The Mountain Confederation
HONOR NOT HONORS
Article I
The Mountain Confederation shall exist as a free company for the enrichment, enjoyment and fulfillment of its members and shall promote the ideal of Honor in both word and deed. The Mountain Confederation, as a Household, holds no allegiance to any king, kingdom, household or political organization within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), but may chose to ally itself temporarily with any group, dictated only by the demands of honor.
The heraldry of the Mountain Confederation is: Per fess Azure and Or, a catamount passant and a triple‐ peaked mountain issuant from base counterchanged.
Article II - Covenants
In order to further the purpose of the Mountain Confederation, all members shall hereby agree to the following covenants:
1. To offer mutual assistance and support in all areas that may further the interests and goals of The Mountain Confederation, including but not limited to: the recruitment and instruction of new members, the training of martial combatants and the refinement of the Arts and Sciences.
2. To defend the Honor of all Members of The Mountain Confederation by both word and deed.
3. To support the temporary alliances made on behalf of and with the endorsement of the members of The Mountain Confederation, unless unable under the provisions of the Point of Honor.
4. To know and uphold these Articles, to learn the history of the Mountain Confederation and to implement the Articles to the best of one's ability.
Article III - Membership
A Member of the Mountain Confederation has the right to display the heraldry of The Mountain Confederation. Any member over the age of 16 is eligible to hold any household position and to vote and voice his opinion on all matters concerning the household.
Membership is extended through Sponsorship, approved by a vote of acceptance by the active Members, and solidified by the solemn affirmation of our Motto. Membership may be willingly relinquished at any time, with no reprisal from The Mountain Confederation.
Any current member of The Mountain Confederation who has been a member at least two years and is over the age of 16 may sponsor a prospective member into the household.
The Sponsor should be familiar with the prospective member he is introducing to the household, and should be able to confirm that the prospective member understands and accepts the rights and responsibilities that Membership entails. The Sponsor should also help the prospective member to get to know the other members. The Sponsor is responsible for addressing any grievances that members may have with the prospective member and, if necessary, of informing the prospective member that he has not been accepted into the household.
Sponsorship lasts from the point of formal introduction of the prospective member to the Household to the end of at least one full year; or until the prospective member is approved by the Household. At any time during the period of sponsorship, the Sponsor may relinquish his role for any reason, and the prospective member must seek a new sponsor within the active membership. If the prospective member decides that he no longer wishes to become a member, he may remove himself from sponsorship at any time with no reprisal from The Mountain Confederation.
Article IV - Government and Structure
Any and all positions within the Household not defined by a set time limit can have an annual request for a vote of confidence in order to continue for another year. This vote of confidence is not mandatory but may be requested during the camp meeting at Pennsic War.
EXCHEQUER:
The exchequer is responsible for the maintenance of The Mountain Confederation’s treasury, and controlling all monetary deposits and withdrawals from the Treasury.
The Exchequer is elected by the membership on a bi‐annual basis. Due to the nature of the position, the Exchequer must be someone who holds the trust and support of the active membership.
The exchequer must be easy to contact either by telephone or internet. The Exchequer must have a deputy at all times, who must also be listed as a signatory on the bank resolution statements, in case of emergency. Members of the Mountain Confederation may serve as Exchequer more than once.
Duties of the Exchequer:
1. The Exchequer is required to deposit all funds within one week of receipt, with the exception of Pennsic War expenditures, which may be paid out of Camp Fees. Any and all bills that have been approved by the household should be paid within one week of billing.
2. The Exchequer is required to present a report of the status of the Treasury at the Gathers, Ladies and Pennsic War. Should the Exchequer be unable to attend these events, a written report must be submitted to the Senior Servant to present on his behalf.
3. The Exchequer or appointed deputy must be at all events sponsored by the Mountain Confederation in order to oversee funds that were collected at the event. TMC exchequer and/or deputy must be able to work with the Hosting Shire/Barony/ Principality to make sure all funds are distributed properly. All receipts should be handled at the event and all outstanding funds to be paid.
4. Large expenses for the Household, such as the funding for a Gate and the transportation thereof, require an approval of either the majority of the house or it's servants before money is dispersed. Small purchases for the Household, such as the printing of the Caterwauls and/or Domesdays and postage for these, may be made immediately and do not require the approval of the household.
LADIES CHAMPION:
The Ladies Champion is a chivalrous member of The Mountain Confederation who is charged with defending the honor of all the Ladies of the Mountain Confederation. Should any Lady within the Mountain Confederation feel that she has been dishonored by an individual, she has the right to call upon the Ladies Champion to come to her defense and restore her honor.
Once called upon, there will be no reprisal to the Ladies Champion for defending the Honor of a household member, even the offense is against any member currently holding another position of service to The Mountain Confederation.
The honor of Ladies Champion is presented to the favored combatant at the Ladies Champion Event in the Spring of each year.
PROVOST MARSHALL:
The Provost Marshall (Slumlord) shall oversee all camp preparations necessary for the Pennsic War.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD:
The Captain of the Guard shall oversee the security of the camp at the Pennsic War and shall maintain the guard roster.
WARLORD:
The Warlord is an experienced combatant of The Mountain Confederation who has an excellent understanding of all martial activities and is willing to provide leadership and guidance to the household on matters concerning its combatants and political alliances.
The Warlord shall oversee all areas of Combat within The Mountain Confederation. This shall include the training of martial combatants, providing feedback to his troops, delegation and appointing of field commanders and other deputies as he sees fit, and keeping relations with other households and kingdoms.
Warlord, and any members of the household who have reason to do so, shall bring all garnered offers of employment for the Mountain Confederation’s fighting forces to the household for discussion and voting approval. Due to the need for having an accessible negotiator at War, the Warlord must camp with the Mountain Confederation for the duration of Pennsic War. If the Warlord cannot attend this event, he may designate a deputy to fulfill his obligations in his stead.
The position of Warlord is held for a five‐year term with an annual vote of confidence. The Warlord may serve consecutive terms with approval from the household. Owing to the responsibilities of the office, the Warlord may not declare a Point of Honor with regards to the Combat of the Household.
SERVANTS:
The Servants of the Mountain Confederation are those members chosen by the Household to serve the good of the Household as a whole. The Servants of the Mountain Confederation shall receive no other privileges or rights above those of the general membership. By their acceptance of the office, they are bound to the service of The Mountain Confederation and its members.
There are five Servants at all times. They shall consist of one Senior Servant and four Servants.
The Senior Servant is a member of long standing, and shall be elected through a polling of the active members of the household to a five year term. The Senior Servant is charged to serve as spokesperson and chairperson for the Servants, and as tie breaker in decisions made by the Servants.
The four Servants shall serve two year terms. Servants are not elected, but chosen by random draw from a pool of nominations. Members of the Household should nominate two members, one combatant and one non‐combatant. Members who receive more than two nominations may agree to have their names entered into the drawing for new Servants. Two Servants shall be chosen at each Spring Gather; thus there will be two new Servants and two Servants who have served for one year. Servants may serve more than one term, but may not serve consecutively. The Servants are charged to represent all members of the household, be they combatant or non‐combatant.
Duties of the Servants:
To facilitate the running of the household business, including organizing and overseeing household meetings and accepting the reports of the officers. Emergency expenditures can be approved by the servants, with the provision that the receipts are submitted to the Exchequer in a timely manner.
To oversee the election of offices within the household.
To hear the grievances of any member, provide advice and recommend actions to be taken. Grievances brought to the servants are to be those that affect the Household, rather than personal complaints. Any grievance against a Servant of the Confederation shall be presented to the active membership.
Article V - Suspension, Banishment, & Treasonous Acts:
If a member of The Mountain Confederation conducts himself in a manner that is detrimental to another member or to the household as a whole, the Servants will review the situation and any proofs that validate the claim. If they feel it proper to do so, the Servants may elect a neutral third party to assist them or to evaluate the situation in their stead.
If the Servants find sufficient evidence and agree that the behavior is in need of redress, their first action is to admonish the member in question.
If the member continues to behave in a detrimental manner, the Servants may then choose to reexamine the situation, and present any pertinent information and evidence to the household, along with their recommendations of action [punishment, suspension or banishment].
If the Household determines that punishment is desired, they decide the form it will take. Punishments are to be used as means to correct the situation and as a reminder of a member's duties to the household. They will not take the form of corporal punishment. At no time during a punishment will there be additional reprisals by the rest of the household.
The Household sets the time frame for punishments and suspensions, which should vary to fit the situation, but should never be longer than two years. During a time of suspension, the member loses all rights of membership, although he/she may still take a point of honor. At no time during or upon returning from a suspension will there be additional reprisals by the rest of the household.
If a member is banished, he shall never be allowed re‐admittance to the Mountain Confederation. His name will be removed from all Rolls and will not be spoken in the litanies that amplify the glory and honor of The Mountain Confederation. It shall be as if he never existed.
The vote of the household is final.
Article VI - Points of Honor:
If at any time, a member of the Confederations finds himself in conflict with the intent of the Confederation by reason of conscience, loyalty, or other honorable commitment, he may choose to declare a Point of Honor. If a member of the Confederation has sworn fealty to any person or kingdom within the SCA outside the household, he must take a Point of Honor prior to any vote concerning where the household fights at War. The Point of Honor does not restrict him from any other vote in the Confederation, nor does it release him from any other obligations to the Confederation, including that of secrecy if so enjoined.
A Point of Honor can be taken in front of any gathering of the Confederation or if no such gathering is available, a servant or officer of the Confederation.
Article VII - Orders:
The Mountain Confederation has skilled and talented members. These skills and talents should not go unrecognized. As such, five orders have been formed to recognize those members who are acclaimed by their peers.
Order of the CAT: for excellence in armored combat and melee combat, martial arts instruction, and military service to the Confederation; particularly in times of War.
Order of the WREN: for noble and altruistic service to The Mountain Confederation.
Order of the ARROW: for superiority in target archery, archery instruction and military service to the Confederation, particularly in times of War.
Order of the THISTLE: for distinction, promotion and instruction of the arts and sciences.
Order of the CENTAUR: for excellence in the skill and instruction of the art of equestrian mounted games, combat, archery and joust.
Organization of these Orders is left to their membership.
These articles are the revision to the original Articles of Confederation, as written and put forth by the Articles Committee, submitted to the House for review in August 2009. Suggestions to the Committee Revision have been taken into account, and the final version voted on and approved at Pennsic War XXXIX in August 2010.
These articles are not Law, but are to serve as a guideline for the operation and unity of the Household of The Mountain Confederation within the Society for Creative Anachronism. HNH, Sophie.
Key Terms/Definitions:
*article ‐ a particular section or item of a series of written documents, as in a contract, constitution or treaty
*covenant ‐ a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action *admonish ‐ to express warning or disapproval in an especially gentle, earnest or solicitous manner.
*chivalrous/chivalry ‐ courteous behavior associated with the ideals of knightly virtues, honor and courtly love with regards to service to others, especially that of men towards women.
*servant ‐ one that acts in service to, and for the service of, another individual or group of individuals and their best interests.