Constitution

CLAN MACLEAN

in the United States

Revised 9/23/06

PREAMBLE

The Clan Maclean Association in the United States was founded as a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan organization for the purpose of cultivating fellowship and brotherhood among our kinsmen of Scottish descent; preserving genealogical records and other family records and traditions; and, assisting in civic improvements and social welfare in communities where there is a need for providing historical markers, grave stones and cemetery improvements, as well as other public services such as memorials to early pioneers of Scottish ancestry who fought our wars and suffered hardships while spreading civilization to the early frontier of this great nation.

ARTICLE I -NAME

Section 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be THE CLAN MACLEAN ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED STATES. The Association shall hereinafter be referred to as Clan Maclean, US
Section 2. History. This organization was founded in Chicago, Illinois in June of 1893, by Sir Fitzroy Donald Maclean, 26th Maclean Chief as “The Clan Maclean,” and was reactivated in 1968 as the Clan MacLean Society of the United States. The Association took its present name in 1987 and is now organized as a Branch of Clan MacLean International. The Chief of the Clan resides in Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Chief of Clan Maclean, on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
Section 3. Scope. Clan Maclean, US, the senior organization of Macleans in the United States of America, is affiliated with Clan Maclean International Association, and its President will represent the interest of the Chief of the Clan whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. While this organization is national in scope, nothing shall prevent those of foreign nationalities from becoming members if they are otherwise eligible for membership.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE AND ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Objectives. The objectives of Clan Maclean, US are:

  1. the initiation of goals and objectives consistent with Scottish heritage and the desires of the Clan and its members;
  2. the reviving, fostering, supporting and promoting understanding of the Clan interests and sentiments;
  3. the collection and preservation of records, genealogical information and traditions in any way related to the Clan as well as to descendants of Scotsmen throughout the United States, providing such information to interested parties upon request;
  4. the cultivation of social intercourse among members of the Clan;
  5. the perpetuation of Scottish tradition and the study, preservation and promotion of the culture and customs of Scotland throughout the world;
  6. the rendering of necessary assistance to deserving clansmen and clanswomen;
  7. the encouragement of the study of the Gaelic language; and,
  8. the promotion of the wearing of the kilt and the use of the Clan tartan.

Section 2. Organization. Clan Maclean US shall be governed by an Executive Committee duly elected by its membership as provided in the By-laws of the Association.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. How Obtained.

  1. Application. To gain membership in Clan Maclean, US, individuals must make application to the Secretary on a form prescribed by the Clan, submitting with the application such information necessary to establish eligibility, and enclosing therewith the application (new member) fee and an annual contribution in accordance with the By-laws.
  2. Membership Rights. Upon payment of the annual contribution, each member shall have all the rights and privileges of membership. A member who shall have paid the annual contribution and who is otherwise active in the Association shall be deemed a member in good standing.
  3. Membership Certificate. Each member will be furnished an official membership certificate. All categories of membership are “individual” memberships but said memberships include the spouse and all children under the age of twenty-one years. Children over the age of twenty-one years must apply for their own membership.

Section 2. Revocation of Membership. A member who becomes delinquent may be dropped from the roll of membership in the Association, and his/her membership therein may be canceled forthwith; PROVIDED, the Executive Committee shall have the power and authority to reinstate said membership upon remission of any delinquent contribution(s).

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Officers. The officers of this Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary (or Secretary-Treasurer if one person) who shall comprise the Executive Committee along with the immediate Past President and President Emeritus, if any. The office of President Emeritus may be conferred by the Executive Committee in its discretion upon one who has previously served as President of Clan Maclean US.
Section 2. Board of Directors. Clan Maclean US shall have a Board of Directors consisting of five (5) elected members who shall be responsible for supervising Commissioners, State Convenors, and Deputy State Convenors within their respective regions of the United States, for providing advice and support to the Executive Committee, and for otherwise representing the interest of their regions. Each Director shall be a resident of the geographical region from which he/she is elected, said Regions being:

  • Region 1 – Western United States. Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
  • Region 2 – South Central United States. Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
     New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
  • Region 3 – North Central United States. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota,
     Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
  • Region 4 – East Central and Southeastern United States. Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,
     Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • Region 5 – New England and Northeastern United States. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
     New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
    Island, and Vermont.

Section 3. Commissioners, State Convenors and Deputy Convenors.

  1. Commissioners. Commissioners may be appointed by the Executive Committee to supervise State Convenors and Deputy State Convenors within the geographical area to which they are appointed. This geographical area shall consist of not less than two states.
  2. State Convenors. State Convenors may be appointed by the Executive Committee to oversee Clan activities in their respective states, such as convening tents at Highland Games and otherwise representing the interest of Clan Maclean US within the state wherein they are appointed to serve. They shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.
  3. Deputy State Convenors. Deputy State Convenors may be appointed by the Executive Committee to assist State Convenors in overseeing Clan activities in their respective states, such as convening tents at Highland Games and otherwise representing the interest of Clan Maclean US within the state wherein they are appointed to serve. They shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.

Section 4 – Association Staff. Staff positions, directly responsible to the President of the Association, shall consist of:

  1. Clan General Counsel
  2. Editor of the Newsletter (“The Pipings”)
  3. Clan Genealogist
  4. Clan Piper
  5. Clan Bard
  6. Clan Historian, and
  7. Clan Parliamentarian
  8. Clan Chaplain

ARTICLE V – INCOME AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from July 1 to June 30 of the next calendar year.
Section 2. Income. The primary source of income of Clan Maclean, US shall be from the annual contributions of the membership. Income may accrue from other sources including, but not limited to, supplemental contributions, gifts, and endowments.
Section 3. Contributions of the Association. The Association may promote its purpose and objectives by contributing from time to time to other organizations having similar purposes and objectives, provided such contributions qualify under Section 301 of the United States Revenue Code. In addition, the Association may from time to time create and fund scholarships and awards to deserving individuals.
Section 4. Delinquent Members. A member who is delinquent with his contribution may not participate in any activities of the Association and will not be eligible to vote on any matters of the Association.

  1. Delinquent Member Defined. Any member who has not made his annual contribution by October 1st of each year will be considered to be in arrears and will automatically become “delinquent” if the contribution is not remitted by December 31st.
  2. Revocation of Membership. A member who becomes delinquent may be dropped from the roll of membership in the Association, and his membership therein may be cancelled forthwith; PROVIDED, the Executive Committee shall have the power and authority to reinstate said membership upon remission of any delinquent contribution(s).

ARTICLE VI – AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

The Association shall be authorized from time to time in the discretion of the Executive Committee to affiliate with and otherwise participate with other organizations having similar purposes and goals in such activities deemed by the Committee to be in the interest of Clan Maclean, US Such other organizations shall include, but shall not be limited to, Clan Maclean International, the Council of Scottish Clan Association, Inc., the Scottish American Military Society, Friends of Loch Lomond, the Scottish Tartans Society, Scottish Heritage, USA, and Historic Scotland.

ARTICLE VII – ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Association shall hold its Annual General Meeting once each calendar year for the purpose of conducting the business of the Association.

  1. All members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in the business of the Association conducted at the AGM.
  2. The AGM shall be held at such time and place as determined and designated by the President upon THIRTY (30) DAYS written notice to the membership. Such written notice may be given in The Pipings, the Clan newsletter. Every effort shall be made to rotate the site of the AGM so that members in all Regions shall have the opportunity to attend.

Section 2. Special Meetings. A Special Meeting of the Association may be called at such time and place designated by the President upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee or upon the written petition of at least THIRTY (30) members in good standing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, no Special Meeting shall be held unless written notice shall have been provided to the membership at least THIRTY (30) DAYS prior to the date of the scheduled meeting, stating the purpose, date, and place where the meeting will be held. Such written notice may be given in The Pipings, the Clan newspaper.