From the Desk of the President.

I am honored to have been re-elected President at the Annual Meeting on November 12th. The annual meeting was well attended and an enjoyable evening was had by all those in attendance.

The slate of officers and commissioners were also re-elected, however we are in need of commissioners for the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. If you or anyone you know would wish to become a commissioner for those provinces, please contact me the President.

2011 has proved to be another successful year, with the firm establishment and recognition of the, Clan MacKenzie Society of Canada. Also the launch of the Society website and clan identity as found on the website, magazine and the new clan brochure. We have received many favorable comments about all of these.

We also saw a 18% increase in membership and I wish to thank all of the commissioners and members who helped make this possible, through their own personal efforts or attendance at highland games.

CLAN MAGAZINE ‘Cabar Feidh”

We are very fortunate to have our own excellent clan publication and magazine, edited by Alan McKenzie, which is now in full colour.

We are at any and all times prepared to publish items submitted by your our members, this may include family history/occasions and photographs. Also clan history, highland games or provincial events.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

We also welcome and will include any news or items submitted by the Clan MacKenzie in other countries.

REPORT BY GRAEME MACKENZIE Chairman Clan Mackenzie Scotland and the UK

A copy of this report and a response by our Chief, the Earl of Cromartie is to be found elsewhere in this issue of the magazine.

In July this year Graeme Mackenzie, visited Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in the USA to meet with Leading American Mackenzies to have discussions about proposed Clan MacKenzie international projects.

This is a lengthy report and requires much consideration. We as a Society have not responded to the report, we thought the report should be viewed by you our members, asking for views and thoughts on the report.

The one part that we are presently in favor of is the change to the date of the next Clan MacKenzie Gathering to the year 2014, so as to coincide with the Year of the Homecoming. I myself had proposed this, as it gives visitors to Scotland much more to do and see in one year and cuts costs in travel. I also proposed that the number of days for the Clan gathering be shortened to 3 to 4 days, with much of the event around Friday/ Saturday/Sunday.

I have my own thoughts on this report, which I will not go into at this time, however the one thing that initially concerns me are some of the costs involved.

If you would like to please forward your thoughts and comments to me at.

dmjrmac@sympatico.ca or

Norman MacKenzie CD
#102-2559 Bloor Street West,
Toronto. On. M6S 1S2

CLAN WEBSITE and CLAN MERCHANDIZE

Visit the clan website to see all of the items that are available.

NEW CLAN DECAL

Recently acquired are 6 inch clan decals. These are excellent for the back of all cars and vehicles and other uses, such as mailboxes and bookbinders etc. Has a removable backing and adheres easily.

“SHOW THE CLAN FLAG” GET YOUR DECAL NOW.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

We would once again ask for your assistance in obtaining names and addresses for MacKenzie/McKenzie living in your city/town/area. Street or rural address is sufficient; we will obtain postal code if required. It does not require a lengthy list; just a few names would help.

CALENDAR AND EVENT PLANNER

Included in the December issue of the Clan Magazine is your copy of the Clan MacKenzie Society of Canada, Calendar and Event Planner.

ANNUAL DRUM MAJOR WORKSHOP

I will be conducting the Annual Drum Major Workshop over Easter Weekend in Victoria BC. Information on the workshop can be found at the Canmore Highland Games Website. If you know of anyone who maybe interested. Have them contact myself or visit the Canmore Highland Games website.

To you and yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and all the very best in 2012.

Norman MacKenzie CD
President Clan MacKenzie Society of Canada.