Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
(Annual Clan Campbell Gathering)
July 21, 2007
Reno, Nevada
The meeting was called to order by President Tommy Thomson at 1:15 p.m.
President Thomson announced that the next AGM will be held in Greensboro, NC, in conjunction with the Triad Games. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will meet in Orlando, Florida, at a date to be announced.
The President’s Remarks. Tommy reminded the AGM that the late publication of the summer 2007 issue of the JOURNAL has caused several problems for the Society. One of these was that the ballots for voting at this meeting were never published, and for this reason he reappointed the incumbents to serve a three-year term. These include trustee John “Jack” Campbell of Youngwood, PA; Ann Jackson of Archdale, NC; Walter J. Campbell of Fayetteville, NC; and Melanie Pinkerton of Stone Mountain, GA.
Tommy also addressed the issue of complaints about the JOURNAL. He resolved that we must make the cover more attractive and remove announcements from the cover. Perhaps a hint of tartan? He explained that the JOURNAL is suffering from a lack of time—time to get it out and time to make it attractive. It should be a keepsake.
Tommy indicated that this AGM would be short on reports due to the absences of several key persons at the meeting of the Executive Council. We will be operating on the present year’s budget until our next meeting in February 2008, when the finance committee can convene. The late arrival of the IT and Membership Reports (and the prohibitive cost of reproducing them at Reno) was also noted. While the Society had a 1.2% increase in membership, this is not so good. The President explained that there seemed to be no correlation between geography or population density and the new members. It was simply a matter of salesmanship and the skills of tent managers at games. Nonetheless, we are looking not for the quick sell but for “long term members.” While our CCSNA.org website has the best games calendar, better than HIGHLANDER magazine or even COSCA, this is not our principal reason for hosting a website. We host a website to interest Campbells in joining our Society and helping to maintain their heritage. This year the Executive Council has decided to adopt a sliding scale for Life Members, depending on age, and we hope this will be fairer and more attractive.
President Thomson also reported on the upcoming gathering in Edinburgh in late summer 2009. The question is will we cooperate with the Australian and New Zealand Clan Campbell Societies to make a presence there, or will we merely encourage individuals to participate?
As for the present meeting at Reno we can say with pride that we have accomplished all the business that was set before us and were not distracted by any games or other events. However, the Executive Council is sensitive that there were no other social or cultural events connect to this AGM and feel that in the future we ought to make every endeavor to turn our AGM into a real Clan Campbell Family Gathering.
Vice-President’s Remarks.
Rob reported the “re-election by appointment” of the four trustees (terms to end in 2010) and the appointment of Galen V. Campbell of Salt Lake City, UT to replace the late James R. Campbell of NYC. Galen will be up for reelection in 2008.
Rob also reported on the various projects under his supervision:
AGM research and analysis is on-going
The role and management of the store will be scrutinized—again. We are dealing with dissatisfied customers and other problems.
Since both Treasurers and the head of the Finance Committee are absent the V-P will look at both the current finances and the budget, which were not reported in a timely fashion.
As there has been a lack of “up-channel information” Rob will see what has to be done to get information for both EC and AGM meetings in a timely fashion.
Annual Awards. Rob announced that the winner of the award for “Clansman of the Year” would be given to Heather and Sue Remo (District 5: Michigan) who were present at the Gulfport meeting. A letter was read listing their contributions.
Rob announced that the “Commissioner of the Year” Award would be given to Carl Campbell of Mississippi (State Commissioner). An endorsement of Carl’s work for the Society was also read.
President’s Award. Tommy announced that the 2007 “President’s Award” would go to Kenneth B. Campbell, both CCS(NA) Trustee and Louisiana State Commissioner. Kenn is responsible for the layout of the JOURNAL and has done cartography both for the 3 volume CLAN CAMPBELL HISTORY and regularly for the JOURNAL.
Athelstaneford Flag Project. Joe McD. Campbell described the relationship between the St. Andrew’s Flag (which originated in a battle at Athelstaneford—pronounced El-zing-ford—in East Lothian) and the Clan Campbell Society, by which, thanks to efforts of Randy Seale, we have the exclusive right to sell these sturdy, well-made (sewn not printed) flags. Each flag has flown 24 hours at the battle site and each is for sale for $200. This project was approved at the EC meeting in Gulfport in 2007.
Request by CCEF to solicit funds on the CCS(NA) membership form. Ed (seconded by Dayla) asked the AGM to permit the CCEF to include a box on the form to request $2.50 as a voluntary contribution from each renewing CCS(NA) member. After a lengthy discussion with a great deal of input—and a reminder by the proposer of the need to keep the amount small and the matter “easy and simple”—this was approved by the membership unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned to the next Annual Clan Campbell Family Gathering, the time and date to be formally announced.
Respectfully submitted, David Alonzo Stedman, Secretary
(Argent, between a chevron gules three boars’ heads couped sable, langued gules.)

