The Scottish North America Community Conference (SNACC) will take place in person in New York, and online, over the weekend of December 1st and 2nd in Alexandria, VA. Celebrating its 21st year of this annual conference of leading members of the Scottish American Diaspora, this year the conference will discuss ‘How our history and community, empowers our future’. Through a series of discussions, we hope to help us all address this important issue. Charles, Lord Bruce, will open the conference speaking of The Scottish Clans Heirs Project, the initiative is led by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and headed up Lord Bruce. Ethan MacDonald, Regional Commissioner, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA); Member of Council, Clan Donald Society, USA – and founder, Scottish-American Scouting Association, Kalamazoo, MI (via Zoom) and Cameron Steer, American Scottish Foundation (ASF) Youth Ambassadors and Youth Sports Empowerment coach will be joined by others in opening up this discussion. As we look to bring on our young leaders of tomorrow, we have to recognize their challenges and COSCA and CASSOC leaders, John Bellassai and William Petrie joining the discussion. Rory Hedderly, Head of Business Development (USA) – Entrepreneurial Scotland and Saltire Foundation will join Gus Noble and Stuart Adam, Scottish Connections Fund, to discuss the importance of experience programs helping in developing our Young Ambassadors and through the Scottish university alumni network strengthen the message of Scots in America. The Friday session will conclude with a whisky tasting and reception.
Following the Alexandria Christmas Walk on the Saturday SNACC invites attendees to join for a light buffet, the afternoon session will begin with greetings from:
Chris Thomson – Scottish Gov’t Counselor for the USA & Head Scottish Gov’t Office, UK Embassy, Washington, DC
Congressman Myer, representing Alexandria, VA (a Scottish-American and member of House Scottish Caucus)
Campbell Lord Provost of Dundee
Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, 30th Chief of Clan Hunter
It is one year since the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and a central figure throughout those days and the subsequent Coronation of King Charles III was Dr John Morrow, Lord Lyon, King of Arms. Lyon will share a unique insight into the past year. Stepping back to Scotland and America in the later part of the 18th century. James P. Ambuske, PhD, Professor of History, James Mason University, Fairfax, VA (specializes in Scotland & America, 18th century) will speak of the Scottish experience on the eve of the American Revolution and the loyalist immigration to Canada. We then return to today, to importance of collaboration and a great example of collaboration at work in the Washington Metro Area with: Gregory Haymon, President, St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC
Heather McKenzie Haddock, Co-Chair, Scottish American Women’s Society (SAWS)
Alexandra Duncan, Vice President, Virginia Scottish Games & Festivals Ass’n (VSGA)
James Morrison, Secretary & Past President, National Capital Tartan Day Committee, Inc. (NCTDC)
Camilla Hellman, ASF President will report on upcoming highlights in Scotland 2024 from Dunfermline to Glasgow, to festival highlights and museum plans. The Conference concludes with a mix and mingle reception with light refreshments and cash bar.
Ticket reservations can now be made at: www.scottishleadershipconference.com. For further information email: [email protected] or telephone: 212 729 0127.
Main photo: The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk.