31/2011 is $6447.15, which 18% is $1160.49 

So our required obligation is only $331.26. 

First, the question of should Cynnabar contribute more to help the Kingdom and SCA in this settlement case? There are some things to keep in mind when considering this: 

- This is a (hopefully) one time situation and the decision must be made before this weekend. We do not have any meetings before hand so all discussions will be done on-line or in individual phone calls. 

- We have already budgeted $600 to Kingdom (for the shade fly and travel funds). This was done before the settlement announcement. So we are already have funds earmarked for Kingdom. 

- If we contribute more than the 18%, how much more should we? 

Second, some individuals have also expressed interest in contributing to the settlement funds. There is an investigation going on right now as the best way to make that happen. As soon as there is more information on how this can happen, we’ll let people know. 

I feel that we should try to keep these transactions as simple as possible. Therefore I suggest that: 

1. We determine what amount we will contribute to the settlement by this weekend and that’s what we send as far as monies that go directly to the settlement. 

2. Individual contributions to the settlement should be made directly to Kingdom/SCA (method TBD). 

3. Any fundraisers or means to replenish the funds will be done as “normal” Baronial fundraisers and not tied into the settlement. We can always know why we are doing the fundraiser, but it keeps the records and financial books a lot cleaner. We can always tithe these monies directly to the Kingdom later to help replenish our Kingdom’s coffers. 

I think that if we follow the above three guidelines, it will keep things clean and straightforward. 

Now, onto the big discussion. How much should we contribute to the settlement? The base 18% of our 2010 numbers ($331.26), or more? 

In my opinion, I feel if we contribute the 18% of our 2011 budget ($1160.49), it is more accurate to what the Barony can support to Kingdom and gives more than what is minimally required. 

I know that there are some that will feel that we should only give the required amount and others that feel we should help out as much as we can. There will not be 100% agreement on this. But I’m hoping that the clear majority of people will let it be known how the Barony should help out. 

All feedback is needed and appreciated. If you feel like you need to express your opinion in person rather than to the group list, feel free to e-mail or call me (before 10:PM) at any time at 610-564-2249. 

For more details on the lawsuit, the settlement, and the financial impact this has had on the SCA, please see: http://sca.org/BOD/announcements/settlement.html 

Thanks, 

Finn 

Seneschal, Cynnabar 

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