Arontius of Bygelswade

.....On Saturday of this last weekend, the Western Regional Pelican Council held a regional meeting after the SCA BoD meeting. It seemed an awfully convenient way to arrange things. And the Embassy Suites in Tukwilla is a fantastic site. I wonder what the prices are to rent that hotel for a Twelfth Night? Hmmm... :-)

.....But I digress...

.....I'm not going to discuss anything that was part of the conversation or the dynamics of the meeting itself, other than to say that we had a good turnout, which made me happy. But something surfaced that has me wondering about my role in the Regional Council.

.....I act as Co-Secretary, along with Anne-Marie, of the Regional Council. We set up meetings, put together the agenda, chair the meetings, take and post notes and act as the mouth-piece for the council.

.....Something I've always kind of done as secretary is do my best to maintain a sense of neutrality towards the candidate pool and individual candidates that are brought forth for consideration. I want to reduce, as much as possible, even the appearance that I might try to influence the candidacy of certain individuals with my role as a secretary. Sometimes I actually say something about this person or that person, but most of the time I try to keep my mouth shut and let the rest of the council do the speaking. I just move the agenda along as much as possible to ensure that we cover everything that we wanted to cover.

.....After the meeting on Saturday, someone was speaking to me about what happened at the meeting and the suggestion was made in passing that I should speak up more if I am in disagreement with something that was said in council, especially if it in connection with a candidate of whom I feel especially strongly.

.....This irritated me a little and made me wonder if I do indeed do a dis-service to a candidate whom I know has done good things by not speaking up more. I've been frustrated on a number of occasions when I've wanted to speak but felt compelled to not simply because I want to maintain that silly neutrality thing.

.....So, is there a happy medium where you can maintain a sense of neutrality towards the council as a whole and still feel that you are speaking on the subjects and candidates that you should? Or should a secretary's job really be as a completely neutral party and that a secretary should just plan on staying silent for the length of their tenure?

.....Seems something of a silly thing on which to worry, but it's causing me a little angst. I'd like to do a good job if at all possible.

.....Looking forward to seeing everyone at July Coronation next weekend. And it's good to see scratchel back, we missed you. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.