April First
I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful responses and participation in our upcoming dance and survey. I'd also like to send my appreciation to those people who mailed me with more appropriate meeting times.
(There are some wacky schedules out there!)
Recent Meetings:
3/31 at 8:00p.m. elven was a general gathering of the EC
Officers in attendance: None.
Several issues were discussed such as our mystery play at the upcoming dance, the dance's date, Gladiator Games participation, member activity, the flower auction and some of our officer's absences.
~Mystery Theatre: In our upcoming dance, we are to be holding an audience interaction mystery event where members of our house will act out the tracing of a crime, and the guests will be confronted with finding the criminal. Parts are still being assigned for this and if you have any interest in helping to write, design, or act in the play then please contact me ([email protected]) or Viria ([email protected]). The parts still unassigned are chef, gardener, guest witness 1, guest witness 2, and the house drunk. Taking on the responsibility would require you to be present the night of the dance AND to attend a practice.
~Dance Date: The date of the dance was also discussed. Originally planned for April 24th, many people are pressing to have it moved to Saturday May 1st so it would be closer to May Day and springtime.
~Gladiator Games: Though we are still unsure of our participation in the games (please vote one way or the other if you have not yet) we would like to assemble some controllers and people interested in the team so we can be prepared if we are accepted. The controllers are people who help run the event, they do 'not' participate in the fights physically. Any people interested in being a controller please write me at [email protected] with a sentence or two as to why you'd like this position.
~Flower Auction: I've had a wonderful response from people concerning the flower auction but we're still in need of a few more people to dress up as sovyn's spring flowers. This requires you to be present on the evening of the dance, and for you to donate 2 hours of your time with the buyer. Please send me an e-scroll ([email protected]) if you're interested in participating and include your name, age, profession and the flower you'd like to dress as in the letter.
~Member activity: Many, MANY, many members are inactive unfortunately, and the active members are looking upon this as a serious fault. We don't consider it right for people to be using the house as a locker or a way for cheap enchants. Along the same lines, we don't consider it helpful for hundreds of people who have left the lands, to stay joined. There are houses out there with less morals that can provide that. Several ways were suggested that would help people become more active in house affairs (such as this newsletter) and some things were brought up such as dues, removal of privileges and even expulsion from the house.
~Officer absence: Rumors have been circulating that an officer or two has left the lands, which would in fact result in the house lacking leadership. If anyone has heard anything about an officer leaving the lands or avoiding the house, please contact someone and share the information :)
Future Meetings:
Our next entertainment committee meeting will be held Wednesday 4/7 at 8:00p.m. elven time in the library. Please come to help plan our Mystery Theatre.
Other Notes:
~Everyone's response to the survey sent out is greatly appreciated and recognized and those are being compiled right now. If you have not yet taken the time to fill out the survey, please do so for the sake of the house. ~ Many people have written to me with their wish to participate in the flower auction, but cannot select a flower. I've compiled a list of flowers off the top of my head that are not yet selected. Hopefully this can help with your choice! Petunia, snapdragon, hyacinth, dandelion, peony, marigold, clove, gardenia, sunflower, ivy, iris, orchid, pansy, mournbloom, blaeston bloom, moonflower, buttercup, tulip, carnation and daffodil. (Self-costuming is appropriate)
Have a lovely day everyone,
Lady Cladia Hewl
April Tenth:
Hello again! I apologize for the lack of announcement on last Sunday's meeting. I posted it on the boards but it was organized after the mailing, through the people that wrote to me with interest in the play.
Recent Meetings:
4/4 at 3:00p.m. elven was a gathering to decide upon play positions and plot Officers in attendance: Kyleana's body Meeting Length: 3 hours and 15 minutes
We took the time to write the plot of the play, cast parts to interested members and tour the house.
~Casting: The following parts were assigned: Lady Viria as the narrator, Lady Ariannia as the Sovyn chef, Lady Kyisa as the house drunk, Lady Cladia as the house maid, Lord Arianiss as the house gardener, Lord Shader as the guest witness #1 and Lord Empfighter as the guest witness #2. Thank you to everyone for your hard work!
~Stand-in's: We looked at the possibility of stand-in's in case a cast member isn't able to attend the evening of the performance. Although we probably won't have a stand-in for each character, we're always welcome to help, and anyone interested in learning the backround of all the characters should attend our next practice.
4/7 at 8:00p.m. elven was a general gathering of the EC Officers in attendance: none Meeting Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes
We discussed issues such as officer absence, the upcoming dance, the mystery play, our improving turnout, the flower auction and the possibility of classes.
~Officer Absence: A few of the members attending the meeting had heard that an officer of two in our house had left the lands permanently, and the question was brought up as to whether or not they will be expelled, replaced, or ignored.
~Dance: It appears that everyone is in agreement to move the dance date to May 1st. Many things are planned for this event and a lot of hard work is being put into it. We hope you can mark your calenders and attend!
~Mystery Play: Many of the cast members attended the meeting and we conversed further as to the length of time it should take, when we should hold it during the evening, what prizes should be issued, and what stand-ins will be needed. My apologies to those people who wanted to participate but were unable to come Sunday. We still love your help!
~Turnout: The meeting turnout was fantastic! I want to warmly thank all the people who took the time to attend as many new people showed their faces and helped with ideas. Please tell your friends about meeting times!
~Meeting Dates: I collected quite a few meeting time suggestions from people and it looks as though we might hold a few meetings on Saturday afternoons, either adding a second day or switching off each week. If anyone has anymore feedback about their schedule, please write me at [email protected]!
~Flower Auction: I've had a lovely response from members as to the flower auction and lots of fun coming up with new spring flowers and costumes! However, we still need another 10 or so members to participate, so if you think you'd be interested write me at [email protected] with your full name, age, profession, and flower of choice. Being sold in the auction, requires you to be present the evening of the dance (May 1st) and to spend 2 hours time with your buyer.
~Classes: Interest was shown in starting classes on healing and herbs, however the person with wishes to run these instructional classes was not present and so this will be a topic covered at next week's meeting.
Future Meetings:
On Sunday 4/11 at approximately 4 p.m. elven in the library we will be holding a play practice to review parts and do a quick run through. If people have a strong interest in acting as a stand-in or helping work out the kinks in the play, please come and help!
Our next entertainment committee meeting will be held Wednesday 4/14 at 8:00p.m. elven time in the library. Please come to help plan!
Other Notes:
~I hear that scores of members have taken the time to fill out our survey. This is so appreciated and warm wishes and thank yous are sent to everyone who has helped! I know Viria is working on a draft of guidelines and it looks fabulous :)
~When writing to me about issues in this letter, please send mail to [email protected] and do not just click reply. Poor Maddie is wearing out her finger having to forward all that mail for me :)
~In a recent meeting the subject of member attendance and activity was brought up. Apparently an individual saw this in the wrong light, and I'd like to put everyone's heart at rest. The topic was merely talked about and will most surely never come to pass. I simply am informing members of what was talked about as opposed to making you all read a horrible icky log. Member activity is strictly voluntary in our house, however appreciated it is. I'm sorry for any confusion!
Have a great day everyone!
~Cladia, the babbling blonde
Late April:
Dates to Remember:
Sunday, May 2 at 4:00pm - Play rehearsal
Wednesday, May 4 at 8:00pm - Weekly entertainment meeting
May 22 and 23 - Sovyn's Glad Games Trials
Happenings:
Co-chairman Mossrose announced her resignation from office, effective Friday, April 30. Mossrose has been an effective officer and dedicated member, and she will be missed by many.
Wednesday 8pm - Entertainment Meeting
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Officers in Attendance: Seashimmer
Member Total: 9
Topics Discussed:
- Spring Gala: The auction, mystery play and everything involving them. Attention all Players: We're having a meeting this Sunday at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome to come watch and offer feedback.
- Classes: Dongel presented his ideas once again for classes on empaths and how healing is done. Also he presented an outline for a class on herbs, and told us all what a red nettleberry does and where we can find it.
- Renovations: Talked about what would go into making additions/revisions, and thought about some ideas for rooms.
- Talked about upcoming elections, Seashimmer mentioned that they *might* be held early so we'd have one big one instead of one for the chairmen now and everyone else later.
- Member absences and inactivity: We tried to brainstorm ways to get more people interested in the house.
- Enchanting: Seashimmer confirmed that Mithadris will be leaving us sometime in the relatively near future. The officers are in the process of looking for a new enchanter, though it will be hard to find one who can compare to Mithadris.
- Members beware: We discussed the dangers of bringing chocolate to Teras, and the heartbreak you could suffer if you don't. Its a hard choice, and we encourage you to make the right one.
- Sovyn Shirts: We discussed having shirts for people to wear, perhaps as a trinket at some upcoming activity.
- We also discussed the charter, possible changes to it; the officers and what they're up to; and what exactly inactivity is and what one could possibly do about it. No worries, meetings and events are still optional, as always.
- Mailings: It seemed everyone liked these weekly mailings. Any suggestions/comments about them can be sent to Cladia ([email protected]).
Additionally:
The Cleric Guide by Arianiss has been finished. I would like to personally thank all the empaths from Sovyn and beyond who took the time to fill out the survey and help with the Empath Guide; over seventy people responded to it.
Thank you to everyone who has already sent in the latest survey about general house matters. We've been getting so many great ideas, its wonderful. If you haven't sent yours in yet, we're eager to hear your opinions too. Some things we're going to start planning from them: Member get-togethers to just discuss how we feel and what we think about various house issues; Meet the officers nights, resuming house hunts, having an additional day for the EC meetings each week that will change each week, and planning some members-only events and hopefully get a good turnout.
Also, we always welcome suggestions and ideas, about anything.
~Viria
Late April:
ATTN: Those of you responding to this letter, please do not click reply. Send your questions/comments to the appropriate addresses listed. Thank you so much!
Recent Meetings:
We took the time to do a complete run through of the play with practice audience members. Thank you to everyone who attended and acted as our audience!
Several topics were discussed such as the upcoming elections, the Spring Gala and it's involvements, the play, bards, the Flower auction, and the possibility of new events/committees.
~Flower Auction: I'm still looking for (non)members to be sold at the Gala and if you or anyone you know has interest, please have them write to me at [email protected] with their name, training, profession, and choice of flower.
~Mystery Play: The play seems to be running smoothly but we need for the actors and actresses to come a bit early to the gala. If everyone could show up near 6pm elven it would be appreciated so that we can do a run through.
~Bards: We are having a small bard performance at the Gala and we are still short a few entertainers. If you know any bard friends that might be interested in performing, write me or have them write me at [email protected]
~Elections: Elections are coming up soon and all people interested in running should write to Maddieson ([email protected]) with the position and your campaign speech. Ballots will be sent out on the 13th of May.
~New events: Some great ideas were brought up such as a committee to help run weddings and perhaps a crystal cathedral being added to the house in the near future to perform ceremonies.
Future Meetings/Events:
5/8 and 5/9: Glad game trials will be held by Damangherik.
5/12: A general gathering of the EC to discuss house issues and upcoming events.
5/13: Officer Election ballots are due to be sent out.
5/15: A small chat-session and member party is planned for 11pm Elven. Everyone is welcome to attend and to spend some time meeting their fellow members.
5/16: A herb session is planned for 9pm Elven. Herb casters and Mana providers are welcome and needed! Come join us to help others and have fun doing it!
Other Notes:
~Some of the events scheduled are testing new meeting times for those people with odd time in th e lands. Even if you don't want to participate, feel free to drop by and say hello to let us know how many people are around!
~Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the recent survey. So many members have strong feelings about is sues and it's nice to see them voiced! A lot of people agreed on a lot of things and I h ope to see them changed for the better in the future.
Have a great day everyone!
~Cladia, the babbling blonde