1 June 2021
Letter to the Kingdom from the Crown of the Outlands – 4/3/2021
Details Published: 03 April 2021
Good people of the Outlands hear these words from your Crown, Béla and Nerissa.
As you know by now the Board of Directors has decided to lift the ban on in person events and activities starting on June 1st. This means that as of that date Kingdoms may start to host events with the restrictions laid out by the Board of Directors and following any and all local mandates and guidelines. We would like to take a moment and say thank you to all the members of the Board of Directors and all the Society officers and volunteers who have been working diligently to keep the SCA as safe as possible during this pandemic.
We would like to take a moment and make a few things very clear. The announcement by the Board does not go into effect until June 1st. This means that until then the Outlands is still in the Gated Phase of the reopen plan which means no in person activities are allowed at this time. We will continue to work with Our officers, Landed Nobles, and autocrats, and We will continue to monitor the ever-changing status of guidelines and mandates throughout the Kingdom to determine when it is safe for the Outlands to move to Phase One of reopening. When We feel it is safe to do so We will make an announcement to let everyone know that the Outlands has changed phases in the reopen plan. All changes will be posted on the Kingdom Webpage and on the various social media pages as well as being published in the Outlandish Herald. We would encourage any health care professionals who would like to help with setting protocols in place and training everyone on how to implement them, to contact your local seneschal the Kingdom Seneschal or Ourselves so that We may hear your advice and counsel.
As we move forward and start to have in person activities it will be imperative that everyone abides by the rules and guidelines set in place by the Board of Directors and the Kingdom policies. Any failure to follow these rules and guidelines by any member of the populace will be met with swift action. If you feel you can not or will not follow these rules then please stay home, these rules are set in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. If you do not follow the rules you will be asked to leave the event. If you refuse to leave the event the event will be canceled and closed immediately. This is not something that We say lightly and without much consideration. We are not willing to risk the life of a single member of this great Kingdom. Please remember that the event staff and officers are volunteers who are giving of their time and energy so that we may all come together and have fun. Do not make their jobs any harder than they already are.
With the restrictions put in place by the Board of Directors, most notably no overnight camping and an attendance cap of 150 people, We have made the decision to postpone Batttlemoor until 2022. This was not an easy decision to make but We feel it is for the best for the Outlands to do so at this time. We want to say thank you to the autocrat staff, the members of the BAM, and all Our officers who have continued to work so very hard to try and find a way to make Battlemoor happen in 2021. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for the Outlands! You have Our undying gratitude and support. We know that when Battlemoor does happen it will be epic and a fantastic display of Outlands hospitality and revelry.
We are near the end of out time apart. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and We are so looking forward to being able to see all of you again in person. Please stay the course. Continue to social distance, practice good hygiene, and wear your masks. Continue to reach out and check on friends and neighbors to make sure they are well physically and mentally. Be mindful that we can not always see the stress that we are under and be kind in your interactions with others. We are proud of how the Outlands has handle things these many months. You have cared for each other; you have been kind and you have lifted each other up so many times. It has truly been inspiring to witness the care and love you all have shown each other. Our hearts are bursting with pride because of how you all have risen to the occasion. Thank you for proving that the Outlands is the greatest Kingdom in the Known World!
We can not wait to see you all again!
In Service to the Outlands We remain,
Béla Nerissa
King Queen