Greetings to the Populace of Aethelmearc,

I am pleased to announce that many volunteers have stepped into the Youth Chancellor/Chancellor Minor officer positions, both as group officers and at-large officers. Our website, www.youth.aethelmearc.net has been updated with the current policies & procedures and there is a Find an Officer page that can be used when planning events and non-martial youth activities. The seneschal's office has streamlined the background check application process and a link to that form is on our Officer's Information Page.

I am proud of the program and of our officers. There has been much growth since I was installed as Kingdom Youth Chancellor in May 2009, by the grace of Maynard and Liadain, and I sense a rejuvenation. Last year at Pennsic we had a full slate of classes for Aethelmearc Day at Youth Point. This year, I will be running Youth Point for the first week of Pennsic, and I have already had Lady Failend Brecc O'Conaill of Endless Hills and Lady Magdelena de Mayfield of Myrkfaelinn step up as my deputies to assist with activities that first week. I have no doubt that our 1/2 day during War Week will be "activity-abundant" as well.

I am also pleased to report that coordinators for upcoming events are contacting this office to make sure that youth oriented classes are being scheduled and are compliant with the new policies. On that note, I encourage any teachers that wish to teach to our youth to coordinate with me or a local Youth Chancellor/Chancellor Minor to make this happen. There has been some confusion about the role of background checks and the 2 deep rule for youth activities, but these rules are very easily complied with. If you still have questions, or need clarification, call upon me for help. I will support you in any way I can to increase the number/quality of Youth Activities in the Kingdom.

I also encourage you to send photos of youth A&S projects to me for our website. You can send them digitally or send the actual photo to me and I will scan it. At this time I prefer not to post photos of our youth on our website, so please focus on their creations and I will make sure proper credit is given. Please include written parent/guardian permission for us to post the photo and information on the artist and the group they are part of.

In service to the Youthful Dream,