Society

10 July 2021, 6:00 PM EDT. Appalachian View, Newland, NC
1. Meeting was called to order by President Tara McCallum at 6:05 with a quorum present.
2. Invocation – Brown McCallum
3. Roll Call – A Quorum was present.
4. Reading of previous AGM Minutes – Posted on Website – Waive the reading as they have been on the website for nearly a year. Motion by Bonnie Ferneau, Second by James McCallum, Motion approved
5. Secretary Treasurers Report – Neil McCallum
Treasurers Report: (as of 1 July 2021): Cash on hand: $9929.57. This value is an increase for the Society over previous year as we had limited expenses this year as many of the games were canceled. Lack of games has also meant a reduction of new members.
Active members: 183. This is a decrease over last year. The lack of Games/exposure has not helped our membership numbers.
Annual Dues: $25.00. Remains unchanged from previous years. PayPal invoicing/payments continues to be very successful.
Scholarship: Balance on hand: $725.34. No scholarships were awarded this year due to the pandemic.
Amazon Smile: Amazon Foundation supports charitable organizations. When you order through Amazon “Smile” https://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-3607078, contributions are made to our Society. Since the last AGM, we have received $28.22 through this program, and it has been credited to the DNA Project fund ($52.60 balance). Two partial DNA Test upgrades were funded from these contributions.
6. Committee Reports –
Clan Store (Lands’ End) https://business.landsend.com/store/clanmaccallummalcolm/ Society members have enjoyed quality products from Lands’ End, Land’s End provides wonderful products with our embroidered crest. Our Society does not make any money from the sales.
Family History/Genealogy: Each month, Neil McCallum receives 3 to 4 inquiries regarding family ancestry. Most inquiries come through our website. Neil forwards many to Pete McCollum who maintains access to the Database. Recently we have had an inquiry from Argentina. We have asked the Chief’s cousin, Neill Malcolm for assistance. Many of our new members this year have come through this program.
DNA Project: Our Project is through Family Tree DNA (280) total members). The most conclusive ancestry test (Male) is the Y Test, (184 Members). Maternal Ancestor Information (127) total members), Family Finder tracks both sides of the family (90 total members). Our project has teamed with the McMillian Society to collaborate the results as it appears our clans are connected in the distant past!
Website: This past year, we switched our internet access provider to “Dream Host”. This was due to price increase from our previous provider and their lack of timely response to a number of issues. Member, Doug McCallum, has donated the first years’ service and serves as our contact with Dream Host. The website is still based on the Word Press platform and changes/updates can be easily made by the leadership team.
7. Unfinished Business: None.
8. New Business: Bonnie Ferneau donated a handmade Tartan Gnome to Tara McCallum to be “present” at future games. Bonnie Ferneau presented a $200 check to the Scholarship fund in recognition for the kindness that they received at the games. Tara announced that the winner of the membership prie for 2020-2021 will be published in the next Argent Castle. She will offer another prize for 2021-2022: Any member that gifts a membership will be entered into a drawing starting July 11, 2021 until the next Annual General Meeting. Gene Miller indicated that he would be gifting a 3-year membership for his son.
9. Comment from the members:
Leslie McCallum acknowledges the accomplishments of her grandfather in establishing the Clan Society as well as her father for continuing the traditions and the spirit of the Society.
Neil McCallum indicated that many of the Family Histories published in the past Argent Castles have been transcribed and put up on the Resource, Family History page of the website.
10. Closing Remarks – President Tara – Next Annual Meeting will be held at the Alma Michigan Games, Memorial Day Weekend 2022

Motion to Adjourn, Bonnie Ferneau, Second Gene Miller. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 EDT.

Clan Store:  Our Society has teamed with Lands’ End  Business Outfitters to provide quality apparel with our name and clan crest.  The cost of adding the embroidered crest logo is only $8.50.  Delivery time is approximately 2 weeks.  Please find a link to the website on the sidebar to the left. A very special “Thank you” goes out to Robert & Ruth De Clute as well as Brown & Righton McCallum for their support of the Clan Store.

Amazon Smile: “Amazon Smile” is a program established by Amazon to support not for profit organizations like us! By purchasing through Amazon Smile, 0.5% of the cost of eligible purchases is rebated to our Society. You shop on “Amazon Smile” just like you would on Amazon! Just go to the “Amazon Smile” link in the sidebar. You will be supporting your Society with every purchase. It does not cost you anything additional.

We thank Amazon for their generosity in supporting our Clan Society Activities.

Purpose of our Clan Society: Clan MacCallum Malcolm has a rich history in America since its establishment by Andrew McCallum at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in 1971.  With its roots in the Carolinas, interest grew and we now have members across the country and Canada.  The goal of this society is best stated within our Incorporation papers, that is:

Objectives of this nonprofit Society shall be:

a.  to promote the preservation and study of Scottish history, culture and heritage;

b. the acquisition, compilation, preservation and distribution of information of historical, cultural and genealogical interest to those of the surname, MacCallum, McCallum, McCollum, Malcolm and its families, regardless of spelling;

c. to provide for the public a forum for discussion groups, lectures, musical programs, entertainment and instruction on our Scottish Cultural Heritage;

d. to cooperate with other Scottish Clan and Celtic organizations that have like interests;

e.  to disseminate information of an advisory and educational nature which will be of value to its members and the general public.

Where can you find us?  Through the volunteer efforts of many conveners, we are represented at Highland Games across the East and the Midwest.  We hope to have representation on the West Coast…Are you interested in helping?  Please see the link to our Calendar of Events.

Scottish Liaisons:  We are very fortunate to have a number of members in Scotland that have agreed to assist in providing relevant information to our leadership and our Newsletter, The Argent Castle 

Clan MacCallum Malcolm Society of Australia and New Zealand.  Over the years, MacCallum and Malcolms have traveled far and wide.  Our Sister Society in Australia and New Zealand is very active and we share information concerning our common history and heritage.

Website:  This website has been established to communicate with the public with regard to our stated purpose.  Please contact the webmaster with regard to any comments or corrections that may be required.  Many thanks to Doug McCallum, Neil McCallum, Fred McCallum Jr., & Shirley Carrier for their efforts in assisting with the development of this website.

History of the Society:  Andrew Burton McCallum  founded the Clan MacCallum/Malcolm Society in 1971 with the guidance and approval of Lt. Colonel George Malcolm of Poltalloch, the 18^th Chief of the name MacCallum and Malcolm.

Not for Profit Corporation: In 2010, our Society became incorporated in the State of Florida and obtained “not for profit” 501 (c) (3) status with the US Internal Revenue Service.