The manner in which we handle the question of “how non-combatants in a fighting house,” defines us. It comes down to understanding and respect of equal but different roles. Being members of a house is more about being a “Contributor and Provider” than any other function. One earns respect and probity by their own actions. To better understand this we should define “Contributor and Provider.”
Contributor -
1: to give or supply in common with others.
2: to play a significant part in bringing about an end or result.
Provider -
1: to supply something for sustenance or support.
2: to prepare in advance.
3: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed).
Having tried to define house positions in a medieval manor, it might be better to look at this from a more modern view with an eye on the past. Our merry band of brothers and sisters are more than just fighting and camping together. Yes, that is a central theme that gives us a core, but it does not begin to cover the vast depths we “provide” for each other. The “contributions” of each member to one another is more akin to family and dear friends than mere hobby affiliates. We can bear witness to the life changing/altering for the positive we have “provided” each other. That is more important than just the SCA.
A member of Delarosa Manor is defined as one who is a contributor to the common ideals we share and aspire to, as well as a provider of mutually beneficial support on our personal goals both in and out side the SCA.
Our mission statement is to help each other become the best individuals we can be. In providing for each other on the Path of Enlightenment, we in turn will receive contributions to our own spiritual, emotional and physical needs. We matter, we care and we are real with each other, thus love, respect and dignity will be essential to each other and our families.
Our Common values are steeped in the Chivalric Code. That gives us a basic of framework of how we are to treat with each other and the world at large. Although we all have our separate paths to walk we know that we are not alone. We have but to ask for help and it will be there in ways we cannot imagine. We serve a higher cause with a sense of community that gives us a path to becoming something greater than ourselves. This in turn drives us to achieve greatness for all who pledge themselves to these values and this corps of individuals.
With this architecture in place, we view members as people who are more than just one aspect of the SCA. We are in place to offer a hand in support, to give sound advice, to ask more of each other and expect more of each other's conduct, knowing we are mere mortals with all our faults and issues. Hopefully, we can give forgiveness more freely of our transgressions and be willing overlook some of each other's flaws because we know offense is always accidental within our family of friends.
Combatants and non-combatants, both, are welcome. We fight, we serve and we explore the Arts and Sciences of the SCA. We support a Heavy Fighting Unit, as well as serve the SCA organiztion in a variety of ways. We pay it forward to the next generation, not only by leading by example, but also by teaching them the skills that have been passed unto us.
Officers and Procedures
This is a Royal household, headed by Viscount Shaun Sterling and Viscountess Diana. The following delineates other household roles and procedures:
I. Jobs:
A. Major Domo (MD) —
(Facility Manager) is someone on site when everyone arrives, lays out the tent arrangement and makes sure we have enough land allocated to our group. The MD ensures the convenient and safe placement of:
A kids shade
Gathering shade (preferably with multiple tables to accommodate our people at dinner)
Safety zone around the fire pit (including chairs and walk space) (15 ft)
Location of kitchen (out of the main walking area but attached to the central courtyard).
Keeps a record of tent sizes and has a working knowledge of who camps well next to specific others (snorers, people with pets).
Public trash receptacle(s)
B. Kitchen-ocrat (KO) — (Head Chef and Food Vendor Management) KO stands for "Kitchen-ocrats" or "Kitchen Operators". In charge meal plan and setting up a kitchen with:
A secure or enclosed area for cooking (no pass through and/or closable)
Prep area
Coolers
Open snack and drink zone
Secured case (sweets controlled from kids)
Food distribution area
Dish washing station
Kitchen trash receptacle
The KO oversees the household meal plan (selection of dishes, budget and pricing). Should the task of sponsoring a single meal or a few meals be doled out to others, the KO will receive the prepared food (preferably frozen or contained) prior to departure to arrange for any shortfalls, and get it where it needs to be (site), thawed and prepared with the help of the daily meal sponsor if there is one.
Meal hours (cooking and dining) should be posted and adhered to. This means meals are prepared at a set time and open dining hours are specified. When meal time (cooking and dining) is over, the SA will oversee the assigned cleaning crew under the direction of the KO. Once cleaning is complete, the KO will close of the kitchen for cooking and serving. Leftover food that can be stored will be packed back into coolers/storage or be disposed of. Kitchen garbage will then be hauled.
KO arranges for serving of snacks that are part of the food plan.
C. Sergeant-At-Arms (SA) — Reports to MD. Responsible for setting up a chore schedule, making sure camp rules are posted and enforced, making Sharpie markers available for marking food vessels, and distributing the camp maintenance workload. Is responsible for camp safety (avoiding dangerous clutter, policing trash, fire safety/extinguisher, etc.) and cleanliness. Places ash cans for cigarette collection at camp perimeter and arranges for one public trash receptacle and medical kit. Examples of duties include:
1. Rules enforcement - Dishes Management: If in violation of posted rules, dishes are left in the washing pan area or out on tables after clean-up, the SA will take one of the following courses of action: see to the cleaning and confiscation of the dishes which may be bought back for $5 each (funds to go to camp benefits), throwing the dishes away (regardless of value or fragility), extra Kitchen Prep duty or setting them in the unwanted stuff pile, still dirty, on the ground at the outskirts of camp. SA is responsible for collecting penalty fees for recovered dishes. The policy in effect regarding abandoned dishes should be stated at the beginning of the event. Penalty funds go toward expense of propane and firewood.
2. Littering: SA polices abandoned paper cups and plates that are all to be marked with the name of the owner (policy). If any one litterbug is found to have made a mess too many times, they would be excluded from privileges for a period of time set by the Head of House (HoH) up to and including: removal from meal plan, revocation of use of dish washing facility, right to camp with the group. Those who fail to show for assigned chore duty without cause or making it up by trading a shift more than a specified number of times will likewise be banished from privileges at HoH discretion.
3. Jobs: Tasks that the SA will need obtain scheduled workers for are dish washing, KO prep assistance, water hauling, trash/ash dumping, set-up and tear-down.
D. Sergeant of the Watch (SW) — Reports to MD. This position rotates. The SW would be responsible for escort duty of the ladies and camp security. Personal protection, no one goes out alone, especially girls coming of age. Part of the courtly graces we want to bring back to the SCA is the chivalric act of caring for one another. Also remember that in the SCA there is the game-side and real life part of the experience. With drinking occurring at events we don‚t want anyone accosted in or out of persona. It‚s about personal protection at all levels Ų no one goes out alone. This way we all get back to camp in one piece. We don‚t want any of our people fou nd in the morning asleep in a briar patch recovering from his hangover. Additionally, this means we have plausible deniability (for you pranksters) and It is intimidating to other groups to know we guard our own so fiercely.
II. General Rules:
A. Kitchen Issues —
Each adult is responsible for bringing his/her own mug and chair. It is highly recommended each person provide a set of their own feast gear as paper plates and plastic utensils may not be provided by some meal plans. Make sure your feast gear is marked with your name, initials or some identifying mark
Personal dishes must be washed or moved out of public areas and kitchen when meal time is completed
Dishes left in the washing pans or in public areas (abandoned) will be confiscated or disposed of regardless of value.
Meal plans will have posted hours for dining. After that time the kitchen will be closed and uneaten food will be packaged for storage or disposed of.
Kitchen space designated as cooking and prep areas are not open to non-kitchen staff, especially during meal preparation hours.
Disposable meal vessels such as water/Gatorade bottles, paper cups and plates must be marked with the owner's name (marker).
When eating on meal plans, participants should take only what they can eat and if they find they have more than they can eat, be sure no one wants your leftovers before disposing of the remainder. Wastage means someone goes hungry or thirsty. In short, don‚t waste.
Clean/remove your dishes and trash before leaving camp for the evening.
B. Public Space Issues —
Water will be available on meal plans as will powdered Gatorade that will be provided in a container for general use. During snack time, bottled Gatorade will be put out for the fighters only. All other drinks are provided at meals or are to be brought by the individual.
Cigarette butts must be disposed of in the receptacles provided, not in fire pits, trashcans or on the ground. Be considerate by not smoking at the campfire or where smoke will blow into some else's tent.
A fire extinguisher or bucket of sand must be available at campfires and cooking fires when in use.
When you are leaving camp/going off to bed. Clear your personal items from the Common Area. This includes your trash and put away your chair. Take your dishes with you.
Trash must be disposed of in trash receptacles
Chairs should be folded up if not in use or at the end of the night
Keep armor and weapons in the arming tent or in private indoor spaces to prevent attendees from tripping over it or it becoming soaked if it rains.
Dispose of grey water in approved areas
Be conscientious of other people's property especially where it comes to weight bearing loads of other people's chairs. If you break it, you replace it for the owner.
Arrange tents with MD to avoid blocking access points in and out of camp - this includes crossing guy-wires.
Jokes are in good fun, but if you are pulling a prank on someone, please make sure this does not become a detriment to the group at large.
Communal areas and the kitchen are to be taken down by all before personal tear down
C. Chores/Camp Duties
Morning (7-9 am, Breakfast served 8-9 am)
Camp cleanup before breakfast (Camp Sweep)
Morning dishes cleanup from breakfast
Post breakfast Trash run
Post breakfast Water refill
Second sweep of camp Ų cleanup after breakfast
Storage tent/Arming tent needs policed before leaving the camp to fight. Do not leave things where people will trip over them. You don‚t want your gear damaged or lost.
Lunch (10 am — 12pm, Lunch served 12 pm)
Lunch Prep
Lunch served
Lunch cleanup
Camp Sweep
Snack (2 pm — 4 pm)
Snack prep Cutting and plating
Serve — Placed on tables for fighters, etc
Snack cleanup
Dinner (5-8 pm Dinner served 6-7 pm)
Dinner Prep starts at 3 pm — stay out of kitchen
Pre dinner cleanup.
Set up tables for dining
Dump ashes removed from fire pit & get firewood arranged
Police the arming tent
Clean your personal area
Trash run pre-dinner — clears away the prep stuff
Dinner Served
Post dinner cleanup, reconfigure camp around fire pit
Dinner dishes — Dinner prep dishes, and personal dishes
Post dinner Trash run
Post dinner Water refill
Late Night/Early Morning (10pm - 6 am)
One last policing of the camp
Trash run if needed
Reconfigure from Fire pit to Dining area for morning
III. Special Considerations
A. Children
Parent must monitor plating their children‚s food at meal plans to avoid wastage or their living on nothing but desserts (again, causing a shortage for everyone).
Children should be provided with activities to occupy their time by their parent to prevent kids from getting into mischief
Each child should have his/her own drinking vessel (preferably with a strap for carrying with them) and chair.
Underage visitors must review the camp rules before entering and must remain under adult supervision
Children will maintain the cleanliness of the kid‚s area
Children must have parent permission to leave camp. It is suggested the Sergeant of the Watch is informed of their departure (escort) and both child and SW are aware of the children‚s required check-in time.
It is suggested that kids who are out of camp are on a walkie-talkie
Children need identification clearly on their person as to what camp they belong to. It is easy to get lost and event personnel might not know the parent by mundane name. Heraldry is a convenient symbol.
B. Pets
Pets must be on a lead and under control, or staked/contained with ample shade and water.
Droppings must be cleaned up after immediately by the owner or caretaker
Owner control over pets includes hushing excessive barking
The manner in which we handle the question of “how non-combatants in a fighting house,” defines us. It comes down to understanding and respect of equal but different roles. Being members of a house is more about being a “Contributor and Provider” than any other function. One earns respect and probity by their own actions. To better understand this we should define “Contributor and Provider.” 
Officers and Procedures
II. General Rules: