2022 Annual General Meeting

Written by Andy MacCulloch, Communications Director

The pandemic has made us appreciate the importance of our family, friends and heritage. Our Scottish culture was born and bred in challenging times and built character and a persevering spirit, but also to appreciate and experience the joy and connection with others. The Scottish Society embraces our heritage and spirit. We seek to celebrate it and share it with others.

It was therefore with some sadness that we had to first postpone the AGM as many lacked powered because of the windstorm, and then once again move to a virtual event when it became clear that some of our members were not comfortable with a live meeting. Undaunted, a virtual Annual General Meeting was held on June 11.  We said a fond farewell to outgoing Board members Sherry Sharpe (Treasurer), Wayne MacDonald, and Don Cummer (Kilt Skate), and elected a new Board of Directors.

Many Directors are continuing their roles, some switched positions, and some new faces are now part of the Society.  Please welcome

·       Jane Torrance – Chair (continuing)

·       Heather Theoret – Vice Chair (continuing)

·       Andrea Segal – Secretary (moved from Development, election to Secretary)

·       Treasurer – vacant

·       Membership – Elizabeth MacLeod (continuing)

·       Development – Ian Flemming (new)

·       Volunteers – Dave Johnston (continuing)

·       Communications – Andy McCulloch (winter appointment confirmed at AGM)

·       Hogman-eh! – vacant

·       Burns – Jenn Hill (continuing)

·       Kilt Skate - vacant

·       Special Events – Liz Smith (winter appointment confirmed at AGM)

·       Youth – Rianna Crawford (appointment confirmed at AGM)

·       At-Large (John McLuckie (winter appointment to Secretary, election to At-Large)

As always, we still need volunteers. Interest and membership in the SSO is growing, and more hands are needed because of the growth! Volunteers are the life blood of the Society, and without them our ability to do what we do is limited.

Volunteers are needed in leadership roles as we still have vacant Board positions – Treasurer, Hogman-eh! Director, and National Kilt Skate Director. Committees are also seeking volunteers - Marketing and Communications, Special Events, Hogman-eh!, and Burns.  If you can spare a few hours and want to get involved we can find a way for you to help out, meet new people and have a great experience.

The meeting was upbeat and characterized by optimism and good fellowship. We celebrated the fact that even during the pandemic we made a difference, and worked very hard to bring good cheer through virtual events like Hogaman-eh! and the Robbie Burns Supper. While nothing beats LIVE events, these virtual offerings captured the essence of the celebration of Scottish culture and fun. Many sat at home with a wee dram (or more) and felt the fun and fellowship so lost in isolation. And as Scots you have to appreciate the benefits - drink was cheap, parking free and you dinna have to drive home. Live events are planned for the coming OttScot season, and we are pondering how we might also leverage these virtually.

Another “win” was Kilt-Skate. In the heart of the pandemic the HOME Edition encouraged enthusiasts to skate on their own or with family. We received many heartwarming photos of people skating and enjoying themselves. Seventeen towns and cities decided to run home editions of Kilt-Skate throughout Canada this year, and six hosted in-person events. The common denominator seemed to be fun, and at the end of the season, Ottawa was named Kilt Skate Capital!

We also celebrated some new and continued developments at the AGM. We have introduced some historical writing in our Blether section of the website, began a Speakers Series, and grow our outreach to other Scottish organizations nationally and internationally. We have had a gin tasting in addition to our traditional whisky tastings. We had a Kilt Up and Curl social, a Scottish Flag raising and pub night, and a 10th Anniversary celebration launch! All these are championed by SSO volunteers, and ideas are often generated by our membership, so please keep the ideas coming.

Our financial situation remained positive and we in a good position going into 2022.

Another positive development was that our membership was up 10%, no doubt attributable to our commitment to online education and events and our continuous promotion. We have launched a youth chapter led by new Youth who hopes to drive youth membership with fun events and engaging social media. We always welcome new members and youth members are our future.

If you want more information read the Annual Report. Thanks for your ongoing interest and support. It should be a great year.