This is a proposed Charter so far. It has been written this way with the express purpose of built upon! Comments are allowed and even requested at the bottom of the page.
Purpose of the Middle Eastern Dance Guild
The first purpose of the Guild is to study, teach and perform the dances of the Middle Eastern cultures. The Middle Eastern cultures before the year 1600CE shall be described as those lands under Muslim rule, including North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe and India: ranging west to Tunisia, Morocco, Spain (held under Muslim rule from the 8th century until 1492) and the Canaries, east to India, south to Somalia, north to the Caucasus.
The second purpose of the Guild is to promote, educate and communicate other aspects of Middle Eastern culture so as to encourage creation and maintenance of Middle Eastern personae within the S.C.A., and to anyone else who seeks this knowledge.
Goals
To encourage through research, teaching and action the Arts and Sciences of the Middle East through classes, collegia, publications and the Internet. To allow others to use information gathered for the benefit of all.
Events
To hold a minimum of one Middle Eastern themed event per year, as well as regular planning meetings where Arts and Sciences can also be taught. This is to help raise the number of events held locally each year, as well as a variation in theme.
Membership
Membership of the Guild is open to whomever is interested in any aspect of the cultures of the Middle East pre-1600 CE. Members should be willing to encourage others through research, Arts and Sciences, the sharing of resources and good deeds.
Guild structure
Currently the Guild is small. As the Guild grows, the Guild will need to be represented by a member who can be a local contact, as well as organiser of local meetings, classes and possible events. A Guild meeting should happen at least once every six months, which also includes teaching sessions.
The usual Guild structure of Apprentice, Journeyman and Master ranks and the definitions of how these ranks are achieved, what responsibilities and privileges they bear, and whether they are appropriate at all are to be discussed and agreed upon by its members. Any changes to the Charter shall be brought up prior to the planning meeting and voted upon by the Guild members at that planning meeting.
Guild Officers
As mentioned, the Guild is currently small. As the Guild grows, an umbrella organisation with the officers of President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc. will be decided upon and voted for by the members of the Guild either at Rowany Festival or Suth Moot (the two events over Easter). All officers must then find and train deputies as suitable replacements, pending the approval of the President/ Seneschal.
Service to the Crown
As an Arts and Sciences Guild, we owe honour to the Royal Consort who rules by Grace and Beauty. As such, any gifts for Royalty shall be decided upon by the local representative of the Guild. That representative shall also decide to which Guild member to assign the gift making, to help encourage others in the Arts and Sciences.
Happy with it
good work
Looks good – well done.
Great job. Just a couple of suggested edits:
“The second aim of the Guild is to promote, educate and communicate other aspects of Middle Eastern culture SO AS TO ENCOURAGE creatiON and maintENANCE OF Middle Eastern personaE within the S.C.A” (capitals used to show suggested changes)
I think “Goals” should be “Purpose” as these aren’t really measurable outcomes as written (but happy for it to stay as goals at the whim of the patron or populous)
Are you specifying that events need to be held in every area where a guild member resides every 12 months or does this apply only to Stormhold? Or is it one event in Lochac? I think it would be better to specify that all guild members need to be actively involved in running events in their own regions, and that, if practicable for the size of the local area, that members hold an event in their local area every 12 months + regular…
Just done a bit of re-wording…
I was hoping for a local group to hold one event per year within their group that is run by a Guild member. This could be a tourney, a market or a sit-down feast. This would be up to the local members, of course.
Purpose is much better word instead of aim, I agree.
The Laws of Lochac state that the Sovereign is whichever of King and Queen won Crown Tourney.
So “Sovereign who rules by Grace and Beauty” is an oxymoron.
I don’t have an excellent suggestion for what to use instead, but “Consort of Lochac”, “Royal Consort” or “King or Queen by Grace and Beauty” are options.
I used nondescript wording as there may or may not be some changes in the consort rules in the future. I think Royal Consort is good, thanks for that.
I am surprised that my husband didn’t pick up on that!
This is looking good, well done all.
Gorgeous and loads of information. I love reading about history and origination of especially the middle eastern cultures, so I’ll be following you guys around. Hoping to find loads of info!
Brilliant! How does one join this Guild?
Hello Samantha. Currently just putting together the Guild to be made official. You are welcome to subscribe currently.
Are you a Scadian?
Thank you for setting me up with the subscription Miriam
When the Guild is made active I would love to be a member.
I’ve been both a Scadian and a mundane bellydancer for the past 10 years, but I am only now looking at fusing the two interests (my 14th C persona is a complete contradiction so I’m setting up for a split personality, lol).
Having studied in both Australia and Egypt, I’m looking at teaching shaabi, baladi and Turkish Romany in the SCA, and hopefully running some activities at Festival. I would be very keen to hear of the Guild activities so I can work in with them.