Is A Debit Card Really That Bad?

.....Grrr, spent several hours this morning trapsing from one end of the County to the other, passing out checks for services needed at June Faire. At one end of the County was Del's for the hay. When I gave them the first check, they took the deposit and gave us the rest. Don't ask me why. So I had to run a second check to them this morning. At the other end of the County was the Party Store for the table and chair rental.

.....Normally, I would just put these things on a credit card and get reimbursed by the Barony. But this last year we deliberately cut up cards and reduced the remaining considerably (by choice). So I had no room to put anything on them. I suppose I could have called the credit card people and had them raise the limits right there, but did not want to do so.

.....So, I understand the reasoning behind why the SCA Financial Policy is to not allow for debit cards. It would be incredibly easy for someone to clean out an account pronto. And there are a lot of 'hacker' issues with which to deal.

.....But a debit card is so useful. And it is not right, or even always the best idea, to put the liability for funds transfers on the back of the populace.

.....So, the SCA set up ACCEPS to allow for credit card use to pre-register for events. Would it be possible for Corporate to set up some financial pool from which they issue out debit cards to branch exchequers? They could set all kinds of limits to these cards. From who could use them, to how much could be taken out each day. I could see all kinds of restrictions put on them. But for an exchequer to have this ability would make a lot of things go faster and easier when paying for event services.

.....From a security aspect, it even makes more sense for all major purchases to go through ONE person (the exchequer) instead of letting autocrat teams make many purchases that the exchequer then has to review before reimbursement.

.....Now, I realize I'm glossing over issues here. But the SCA needs to get itself into the Twenty-First century financially.

.....O.K., done pontificating. Back to work.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

Bell Update.

.....Well, I brought Gwen's Tripod home. I had some thin steel cables on a thick washer. We had some wimpy 1/2" 'S'-Hooks. So we hung the bell, and when struck it sounded rather grand! :-)

.....I asked for Brummbar's engineering analysis. We decided that we needed to remember to stake the tripod legs well. We also need to remember to hang the bell as low to the ground as possible. It is a heavy sucker and if it does fall, could hurt.

.....Brummbar is also going to pick up a stronger / stouter 'S'-Hook as well.

.....I was thinking of hanging it by Lobelia, but TBT thinks it would look and sound better in the A&S Village. It might give the Rhys Monster something to do, striking the hour at the each o'clock.

.....I'm loading it into the U-Haul now.

.....Way Cool. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.

The LAST 'To-Do' List For This June Faire. :-)

.....I'm starting to drag and the fun is only beginning. :-) But I'm as ready as I'm going to be and I'm sure the June Faire Board of Directors is already around the bend ahead of me. :-)

.....Let's see...

Thursday:
1.) Finish laundry, fold and put into bins for Lobelia.
2.) Fill Lobelia with gas.
3.) Load remaining supplies staged in Computer Room.
4.) Feed and Water Cats.
5.) Pack Laptop.
6.) Drive Lobelia to site (U-Haul was left at site this evening with keys to Branwen).
7.) Meet with any contractors as needed by Talia.
8.) Continue with set-up.
9.) Dinner on site?
10.) Stay on site in Lobelia?

Friday
* FUN BEGINS
* Remember to discuss web-site with Yvon.

.....The final contract came through this evening (Gate Contract for help from Dragon's Mist). So I think we're set there.

.....Weather will be what it will be. But this afternoon wasn't bad at all. Tomorrow is supposed to be similar. Friday a little wetter. But Saturday and Sunday look pretty good. Cross your fingers.

.....I'm tired. I'm going to start the last load of laundry and GO TO BED. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.