Caledonian, St. Andrew, Scottish Societies, etc.

[KD Burke]

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.

Our Saint Andrew's Society likewise does not hold monthly, bimonthly or quarterly meetings. We have an annual general meeting for business of the committee of the whole, with our Board of Managers meeting for business more frequently.

This lets the majority of our members attend the "fun stuff" without feeling that we have too many meetings. The "movers and shakers" attend Board meetings or coordinate with Board members.

The NEFL Games Committee does meet monthly. Too much work putting on a games without some chatter.


Like most folks, summer is our slow season.

[MacBean]

Anyone know someone in the Philadelphia St.Andrews Society by chance? They don't seem to reply to e-mails.

[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.

[macwilkin]

Our Saint Andrew's Society likewise does not hold monthly, bimonthly or quarterly meetings. We have an annual general meeting for business of the committee of the whole, with our Board of Managers meeting for business more frequently.

This lets the majority of our members attend the "fun stuff" without feeling that we have too many meetings. The "movers and shakers" attend Board meetings or coordinate with Board members.

The NEFL Games Committee does meet monthly. Too much work putting on a games without some chatter.


Like most folks, summer is our slow season.

*** for our local society; we used to have monthy programs/meetings of an informational nature, but we soon found that the same 12-20 people were the only ones attending, so we went to a calendar more like the JAX St. Andrew's Society (and others) where the Executive Committee and event planning committees meet on a more regular basis to organize events that the general membership attend.

Our "flagship" event is our Burns Night, followed by a Kirkin' of the Tartans the first full weekend in November. We have also organized kilt nights, Halloween and Christmas Parties and other events thoughout the year, averaging about 5-6 events year. We also tend to "go dark" in the Summer and generally try to avoid scheduling events the same weekend as regional games and festivals.

While a games/festival event can be a lot of fun for the attendees, it can be he** on Earth for the organizers. I've seen two games in the Midwest temporarily close up shop due to weather-related loss of ticket revenue and the death of active members who were the backbone of the group. Our society has been wary of trying to organize something ourselves, but rather makes it a max-effort to support the local festival through actively promoting the event and helping with the Calling of the Clans and Parade of Tartans ceremonies.

T.

[KD Burke]

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.

While a games/festival event can be a lot of fun for the attendees, it can be he** on Earth for the organizers. I've seen two games in the Midwest temporarily close up shop due to weather-related loss of ticket revenue and the death of active members who were the backbone of the group. Our society has been wary of trying to organize something ourselves, but rather makes it a max-effort to support the local festival through actively promoting the event and helping with the Calling of the Clans and Parade of Tartans ceremonies.

T.

A bit of history, at one time the Northeast Florida Games was organized by the Saint Andrew's Society. A couple of years of unfortunate weather and it was no longer financially viable to continue.

A few years later, the Northeast Florida Scottish games and festival was organized as a separate 501(c)(3) and has been operating as such continuously for over 16 years.

It is an expensive and challenging undertaking, but well worth the effort. Weather is still the chief peril. We are fortunate in having a large fairground with multiple covered or enclosed buildings for our venue.

[macwilkin]

A bit of history, at one time the Northeast Florida Games was organized by the Saint Andrew's Society. A couple of years of unfortunate weather and it was no longer financially viable to continue.

A few years later, the Northeast Florida Scottish games and festival was organized as a separate 501(c)(3) and has been operating as such continuously for over 16 years.

It is an expensive and challenging undertaking, but well worth the effort. Weather is still the chief peril. We are fortunate in having a large fairground with multiple covered or enclosed buildings for our venue.

Indeed; I know the St. Louis Games are also organized by a separate organization from the St. Andrew's Society.

T.

[ohiopiper]

What societies are available for membership to those of us with no scottish blood? I married a gal from the MacKay clan, but happen to be a kraut myself. She's somewhat interested in joining up to some organization as a family.

[artificer]

What societies are available for membership to those of us with no scottish blood? I married a gal from the MacKay clan, but happen to be a kraut myself. She's somewhat interested in joining up to some organization as a family.

You may find that not all St. Andrews' require Scottish Blood, our is "Scottish by descent, marriage or inclination".

I am the third, a square-headed kraut as well.

ith:

[KD Burke]

You may find that not all St. Andrews' require Scottish Blood, our is "Scottish by descent, marriage or inclination".


ith:

Indeed! In Jacksonville the rule is:

"Any person, regardless of age, national origin, or religious belief who has, over an extended period of time, expressed and possessed both a genuine interest in the purposes and objective of the Society and a love of Scottish heritage and tradition, and who will work to uphold, promote, and encourage the perpetuation of Scottish heritage and tradition, all to the satisfaction of the membership committee is eligible to apply for membership."

[macwilkin]

What societies are available for membership to those of us with no scottish blood? I married a gal from the MacKay clan, but happen to be a kraut myself. She's somewhat interested in joining up to some organization as a family.

Ditto the comments made before; our society follows the philosophy of my mother-in-law about the three types of Cajuns: by blood, by ring and by the back door.

T.