One element of event organization which, over the last couple of years, seems to have been forgotten, is the local group/autocrat's arrangement of an event herald. The position of an event herald has traditionally fallen to the local group pursuivant, but the duties involved can actually be performed by anyone (they don't need to be a warranted herald).

The event herald is responsible for event related announcements. Far too often this role is delegated to those members of the Trillium Herald's staff who are present at the event. Unfortunately the Trillium Herald staff usually have their hands full with arranging court, running consultation/submission tables, heralding tourneys and other duties. It's not that the Trillium Herald and their staff are not willing to help out, far from it - they are often glad to volunteer to do whatever needs to be done, but, unfortunately, many event organizers seem to think that a herald is a herald is a herald - and grab the first person that they see who "looks" like a herald (usually someone who they have seen doing court and making announcements for Their Majesties). Which brings me to my next point - The event herald should be wearing a heraldic tabard or baldric so that people know who they are and can find them when they are needed. Better yet, the assigning of a herald's point table (or sunshade, at a camping event), allows people who need announcements made a common place to deliver such information.

Many local pursuivants feel that they are "inexperienced" or "too new" to take on the duties - but, really, this is the best way to gain that experience - and the duties involved in being the event herald are, for the most part simply acting as an Information point. If, as an event organizer, you have any questions concerning the arrangement of an event herald, please feel free to contact the Trillium Herald.

Heraldic tabards

Groups in the SCA all have registered arms - and the person who has the right to wear these arms is the local pursuivant (not the seneschal, not any member of the populace) and as such each group should have a pursuivant's tabard bearing the arms of their group. There are a number of different designs and methods of displaying arms on such a tabard, some incorporating the SCA-wide crossed yellow trumpets, some without - but it is a very visible mark that THIS is the person you need to talk to at an event should you require an announcement made, or for questions concerning heraldic activities (the local herald should be able to point the requester in the direction of the herald-in-charge for court business, or the autocrat/event steward for event related questions). If you have any questions concerning the creation of a heraldic tabard, or the use of group arms, please feel free to contact the Stave Pursuivant (the Trillium Herald's senior staff person for heraldic display).

On the use of "Oyez"

Another, seemingly forgotten, tradition revolves around the use of the phrase "Oyez" at events. Far too many people assume that "Oyez" is simply a nice way to say "Shut Up!" - "Oyez" should ONLY be used when the person using it is making an announcement on behalf of the Crown. "Oyez" should be taken to mean - "There is an important announcement about to be made from the King (Queen, Prince, Princess...)" and, as such should, be clear, and audible, but never "shouted". Those who are asked to make announcements by the event steward or marshal or other gentle should not be using "Oyez", but should, instead, begin their announcement with "My Lords & Ladies" or "Good Gentles, one and all" or some other such proclamation. If you feel that the "hall" has not quieted down for your announcement, don't resort to shouting "Oyez" (read..."Shut Up!"), simply make the announcement a couple times at various places throughout the event. The people who are interested in the information will hear it, and if they don't, perhaps they will learn to listen when someone asks for their attention (notice the word "asks" - event announcements should not be a "demand" for attention)