Centennial Vision
Some feel it is important that The Augustan Society, Inc., has a vision of what it wants to become. In a perfect world, this would come first, and all other planning would be in service of that goal. In this world, the Board has shown indifference to such long-range plans, leaving Consuls to develop the program outlined below. They would welcome additional input, or the Board resuming this responsibility. The term "Centennial Vision" is adopted to avoid confusion with the Long-Range Plan or the Vision Statement, and because it would not surprise this writer if it took until at least 2057 to achieve.
A Centennial Vision for The Augustan Society, Inc.
- Introduction to Vision
- Physical Plant Vision
- Staff Vision
- Administrative Structure Vision
- Chivalry Vision
- Genealogy Vision
- Heraldry Vision
- History Vision
- Nobility Vision
- Communications Vision
Contents
Library
The Library collection is and should remain publicly accessible. Presently, this means "by appointment", and mail loans have been banned by the Board.
We should have a goal of making the Library open on a reasonable schedule (sufficient to qualify for grants). Mail loans should be resumed as quickly as possible, though those should be limited to Augustans at first to see what reasonable rules and fees might be.
The collection should cover all five Augustan subjects, plus ancillary topics found useful, such as maps, style guides, and some general encyclopediae.
Long range goals for collection development should include:
- Completing sets now held only in part (e.g.: one of several volumes)
- Obtaining current editions of items held
- Books and publications cited in Society publications (including affiliated publications such as JAMS)
- Books and publications reviewed in Society publications
- Books, articles, and theses written by Augustans
- News articles and other material about Augustans
Library Committee
The Library Committee is composed of the Librarian, the members of other committees assigned to the Library, such members as the Librarian sees fit, and the President and Consuls as ex officio members.
The Librarian is named by the President (or Consuls Contract) and serves at his pleasure. The members are named by the Librarian, and serve at his pleasure.
All activities of the Library Department fall under the control of this Committee unless the Board or Librarian has created another Committee and charged them with responsibility.
Article Solicitation
The Department, either through the main Committee, a sub-committee, or a designated officer, will solicit articles on this subject for the Omnibus, in cooperation with the Omnibus Editor.
Museum
While the operation of a museum is part of the Society's Mission Statement, it is felt that the operation of a legitimate museum that meets industry standards is beyond the Society's ability at this time, and that it may not actually further the core goals of the organization.
As a result, staff have recommended that the word "museum" be dropped from the Mission Statement and organization chart, and that the collection be purged of all items that are not felt useful for Headquarters decoration or in conveying the history of the Society.
Proceeds from any sales of surplussed items should be placed in the Investment Fund.
Museum Committee
The Museum Committee is composed of the Curator, the members of other committees assigned to the Museum Department, such members as the Curator sees fit, and the President and Consuls as ex officio members.
The Curator is named by the President (or Consuls Contract) and serves at his pleasure. The members are named by the Curator, and serve at his pleasure.
All activities of the Museum Department fall under the control of this Committee unless the Board or Curator has created another Committee and charged them with responsibility.
Article Solicitation
The Department, either through the main Committee, a sub-committee, or a designated officer, will solicit articles on this subject for the Omnibus, in cooperation with the Omnibus Editor.
Sub-Groups
Sub-Groups of the Society are of three types:
- Senior Sub-Groups
- Lineage Groups
- Unrelated groups
If the third items seems odd, it is because several organizations with related goals have been given to the Society, and others are widely associated with the Society due to having had common management during the time of our Founder.
Senior Sub-Groups
The senior sub-groups are distinguished by having a variety of requirements for entry, which in all cases now includes membership in the Society in-good-standing, registration of arms with the Society, an entry fee, insignia, and annual dues.
Order of the Augustan Eagle
Noble Company of the Rose
Hereditary Order of Armigerous Augustans
Lineage Groups
The lineage groups are distinguished by the requirements for entry, which do not include Augustan membership, and which do include lifetime membership, insignia, and in most cases a proven descent.
