Caledonian, St. Andrew, Scottish Societies, etc.

[Semiomniscient]

For those of you involved in Caledonian, St. Andrew, Scottish societies or something similar... How active are you in the organization? What kinds of activities and sub-groups does the group sponsor? Anything out of the ordinary Burns Suppers and pipe bands and things of that ilk?
What kind of participation from the general membership is there and what's the most effective way to get it in your experience?
Also, what are the requirements to join? (i.e. Scottish heritage, dues, member sponsorship, etc.)

I ask because I'd like to know what other groups are doing and if there is anything our society ought to be doing that we're not.

To get a feel for our society in Baton Rouge, you can go to www.csbr.org.

[KD Burke]

Good question.

Difficult to answer!

In the past six months or so, I've participated in six Kirkin's, three parades (including the Gator Bowl parade), a Tartan Ball, a Christmas Party, a Tartan Day Celebration, a picnic, and a couple of "meet and greets."

Please understand that I am involved, to one degree or another with the Saint Andrew's Society of Jacksonville, the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival, and the Scottish American Military Society (post 131).

As you might imagine, the membership of those organizations overlaps significantly. Each organization fills it's own niche and tries not to poach on anothers preserve. That said, at times I wasn't entirely sure which organization I was supposed to be representing!

[beloitpiper]

I'm not a member of the Milwaukee St. Andrews Society (too far away to be a proper member), but even I attend a lot of their events! Tartan Ball, Highland Games, Burns Supper, Whisky Tastings, etc. But really, it's the members that make the club. If you don't click with the roster, then what's the point?

[artificer]

I'm not a member of the Milwaukee St. Andrews Society (too far away to be a proper member), but even I attend a lot of their events! Tartan Ball, Highland Games, Burns Supper, Whisky Tastings, etc. But really, it's the members that make the club. If you don't click with the roster, then what's the point?

Been meaning to talk to you about this. You really should join and make it official. There are plenty of members who don't make every month's meeting.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I belong to both my clan society and the Saint Andrew's Society of Washington DC. Although it's nearly a three hour drive to Washington DC I attend about 80% of our events; the few that I miss are usually the result of conflicts with other "fixtures" -- things like my wife's birthday... In addition to events (May 22 will be our Kirkin' of the Tartan at the National Cathedral) we have a uniformed colour guard, and sponsor a pipe band. The Society also awards scholarships to students from Scotland studying in the USA and to US students studying in Scotland. Both our Burns Supper and Tartan Ball are well attended. We also enjoy a monthly lunch, and a more or less bi-monthly whisky and cigars gathering at the City Tavern Club. The requirement to join is proof of Scottish descent (either in the paternal or maternal line) and proposal by two members in good standing. Once a person is proposed as a member their details are circulated to the whole of the membership for comment before a final decision is taken by the membership committee. This process takes about three months, and dues are about $150 per year. More details can be found on our website: www.saintandrewsociety.com

I'm also active in my clan, attending about six Games annually, in addition to attending to my duties as Pursuivant-- an Bladier-- to my Chief. Whilst not a particularly large clan compared to the Campbells or MacDonalds, Clan MacMillan has a number of branches throughout North America, the largest of which is the Appalachian Branch which both David Pope and Joe McMillan belong to, as do I. I thoroughly enjoy the sense of community belonging to a clan society provides, and would encourage anyone to join their clan society-- especially if they are a MacMillan! Dues are about $25 a year, and include a breezy little new letter, now available online. Again, details of the Clan MacMillan Society are available on line, with links to all of the branch societies: www.clanmacmillan.org .

[Dale Seago]

The requirement to join is proof of Scottish descent (either in the paternal or maternal line) and proposal by two members in good standing. Once a person is proposed as a member their details are circulated to the whole of the membership for comment before a final decision is taken by the membership committee. This process takes about three months, and dues are about $150 per year. More details can be found on our website: www.saintandrewsociety.com

Pretty much the same for the Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco. I was proposed for membership in last month's meeting; and in my second meeting (last night) my membership was voted on and approved (by an open "floor" vote). Not that it was ever in doubt The immediate past president and I served together as officers in the same army unit, as did I and another member (different unit) who is also a Scottish Baron.

As for "what the Society does", that's nicely outlined on the home page of their website, http://www.saintandrewssociety-sf.org/

[Semiomniscient]

See, one thing I'm noticing is the monthly meetings. We don't do those, and haven't since the 70's or 80's. We have a cultural study group which meets monthly and breaks for the summer. All our business is handled by our elected Officers and Board of Directors.

I think we lack some community within the group as a whole and we don't have a lot of "movers and shakers" anymore--we have some. But I'm afraid we'll burn out from doing too much and not inspiring enough people.

We tend to be almost a confederacy of our sections--the Cultural Study Group, the Pipe Band, the Country Dance Group, and the Sword fighting club.
Our Burns night is very well-attended, and we have Society-wide events throughout the year. But I want to work on recruitment to build up the Society's central strength.

[artificer]

See, one thing I'm noticing is the monthly meetings. We don't do those, and haven't since the 70's or 80's. We have a cultural study group which meets monthly and breaks for the summer. All our business is handled by our elected Officers and Board of Directors.

I think we lack some community within the group as a whole and we don't have a lot of "movers and shakers" anymore--we have some. But I'm afraid we'll burn out from doing too much and not inspiring enough people.

Maybe consider bi-monthly for a start, with summer off. You'd end up with 5 meetings a year (Sep-May).

Another feature of our meetings is small informational programs after the main meeting. We've had a gunsmith who was remaking an 18th c. piece for a local auction, sporran maker, local historian, etc. My favorite was the Whisky tasting

We also take the summer Games season off, BTW.

ith:

[Semiomniscient]

Maybe consider bi-monthly for a start, with summer off. You'd end up with 5 meetings a year (Sep-May).

Another feature of our meetings is small informational programs after the main meeting. We've had a gunsmith who was remaking an 18th c. piece for a local auction, sporran maker, local historian, etc. My favorite was the Whisky tasting

We also take the summer Games season off, BTW.

ith:

One of our aims is to revive Games in our region. But for that we need more people who are "doers" rather than "observers".
Since our Board governs and takes care of all the business of the Society, it would be converting our cultural study group meetings into general membership meetings, and adding some current news to the agenda. Otherwise, it's a meal with a presentation.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One of our aims is to revive Games in our region. But for that we need more people who are "doers" rather than "observers".

Be advised that the cost of putting on a quality, one day games isn't cheap, and if you are staring from scratch you should allow about two years prep for your first games. Also, be prepared to loose money the first two, maybe three, games you put on.