In my opinion, Carolingia is an active and vibrant
entity. Carolingia is quite remarkable in its breadth
of activities and ability to support those activities,
in its range of event types, and its large population
of diverse interests. Sometimes we don't realize how
remarkable. There are places where things we take for
granted NEVER happen and where events are rarely more
creative than a standard tournament and feast.
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We provide a good environment for activities and
events to occur. The barony places minimal
restrictions on who can autocrat an event, what type
of event they can do, or what activities can occur at
that event. As a result we have a tradition of many
interesting events covering a wide range of
activities.
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The guild structure provides a good support structure
for many arts and science activities. Although
individual guilds and activities may go through cycles
of activity and inactivity, in general there is plenty
to do. Almost anyone who wants to organize an activity
or meeting, can. And Carolingia supports and produces
performance arts like no where else.
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I think Carolingia has a reasonable balance in its
"patriotic fervor" if you will. People can choose to
act as Carolingians and support Carolingia as an
entity, or choose to act independently and can make
that choice for each activity. It is not an all or
nothing proposition.
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Carolingia provides an environment for independent
growth that is relatively rare in the SCA. You do not
have to be a member of a household, apprenticed to
someone, or squire to someone in order to do things
here or in order to receive recognition. Now
households, squires, apprentices and proteges can be
excellent and useful things, but I like it that it is
not *required* in order to be someone in Carolingia.
Many of the "homegrown" Laurels (ie. never apprenticed
to someone) I know of come from Carolingia. Homegrown
peers are unheard of in some other parts of the
kingdom.
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Due to Aquel and Johanna's hard work, I think that at
the moment the barony is, for such a large group, a
relatively welcoming and encouraging place. Aquel and
Johanna demonstrate their personal interest in the
people of the barony, especially those entering or
leaving. I would like to see this welcoming and
friendly attitude continue in the next baronial
coronet(s).
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In summary, I think Carolingia is a fabulous place to
be and I love it here. 
