The Clan MacLeod Society North American Gathering met at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel in Arlington Heights, Illinois, July 1-5, 2004 with 222 registered members attending.  The “North American Gathering” is held every four years with the United States and Canada alternately hosting the event.  This year’s Gathering, however, could truly be called a “World Gathering.”  Members came from Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Scotland, Germany, UK, and Australia and from almost every state in the United States.  The Presidents of the Clan MacLeod Societies attending were Past President Neil R MacLeod, and newly elected President Ian MacLeod, Canada; Dr. Malcolm Macleod, England; Dr. Ian MacLeod, Australia; Albrecht Karbjuhn, Germany; and William C. MacLeod, United States, as well as many Officers of these Societies.  

The Festivities began with the 50^th Anniversary Dinner at the University Club in Chicago on the evening of July 1, 2004.  The program consisted of a Welcome by William C. MacLeod, President of the Clan MacLeod Society, USA, Inc.  The blessing was given by Dr. Alex C. McLeod who also did MC duties.  Angus J. MacLeod and William F. MacLeod, III offered toasts. This meeting place had special significance, as it was the location of the first formal meeting of the Organizational Committee of the Clan MacLeod Society of America, Inc., on February 19, 1954. N. Douglas MacLeod, Jr. of Rhode Island, the lone surviving member of the original group, spoke about the early efforts to spread the word about the newly formed Clan MacLeod Society in the United States and its growth to its present membership.  It was also a special privilege to hear Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod speak about the history of the Clan MacLeod Society in Scotland, which was formed mainly for social reasons in the 1880s under Chief Norman MacLeod.  He recounted the progress of the Society during the tenure of succeeding Chieftains.  He also spoke of his trip to the United States with his grandmother, Dame Flora, in 1953 that resulted in the formation of the USA Society and the progress since that time.  The Anniversary Dinner was a grand affair and will be fondly remembered by all.

The Opening Ceremony was held on Friday, July 2.  Piper Jack Lewis followed by the Color guard from the Arlington Heights American Legion escorted Chief John and the officers and speakers to the platform.  Bernie MacLeod and Malcolm MacLeod carried the Harris and Lewis Tartans, respectively.   Rev. Dr. James A. McLeod opened the meeting with a prayer.  President William C MacLeod welcomed everyone to the gathering and introduced Chief John, who spoke briefly and expressed his pleasure to be at the meeting. Alistair MacLeod, an award winning Canadian author, gave the Stanley R. MacLeod Memorial Lecture. He was a professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, Ontario, until his recent retirement. His latest book, “No Great Mischief”, has won several awards and has been translated into more than 14 languages.  Alistair. MacLeod was then available for autographing his book after the lecture and throughout the gathering.

There were sessions covering Weaving and Dyeing, story telling, children’s activities and a history of Chicago Scots by Wayne Rethford, President of the Illinois Saint Andrews Society. Workshops included Genealogy Research (USA) by Dixie McCaskill Lewis, Piping Traditions by Norman Livermore, Genealogy Research (UK) by James Ayars, Traditional Dancing by Carol MacCrimmon-Pugliese and USA Clan MacLeod Website by William G. MacLeod.

The Clan MacLeod Society, USA, elected officers for the coming year and they are President, William C. MacLeod; Vice President; John B. MacLeod; Secretary, Anne MacLeod; Newsletter Editor, Jay McClure; Piping/Dancing, Norman P. Livermore; Chaplain, Rev. Dr. James Angus McLeod; Historian, W. Jefferson Bryson, Jr.; Youth, Perry D. Beaton; Recording Secretary/Publicist, Gloria McLeod; Treasurer, Richard A. MacLeod; Migration Director, Dixie McCaskill Lewis; Counsel, John MacLeod Tutterow, Internet Editor, William G. MacLeod; and Dunvegan Foundation, John B. MacLeod. 

The Dunvegan Foundation also met to elect officers and they are Chairman John B. MacLeod; Vice Chairman, John MacLeod Tutterow; Treasurer, James Blount MacLeod; and Secretary, Sarah Piepgrass.

The featured speaker for the Saturday night Banquet was Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod. The USA Nominating Committee represented by Don Mack McLeod, Robert E. MacLeod and John N. MacLeod honored three members, Laura Margaret McLeod of New York City; N. Douglas MacLeod of Riverside, Rhode Island; and Ruth MacLeod of Rhinebeck, NY, for their lifelong dedication to the Society for more than 50 years.  This category of awards will be used in the future for others who achieve this goal. Neil MacLeod, Past President of the Canadian Society, introduced Ian MacLeod, the newly elected President of the Canadian Society.  Neil also gave this year’s Canadian Award to Colin and Beth MacLeod for their outstanding effort through the years.

Gordon Lewis of Aiken, South Carolina earned the Clansperson of the Year award, for his service to the Society not only for this year but also for many years in the past.  Gordon has served as Regional Vice President, Quartermaster and has now taken the new position of RVP Coordinator.  He will coordinate the activities of the various RVPs in an attempt to increase memberships, hold the members that we have and attract young people. 

Don Mack McLeod, former President of the Clan MacLeod Society, USA, presented hand-made leather belts engraved with the MacLeod name to Gordon Lewis, President William C. MacLeod, John N. MacLeod, and Dr. Alex McLeod in appreciation for their service to the Society.

Don Mack McLeod, Chair of this committee, announced the final presentation by the Nominating Committee.  The Presidential Citation for Outstanding Clan Achievements for more than 50 years is a new award category by the USA Society.  Dr. Alex McLeod was the recipient and the committee asked Chief John to personally make the presentation.  Chief John reviewed the multitude of Dr. Alex’s achievements over the years.  It was an outstanding tribute to his efforts for the good of the USA and worldwide Clan Societies.

The final afternoon was free for family activity or attendance at nearby Arlington Race Track where there was a featured “Clan MacLeod Race.”  Chief John presented the trophy to the jockey who won this race. The meeting ended on Sunday evening with a sumptuous barbecue dinner served in huge tent on the hotel grounds and a spectacular fireworks display from the nearby race track. 

The Committee in charge of the entire affair consisted of  Co-Chairmen John N. and Judy MacLeod and the Committee Members - Harry and Coralane Boyes, Gary Gribble, Angus and Elona MacLeod, Jennifer MacLeod, Laurie McLeod, Richard and Cynthia MacLeod, William C. and Irene MacLeod, William G. and Patricia MacLeod, Bernie and Edith McLeod, Robert J. and Sandy McLeod, Deborah McQueen-McLoed, Michael O’Brien and Bonnie Reese.  Thanks go to them for a job well done and super memories.

Gloria McLeod, Publicist
Clan MacLeod Society, USA, Inc.

Gordon Lewis Company Award

Winner's Circle, Clan MacLeod Race