Gift of the Chief--clan membership

[cessna152towser]

Clan Cunningham International, of which I am a member is a non-political, non-sectarian, all volunteer, non-profit corporation registered in the State of Tennessee. As a registered non-profit organisation, under IRS Code Section 501(c) (3), (public educational charity) all donations to support its activities are tax deductible within the limitation of federal tax codes for donors who are US citizens. Although based in the USA, membership is open world wide. Membership is open to all Cunninghams around the world by birth, marriage, or adoption, and to the descendants of the Associated Families of the Districts of Cunninghame and Ayrshire in Scotland, as well as to anyone with an interest in or wishing to promote the heritage of Clan Cunningham. The Chief of Clan Cunningham recognises the organisation and participates when he is able to do so. The Chief has appointed a Lieutenant to represent him in North America. The Lieutenant is an unofficial position, not recognised in the Scottish clan hierarchy but is, as far as I am aware, a fairly usual appointment among clan societies in USA and Canada. The Chief, Lieutenant and all Cunningham Armigers are honorary members of the organisation while other members pay annual membership fees. The organisation is active at Scottish themed gatherings, and also in the provision of scholarships and a genealogy database and produces a newsletter four times a year. Memberships are paid to the membership secretary and the right to membership would not normally be vetted by the Chief.