clan associations

[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

[CameronCat]

Well gents, before this spirals completely out of control, let me remind that not everyone that goes into a movie theater wants to run the projector or sell popcorn. Sometimes you'd like to sit down and watch the movie.

To further torture that analogy, I was buttonholed on the street, cajoled into buying a ticket and found myself watching a blank screen.

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

Feh! If sending a check isn't a vote, what is?

... 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.

Couldn't somebody at least have said 'thank you' or 'welcome'? 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 don't lack for participation, being an officer for one 501-c-3 and maintaining their website, donating over 200 hours of labor to another non-profit each year, and organizing events for yet a third group plus being active in my church. Did I mention the two sports car clubs where my volunteering is measured in days instead of hours?

Look, I know y'all need help in your groups, and like most, I'm happy to provide it when I can-- but you should be the one to ask when you need it because you know best what you need.

How would you react to a new member who said to you: "I love this stuff...I can organize your booth, take all the pictures, edit your newsletter and organize your Burns dinner."? You buying that?
My membership app did include a "skills inventory" when I joined, so you (as organizer) might want to look at to see how I can help you.

Either way, this whole discussion was mooted on Friday last when a nicely-done newsletter appeared, containing some useful and relevant content. The piece had explanations of the delays along with some schedules and Tartan Day information. Perhaps the dark screen is finally beginning to flicker.

In view of all this I'll back off a bit, cut them some slack and wait to see what emerges ... perhaps they were just changing reels.

Peace
JT

[BoldHighlander]

Well gents, before this spirals completely out of control, let me remind that not everyone that goes into a movie theater wants to run the projector or sell popcorn. Sometimes you'd like to sit down and watch the movie.

Fair enough. The only problem was (in my case) the same cast of characters would show up (except for my piper 'cousin' - Don Scobie, he was a great help ), queuing up for a ticket, and then were no shows at curtain call...
I was left with all of the popcorn....

I don't lack for participation, being an officer for one 501-c-3 and maintaining their website, donating over 200 hours of labor to another non-profit each year, and organizing events for yet a third group plus being active in my church. Did I mention the two sports car clubs where my volunteering is measured in days instead of hours?

Great! You really don't want me to list my resume do you?

Look, nobody is saying that you (or anyone else) needs to give all of their time to clan activities, but it would be great if everyone who signed up (or those who complained the loudest & yet never participate) would just stop munching the popcorn & get involved in some form or another, then not only would it take a load off the 'volunteers' who put forth the effort, but might re-energize those who've lost the fire.

Look, I know y'all need help in your groups, and like most, I'm happy to provide it when I can-- but you should be the one to ask when you need it because you know best what you need.

You know, (again, in my case) I asked & asked until I was blue in the face. All I ever got was a bunch of lame excuses

How would you react to a new member who said to you: "I love this stuff...I can organize your booth, take all the pictures, edit your newsletter and organize your Burns dinner."? You buying that?

--- that's how! I would've fainted! Seriously!!

However I wouldn't expect that. Had they offered to assist in one of those things, or even assisted in manning the booth for an hour or two, that would've been fantastic!! (& you may not realize what an hour break would've meant to me)...

My membership app did include a "skills inventory" when I joined, so you (as organizer) might want to look at to see how I can help you.

**refer 2 comments up**

Either way, this whole discussion was mooted on Friday last when a nicely-done newsletter appeared, containing some useful and relevant content. The piece had explanations of the delays along with some schedules and Tartan Day information. Perhaps the dark screen is finally beginning to flicker.

In view of all this I'll back off a bit, cut them some slack and wait to see what emerges ... perhaps they were just changing reels.

Great! I really hope it picks up for the better with your clan, but don't forget to offer to spell someone manning the clan booth at your local games

Good luck.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Great! I really hope it picks up for the better with your clan, but don't forget to offer to spell someone manning the clan booth at your local games

Good luck.

Well I'll have to see if there are any MacDonalds at the games in my area this year, maybe I could help them out.

[BoldHighlander]

Well I'll have to see if there are any MacDonalds at the games in my area this year, maybe I could help them out.

They need to update their events section of their website, but you might contact Clan Donald (Ohio) & ask about events your area

[macwilkin]

I think Terry was spot on with his reply; as with him, I could easily post my own CV of organizations & activities I belong to -- many of us keep busy. That really wasn't my point though, to compare those lists and see who is the most active.

I do want to address this comment:

Look, I know y'all need help in your groups, and like most, I'm happy to provide it when I can-- but you should be the one to ask when you need it because you know best what you need.

This comment strikes me the wrong way; I am certainly willing to give CameronCat the benefit of the doubt here, but it almost sounds a tad conceited -- as if you can't be bothered to help unless asked first. No doubt I'm wrong, but that's what I first thought when I read this.

Organizations such as clan societies do see quite a bit of folks to promise to join, or even do, and then only pay their dues and not get involved. And yes, I would agree that paying dues does help a group survive, but as Terry said, "you only get what you put into it" -- no one else can do that for you. And just like Terry, I've asked and asked many members of our local St. Andrew's Society to get involved and help the 10% who do show up for every event, and I get the same excuses as well.

This really needs to be a mutual agreement -- also like Terry, I would certainly welcome anyone who openly volunteered with such an impressive resume as CameronCat's -- we'd find something for them to do -- but you need to meet the clan officers half way. An application is all well & good, but they need to know you personally as well, to put a face to the name. You have to prove yourself to an extent, I suppose.

I'm glad you did finally get your newsletter, and I hope your talents will be put to use soon for such a good cause. I think Terry's simple suggestion of just offering to spell someone for an hour at the local games would certainly go a long way.

T.

[n5rmj]

I am a member of the US/North American branches of the Clan MacAlister Society, Clan Davidsion Society, Clan MacLaren Society, and Clan MacPherson Society. I have been a member of the Clan MacNicol and Clan Lamont societies in the past. I may rejoin Clan MacNicol or join Clan MacLeod as these are my wife's clan ties through her grandfather.

The societies are a great resource and a source of great friendships and family connections for anyone who gets involved. I have met several cousins and I have had some wonderful success in building my family tree through clan society connections. Working on projects and manning tents are good ways to contribute to the societies while building an extended family whether one is Scottish by descent or personal choice. Quite a few clan chiefs and clan societies do not require any blood or family ties to become a member, just a sincere interest in the clan and their activities. The more active one is in those activities, the more satisfaction one is likely to get. But it is best to choose one primary clan chief or society towards which to direct one's energy.

[Eric Schutte]

Hello all,

Don't let the german name fool ya, I am MacVey (Sept of the clan Maclean) on my birth father's side and Hargis on my birth mother's side. I have joined the Pacific Northwest Clan Maclean Assoc. and am going to be helping out at the Clan MacLean tent this year at the Spokane Highland Games.

Eric Schutte

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Well I'll have to see if there are any MacDonalds at the games in my area this year, maybe I could help them out.

Not sure about your area, but just finished the Missouri Tartan Day festivities in St Charles. We were right next to the Clan Donald tent. They were friendly, active, and great neighbors.

[SteveB]

There is always an opportunity to help out at a clan tent or meeting by simply being there.
I am a member of the Clan MacNeil Association of America. At the last AGM I had the chance to help with the refreshments for the meeting. While at the games, I held down the tent so that the covener could have a chance to take in some of the games. That hour and a half of being basically off my feet and answering questions about the clan, Scot history, Highland attire, and the heavy athletics was kind of fun. (The tent has some handy reference material for the questions that you know not the answers.) My feet felt better, and I got in some time on the practice chanter as well. I have offered CSCunningham a set of earplugs for this year's games, as his tent was across from us.

I still got to meet many people and take in the activities of the games. The few hours spent sharing and celebrating my clan's heritage at the tent was well worth it.

Slainte,
Steve