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!
Mission
The purpose of this 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.
The Society
Clan MacKinnon Society is headquartered in the United States with members in 30 states and international members in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Our mission is to engage and support our members through the promotion of the history, culture, and legacy of Clan MacKinnon. We show fealty to our chief in Great Britain, Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon, who named Stephen MacKinnon (of Massachusetts) her representative. Explore our history and learn more about Clan MacKinnon.
Clan MacKinnon Society is led by a Board of Directors who meet via conference call on a monthly basis and in person every two years at a general meeting to discuss the direction and future of the Society. The Board is guided by a set of bylaws voted upon by our membership (download a copy below). To help advance our charitable and educational goals, Clan MacKinnon Society was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in the United States. Learn more about the leadership of Clan MacKinnon Society here.
Clan MacKinnon Society is led by a Board of Directors who meet via conference call on a monthly basis and in person every two years at a general meeting to discuss the direction and future of the Society. The Board is guided by a set of bylaws voted upon by our membership (download a copy below). To help advance our charitable and educational goals, Clan MacKinnon Society was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in the United States. Learn more about the leadership of Clan MacKinnon Society here.
Our Society History
On December 22, 1891, at a meeting held in the Waterloo Rooms in Glasgow, Clan MacKinnon Society was born. Twenty-five clansmen were present at that first meeting. During subsequent early Society meetings the matter of who held the Chiefship of Clan MacKinnon was raised. In response to these concerns, Mr. Duncan MacKinnon, then Chairmen of the Society, advertised for claimants to the Chiefship twice in the Oban Times. No one came forward, so William Alexander MacKinnon of Kent, whose father had been recognized Chief of Clan 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. At its founding the purpose of Clan MacKinnon Society was understood to be: the fostering of Clan sentiment, cultivation of social intercourse among members, assistance to members, encouragement of education, the collection and preservation of Clan records and traditions, and promoting support of Celtic literature and Highland arts and industries.
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, Mrs. N. Joann MacKinnon Osborne in the United States began investigating the possible establishment of a Clan MacKinnon Society in the Americas. Joanne and her brother, Clinton MacKinnon, contacted Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan, for permission to found a society. The Chief graciously gave their endeavor his blessing and requested that Clinton act as his Representative. By 1980, Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was constituted; two years later it 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.
Clan MacKinnon Society is now striving to unite MacKinnons around the world in their ancient fellowship, to promote the spirit of Clanship, and grow an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of the Scottish Gael. Clan MacKinnon Society is now once again firmly established and eager to face the future. Join us! Become a member today!
The Society grew rapidly during the years around the turn of the century. At its founding the purpose of Clan MacKinnon Society was understood to be: the fostering of Clan sentiment, cultivation of social intercourse among members, assistance to members, encouragement of education, the collection and preservation of Clan records and traditions, and promoting support of Celtic literature and Highland arts and industries.
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, Mrs. N. Joann MacKinnon Osborne in the United States began investigating the possible establishment of a Clan MacKinnon Society in the Americas. Joanne and her brother, Clinton MacKinnon, contacted Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan, for permission to found a society. The Chief graciously gave their endeavor his blessing and requested that Clinton act as his Representative. By 1980, Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was constituted; two years later it 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.
Clan MacKinnon Society is now striving to unite MacKinnons around the world in their ancient fellowship, to promote the spirit of Clanship, and grow an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of the Scottish Gael. Clan MacKinnon Society is now once again firmly established and eager to face the future. Join us! Become a member today!
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