clan associations

[CameronCat]

"As a member of Clan [Name] I get..."


Nice for you, and I hope other clan assn's treat their members as well or better.

I'm a bit put out at my Camerons, or at least the US branches. At the gathering in Achnacarry, we were constantly beset by advocates: "You should join the clan association" they'd say after seeing we were Americans. "Great fun, wonderful people, etc, etc."

"Right," we said. "Cameraderie, history, geneology...shall do." So we did, and sent in the check and application in the Fall. We did not receive back so much as "Hi", "thanks" or "how's your mum", and still haven't, although the check was cashed timely.

Total value received so far has been one PDF'd computer newsletter covering the gathering, and access to a website that is perpetually under construction with little content.

I sure hope others do it better. And if any US Cameron big cheeses read this,
here's a sharp elbow to look at your operation--it needs some work.

Right now, I'm thinking next year's dues might better go into the kilt fund.

[Highlander31]

I am a MacGregor, however, I do not belong to my clan's association. I do keep up on what the chief has to say, but that's about it. When we lived in Northern California, we went to the games and we knew the people who manned the MacGregor tents. Since we now live on the edge of nowhere, our focus is on other things.

[MacBeachBum]

I'm the Florida Commissioner for the Murray Clan Society of North America. Joined up after attending a few festivals without finding a Murray tent anywhere and contacting the society to find out why. I should have known better

Since then I've made friends with some really great people in the society, among other clans on the "Florida Circuit" and, of course, at XMTS.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

"As a member of Clan [Name] I get..."


Nice for you, and I hope other clan assn's treat their members as well or better.

I'm a bit put out at my Camerons, or at least the US branches. At the gathering in Achnacarry, we were constantly beset by advocates: "You should join the clan association" they'd say after seeing we were Americans. "Great fun, wonderful people, etc, etc."

"Right," we said. "Cameraderie, history, geneology...shall do." So we did, and sent in the check and application in the Fall. We did not receive back so much as "Hi", "thanks" or "how's your mum", and still haven't, although the check was cashed timely.

Total value received so far has been one PDF'd computer newsletter covering the gathering, and access to a website that is perpetually under construction with little content.

I sure hope others do it better. And if any US Cameron big cheeses read this,
here's a sharp elbow to look at your operation--it needs some work.

Right now, I'm thinking next year's dues might better go into the kilt fund.

I don't know where you are from, but I have a classmate who is in the leadership of a midwest section of Clan Cameron, and I have seen him go to great lengths to welcome new folks and get them started. They seem to always have a fair sized group at games around. Lots of good food, spirits, and socializing.

Maybe it's not the same all over... just my observation.

[CameronCat]

@Ozark Ridge Rider
I don't know where you are from, but I have a classmate who is in the leadership of a midwest section of Clan Cameron, and I have seen him go to great lengths to welcome new folks and get them started. They seem to always have a fair sized group at games around. Lots of good food, spirits, and socializing.

Maybe it's not the same all over... just my observation.

Hi, and thanks for the reply. I hadn't expected one on this thread.

We're outside Philadelphia, and members of the Mid-Atlantic branch. I was certainly expecting something from the branch, and perhaps even from the North American mother-ship. Still waiting, too.

Which is not to say the branch is inactive; they do have a presence at a number of games. (But I bet it's the same 3 people all the time.)

I know there are other quite active branches, but based on your input and some general knowledge it seems to be driven locally, not from the national organization.

Perhaps your friend in the mid-west could nudge the easterners. At least get 'em to put some content on the chapter's website.

I didn't mean to sound overly growly in my original post, but throwing 20 bucks downwind on a dark night kind'a rang my Scots thrift alarm.

Peace
JT

[macwilkin]

Hi, and thanks for the reply. I hadn't expected one on this thread.

We're outside Philadelphia, and members of the Mid-Atlantic branch. I was certainly expecting something from the branch, and perhaps even from the North American mother-ship. Still waiting, too.

Which is not to say the branch is inactive; they do have a presence at a number of games. (But I bet it's the same 3 people all the time.)

I know there are other quite active branches, but based on your input and some general knowledge it seems to be driven locally, not from the national organization.

Perhaps your friend in the mid-west could nudge the easterners. At least get 'em to put some content on the chapter's website.

I didn't mean to sound overly growly in my original post, but throwing 20 bucks downwind on a dark night kind'a rang my Scots thrift alarm.

Peace
JT

So did you volunteer to help them man the tent at the games? Why not get your money's worth by being the fourth person at the tent?

T.

[CameronCat]

So did you volunteer to help them man the tent at the games? Why not get your money's worth by being the fourth person at the tent?

Hmmm. Guess I should have seen that one coming!

But no, for a number of reasons.

Primarily, we've just joined the clan ***'n. last fall and so had no prior reason to wade in other than a brief hello at the tent.

Also, with one exception, the games and events they attend are widely scattered up and down the East coast and would require a time and mileage commitment that I'm not sure I care to invest. Games and heritage festivals are fun to attend, but they are not "my life." If I have to face a long drive there are other things I would rather find at the end of it.

Additionally, our local Games have recently fallen on weekends that conflict with something else we do regularly. I have sometimes tried to split the attendance (one event on Sat, the other on Sun.) but that's not always possible and thus would prevent guaranteed attendance in the clan tent.


Peace
JT

[macwilkin]

Hmmm. Guess I should have seen that one coming!

But no, for a number of reasons.

Primarily, we've just joined the clan ***'n. last fall and so had no prior reason to wade in other than a brief hello at the tent.

Also, with one exception, the games and events they attend are widely scattered up and down the East coast and would require a time and mileage commitment that I'm not sure I care to invest. Games and heritage festivals are fun to attend, but they are not "my life." If I have to face a long drive there are other things I would rather find at the end of it.

Additionally, our local Games have recently fallen on weekends that conflict with something else we do regularly. I have sometimes tried to split the attendance (one event on Sat, the other on Sun.) but that's not always possible and thus would prevent guaranteed attendance in the clan tent.


Peace
JT

In the number of organizations I've belonged to over the years, whenever ever someone grouses or complains about something, my response generally is: "All right -- what's your solution? How are you willing to help us fix the problem?" It's not surprising how many people don't think of that.

Being a new member isn't really an excuse not to participate. I know that this line of thinking is quite common, and that many organizations bear a great deal of the responsibility by not encouraging newbies to help out -- I always am glad when a new person wants to help, and in our local Scottish society, we try to put them to work if they express an interest.

I understand life getting in the way -- but if you could help them out at just one games on just one day, I'd bet they'd appreciate it.

What's the old saying -- you can't b***h if you don't vote?

T.

[BoldHighlander]

So did you volunteer to help them man the tent at the games? Why not get your money's worth by being the fourth person at the tent?

T.

In the number of organizations I've belonged to over the years, whenever ever someone grouses or complains about something, my response generally is: "All right -- what's your solution? How are you willing to help us fix the problem?" It's not surprising how many people don't think of that.

Being a new member isn't really an excuse not to participate. I know that this line of thinking is quite common, and that many organizations bear a great deal of the responsibility by not encouraging newbies to help out -- I always am glad when a new person wants to help, and in our local Scottish society, we try to put them to work if they express an interest.

I understand life getting in the way -- but if you could help them out at just one games on just one day, I'd bet they'd appreciate it.

What's the old saying -- you can't b***h if you don't vote?

T.

So well said Todd. When a prospective member asked what they got for their money (other than the newsletter, of course), I'd reply "as much as you put into it".


People forget that the clan rep's travelling to the various games & manning the booths (sometimes w/o much of a break) are all unpaid volunteers!

It use to drive me nuts (when I was a member/commissioner for Clan Mackay) to broach ideas to local members for localized gatherings etc & have them reply "that sounds great, so let us know when you get it going" & never offer to assist!

I would've been so grateful for a some sort of assistance...

Okay, I'll climb off my soapbox now