The Company of Saint George has been in existence now for five years. For most of that time, we have lain dormant, rising from time to time to make a struggle towards these ideals we all share. During the last year a great deal has been built; the Western chapter of the Company has elected officers and created ordinances to govern themselves, the Caiden chapter has recently sprung to life, holding their first pas d'armes and elected three new companions.

Since our earliest days, gentles across the known world have expressed an interest in our Company-gentles whose location in other kingdoms makes access to our activities very difficult. With the increased visibility of the web page, the Pennsic pas d'armes, and the growing subscription base for Chronique, the inquiries for the Company have increased greatly. In the past few months we've received no less than eight inquiries from places outside of California from people who would like to see something of what we have built sprout in their area.

When Earl Sir Sossiedgh (sp) first approached us with this question, we decided then to help them found their own company and assist them in any way we could. This was done; they assumed a charter very much like hours and even used the same garter, differencing the colors. Theirs is blue with argent letters. I attended their first two pas d'armes, and they seemed on their way.

But what gentles have been expressing to me recently is concern that takes a great deal of work to arrive at the point when the organization is smooth enough to support growth. To be sure we have not solved the organizational problem as yet. However, these folks have been very steadfast in their desire to work off of what we have done rather than to create something new. I am beginning to think that both methods will be necessary.

Now that there are two distinct, active chapters, I can forsee a time when there might be seven or eight such chapters. This raises all kinds of logistical and administrative questions, along with philosophical questions. Would such growth destroy the company as we understand it? On the other hand, would failing to administer to this growing need stifle the ideals we espouse by disheartening gentles who might work in behalf of them?

I am not yet convinced one way or the other, but I have been thinking about how we could do this. Here are some suggestions:

• All companies must adhere to the charter. No part of it may be changed without the unanimous approval of all chapters.
• Each chapter would maintain their own ordinances, such that they can organize and administer as they choose, subject only to the provisions of the charter.
• All finances would belong exclusively to the chapters.
• All props, regalia and accoutrement would likewise belong to the chapters.
• Larger purchases of regalia, such as patches, garters, collars, cloaks and the like could be made by any chapter that wanted to organize such an effort, though eventually there should be a central point for its collection.
• The website and mailing lists should be maintained as a central clearinghouse for information so that the companies stay in general sync.

Very open questions

• Disputes between chapters-how should this be handled?
• Should the founders retain some element of say over the chapters?
• What should be done if a whole chapter starts to go askew? Who determines what 'askew' is?
• Is this even a workable thing at all? What are the alternatives?

I pose these questions and these thoughts for the Company's consideration-I think we need to discuss this at length at the Fall Convocation, scheduled for September 8th, 1996.