A Statement from Clan MacKinnon Society – September 20, 2019
The Board of Directors of Clan MacKinnon Society has become aware of several new MacKinnon groups that have just been established in Germany, France, Scotland, and other countries. These groups go by the name “Clan MacKinnon Limited” and are active on Facebook and Twitter. Statements disparaging Clan MacKinnon Society and its volunteer leaders have been made on these various social media outlets. We would like to make the following statement in response to these inaccurate, ill-informed, and confusing accusations.
Clan MacKinnon Society was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1891. Society enrollment markedly declined in the 1960s as the membership aged, and, sadly, in 1975 it closed its books in the United Kingdom. Around this time, however, N. Joann MacKinnon Osborne was granted permission to establish a Clan MacKinnon Society in the United States by Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan. By 1982, Clan MacKinnon Society of North America boasted some 57 members. During a meeting attended by the Representative of the Chief in Pleasanton, California in 2005, the spirit of Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was reaffirmed. Today Clan MacKinnon Society is a recognized non-profit organization in the United States with more than 300 members from all over the world.
Our Society is directed by an elected Board of Directors who are all volunteers with day jobs, families, and other commitments. However, we meet once per month by teleconference to discuss Society matters, develop goals for the future, and plan fun and exciting events like our next Clan Gathering and General Meeting coming up in Colorado Springs, Colorado in June 2020.
The Society is funded by a small annual membership fee and donations to help offset expenses such as: maintaining the Society’s website (themackinnon.com), ancillary costs related to holding our biennial General Meetings, mailings to members, the awarding of annual scholarships for those pursuing Scottish-related activities, stipends to supplement clan tent fees that our members incur at Highland games, and donations to other non-profits that support MacKinnon and Scottish culture.
We encourage and promote MacKinnon pride by seeking out individuals we call “Commissioners” who have a desire to foster MacKinnon camaraderie in their local communities through hosting social and cultural events and activities. Commissioners act as representatives of the Society in their local regions and agree to adhere to the bylaws of Clan MacKinnon Society while doing so.
With respect to the Chief of Clan MacKinnon: The Board of Directors/Clan MacKinnon Society supports Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon because she is the chief that has been identified by the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland. While some have suggested that Madam Anne has not been as active as other clan chiefs, we are pleased that she identified a formal Representative and that the Society maintains an open and collaborative line of communication with him. We know there are other individuals who are presently challenging the current chiefship with the Lord Lyon, and we support the rights of these individuals to do so. Should the Lord Lyon identify another rightful chief, we would certainly acknowledge that individual as chief at that time. We trust and respect that the application of Scottish Law will be according to current practice.
The Society has not and has never meant to act as the singular voice of the whole of Clan MacKinnon. No matter who our chief is, Clan MacKinnon exists in our hearts and the Society simply celebrates the heritage and history of this storied clan. The Society was established to bring MacKinnons together and connect them through shared ancestry, common goals, and fun events. We, as the Board of Directors of Clan MacKinnon Society, will continue to follow our mission, support our members, and connect MacKinnons worldwide.
Thank you! We hope you will be joining us in Colorado Springs, Colorado next summer!
Clan MacKinnon Society was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1891. Society enrollment markedly declined in the 1960s as the membership aged, and, sadly, in 1975 it closed its books in the United Kingdom. Around this time, however, N. Joann MacKinnon Osborne was granted permission to establish a Clan MacKinnon Society in the United States by Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan. By 1982, Clan MacKinnon Society of North America boasted some 57 members. During a meeting attended by the Representative of the Chief in Pleasanton, California in 2005, the spirit of Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was reaffirmed. Today Clan MacKinnon Society is a recognized non-profit organization in the United States with more than 300 members from all over the world.
Our Society is directed by an elected Board of Directors who are all volunteers with day jobs, families, and other commitments. However, we meet once per month by teleconference to discuss Society matters, develop goals for the future, and plan fun and exciting events like our next Clan Gathering and General Meeting coming up in Colorado Springs, Colorado in June 2020.
The Society is funded by a small annual membership fee and donations to help offset expenses such as: maintaining the Society’s website (themackinnon.com), ancillary costs related to holding our biennial General Meetings, mailings to members, the awarding of annual scholarships for those pursuing Scottish-related activities, stipends to supplement clan tent fees that our members incur at Highland games, and donations to other non-profits that support MacKinnon and Scottish culture.
We encourage and promote MacKinnon pride by seeking out individuals we call “Commissioners” who have a desire to foster MacKinnon camaraderie in their local communities through hosting social and cultural events and activities. Commissioners act as representatives of the Society in their local regions and agree to adhere to the bylaws of Clan MacKinnon Society while doing so.
With respect to the Chief of Clan MacKinnon: The Board of Directors/Clan MacKinnon Society supports Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon because she is the chief that has been identified by the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland. While some have suggested that Madam Anne has not been as active as other clan chiefs, we are pleased that she identified a formal Representative and that the Society maintains an open and collaborative line of communication with him. We know there are other individuals who are presently challenging the current chiefship with the Lord Lyon, and we support the rights of these individuals to do so. Should the Lord Lyon identify another rightful chief, we would certainly acknowledge that individual as chief at that time. We trust and respect that the application of Scottish Law will be according to current practice.
The Society has not and has never meant to act as the singular voice of the whole of Clan MacKinnon. No matter who our chief is, Clan MacKinnon exists in our hearts and the Society simply celebrates the heritage and history of this storied clan. The Society was established to bring MacKinnons together and connect them through shared ancestry, common goals, and fun events. We, as the Board of Directors of Clan MacKinnon Society, will continue to follow our mission, support our members, and connect MacKinnons worldwide.
Thank you! We hope you will be joining us in Colorado Springs, Colorado next summer!
Welcome
Clan MacKinnon Society endeavors to promote the history, culture, and legacy of Clan MacKinnon. We are fiercely proud of our Scottish heritage, and aim to foster a sense of clan unity and promote a better understanding of the past, present, and future of MacKinnon life. We work to collect and preserve historical records and traditions related to Clan MacKinnon, as well as encourage and support Celtic literature, arts, and culture. Your friendship is welcome no matter what your depth of relationship to Clan MacKinnon.
Friends, cousins, and passersby... ceud mìle fàilte (a hundred thousand welcomes)!
Friends, cousins, and passersby... ceud mìle fàilte (a hundred thousand welcomes)!
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How It All Began
The Society was born on December 22, 1891 in Glasgow Scotland. Sadly, during the 1960s, Society enrollment markedly declined as the membership aged. In 1975, Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom closed its books. Around this time, however, N. Joann MacKinnon Osborne in the United States was granted permission to establish a Clan MacKinnon Society in the U.S. by Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan. By 1982, Clan MacKinnon Society of North America boasted some 57 members.
During a meeting, attended by the Representative of the Chief and some 20 clansmen in Pleasanton, California in 2005, the spirit of Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was affirmed and the heritage of Clan MacKinnon Society of the United Kingdom acknowledged. At that meeting it was decided that a new constitution was required, a new board of directors was elected, and the Society’s goals expanded.
Today Clan MacKinnon Society, now a recognized non-profit organization in the United States, boasts members from all over the world. We strive to unite MacKinnons and grow an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of Scotland. Join us! Become a member today!
During a meeting, attended by the Representative of the Chief and some 20 clansmen in Pleasanton, California in 2005, the spirit of Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was affirmed and the heritage of Clan MacKinnon Society of the United Kingdom acknowledged. At that meeting it was decided that a new constitution was required, a new board of directors was elected, and the Society’s goals expanded.
Today Clan MacKinnon Society, now a recognized non-profit organization in the United States, boasts members from all over the world. We strive to unite MacKinnons and grow an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of Scotland. Join us! Become a member today!
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