There is a very good chance that a new chapter may soon be forming in South Carolina – a state we have long hoped to see developed.

Even though I am not formally announcing this outside the Southern Region, I feel it is important for all of you in our area to know that a meeting is to be held in Charleston around mid-January. At that time, Bob and Maryann Williamson, who will become Co-Conveners of the new group, hope to finalize the organization and sign up enough members to get the effort off the ground. I hope that any of you who live in South Carolina or who know of Camerons or those with Cameron sept surnames in that state will urge them to get in touch with Maryann and Bob, so they learn meeting details and plan to attend. If the organization effort is successful, the new chapter will be formed under the guidance and sponsorship of the Stone Mountain Branch.

Maryann and Bob’s contact information is: email - maryabobsc113@aol.com; telephone: (843)-235-8918; home address: 113 Fairway Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 79585. They have attended several games over the past 2-3 years and believe the time is right, so I hope you will all support and wish them well as they begin this new Cameron chapter.

I am often asked how one goes about starting a new group and if there is any help “out there?” The short answer is “absolutely!” The longer answer is still positive. However, we have learned over the past 8-10 years that an effort such as this can be destined for failure, if it is not done according to a plan. Under the careful leadership of Commissioner Don Cameron, the Regional Presidents have spent many hours discussing how this must and must not be done and how to establish the chances of success. There is also a white paper called “How To Start A Chapter of Clan Cameron” available to anyone who wishes to read or download it from www.clan-cameron.org that contains detailed information on how to do this.

The main thing to remember is that every chapter must be formed under the guidance of an existing branch and – long before that point is reached – anyone interested must contact his or her Regional President. The example being set in South Carolina is a good one because the Williamson’s have taken their time and done their homework, both visiting and studying the games held in their state, and kept both me and the current leadership of the Stone Mountain Branch involved and informed. It’s not an effort to be taken quickly or lightly but is one that will very likely plug that South Carolina “hole” in the Southern Region for the future.

Cerise Cameron Blair,
President Southern Region,
Clan Cameron U.S.