MISSION
The purpose of Clan MacKinnon Society is to promote and foster the spirit of Clan MacKinnon, to provide a focal point and means for expressing MacKinnon sentiment, and to aid members in establishing and maintaining contact with each other and with others of Scottish heritage. Society membership encourages, promotes, educates, and supports the preservation of Scottish and MacKinnon history, tradition, and cultural activities.
SOCIETY HISTORY
On December 22, 1891 at a meeting held in Glasgow, Clan MacKinnon Society was born. Twenty-five clansmen were present at the first meeting. During the preliminary meetings the matter of who held the chiefship of the clan was raised. William Alexander MacKinnon of Kent, whose father had been recognized Chief of MacKinnon by the Lord Lyon in 1811, was declared by the Society to be the recognized Chief of the Clan. The Society grew rapidly during the years around the turn of the century and sponsored events throughout the year. At its founding the purpose of Clan MacKinnon Society was understood to be fostering clan sentiment, hosting social events for members, providing assistance to deserving clansmen, encouraging education, collecting and preserving clan records and traditions, and supporting Celtic literature and Highland arts and industries. For several years after World War II, Clan MacKinnon Society continued to enjoy considerable popularity and a vibrant membership. British society, however, began to change. Throughout the 1960s enrollment markedly declined as the membership aged. In 1975 Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom closed its books. As Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom was finalizing its affairs, Mrs. Joanne MacKinnon Osbourne and her brother, Clinton, began investigating the possible establishment of a society in the United States. Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan, gave his permission to found a new society. By 1980 Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was constituted and two years later boasted some 57 members. The purpose of the North American society echoed that of its predecessor. During a 2005 reorganization meeting in Pleasanton, California, then Representative of the Chief and some 20 clansmen gathered to affirm the spirit of the modern Clan MacKinnon Society and acknowledge its Scottish roots and heritage. The “of North America” was eventually dropped to better show inclusivity for the many international members who had joined over the years. Clan MacKinnon Society is headquartered in the United States with members from all over the world. We show fealty to the Chief of Clan MacKinnon in Great Britain, Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon, who named Stephen MacKinnon (of Massachusetts, USA) her Representative. Clan MacKinnon Society is led by a Board of Directors, all volunteers, who meet on a monthly basis year-round via Zoom, and in person every two years at a Society Gathering to discuss the direction and future of the Society. The Board is guided by a set of bylaws voted upon by our membership. To help advance our charitable and educational goals, Clan MacKinnon Society was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in the United States.
CLAN LEADERSHIP
Clan Chief
Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon
Representative of the Chief
Stephen MacKinnon
Board Chairman Emeritus
John McKinnon
SOCIETY LEADERSHIP
Elected Board Directors (Term)
Steve Mills (2024-2028), Board Chair
Shannon MacKinnon (2024-2028), Vice Chair
Barbara Beckers-Lingener (2024-2028), Member-at-Large
Carl Johengen (2022-2026), Secretary
Kevin McKinney (2022-2026), Comptroller
Appointed Board Officers
Genealogy Consultants
Carron MacInnes and Valeria Greenwood
Historian
Membership Secretary & Webmaster
Shank Bone Newsletter Editor
Treasurer
COMMITTEES
Commissioner
Kay LaRue (Chair)
Carl Johengen
David MacKinnon
John McKinnon
Steve Mills
Communications
Lisa Lucas (Chair)
Carl Johengen
Shannon MacKinnon
Andrew McKinnon
Steve Mills
Stacey Solemslie
Fundraising
Steve Mills (Chair)
Grants/Philanthropy
Carl Johengen (Chair)
Kay LaRue
John McKinnon
Steve Mills
Stacey Solemslie
COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Committee Chair: Kay LaRue
United States
Alaska - Tom Hendrix
Arizona - David Corlett
California - Larry McKinnon
Florida - Ashley Hunter
Georgia - Samantha Riggs
Idaho - Jennifer Ellison
Illinois - Kevin McKinnon
Kentucky - Melinda Wiens
Maine - Stephen MacKinnon
Massachusetts - Stephen MacKinnon
Michigan - John McKinnon
New Hampshire - John McKinnon
New York - Carl Johengen
Ohio - Chris Jordan
Tennessee - JW McKinney
Texas - Ami Hooper
Utah - James Love
Virginia - Tom Ward
Washington - Daniel DuPont
Wisconsin - TariAnn Thompson
International
Australia - Andrew MacKinnon
Benelux - Marc Frère
Canada (Nova Scotia) - David MacKinnon
Canada (Ontario) - Cole MacKinnon
Canada (Québec) - Kathleen McKen
Continental Europe & France - Robert Amyot
Germany - Thomas Göbbels
Scotland - Colin MacKinnon
Sweden - Staffan Nordström
Switzerland - Joachim Morgenthaler
COMMISSIONER CORNER
Commissioners are responsible for spreading information and excitement about Clan MacKinnon in their regions. They also set up and host clan tents at Highland Games in their area. If you are interested in becoming a Commissioner, contact us. We can provide you with a free MacKinnon banner for display at your tent. We also offer $100 clan tent stipends to help you offset hosting expenses. See below for other resources: