June 23rd ~ Highland Games ~

Bill and Allan

Once again Clan MacLeod members celebrated our Scottish heritage at the Highland Games. Ian, Allan and Bill answered questions from passersby and those interested in their MacLeod roots.  The rain held off this year thankfully.  Lots of activities were happening to make the day another great one with Scottish pipers, athletes, dancers, singers and vendors as well as other clans in their colourful tartans.

Ian Relays for Rick Hansen

Ian did his leg of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary cross Canada relay this morning. Our group was the first off of the day (6:50 am!) Great honour. Some pictures in my personal album. A bunch of professional ones will be at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickhansenfoundation/sets (May 21 - Day 272) later today.

North American Gathering and Other Upcoming Events

Hello all,

If you have an e-mail listed in the ACMS Clan MacLeod magazine you are receiving this e-mail. For many it will be a repeat from me yesterday so I'll apologize up front.

Attached is the 2012 NAG schedule of events which is posted on NAG website. I've also attached the NAG flyer and registration form previously posted on the NAG website. http://www.wix.com/sdrakem/2012-nag

Please pass onto your members and promote in your respective regions. Post elsewhere (“everywhere”) as needed. The 2012 NAG registrations received and hotel bookings are rising…but slow. Let's all get the "word" out again soonest….and often!

Please let all know that one would be hard pressed to find a more readily accessible and more entertaining location in North America during the Summer season than Alexandria, Virginia….and at a reasonable cost. The 2012 NAG program of scheduled events coupled with the Crowne Plaza Hotel accommodations is the least expensive NAG in 16-years!

Clan MacLeod Society USA mid-Atlantic region is looking forward to hosting the 2012 NAG but more importantly looking forward to seeing you…and your friends! Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thanks!

Best Regards,

Stephen MacLeod, mid-Atlantic RVP

sdrakem@aol.com

stephen.macleod@pentagon.af.mil

Cell/ (703) 725-2679

Home/(703) 260-2436

March 4, 2012 Michael Flatley is in Kamloops and dinner for those interested before his show let me know. 250-378-5115

March 10, 2012 Merritt St. Patrick’s fund raiser for Interior MacLeods at 2058 Granite Avenue $15 Merritt tickets 250-378-5115

March 18, 2012 Port Canaveral MacLeod cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines meet in the library Mar 19, 2012 9:00 am phone 1-250-378-5115

June 28, 2012 North American Gathering at Alexandria near Wasington D.C. check the MacLeod website for info

August 17,2012 Chocolate and Wine Festival in Merritt for McLeods (and others of course) behind Dr. McLeod’s office in Merritt 250-378-5115

Canadian Highland Games almost all summer weekends in Canada BC games Coquitlam, Victoria, Kamloops, Glengarry, Fergus, Montreal etc

We want to bring Penny DeGraff’s Gaelic singing and music back to Merritt soon from Seattle

And much more as the clan mobilizes to keep the spirit alive of our heritage.

Sincerely, Dr. Don McLeod (Merritt Holding Fast)

Highland Games Urgently Seek Volunteers

Sent on behalf of the BC Highland Games Committee

To the Scottish Community of Greater Vancouver:

After a continuous 130-year existence, The BC Highland Games is threatened with extinction. Two key factors contribute to this distinct risk.

LACK OF VOLUNTEERS and risk to our financial backer the United Scottish Cultural Society. In order for the games to continue and provide the pre-eminent venue in Western Canada for the furthering of competitive Piping, Dancing, and Bands, WE NEED HELP.

Take your hand off your wallet! WE NEED VOLUNTEERS

In the past two years, a key group of dedicated volunteers have either retired from active participation or reduced their participation in the organization of the event. Many of these people contributed hundreds of hours individually and collectively and their donation of time is immeasurable. We thank them sincerely for their contribution.

NOW WE NEED NEW BLOOD!

In order to continue we need to fill several key positions on our Organizing Committee:

* Finance/Accounting manager
* Sponsorship/Sales
* Public & Media Relations manager
* Volunteer coordinator
* Webmaster

These key positions MUST be filled before the organizing committee will even contemplate moving towards developing a plan for 2012. Contact one of the continuing Organizing Committee Members below AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to volunteer.

The estimated time commitment for the open positions varies, however 10 hours per month is realistic for February through May and likely 15 to 20 in June depending upon the job. This amounts to about 2 1/2 hours a week and about 4 hours a week in June.

Additionally, we need volunteers to assist with less time intensive roles such as:

* Parking and traffic coordination
* Signage/program production (a printing background would be good)
* VIP coordinator
* Ticket manager

WE ALSO NEED 50 TO 75 VOLUNTEERS ON THE DAY OF THE GAMES.

If you know someone in Grade 11 or Grade 12, and if volunteer hours are still a requirement for graduation, this would be a fantastic way of earning some of those valuable volunteer hours.

We presently have a group of four Organizing Committee Members, which is insufficient to pull off this event. If you are committed to the continuation of this 130 year history, please contact Jim Bain (604-435-0764) or Glenna Urbshadt (604-224-5479).

We appreciate your serious consideration of our request and look forward to hearing from many of you.

Sincerely,
Jim Bain
Glenna Urbshadt
Joan Drabyk
Donald Ross

Annual General Meeting November 6 2011

Annual General Meeting

November 6 2011 - Sylvia Hotel 12:00 AM to 3 Pm

1154 Guildford Street Vancouver BC

Following a short business meeting at 12:30 p.m., brunch was served to about 26 Clan MacLeod members.

Election of Officers:

President: Mark MacLeod

Vice President: Norman MacLeod

Treasurer: Stephanie MacLeod

Secretary: Edie Kernighan

Directors: Bill McLeod, Allan MacLeod, Jack MacLeod, Ollie MacLeod, Jean McLeod, Ian MacLeod

Mark thanked everyone for coming and briefly went over the events of the past year, including Burns Lunch, Spring Gathering, Highland Games and get together at Ray and Ollie’s. He thanked everyone for their participation and Bill & Edith for hosting the spring gathering and Ray & Ollie for hosting the summer get together. He also welcomed Linda MacLeod, Anne Trites and Bernice Davidson to the luncheon.

Clan MacLeod Archives:

Bill G. met with two key SFU representatives on October 13 to discuss the possibility of transferring cmsgv archival material to SFU for storage and security. Dr. Leith Davis, Director, Centre of Scottish Studies arranged the meeting with Paul Hebbard, SFU Archivist.

Bill presented some items to show the scope of our activities (local, regional, national & world). Paul Hebbard stated that the storage of CMSGV material would come under their mandate. The material would be donated officially to SFU Archives free of charge. Paul Hebbard presented the following overview:

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS LIKELY TO BE ARCHIVES

• Minutes, agendas and meeting papers of the executive or any CMSGV committees
• Articles of incorporation, the CMSGV constitution, and any of the society's policies and procedures
• Master sets of annual reports, newsletters and other publications issued by CMSGV
• Annual accounts statements, Membership records, Event and project files
• Executive correspondence (incoming and outgoing)

Bill asked for and received the continuing support for this project from the executive and membership. The next meeting with SFU reps will be in the early new year. In the meantime, it is important for us to find the archives of several past years. Please contact Bill if you have any information in this regard.

Clan MacLeod Summer Get Together at Ray and Ollie's

It was a bright beautiful day to gather in bright beautiful surroundings at the lovely home of Ray and Ollie on the edge of the Capilano Golf Course in the British Properties.

From our perch on the deck we could watch as golfers worked their way up the fairway to the final hole by the clubhouse. Food was wonderful with poached salmon, an array of salads, fruit and much more. Hospitality was terrific and we enjoyed a sing-along led by Alan MacLeod with Don MacLeod playing his button-box for all to enjoy. Just sitting around the tables on the deck, under sunny skies telling a tale or two was a great way to pass an afternoon. Thank-you Ray & Ollie for the wonderful hospitality hosting our summer ‘picnic’.

The Highland Games

Several clan members braved the rain and some wind to set up the Clan MacLeod booth at the Highland Games on Saturday. We had more visitors as the day wore on and the weather improved. Some said it was fitting to have "Scottish" weather at a Scottish event. Bill, Allan, Ian, Mark, and Dr. Don answered questions from MacLeods and others that stopped by and they along with Alison and Chris held our banner high in the clan parade. Niel, June, Robert, Ray and Ollie joined us later in the afternoon. The stadium offered a beautiful setting, despite the black clouds. The MacLeods found some great deals for socks and golf shirts at the booth across the way.