Welcome to the Online Clann Tartan Newsletter for December 2008

*First Footing/Airing of the Tartans*

We have houses for First Footing!

Again this year we are asking that persons bring an index card listing ingredients for the dishes they bring. Some people have food allergies or sensitivities or for other reasons have to be careful what they eat; providing such a card can prevent any amount of asking "Who made this? What's in it? I hate to bother you but I can't eat . . ." For some of us this is life and death, so please help out here.

Maps to the locations WILL be in the next newsletter. Please RSVP (That means "say if you are coming and for which courses") and indicate what are you bringing; Please RSVP to Julie Yoder (julieyoder@juno.com, 612-825-4519).

The Schedule is:
NOON-1:00 Airing of the Tartan and Drills
Augsburg Park 70th and Nicollet - Richfield, MN

From the North, take the Portland Ave exit south from Crosstown/ Hwy62 to 70th. Turn right and go to Nicollet Ave.

From the South, take the Nicollet Ave exit North from 494 about 1/2 mile to 70th St

*************************

1:30 Appetizers at Jen and Bob's

*************************

3:30 Soup at Cate Hesser's

*************************

Main course at 6:00 at the Yoders' house

*************************

Dessert at 8:00 at Mill City Hornworks, 1332 Marshall St. NES Mpls.

Discover the Manual

A lot of valuable information is in the current Clann Tartan Manual.

A proposed procedure for disputes of historical fact

In the event of dispute, invite the person you disagree with to get together and study the evidence; this is the civilized thing to do. Possibly copy the camp and company reps at this time. The other person has ten days to respond and schedule a date. At this point, *both* parties are to refrain from discussing the issue with the public, as it is officially disputed.

If the challenged party does not respond or the meeting cannot be scheduled, issue a formal challenge. At a time X days from the challenge, papers are due from both parties, each stating their position *and giving references and citations.* The issue is still disputed and still must not be discussed with the public.

If a member misses the deadline for the papers, the *other* member is held to prevail and that side of the issue will be presented to Clann and the public. If the late person presents good reason a later filing can be negotiated.

The judges will consist of the camp rep, the company rep, and a qualified person not associated with Col. Gaffney's. After the panel has judged, the prevailing position shall be taught or, if the evidence is not strong enough for either position to prevail, we shall teach that the evidence is unclear and we are not sure of the facts.

We are an educational organization. We strive to continually improve our grasp of historical fact as supported by the best available evidence. Often, we don't have enough evidence, but when we do, evidence must prevail.

Members are encouraged to think about this issue; we will discuss it at the Members' Meeting.

Mia McDavid

GAFFNEY'S SUTLER SEEKS WARES

You can either bring your goods to Heidi at events, or entrust them to her beforehand. We ask that items be small and not terribly fragile if Heidi is to transport them.

Thank you for your support of Clann Tartan.

Board Minutes

Clann Tartan Board Meeting October 21, 2008

Board Members Present: Julie Yoder, Bruce Yoder, Glenn McDavid, Cate Hesser, Sean McCanna

Staff Present: Mia McDavid

Started at 7:17 PM.

Minutes of September meeting accepted as presented.

Reports

VP: Absent. No report.

Treasurer: Our assets are FDIC insured.

In September we received income from the Scottish Fair(May) and Hudson. October show income came from Big Island, Russ Melton's party, Mankato, and Deer River. The only show income still out is from the MN Ren Faire(August).

Some show expenses still have not been paid, e.g. the lamb for Big Island ($150).

Bruce will try to fill the gaps in the Income/Expense by show report for the November members meeting. We do not want to turn people away from shows. Our size looks good. If the show is not profitable, better to just not do it in the first place. Food is the big variable expense, proportional to the number of members attending. The cost of hauling the trailer is proportional to the distance, but is independent of the number of members attending — The trailer weight is almost the same if we have 6 members attending or 40.

We should drop shows that are not profitable.

There is an issue with members seeing all of our financial information — which we have to do. Members should be told that such information is confidential to Clann Tartan and should not be communicated to competitors.

Secretary: No report.

Quartermaster: The new pike heads are here and they are good. The smith has been paid. The unsatisfactory pike heads have been returned to England and we have received a refund.

The QM wants to buy another tire for trailer to match better our newest current tire. The other tire currently being used will become the spare. The current spare is no good. A motion authorizing this was moved/seconded/passed.

The trailer is still in Baldwin. Sean will bring it back to the garage. We will need to have an unpacking event after that.

The Clann Firearms are at the Yoders'. The bandoliers were given to David for delivery to Marty. The ensigns were put in Laura's van after Mankato.

Julie has been labelling the bags we use for storage. This will help with repacking at the end of events.

The new staff will have to replace some of our cast iron.

Bruce wants to track our black powder use.

Camp and Company Reps: Nothing to report.

Music Guild: Going well

Dance Guild: Doing well. No more problems at St. Christopher's.

Fiber Guild: Will try to have more meetings.

Sword Guild, Garden Guild, Historic Site: No reports.

Upcoming events

Drills: Staff will try to combine the Company and Camp drills. They will try to adjust the focus of Company Drills to the stated wishes of the members. They will try to have stuff swaps at drills. We might be able to stimulate public interest by having drills in public parks.

Elections: The November newsletter should have a note that while absentee ballots are allowed, proxy ballots are not. Anybody with questions about a position, or interested in running, should contact a Board member. The event is Saturday, November 1, 1 PM at the Lake Hiawatha Community Center. Not at Corcoran. Julie wiil bring paper and pens.

First Footing: Old and new staff will coordinate this event.

Old Business

The article about the dispute resolution process will appear in the November newsletter.

No leads on new garage space so far.

The Yoders will keep muskets, etc. over the winter (See QM report above). Clann will be able to access them when the Yoders are out. Bruce will clean and adjust the muskets. One musket is still at O'Duggan's. Mia will check with him about its status.

Budget for next year: Mia will look into cast iron prices (See QM report above).

Meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.

**************

STAFF MINUTES! NEW!

Staff meeting, 1 December 2008, McDavid's home.

Present: Betsy Bolton, Anthea Cross, Mike Eastling, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Sean McCanna, Mia McDavid, Anne Peters, Laura Swenson, David Vavreck, Julie Yoder.

First Footing: Mia will do write-up for newsletter. Julie has heard from Eric - he is getting permit for park. We have locations for dinner. Mia has paper goods and will bring them to first house. We will use same schedule as last year. Julie will solicit signups for food and contact Rilla to see about venison for main course.

Ramble: Anthea will do write-up for newsletter, Julie will do email sign-up request. Julie and Laura will meet two weeks prior to Ramble to plan food.

B.I. Fest: Same weekend as Ramble. Betsy will do write-up for newsletter. This is a good place to vend, if people have items to sell.

Siege of Woodville: Set for May Day. Ann will research Scottish May Day traditions. One Cub Scout troop has already approached us about attending Saturday. Laura will solicit other Scout troops to attend and make posters for the public. We may want to extend our hours on Saturday if we can be assured access to toilet facilities. We should put out a donations box, possibly by the suttlery, on Saturday.

Tent Overhaul: Tom the tailor doesn't have space til May or June, but thinks somewhere between $6 and $10 per hole. David will take him one tent to try to get a better idea. Julie will check with Grey's Leather for their price.

Drill: Went great - we passed out several recruiting fliers. Will be better with drum. Next month, Saturday, December 27, will be at Mike's workplace indoors, noon to 1:30, then at Yoder's 1:30 to 4:00. Betsy will write up for newsletter.

Budgets: Need to be presented at January board meeting. Senior staff (Betsy, Sean, Mia, Julie, Laura) will stay after next staff meeting January 5 and prepare them.

Other: Anthea says Boat Museum in Moorhead wants us very much for their winter event. Sean will have Lisa contact them.

Member Leslie Cedar's father is dying -- Mia will send flowers.

Marty has resigned as sword guild leader. David offered to replace him; staff accepted. David wishes to purchase basket-hilt single sticks for practice; Mia will bring request to board.

Laura brought yummy chocolate torte in honor of several birthdays. We adjourned and ate it.

Submitted on 2 December by Julie Yoder.

Board & Staff

If you need to contact someone associated with Clann Tartan, here is where you find out how. If you are unsure who to contact, you can always email us at: info@clanntartan.org

Guilds

Contact:
David Vavreck
baethan1630@yahoo.com
612-378-1973

MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!

The Yoders have graciously offered to host music once a month. We will meet at their house at 4736 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, from 7 - 9pm the 4th Monday of each month.

To contact the Yoders, call 612-825-4519 or email to Julieyoder@juno.com.

To contact your Music Chair, call David at 612-378-1973 or email to baethan1630@yahoo.com

Thanks, and I look forward to making some noise with y'all!

David

We have a yahoo groups email list for the guild that we use for reminders about the meetings and topical discussions. If you want to be on the email list, request an invitation to join from Bruce at bruceyoder@juno.com.

Dance

It is at the corner of 27th Av S and E 44th Street. Both streets are one way. That block of 44th between 28th and 27th Avenues is one way westbound and that block of 27th Av between 44th and 43rd Streets is one way northbound. You must enter turning west onto 44th St from 28th Av and exit from 27th Av onto 43rd St.

Questions? call Mary at 651-699-6853 or Julie at 612-825-4519

2nd & 4th Tuesdays
Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church, 2300 N Hamline Ave. in St. Paul.

It is at the northeast corner of Highway 36 and Hamline Avenue (Hamline is between Snelling and Lexington). The church is actually encircled by the highway entrance ramp.
The Dance Guild gathers weekly from 7PM-9PM to learn and practice historic Scottish country dances.
For more information call:

Mary at 651-699-6853 or Julie at 612-825-4519

It's a great place to meet people!

We have a yahoo groups email list for the guild that we use for reminders about the meetings and topical discussions. If you want to be on the email list, request an invitation to join from Bruce at bruceyoder@juno.com.

Fiber Guild

Historic Site

YAY, MIKE!!!

We can haz muskets! We can haz warm fingers and toes! We can haz young military men watching and maybe we hope participating!!!!!

Drill to be at noon on Saturday the 27th until 1:30.

After this we will drive back to Yoders' to work on costume, character, history, leatherwork, or whatever the mood takes us. Tea, hot chocolate, good company and shared skills. Drill will conclude at 4:00.

This will be so great!!!

Here is what Mike says about the location:

6400 Bloomington road St Paul MN 55111-4002.

From the north, take 35E south to 110 west, merging onto 55 and taking the exit for bloomington road (keep to right lane and you'll hit it easy enough) there's a stop sign at the end of the exit, the historic site straight take a right at the stop sign, golf course will be to the left as you go to the last building on the right.

From the west, take 494 (or 62, depending on preference) from 494 keep to the right following the signs for bloomington road, keep to the right following 5, and you'll reach the same exit as from 110 to bloomington road.

Google the address and it points you right there...GoogleMaps works best so far that I've seen, they're actually accurate for our office.

If you've need of anything better, or want to do a drive through to see go ahead, there's minor security, on the building itself...but when we have drill there, I'll open the bay doors for those to come in w/o worrying about getting locked out or waiting for someone to open the door for them.

Michael

Calendar of Events

The following is a list of the dates of the events that are currently on the schedule for this year. The staff has met and decided to keep this running list of events in the newsletter to give you a chance to get an idea of what is going on this season as well as keep you updated to changes in the schedule.

The column titled status will include the following information.

Tentative- this means that an event organizer or Clann has expressed a strong enough interest in doing this event that it warrants reserving space on the calendar for the event.

Pending- this is the next stage of an event. This means that the Contracts Administrator has entered serious discussion about Clann doing an event but we are still not committed to the event. You should however if possible think about whether or not you may be able to attend this event.

Scheduled- this level means that the board and staff have approve the event and we are committed to providing manpower to making the event happen. When an event is assigned this level please let Julie know as soon as possible if you can or can not attend this event.

Canceled- This means that for various reasons an scheduled event has been removed from the current season. We will try and give as much notice as we can prior to canceling an event.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me regarding this matter

Thanks,
Lisa Gillstrom McCanna

Maps

1st and 3rd Wednesday Dance and November members’ meeting Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Center 2701 E 44th St., Minneapolis	Map to St. Paul location St. Christopher's- Dance
Map to Bruce and Julie Yoder's Home Music and Board & Staff Meetings 4736 12th Ave S, Minneapolis	Map to Glenn & Mia's home Hosts for staff meetings 340 Brooks Ave Roseville, MN
Jen McDermott Host for Fiber Guild 1638 Arlington Ave Saint Paul, MN 55106