COSCA Clan Leader Boot Camps

[Downunder Kilt]

I have been doing some research over the internet and visited the website for the Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA). I noticed that they hold Clan leader Boot camps.
In the ordinary sense Clan Leader and Clan Chief are one of the same. My question is, do many Clan Chiefs do this kind of course/boot camp or is it, as I suspect, for office bearers of clan societies/organisations? If my suspicion is correct, why would COSCA misrepresent the purpose of the course and not declare its true purpose in the title, i.e. Clan Societies/Organisations leaders Boot Camp?

[sp00ky]

I have been watching this topic with interest (as a Clan MacKenzie Sociey Commissioner myself) - I found this, not sure if you have seen it already. You can download the webinar - check it out.

http://www.cosca.net/#bootcamp

Scott

edit: The link seems to be dead - I emailed COSCA - will update - Scott

[TheOfficialBren]

Hmm...if it's legitimate then I would be interest in something similar for Clan Shaw or Chattan.

[WVHighlander]

Same here....but I was under the impression it was for our overall Clan Presidents etc. Is this not the case?

[ThistleDown]

I think that DK was referring to the use of "clan" in place of "clan society" and then referring to the boot camp as for leaders. The leader of a clan is its chief, the leader of a society is its president. The two are not equal. A clan is a family or group of families bearing the same name and origin and recognising a single person as its chief or acknowledging their tenantry in that chief's territory and dependancy on the welfare of the tribe. A society is a group of individuals gathered together for a common purpose. "Clan" as used to describe what COSCA is doing with its boot camps is a misnomer.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks Thistledown, that is exactly what I was referring to.

[TheOfficialBren]

Thanks, Rex.

[Steve Ashton]

Downunderkilt,

What Rex is far too polite to say is that while in most cases the Clan Societies have the support and blessing of the Scottish Clan Chief that is not always the case or even the same thing.

The two are completely different even though you do run across the case where some societies do appear to infer that they are the official Clan body.

In at least one case a Clan society broke apart over personalities and both the N. American and State bodies both attend the same Games and compete for membership. Even though the Clan they claim to represent is not recognized in Scotland and has no seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

I personally know of at least one Clan Society that is the invention of one single man. He 'invented' his Clan Society, carries a Clan Tartan Flag at Highland Games and sells membership in his Clan.

This is sometimes confusing to those attending their first Highland Games and see the Clan Tents with their Tartans flying. As a vendor at Highland Games I often overhear a passerby say "I just joined my Clan." because they had just paid their annual dues to a Clan society.

[WVHighlander]

I joined my clan....on conception if I am not mistaken. ;) I joined my Clan Society out of interest.

That said, I was more interested if COSCA was a place to go to get an education on how to be a better commissioner, president etc.

[Mael Coluim]

I joined my clan....on conception if I am not mistaken. ;) I joined my Clan Society out of interest.

That said, I was more interested if COSCA was a place to go to get an education on how to be a better commissioner, president etc.

I have taken a couple of their webinars and that found that to be the case.

I've met the President of the COSCA, Susan McIntosh and believe she is well grounded in her respect for the Clan Chiefs, interfaces well with the Scottish Council of Clan Chiefs and only wants to assist in strengthening the Clan Societies. By not means do I have the impression COSCA has any intention to represent/train the Chiefs of the Clans; COSCA looks to them for guidance and assistance.