Clan Cunningham International - USA Northeast Region

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Clan Cunningham International
USA Northeast Region

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CLAN CUNNINGHAM GATHERING

A HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Over the weekend of September 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th 2010 more than 40 members of Clan Cunningham and Clan Cunningham International gathered to celebrate their shared heritage. This tri-annual event took place this year at the New Hampshire Highland Games, Loon Mountain, in Lincoln, NH. The NH Highland Games is the largest gathering of Scots and their supporters in New England. More than 40,000 visitors past through the gates at this year’s Games.

Clan Cunningham shared the Clan Village with 69 fellow Scottish Clans and organizations, a record setting number for NH. Cunningham’s traveled from, Scotland, Canada, Maine to California and lots of places in between.

When does a gathering start? On Wednesday the 15^th Steve Cunningham hooked up with Alex Cunningham of Hawick, Scotland to show off the White Mountains and the north country of NH. On Thursday wearing their Cunningham Modern Tartan Kilts Steve and Alex ventured to ice covered summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft.

L to R Alex Cunningham, Steve Cunningham - Summit of Mt. Washington

Later that afternoon at Wildcat Skiing Center, Alex and Steve hooked up with Dr. William and Karen Cunningham of Maine and Margie and Charles Cheatham of North Carolina and the Gathering was on.

On Friday, September 17^th the gates to 35^th New Hampshire Highland Games opened. The weekend was off and running. Throughout the day Cunningham’s from far and near checked in at the Clan Cunningham Hospitality tent located in the Clan Village.

Thank you Sandy and Don Morissette from providing all of the refreshments served throughout the weekend.

Friday night the festivities truly got under way with a Welcoming Reception at Steve and Bonnie Cunningham’s Condo across from the games.

Thank you Dr. Bill for an outstanding job turning a simple Condo into a Great Hall of Cunningham.

Saturday morning broke with great promises for a grand day, no one was disappointed.

At 10:30 Cunninghams never in such numbers at NH gathered for the Clan Parade and the Role Call of the Clans. Twenty Cunninghams dressed in their tartans marched in the Clan Parade while others stood and cheered their fellow clansman. Once again Clan Cunningham was honored by being asked to lead the 2^nd division of Clans onto the field.

The highlight of the Clan parade is the Role Call of the Clan, a chance for the Clans to shout their war cry or other saying. When Cunningham was called voices pierced the air, For Glencairn, Glencairn, Glencairn!

Later on Saturday it was down to business, the General Meeting of Clan Cunningham Internation, held at the Cunninghams Tents. Steve Cunningham welcomed everyone to NH, to the Highland Games and to the General Meeting of Clan Cunningham International, (CCI). Steve than turned the meeting over to David Pickens, President of CCI. David reported on the transition from Clan Cunningham USA to Clan Cunningham International, and what this step means to the Clan and the organization. Steve Cunningham reported on Edinburgh Gathering and Cunningham tour of Clan Cunningham territory.

David than gave the Nominations Committee Report, as well as a report on the mail-in Ballots. Those in attentance certified the election of new officersto lead Clan Cunningham International for the next 3–years. Those elected were Steve Cunningham, Presdient; Sheryl Cunningham, Vice President; Kelly Cunningham, Secretary; Carole Bishop, Historian; Bonnie Cunningham, Newsletter Editor; Pat Paisley, Membership Chairman; Jon Czarowitz, Genealogist; Alex Cunningham, Regional Secretary and Beverly Lueke, Webmaster. Congratulations to those elected to lead the Clan over the next 3-years.

After the election of CCI Officers came the vote on a a new set of Bylaws to governor CCI and The Governing Council of Clan Cunningham International as well as the Organization as a whole. The new Bylaws were ratified unanomusly.

CCI President David Pickens

After the balloting was concluded, Steve Cunningham, the new Presdient of CCI arose, and thanked those present for their vote of support and confidence. He continued reporting Clan Cunningham International is not just an organization in name only. CCI is truly an International organization, he continued that at the first meeting of The Governing Council the elected officer’s will confirm Regional Directors not only in the Regions within the USA but also Regional Directors for Scotland, England, New Zealand, South Africa as well as Ontario, Canada. The meeting was adjourned, to be summoned by the President in 2013.

The Festivities continued Saturday night as the Clan gathered at the Beacon Inn and Resort for its banquet. A sumptuous buffet of Lamb, Roast Beef, Fish and all the fixings greeted those in attendance.

An evening of good food, good friends and good entertainment had been planned, which did not disappoint those present.

The Official Pipe Band of CCI, Colum Cille Pipes & Drums of Cape Cod, Massachusetts preformed several numbers for our guest. Colum Cille wears the Cunningham Tartan Kilt in honor of one of the Band’s initial benefactors, Mr. Harold Cunningham.

The Cunningham entertainment continued as Kendra, the daughter of CCI Regional Director for Ontario, Canada, Nancy Cunningham, treated our guests to several Highland Dances.

The Evening program included the installations of CCI’s new President C. Stevens Cunningham and the other officers of the CCI’s Governing Council.

Several special presentations were made by Dr. William Cunningham on behalf of the Clan. David Pickens was presented a Book and Plaque commenorating his commitment and service to Clan Cunningham and CCI. Carole Bishop was presented a Book for her service to the Clan and Alex Cunningham received a gift commenorating his vist to New England, Alex traveled from Scotland to attend The Gathering.

As the evening drew to a close Charlie Cheatham perfomed Amazing Grace on the bagpipes in honor and in memory of those who are no longer among us.

As everyone prepared to retire for the evening the Clan gathered one last time for a group photo.

This fabulous weekend drew to a close on Sunday as our fellow clansman dispursed to their home. All left with fond memories, new friends and smiles on their faces.

The Clan will next gather in 2013 out on the Westcoast of the United States. All Clan members are encourged to participate in the building of Clan Cunningham International.

Clan Cunningham

Uniting Under Clan Cunningham International

Clan Cunningham is as united today as it has never been before. Thanks to the hard work and unquestionable dedication of David Pickens, Dr. William Cunningham, Jerry Lester, Alex Cunningham, Leslie Kenyon, and Jack Cunningham among a host of other Clan leaders both past and present. Clan Cunningham is poised through its clan organization, Clan Cunningham International, to take us to the next level.

CCI and its predecessor organization, Clan Cunningham USA have laid a solid foundation from which our Clan can reach new and great heights.

Recent Accomplishments:

2010 - C. Stevens (Steve) Cunningham was elected by the membership of CCI to serve a 3-year as its President.

2010 - New Bylaws for Clan Cunningham International ratified unanimously by membership.

2009 - David Pickens and Steve Cunningham were the official representatives for Clan Cunningham at the historic meeting of The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, held at Scottish Parliament Building. This is the first time that The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs invited clans that do not have Chiefs to attend their meeting.

2009 - David Pickens was selected to represent Clan Cunningham at the Royal Reception at Holyrood Castle in Edinburgh. His Royal Highness, Prince Charles received Mr. Pickens and thanked him for representing Clan Cunningham at his reception and at The Gathering. Mr. Pickens was one of only four Americans invited by the Prince to the reception.

Finlaystone

2009 - The Lord Lyon, David Sellers, stopped by the Clan Cunningham Tent in Edinburgh and briefly spoke with Leslie Kenyon, and thanked her for the outstanding job she is doing in trying to locate the rightful Clan Chief for Clan Cunningham. The Lord Lyon also spoke with David Pickens and encouraged David to think globally, to include Cunninghams from outside the United States within a united Clan Cunningham organization.

2009 - More than 60 Clan Cunningham descendents visited the Clan Cunningham Tent, hosted by Clan Cunningham USA at the The Gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland. These visitors represented 8 different countries and 16 States here in the US.

2009 - 40 Clan Cunningham representatives joined the nearly 150 Scottish Clans who marched up the Royal Mile to the Edinburgh Castle. A crowd of nearly 30,000 cheered the members of Clan Cunningham on.

2009 - 20 members toured the home region of Ayrshire Scotland prior to attending The Gathering in Edinburgh. They visited such family sights as Finlaystone Stone, that last home of the Earls of Glencairn. Caprington Castle, the only Castle still owned and occupied by Cunninghams’ and Akit Castle, where the Montgomery feud started. The tour included several Kirks (churches) where leaders for Clan Cunningham worshiped.

Caprington Castle

2009 - A Clan Cunningham dinner was held in Glasgow Scotland. 26 members of Clan Cunningham joined together to eat, toast and celebrate our common heritage.

2009 - To bring unity to Clan Cunningham world-wide the Board of Directors of Clan Cunningham USA in September 2009, voted unanimously to change the organization name to Clan Cunningham International. Just this past month Clan Cunningham had a Clan Cunningham table at a local Scottish gathering in the “Borderland” of Scotland.

2009 - Clan Cunningham International is working very closely with The Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh, Scotland and two members of the Clan who may petition the Lord Lyon to be recognized as the “Head of the Family” the lowlands version of the Highland Clan Chief. (Sir John Montgomery Cuninghame Baronet of Corsehill and William Robert Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore)

2009 -Since returning from the International Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh, Scotland, CCI has experienced a significant growth spurt in the number of new members joining CCI, several of these new members first had to resign their positions in another Clan Cunningham club. We have also had individuals from Scotland and Canada join.

2009 -For the first time in a number of years CCI is fostering the growth of an affiliate organization in Scotland, Clan Cunningham in Scotland. This movement is being spearheaded by Alex Cunningham of Hawick Scotland. Alex is traveling to the states not only to visit relatives but to visit a Scottish Festival to see how CCI runs their extremely successful Clan Cunningham Tents.

Clan Cunningham International
United Worldwide - Together Worldwide
Join our Worldwide Family!

CLAN CUNNINGHAM INTERNATIONAL

Clan Cunningham International: is an international non-profit organization whose prime purpose is to support the Chief/Head of Family (or Clan Commander) of Clan Cunningham in uniting and promoting the clan, by fostering goodwill, understanding, and friendship among Cunninghams worldwide in a spirit of kinship and mutual pride in the clan’s great heritage.

Our Purpose is:

To discover the rightful Head of the Family (Clan Chief) and to incorporate him or her into the life of the Family (Clan) and Clan Cunningham International once The Lord Lyon officially recognizes this individual.

To cultivate a worldwide spirit of kinship among those of the name of Cunningham (including all variant spellings of the surname) and their descendants, Septs and Associated Families.

To conduct and promote such cultural, historical, genealogical and other educational activities, as will provide a greater knowledge of the family, including its Septs and Associated Families from the Districts of Cunninghame and Ayrshire in Scotland, and its language, history, art, literature, music, and traditions.

To share and perpetuate Scottish traditions and to promote friendships and close ties with Cunninghams anywhere in the Scottish Diaspora.

To be responsible for the promotion, the development, and the oversight of Clan Cunningham organizations in the Scottish Diaspora, in order to unite today’s Cunninghams and future generations around the world in a proud, strong, compassionate, and democratic clan that is admired for excellence that will endure.

To be strictly a non-political, non-sectarian, non-stock, and non-profit corporation.

CCI is a dues paying organization ($20) per family. Upon joining Clan Cunningham International you will receive The Clan Cunningham History Book DVD along with a our quarterly newsletter, The Unicorn. Members of CCI are encouraged to use there special gifts and talents to further the cause of Clan Cunningham. Some write for the Clan Newsletter, The Unicorn, others have interest that lie in family genealogy or Clan history while others use their artistic talents creating displays for Clan Tents and other Clan functions. Others enjoy hosting a Clan Cunningham Tent at their local Scottish events. In Clan Cunningham International there is a place for everyone.

CLAN CUNNINGHAM INTERNATIONAL - USA NORTHEAST REGION

Your host:

C. Stevens Cunningham,
President, Clan Cunningham International
28 Fox Hollow Rd. New Fairfield, CT 06812
e-mail: CCUSANE@comcast.net

Photos of Clan Cunningham Activities in the Northeast Region

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