06/11/2023
As President (Acting) of Clan Farquharson Canada, I would like to thank Dawn And Mike for stepping up and representing our Clan again at the Georgetown games today. I, for a number of years, personally manned the tent and it was a favorite start to the season, I think with memory of Ken Porter.
We as a Clan had a long history of attending these games, first by the original Ontario Rep. Ken Porter.
Dawn and Mike will also be representing the Clan at the upcoming Kingsville Highland Games, one of our newer Ontario Games. Please make the trip to Kingsville and support them.
FERGUS 2023.
We, Clan Farquharson, will be at 2023 FERGUS this year as normal, hosted by Marcy and I and Dawn and Mike. We consider this our "home" games for our Clan
We will once again have a short effective BUSINESS MEETING there in the Saturday after opening ceremonies .
We will again, like 2018-2019, be in a larger set up then last year, at least 2 tents, or if available a large tent, thanks to Dawn and Mike's work and involvement.
We need people to let us know if they intend to be there for planning purposes and would love to hear from you.
Note you may book tickets on line on the Fergus Highlands Scottish Games site, buy at the gate, or thru the Clan (prepaid non cancelable).
We also need new blood to get involved to ensure continuation of the Clan Farquharson Canada.
This business neeting will change some basics of the organization, as we are never able to have a full board of active volunteers as per the existing bylaws. More on that to come.
This is an issue confronting many Canadian Clan organizations as well as other community grouos due to the busy lives being led today. Simplifcation is needed.
RETIREMENT
I have advised Mike and Dawn that I will be RETIRING from active participation in the Clan, following this year's Fergus Games and our business meeting.
I will work with any new President as requested to ensure a smooth takeover. Should any President wish me to i serve as Past President for up to one year I will give only that involvement consideration as it is an existing "obligation" , however simplication may completely change the structure removing that position.
There are many reasons for my retirement including:
Having recently achieved the age of 80, I simply no longer have the energy or health to attend up to 6 or more games a year that I maxed out, and be invoved with setting up and running and packing away tents and equipment.
I originally took over the Clan, as the then elected Pesident in 2010 2011, after the Clan had gone inactive for some time, under prior board members, who had also burned out. I thank them for the base they past on and understand their situation at the time.
A very few of us managed to grow the attendance level back quite a bit. I made a trip out west attending games to try to expand our outreach. With no success.
Our sucess was better in Ontario where we were able to interest new members but retention was an issue as well as active volunteers.
We were also not able to generate a resurgence in the Maritimes.
Simply not enough volunteers pitching in. I ended up by default being President for too long a time.
I have concluded that I can not develop any further improvement in the Clan and can not maintain the level we had achieved. It is time for me to move on.
And It is time for a new energetic passionate generation to step up ...and we have a great start with Mike and Dawn and a few others, but we need them to be supported actively.
Per the current bylaws, any "paid up" member of the Clan can volunteer, be nominated by any "paid up" member of the clan, on or before the 2023 Fergus Highland games and our Saturday business meeting, time and details to come.
EVEN BETTER NEWS
Here is some even better news!!!!
If you had a paid membership in 2018 through 2021 your membership is being extended to 2024 covering Fergus 2023.
We recognize that Covid and the recovery period to date did not provide quality for money.
Please come to Fergus in August.
Thank you for your time.
