QUESTION
ANSWER
What are the best sources for information?
Our City Consorts website is a great place to go.  It has been built with you in mind.  You asked for lots of information at our launch in July 2017 and much since then.  If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know. 
 
The menu is divided into helpful sections.  The most prolific are  City & Livery, Being a Consort and this FAQs & Tips section. 
 
In these 3 sections you will find the best websites to look at covering:
  • guides to the City and how it works;
  • the City’s relationship with livery companies;
  • information about how a livery works;
  • information on livery halls – old & new;
  • potted histories on each livery company;
  • plus the City Diary of events, some of which will be open to you and the Master to attend;
  • the City Briefing programme of courses open.
​What do I need to know about my own livery?
​Most Consorts/Mistresses are keen to share the history and stories about their livery with others over informal conversations or at times when “singing for their supper” over dinner at formal events.  Expect others to ask about when it was formed, what are its key activities today, what charities it supports, your role, the size of its membership, women as members and any female court appointments plus anything particular to your livery and its connection to theirs.
​Who can I approach to find out more?
​Approach people within your own livery as they know your particular world best and this will ensure alignment with your own livery’s policies.  In order of priority, perhaps:
Your Master in your year of you being Consort (namely your spouse/partner), the Mistresses/Consorts that precede you, your Clerk and any Wardens you know or that others introduce you to.
 
After that, also approach the same roles as above in other livery companies.
 
And of course, tap into the members of City Consorts, either when attending events or on your own initiative.  Members, particularly our Past Consorts, are a rich source of knowledge, information and experience.   
​Will my clerk inform me or include me in email circulations?
​Each livery has its own protocol for formal communication. Discussing this question with your Master and agreeing how communication with you will work during your year is a good way to start.
 
You can expect the clerk to be in contact with the Master, Wardens, Court and other Livery members. Some Consorts have taken the initiative to ask one or more of these people to inform them of livery activities.
 
If there is a matter that is specifically directed to you (like an invitation to you and not the Master), then it’s worthwhile meeting with the clerk before your year to understand his style of communication and what you can expect.  Note: Most invitations to livery events are sent to the clerk for onward distribution.
​Does my predecessor have a list of events s/he attended with dates and attendees, and what s/he wore, etc?
​Each predecessor decides whether to create such a list or not, so he / she may or may not be able to help.
Alternatively, it’s worth looking at your own website event photos to see the clothes worn.  One consort always Googled the event at Mansion House to see what she could learn from past photos. 
 
And to help and support the next and future consorts of your livery company, please consider producing your own list of events attended along with what you wore and any tips worth passing on.  
​Does my predecessor have a list of events s/he attended with dates and attendees, and what s/he wore, etc?
​Each predecessor decides whether to create such a list or not, so he / she may or may not be able to help.
Alternatively, it’s worth looking at your own website event photos to see the clothes worn.  One consort always Googled the event at Mansion House to see what she could learn from past photos. 
 
And to help and support the next and future consorts of your livery company, please consider producing your own list of events attended along with what you wore and any tips worth passing on.  
​What to wear?  
​This is a big question so we have dedicated a whole section to Dress and Etiquette under the Being a Consort menu.  
​Do I need business cards?
​These are very useful to have and exchange with as many Consorts as possible....and as always it is a personal choice. Your clerk may be able to support this if these are provided for your Master. Your Master will generally also know the process for getting cards, albeit yours may be the first Consort cards produced. Useful data to include:
Livery name and crest; some add Livery address, tel no, and website name
Your name and Mistress year (Year in office is MOST IMPORTANT so that you can continue to use the cards after your year.)
Your home address, home number, mobile and email address.
​Do I have to worry about remembering everyone’s first name?
​Worry never really helps, now does it?  No need to worry – although it’s natural to feel concerned about this.
 
Your year is one of making new acquaintances and friends.  Remembering names takes time and some remember faces better.  Everyone is in the same boat and learning as fast as they can too. 
 
Quite often the events give stickers/name tags which is really helpful. One technique is: when introduced, say Hello xxx Nice to meet you. I am yyy. It helps the memory to say the name.
 
It is also helpful to re-introduce yourself on every occasion even if you remember their name.  Introduce using your name and your livery as this helps some people recall more easily who you are by hearing your livery name. 
 
If you learn better by studying faces, the Mistress/Consort Picture Book is available.  This picture book has photos of all the current consorts.  Also there is a Picture Book with BOTH  Consorts and Masters side by side.  These are produced twice a year.
Links to these are in the City & Livery/Really Useful Resources section of this City Consort website.
 
It’s also worth having the link on your smartphone:  www.liverycompanies.london to easily access the Master & Mistress/Consort photos at any time. 
 
Some companies have photos of court members on their website; or you could ask for photos to be sent to you on email.
Do I have to host a Consort’s day? What if previous Mistresses/Consort have?
​Discuss this with your Master and Clerk as a few companies have certain traditions which may need to be kept or for which flexibility is allowed.
 
Most Consorts will find that this is entirely optional.  If you chose to create an event, some ideas have been captured in the Being a Consort section of this website.
​What interactive resources are available, such as Facebook, LinkedIn or other interactive exchanges?
​City Consorts does not have a Facebook page nor a LinkedIn group – or any other interactive exchange - at this time. (Dec 2017) 
 
If you have talents that can help create one of these, do get in touch via our Contact Us page.