Welcome to the Online Clann Tartan Newsletter for October 2006

That's right – the staff elections are right around the corner on Saturday, November 4th, 2006, so it's time now to start thinking about running if you're interested, and voting regardless. Some quick answers to questions you may have:

Who is eligible to vote? Anyone who is a paid member and is recognized by at least one member of the Staff and one member of the Board can vote. There will be absentee ballots, but they won't be anonymous – we need to verify you are a current member, so your name will have to be on it. Better still, attend the Quarterly members meeting and vote in person!

What am I voting for? You will be voting for a Chief of Staff – basically, as it was decided and last year's quarterly and members meeting, the CoS position is the top dog – the head honcho, who oversees all of the staff. It's mostly a coordinator position – make sure that things are done, and the work is divided equitably. The next positions are Captain and Head Campfollower – they report directly to the CoS, and are responsible for making sure that shows run smoothly – scheduling the demos, buying and making sure the food is prepared, and many other duties. The final positions are staff – they report directly to the Captain and HCF, and perform the duties assigned to them. We don't have a set number of these – it depends on who is interested.

How do I find out more information? There are a few ways – the manual is one of them, the best way is to talk to a current or former staff person and find out what is involved. All your staff members are listed in the newsletter.

How long is the position? This year, the Chief of Staff will be elected to a two year position, the HCF and Captain will be one year's positions this year, and two years after that. This is to ensure that we will always have continuity on the staff, which has been a problem in the past. The rest of the staff duration will be discussed at the meeting, so show up and vote!

How do I get nominated? There are a few ways – have a friend of yours nominate you by sending information to Glenn McDavid, the secretary, nominate yourself the same way, show up at the meeting and toss your ring into the hat, or don't show up have your friends nominate you… Just kidding – you have to agree to run to be voted in.

How much time is involved? There are monthly staff meetings of 1-2 hours duration, plus all the prep time getting ready for shows. With everyone helping, your time commitment can be smaller. The CoS, HCF, and Captain usually also attend the Board meetings monthly which are usually about 2 hours long. As always, everyone is welcome to attend the meetings!

What if I want to run for the Board? Those elections will be held in February at the Annual meeting – voting rules are the same. The Board positions are for two years, and are staggered. In February 2007, we will vote for a new Vice President, Secretary, and Company Representative. In February 2008, we will vote for President, Treasurer, Quartermaster, and Camp Representative. Again, if you're interested, attend the Board meetings, talk to those currently in the positions, and review your manual. Just for the record, I will not be running for President in 2008 – it's time for New Blood.

What if I have a question you didn't answer? Call, email or write, or show up at the meeting and ask – that's the best way!

OUR BUSY MONTH

Weapons Drill and Sword Drill will happen at events. Camp Drill is cancelled due to excessive amounts of actual camping. These events will return at their regular times in November.

After much soul- and schedule-searching, I have decided that I would offer my name as candidate for Captain.

The 2007 season will be my fifth season with Colonel Gaffneyis Regiment. Since I joined, I have served as Goodwife every year, edited the members' manual, written a number of articles for the newsletter, served as acting Captain at several events, finished the 4th muster level, served as the Contracts Representative for nearly two years, and bought a lot of hats.

If elected Captain, I promise to return phone calls, answer emails, attend lots of meetings, and have a chicken in every pot. Or oatmeal. Or whatever the HCF decides to serve. In any case, there will be something in a pot at every meal if I'm elected captain.

Vote Kane for Captain in the November Staff elections. As Clann Tartan/Col. Gaffneyis nears its 20th year, it is high time we had a female Captain.

Maeve Kane

I BEG YOUR FAVOUR

I have been on staff in the past year, serving as secretary, article-writer, all-purpose nag, and occasionally Acting Head CampFollower. I think I have given good service, and that I have still more to offer Clann.

I wish to announce that I am running for the position of Chief of Staff. I hope that my performance as Henchwoman has been such that the membership may look with favour on my candidacy. I promise to bring intelligence, compulsive connectivity, and all the tact I can muster to this position. May I have your vote?

Mia McDavid

*Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!* *Hear ye!*

The Board of Directors has asked me to write a brief outline of what a Contracts Representative is, what they do, why we have one, and how to make this one happy. Well, they didn’t exactly say that last part in so many words, but I thought everyone would like to know anyway.

Clann Tartan’s Contract Rep does many important and dangerous things for Clann, including slaying damsels, wooing dragons, pulling hen’s teeth and making phone calls. There is also a lot of herding of cats involved. Clann has had a Contract Rep for over ten years, and I am the fortunate current holder of that title.

Every time Clann is paid for an event, and we are currently paid for all shows except the Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games and the Dun Gowan Tactical, the Contract Rep negotiates a contract and its terms. The terms include the hours and dates of the show and the rate of pay Clann will receive. This often involves several weeks (or months, if the event representative doesn’t return their phone calls often) of negotiation. This culminates with a signed contract, signed by myself and the event representative, and a check at the end of the event.

All of this is preceded by contacting events we would like to do. In some cases, such as Big Island Rendezvous, the Mankato Youth History Fest, and the Big Muddy River Rendezvous, Clann’s participation in an event has been a given since the beginning of recorded time. Others, such as the Charles City Military History Days, we were invited to participate in. Some others, like the Olde World Renaissance Festival, we approached because they fit the type of event we like to do.

Most of the leg work for this is done by me. Clann has and has had a Contract Representative since Gustavus was a pup, nay, longer, because it makes much less confusion for event reps when they only have to talk to one person, and less confusion for Staff and members when information on events only comes from one source. Information on new events and information about problems with events we already do is always welcome, but it is most welcome when addressed to me, the current Contracts Rep should I ever vacate the position, or to Staff. Staff can be reached at staff@clanntartan.org, I can be reached at mkane@macalester.edu, 952-461-4666 or 26586 Woodcrest Cir, Elko MN 55020. As the recent non-issue with the dates of the Mankato Youth History Fest and the Big Muddy River Rendezvous illustrated, it is much better to have the issue or lack thereof handled by staff and the Contract Rep than to have it thrown on the members’ email list for the confusion of all.

That said, my life can be made easier if anyone with questions, comments or concerns about any event or contract contacted me at the above addresses. I also like long walks on the beach, hats, mangos, boys, hats, fabric, hats, and boys. Thought everyone ought to know.

Thank you,

Contracts Representative
Maeve Kane

The online store can be found at www.cafepress.com/clanntartan.

Board Minutes

Minutes of Clann Tartan Board Meeting on August 15, 2006

In attendance:  (Board) Mary McKinley, Cate Hesser, Sean McCanna
Glenn McDavid, Bruce Yoder, Herb Lindorff

Staff: Julie Yoder, Maeve Kane, Mia McDavid

Members: Lisa Gillstrom
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minutes of the July Board Meeting were accepted.


REPORTS
=======
TREASURER --  No significant income in July--no paying events.  August
through October should be better.
No paper dolls have been sold.  We need a Marketing Committee.  Lisa
Gillstrom volunteered to chair it.

VICE-PRESIDENT - Muster Committee.  The update of the quizzes had been
postponed until November.

QUARTERMASTER -- The new musket lock arrived.  The stock still needs
work.  The mortar linstock is still broken.  Tents still need repairs.

COMPANY REPORT -- Mary has attended to one issue that did come up.  Mia
made the announcement about non-interference in Demos at the Deer River
Show.

CAMP REPORT -- None.

DANCE -- Got new members at Cate's party.  Dance 8/16 will be at Bruce
and Julie's new house.

FIBER GUILD -- No report.

HISTORIC SITE -- Beginning work on a new house 8/26-27.  Would like to
borrow the trailer for hauling stuff on some future weekends.  The issue
was tabled until it becomes more urgent.

SWORD GUILD -- No report.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Des Moines -- There will be firewood.

Big Island -- We are contracted for 8 demos.

Mankato
Winona
1st Footing

We are checking on the Winter Carnival parades and may drop them because
of the additional insurance required.

Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games. There is a talk of moving it
to May, but nothing definite.  [This has since been confirmed.  The date
will be May 19.  See
http://community.livejournal.com/scotnewsmn/2423.html]

OLD BUSINESS -- Mary and Maeve will follow up on the library issue per
the July meeting

MANUAL -- The new version is to be reviewed by Cate, Mia, Glenn, Julie,
and Sean.

Next Board Meeting Sept. 19, 2006 at Mary's House.  The meeting was
adjourned at 7:47 PM.

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

Drill

COLD! Or How To Not Freeze in October

Please note: there is a wonderful article on this subject by David Vaverik in the history of the newsletter, so I will try to make this brief.

Every year in Clann Tartan, we have a busy month of October. It has been this way for a very long time, and it always takes a little while to get people up to speed on what to expect from October events. One of the things you can expect in an October event is for the weather to do something exciting (even if that excitement is to burn you alive, as it did for Big Island last year). So how does one prepare? Follow these simple steps and you should be fine.

1)Layers. Lots of layers. Its perfectly period to be wearing several skirts, three pairs of socks and a couple of blankets. Trews under a kilt work, too. Remember, Scotland was in a mini-ice age, so people wore what they had. Layers also serve you well if it suddenly becomes blisteringly hot—and having a layer of linen under all that wool helps to keep out the itchies, too.

2)Stay Dry. Try to keep at least one pair of socks dry, if not clean, for when you step in that cold, wet puddle, or forget to put on your shoes when you run to the priv in the middle of the night. The same thing can be said for sarks—wet hind ends are uncomfortable hind ends. In the dryness factor, layering helps as well—the outside can be wet, but if the inside is dry, you will remain warm and fairly comfortable.

3)Wool. Yes, it's period and historical, but wool also has some great properties, besides making you itch like crazy. It is flame retardant, very warm (i.e. It has been used for insulation in houses and still is) and it has some water repellent properties.

4)Drink Water. While tea is all well and good and some people can't live without coffee, dehydration will make you feel very cold, very quickly. If you begin to get a headache and you are not prone to them, it could be a warning sign that you are dehydrated. Please do not let it get to that point. Tea and coffee are diuretics, so it is not a bad idea to drink one glass/container of pure water for every glass of tea or coffee that you drink. It can be warm water, even. It just needs to be drunk.

Some other things to note: if the public can't see it, it didn't happen. While most events would prefer that you stay in your period stuff, if that is not possible for any reason (not enough gear, medical reasons, etc.) PLEASE let someone know and change into/add on other clothes. I request that you let someone know that you are freezing first, especially if the change is not for medical reasons, because a number of members have spare gear that you can borrow—but they don't know if you don't ask. It is also perfectly acceptable to bring a pair of flannel sleeping pants, if that makes you more comfortable and to wear silk or cotton long underwear, even during the day. If it's really blasted cold, no one is going to be looking under your coat, blanket and/or cape, then your sark, to see that you are, in fact, nekkid under all that wool.

On the subject of your tent and what people won't see, a closed cell foam pad will assist to keep you from freezing to death, and a sleeping bag is, as always, great to have with you. Both of these things can be found at any camping store (REI, Gander Mountain, etc) and/or Target. Chemical hand warmers work really well inside of mittens and shoes, just follow the directions, keep them from direct contact with your skin, and remain aware of them so that you do not burn yourself—because that's almost as uncomfortable, maybe even more uncomfortable, than freezing.

On the subject of gear, there are vendors at some events (Big Island springs to mind) that sell such nice items as long wool socks ($16 for cotton, $20 for wool, last year), wooden clog shoes ($30 some, last year) and animal pelts (varies). My wooden shoes have saved my toes on many occasions, and wool socks up to your knee will keep a whole expanse of calf warm. I wear a thin pair of women's trouser socks that are the same length under mine, to yet again avoid the itchies.

If you have a particular question about warmth, please ask. If you need something, please ask. Your staff and fellow adventurers thank you for staying comfortable in all kinds of weather.

McFarland, Sean Duncan. b: 21st June, 1609 Aberdeen, Scotland.

Son of Morgan McFarland and Mhairi Duncan, successful wool merchants. Third son to reach adult age. Brothers Iain and Lesley. Educated at the Priory School in Aberdeen originally to be trained for the priesthood, but family turned Protestant in 1620 before he could enter into his novitiate. Sent to University of Aberdeen in 1625 but only stayed two terms there having no turn to serious scholarship though he did hone his latent musical skills and demonstrate some ability as a swordsman.

Going to Dundee on his own in the spring of 1626 McFarland presented his services as a swordsman and scholar to Captain MacBride of Colonel Brodie's Regiment then preparing to take ship for Stettin. MacBride took him on as clerk. Later, after proving himself resourceful in his position and both clever and lucky in the field, the vacancy being open, he was made aide-de- camp.

In the 1629 season, Brodie's was all but destroyed in a very bad run of luck in three consecutive battles. In the last, and worst of these battles, Brody himself took a musket ball in the face, just by bad luck. Captain MacBride, whose back McFarland was watching carefully once he saw which way the wind was blowing, was on horseback and was thrown. His leg was badly broken in the fall, but with McFarland’s help he was able to join up with the retreat. The fracture was so bad that the leg could not be set properly and although he didn’t lose it entirely, he will probably never walk unaided again.

The remains of the regiment came to twenty-five lads, two corporals, McFarland and MacBride. The rest were either killed outright or got lost in the retreat and didn’t rendezvous when the sorting took place. After this complete disaster, several of the survivors decided to take their pay and go home. About a dozen took up with other regiments to fill emptied ranks. McFarland accompanied MacBride back to Edinburgh but once MacBride was home, Sean was at loose ends. MacBride, having been himself rendered unfit for further duty by the misfortunes of that season, provided McFarland with a letter of commendation and suggested that he try his luck in the capital. As the captain pointed out, McFarland was young, unencumbered with dependent family and, despite the miseries of the recent season, fairly unscathed by soldiering. There was good money to be made and he was an educated, capable fellow, so why not?

In March of 1630, McFarland began seeking alternative employment. He encountered Phillip Carew and, having presented himself and his credentials, was offered the position of clerk. Carew, being attached at that time to Gaffney's, gave McFarland to understand that he was planning to ship out with them at the beginning of the 1630 fighting season. This, of course, remains to be seen.

Calendar of Events

Event Schedule for the 2006 Season:

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 Maeve 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 wether 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,
Rob Johnson.

Maps

 

Map to Board Meetings Bruce and Julie Yoder's Home 4736 12th Av S, Minneapolis, 55407	Map to St. Paul location St. Christopher's- Dance
Map to /Quarterly/Annual Meetings Corcoran Neighborhood Center, 3334 20th Av South, Minneapolis, MN	Map to Lake Hiawatha Community Center 2701 E 44th St in Minneapolis 1st & 3rd Wednesdays dance location Helleand Building
Map to Marty & Judy Byers home Location for for Sword Drill 2821 Churchill, Roseville MN

Big Island Albert Lea, MN October 5-8, 2006

Mankato History Festival Mankato MN Oct 12-14 2006

Big Muddy Rendezvous Winona, MN October 17-22 2006