Costume Guild of Meridies

Charter

Purpose - The purpose of the Costumers Guild of Meridies shall be to advance the art of historical costuming throughout the Kingdom of Meridies.

Scope - The scope of costuming addressed by the Guild shall include all articles of clothing worn on the body, from the skin out, and head to toe, as worn by men, women, and children in pre-17 th century Europe and those cultures with which it had contact. The art of costuming shall be defined to include research, documentation, design, and construction of garments and costume accessories.

Membership - Membership in the Guild shall be open to all interested residents within the borders of the Kingdom of Meridies, regardless of level of skill or experience in the art of historical costuming. Interested persons residing outside the borders of the Kingdom may participate in the list-serve and in gatherings of the Guild, but shall not be Guild members. All members of the guild shall be equal in rank.

Goals - The goals of the Guild shall include:

Sharing training, techniques, and resources for Medieval and Renaissance costuming and costuming research with each other through a web page, internet discussion group, and periodic meetings at SCA events.

Local sources of supplies for costuming in the region: best fabric stores, great sales on period fabric, where to obtain period fittings such as corset boning, etc.
Mail order and web sources for hard-to-find costuming supplies
Post or link to articles written by costumers in Meridies
Post or link to images and documentation for costume works created in Meridies
Gather a database of costumers in Meridies and their areas of expertise to serve as a training resource for the kingdom.

Teaching classes on costuming research and techniques at events and collegiums throughout Meridies
Inspiring the advancement of the art of costuming by hosting displays and fashion shows, sponsoring contests, providing judges and informal coaching sessions, and recognizing the work of costumers.
Observing the work of talented costumers in Meridies and recommending candidates for the Meridian Cross, Order of the Velvet Owl, and Laurel.
Working with the Meridian Embroiderers Guild where the arts of costuming and embroidery intersect, especially embroidery as embellishment on costume, with the Textile Arts Guild where the arts of costuming and textile construction intersect, and with other guilds of Meridies as appropriate.

Policies and Procedures of the Costumers Guild of Meridies

Revised March 1, 2005

Guild Officers - The Guild shall elect and maintain officers, with the approval of the Crown, to plan, organize, and conduct the business of the Guild. Officers will be elected by a simple majority of Guild members present at the official Guild meeting at Kingdom Arts & Sciences. Term of office will be a minimum of two years, which may be extended case-by-case by a simple majority vote of Guild members present at the official Guild meeting at Kingdom Arts & Sciences.

Guild Officers, and their responsibilities, shall be as follows:

Guild Minister - responsibilities of the Guild Minister shall be:

Maintain a list of members of the Guild
Function as the leader of the Guild as required by the Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences, including attending the annual meeting of Guild Ministers and serving as the contact for the Guild in the Kingdom Newsletter
Provide agendas and lead meetings of the Guild
Serve as Moderator and Owner for the Guild list-serv
Administer the Guild web site, with assistance as required from knowledgeable web support personnel.
Maintain records of official votes and decisions at official Guild Meetings
Maintain the Guild calendar of meetings and activities
Compile an annul report of guild activities to provide to the Minister of Arts and Sciences and the Crowns at Kingdom Arts and Sciences.

Guild Deputy Minister - responsibilities of the Guild Deputy Minister shall be:

Serve as Assistant Moderator for the Guild list-serv
Serve as a back-up to attend and lead meetings in the absence of the Guild Minister
Assist the Guild Minister in the administration of Guild activities

Guild Meetings - The Guild shall meet annually at the Royal University of Meridies collegium [third weekend in July] to discuss, plan, and conduct guild activities, elect new officers as needed, and approve changes to the policies and procedures of the Guild. The Guild may meet at other official SCA events within the Kingdom of Meridies to discuss, plan, and conduct guild activities, but shall not elect officers or vote on changes to the policies and procedures of the Guild at these additional meetings. Guild meetings and events shall be posted on the calendar, and sent as email notices to Guild Members, at least 28 day prior to the meeting or event.

Guild Communications - All official communications of the Guild shall be by email, via the Guild list-serv, or at official meetings of the Guild. The Guild shall maintain a moderated email list-serv and a guild web site.

Guild Activities - The Guild shall host a minimum of one official activity per year for the benefit of the populace of Meridies. This event shall be educational and/or inspirational in nature. The annual activity may be a costuming collegium event, an official costuming track at RUM, or a major exhibit of the costuming arts held at a large kingdom event. Additional activities shall be planned and executed by the Guild as desired by the membership of the Guild.

Local Costumers Guilds - Whereas the availability of Costumers Guild meetings at local groups within Meridies will further the objectives of the Guild, the Costumers Guild of Meridies shall encourage the formation of local Guild chapters. Existing local costuming groups within Meridies shall be invited to join the Guild as recognized local guild chapters. Recognized local guild chapters shall be listed on the Guild web page, and their activities shall be publicized as with other activities of the Guild. Recognized local chapters of the Guild shall provide an official contact person for their chapter and shall provide an annual report of their activities to the Guild Minister and Secretary.

Guild Finances - Whereas all official communications of the guild will occur in person or electronically, there is no requirement for Guild funds to support a printed newsletter or other publications. Financial support for expenses of the Guild, such as contest prizes, gifts for the Crowns, items to auction as fundraisers for the Kingdom, etc., shall be obtained as needed on a voluntary basis from individual participants in the Guild.

This is not an official website of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and does not delineate SCA policy. Contents of this website have been provided by members of the Costumer's Guild of Meridies and may express individual opinions or interpretations on SCA and historical costuming matters.

The original contributors retain the copyright of certain portions of this website. For information on using photographs, articles, or artwork from this website, please contact the web minister, Lord Aoghann MacGumerait, at ldh@ece.gatech.edu. They will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors.