EFA vs Clan Ewing in America
David Ewing
First of all, let us be clear about the difference between a Scots Clan and a Surname Interest Society. Clans have their origins in the mists of history, in the pre-feudal sociopolitical organization of Celtic peoples in the several modern-day countries where they lived prior to about a thousand years ago. Clans were based on a single family and the chiefship was strictly hereditary, but people who were not related by blood could join a Clan by pledging allegiance to the Clan Chief. One could be a member of only one Clan, but could (and apparently often did) change Clan affiliations (and oftentimes surnames as well) as power shifted or lands were won or lost. Sometimes, as with Clan Ewen of Otter, all lands were lost and the chiefly line died out--such are described as "broken" Clans. If you want to learn more about Clans, please read Thor Ewing's excellent article at http://thorewing.net/clans/clanorigins/.
Surname Interest Societies are different from Clans. One is born into a Clan and can leave only by formally renouncing allegiance to the Chief. One is not born into a surname interest society, but any person interested in a surname can join, without regard to history or heredity. The leadership of Clans is inherited; the leadership of surname interest societies is elected. Clans are "governed" (if that is the right word) by a Chief; surname interest societies like the EFA are governed by a Board of Directors elected by the members. One can be a member of only one Clan, but one can join as many surname interest societies as they wish. What we do with our society and what we call it is up to us. What officially constitutes Clan Ewen is up to the Lord Lyon in Scotland. Calling ourselves "Clan Ewing in America" will cut absolutely no mustard with the Lord Lyon. Indeed, if we went to Scotland wearing our golf shirts with the Audaciter coat of arms on the breast, the Lord Lyon could legally confiscate the shirts because we have engaged in the unauthorized use of arms that we do not own. Our organization in America is not and has never been a Clan in the eyes of the Lord Lyon. That doesn't mean we cannot call it a Clan if we like. We could call it a loaf of banana nut bread if we like, but it is hard to know why we would want to do that.
This is not to say that there are not many members of Clan Ewen who are also members of the EFA. As far as I know nobody is against this. Nobody is against our members wearing kilts of whatever tartan. Nobody is against our members participating in Scottish games, playing the bagpipes or marching in parades under whatever banner they wish. No one is arguing that there is not or should not be a Clan, or that anyone should not be proud of their membership in whatever Clan they choose.
I must say that I am troubled and surprised by George Ewing's recent posting. George is the immediate past Chancellor of our society, but as he says in his message, he has not been to a gathering since 2006 when I was elected Chancellor. He claims that there was no discussion before the name change and that he does not understand why the name was changed. All I can figure is that not only has he not been attending gatherings where such discussion takes place, he also is not reading the Journal, where the discussion and reasons are fully documented. I invite his attention in particular to the Journal of Clan Ewing issues from August and November 2008, before and after we made the name change.
The highlighted portions of George's message are both passages that I wrote and posted on the website. Thanks to Joe Neff Ewing (who was a founding member of Clan Ewing in America, knew Ellsworth Ewing well and served as Chancellor for six years between Margaret Ewing Fife's death and George's election) for reminding George that Ellsworth did want to limit membership to descendants of William Ewing of Stirling. As it happens, Jill Ewing Spitler has also told me the same thing, and if I had patience for it, I am sure I could go through the correspondence Jim McMichael had with Ellsworth at the time they were organizing Clan Ewing in America and could quote Ellsworth himself. This is not to denigrate Rev. Ellsworth or his work. Our organization would not exist except for his efforts. It turns out that his large genealogy tree showing putative relationships between the families he thought to be descended from William Ewing of Stirling contained so many mistakes that the Board of Clan Ewing voted (over my objections) to withdraw the remaining copies we had for sale and destroy them so as not to perpetuate these errors. This is not to blame or criticize him--all of our genealogies contain errors. My fervent hope is that future genealogists will build on the work we have done and gradually will arrive at a more accurate understanding of our ancestors and their relationships.
Perhaps I should comment about Susan Ewing Wolfe's posting, where she says, "Well since I am 'not in the lineage' as originally proposed, I rather like and enjoy the Ewing Family Association. Not that it makes much difference “WHAT I BELIEVE” but I appreciate the loosening of the reins in membership to all of us who bare the name Ewing, and its variations." Interestingly, Susan's line did not appear on Ellsworth's charts, but the Y-DNA results on her brother conclusively show them to be related to many of the lines that were on Ellsworth's charts. The same thing is true of Margaret Ewing Fife's line. And there are lines on Ellsworth's charts which have had members tested that are not biologically related to the others whatsoever. We are continually finding surprises about who is related to who. Part of the rationale for us choosing to formally constitute ourselves as a surname interest society is to take any arguments based on heredity completely off the table. We want to welcome anyone and everyone who supports our purposes and wants to work and share fellowship with us. We do not require anyone to swear allegiance to a hereditary chief in order to become a member. We are not a Clan, but we welcome members of any Clan to join us, including of course, Clan Ewen and Clan Ewing (if the Lord Lyon decides to give legitimacy to the notion that there even is a Clan Ewing).
David Neal Ewing
Chancellor of the Ewing Family Association
--
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Martin Ewing
Thanks for a clear statement of who we are as the EFA. Here is one vote (from a relatively new member) to confirm the 2008 name change. Either one is a hereditary organization (such as a clan) or not. The Y-DNA project, along with conventional genealogy, shows that our current membership are not all cousins in the strict sense. (But maybe we're all descended from Charlemagne or Genghis Khan?) To become hereditary is not an option now, if it ever was. As you point out, not even Scottish clans are truly hereditary!
Having open membership has the promise of bringing together a more diverse group of Ewings and Ewing friends, including folks who don't have or care to emphasize a "Scotch-Irish" background.
This leads me to ask a clan-related question, which I will place in the other thread, per your dictum
Martin
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Martin Ewing
Branford, Connecticut
martin....@gmail.com
Rick Ewing
“We could call it a loaf of banana nut bread if we like, but it is hard to know why we would want to do that.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahahaaaaaaa……. OK, David!! You owe me a new keyboard!! My old one now contains all of the coffee I just spewed into it while laughing at that particular comment.
Good post!
Ra William
| I still prefer "Clan Ewing in America"! Did not vote for the name change..and would prefer that only a Ewing be a member instead of opening up the membership! RAW --- On Wed, 3/16/11, David Ewing <davide...@gmail.com> wrote: |
|
roger settlemire
To Ewings all:
I would first ask the members to re-read my e-mail of March 12, 2011 regarding the events leading up to the change of name from Clan Ewing in America to Ewing Family Association at the Reunion in September, 2008 in Winchester, VA.
The Value of the Clan Name: I am of the opinion that the former name of our group of Clan Ewing was one of the most valuable assets that we possessed (except our people, of course), since it immediately identified us as a group of Scottish origin. People are fascinated and captivated by the Clans of Scotland, and this leads right into an appreciation of the heritage of Scotland and Scottish Culture (e.g. kilts and Scottish attire, the bagpipes and drums, haggis, clans fighting (e.g. “Braveheart”), Scottish heroes (e.g. William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, etc.), beautiful scenery, the lochs, the Highlands, the Lowlands, the Scottish spirit, an indomitable people, the Scottish brogue (that you can’t understand, but enjoy nevertheless), pubs, Scotch whiskey, Scottish songs, Robert Burns, castles, the traditions, etc., etc.) --- all these images conjured up by one word --- CLAN! CLAN IS A MAGICAL WORD! At the Scottish Games and Gatherings that I mentioned in my previous e-mail, the word CLAN (+ a family name, etc.) draws people to the clan booths like a magnet. Attendees want to find out if their family name (paternal or maternal lines) is among the clan tents, either as a clan or a sept, looking through books of Scottish clan names and brightly colored clan tartans, wanting to know if they are even a “wee bit” Scottish. They hope to find some clue that they are “Scottish” (even 1/16th). The lucky ones finding their name in Scottish clan tents, books of Scottish names, etc., celebrate with joyful outbursts upon finding their name listed. This may be their first exposure to anything Scottish, and often leads to an interest in genealogy. People come back year after year to celebrate their Scottish heritage and culture, and people of all ethnic groups come to join in the celebration of the many bagpipe bands, Scottish entertainers, Scottish dancers, fiddlers, falcons, colorful Scottish kilts and attire, and on and on --- many coming a couple hundred miles or more. There are also many other Scottish events throughout the year, such as the Robert Burns Dinner, and various cultural events.
In today’s world, CLAN gives people a sense of belonging to something good, namely being a “Scot” or Scot wannabee. The non-Scot spouse or significant other is often the most enthusiastic “Scot”. Being Scottish is a wonderful euphoric “state of mind.” We, of Clan Ewing, should celebrate our Scottish heritage at every opportunity --- not water it down by political correctness or being so all-inclusive that there is no commonality at all...
Does it really matter whether someone can trace their ancestry to a bona fide “clan” --- as long as that someone enjoys thinking or believing that he or she may belong to a bona fide clan --- or as long as the people in the group call themselves a “clan”, even though the group does not meet all of the technical requirements of a bona fide Scottish clan? Many people never heard of the Court of Lord Lyon and they do not care whether the Lord Lyon determines that their “clan” is a real clan or not. But we want to be recognized by the Lord Lyon, if possible.
But there are some in our group that want to throw our Scottish identification away by changing the name.
Ironically, someone unilaterally decided that “clan” was a “bad word” and took action to change the name to “Ewing Family Association”. It tells us nothing. It is nondescript. It is a total BLAH. Nobody cares. Moreover, the name “Ewing family Association” is inaccurate and a total misnomer.
To add insult to injury, we find that “the family” we supposedly belong to --- the present name of our group --- is not a real family. It’s a fake! We Ewings do not come from one family (kinship). We come from a number of different Ewing families. For example, to my knowledge, the only Ewing in our group that I was related to was the late Jim McMichael. Jim died recently, so now I am not related to anybody in the Ewing Family Association that I know of. But Jim McMichaels wrote a book on one Ewing family line and my great-grandparents are in that book --- so I know that I am a Ewing. Isn’t it better to start out with the name Clan Ewing, having a Ewing ancestor, and knowing that a clan is a group of people that have the same last name in their respective lineages, and may or may not be related, knowing that they could be descended from tenants or servants? More honest.
Insufficient notice to Members of Change of Name: To be more specific --- and I was hoping I would not have to get into this --- let’s take a closer look at the events leading up to the 2008 Reunion. Let’s look at this from the standpoint of one of the rank-and-file members of Clan Ewing. You receive the August 2008 edition of the Clan Ewing Journal. You may have had time to look through the Journal, or you may not have had time and you put it aside and never got back to it. You may have glanced at the Table of Contents consisting of two pages. There is nothing to indicate that a possible change of name would be discussed or changed at the Reunion. You may have seen the Echoes of the Shenandoah section of the T of C, setting forth some highlights of the Reunion the very next month (September) in Winchester, VA. But it does not include anything about a possible change of name. Maybe you read most of the Journal (or maybe just the first part). Maybe you read the entire Journal and you finally come to page 63, and you see Future Directions two-thirds of the way down on the page. You may or may not read that small article. But say that some of you did. The first paragraph, consisting of one sentence stated, “We should think and discuss future directions for Clan Ewing at Echoes of the Shenandoah.” The second paragraph points out that Clan Ewing does not have any African-American members, and that this might be because we call ourselves ‘Clan Ewing’, and for some this evokes the unsavory memory of a very difference sort of ‘Klan.’…. “Should we think about renaming Clan Ewing as the Ewing Family Association or something like that?” The third paragraph discusses the possibilities of reaching out to Ewings in other countries, etc. In the fourth and last paragraph, David states that he does not have any strong feelings; as to the specific form of wider coordination, etc.
If any of the members got to page 63, you would probably believe that the thinking about and discussion would be the “start”, perhaps referring it for future study, etc. I certainly did not think that the subject would be brought up at the end of a long evening of dinner and clogging performance at about 9:00 o’clock or later, and voted upon right then and there.
As I mentioned, the name of our group as “Clan Ewing” was our group’s most valuable asset. To me, this important matter should have been in the Table of Contents in bold letters and should have been a HEADLINER ARTICLE at least a year in advance, with an opportunity for full discussion in succeeding issues. --- Instead it was buried on page 63 almost as a footnote under “Future Directions,” which tells us nothing. (This may have been unintentional, but, nevertheless, the change of name issue was “hidden” on the back pages and the effect was the same).
As I remember, the meeting agenda that was handed out with other materials at the registration desk did not contain any mention that a change of name would be discussed or voted upon. I happened (accidentally) to read the Further Directions section, but, when I did not see the “change of name” on the agenda, I thought that the idea had been abandoned or postponed.
The Meeting: The business meeting did not start until well into the evening, and David went though some formalities. It was getting late, and I thought that the next matter would be to adjourn the meeting and we could all retire after a long day and evening. Instead, David brought up the “change of name” subject. He bought up the lack of African-American members in the group and some other matters. Joe Neff Ewing made an emphatic mini-speech that Jim McEwen of the Clan Ewen Society (in Scotland?) was so incensed that we presumed to call ourselves a Clan, etc. [But who was Jim McEwen and why should we care if he was so incensed?]. One member dressed in kilts (sorry, I forgot his name) asked that the matter “be tabled”. At this point, David seemed to get very emotional and stated in no uncertain terms that the matter should be decided right then and there. In my opinion, tension was “in the air” and people felt “intimidated” into silence, made to feel guilty that we were using the word “Clan” that might have negative connotations by connection with “Klan.” (Note: The word “Clan” has been used for a couple thousand years in Scotland, and is used all over North America at Scottish Games). As I pointed out in my e-mail of March 11th, 2011, many African-Americans attend Scottish Games and do not seem to associate Scottish Clans with the KKK. Someone made the motion to change the name and it was seconded, the vote was called for, and most of the attendees meekly raised their hands in favor of the name change. I doubt that many members had advance notice and many others did not have time to think it through. I was so outraged by the lack of sufficient notice and the “blow-you-away” tactics that I could not speak. (From the thread of e-mail responses lately, it appears that a number of other members did not know that a change of name was an agenda item or was going to be voted upon that night. They did not like the manner in which such an important matter was handled).
Conclusion: The name of a group is often its most valuable asset, and, a change in name should not be made without full notice and full discussion, preferably a year in advance of the vote. In our case, the name was changed with very little notice to the entire membership and without time to reflect on the consequences, and without a secret ballot. In fact, it seemed rammed through. While it has been said that the By-laws do not require any notice of change of name or be on the agenda, does that make it OK? If you do not read every Journal from cover to cover and cannot attend every Reunion meeting, you find out the next month the name of your organization has been changed? Wha’ Happened??? The only fair-minded manner of taking such an important step is to make sure that the membership has plenty of advanced notice and a full discussion, and a secret ballot to all members, whether they were able to attend the Reunion or not..
It is pretty obvious by now that our group is a clan and not a family. The Board should “make this right” by starting to take the necessary steps to change the name back to CLAN EWING --- a name that instantly identifies us as a group of Scottish origin. As Thor Ewing mentioned in his e-mail of March 17th, “the word ‘clan’ is actually a real selling point which appeals directly to people’s sense of their Scottish history.” (If our group of Clan Ewing wants to “reach out” to Ewings in other countries, I would not have any objection to omitting “in America”).
Personal criticism of Members “speaking out” against change of name: One more thing. In his e-mail of March 15, 2011, former Chancellor George William Ewing spoke out about the lack of advance notice for the change of name at the September 2008 Reunion, stating, among other things, that, “I have no idea who proposed the change [of name] or why.” In David’s responsive e-mail of March 16th, David wrote, “I must say that I am troubled and surprised by George Ewing’s recent posting. George is the immediate past Chancellor of our society, but as he says in his message, he has not been to a gathering since 2006 when I was elected Chancellor.” David then goes on to say that George has not been attending the gatherings where such discussions take place, and he has not been reading the Journal, referring to the August and November 2008 Clan Ewing Journal.
This is a perfect illustration to prove my point that the general membership did not have sufficient advance notice of such an important matter as a change of name of their organization with an 11th hour vote of only those present, many of whom may not have understood the future consequences of such a vote.. I have pointed out above the many reasons why the August 2008 issue did not give sufficient advance notice --- primarily that it was tucked away under “Future Directions” on page 63. The discussion in the November 2008 issue is irrelevant to the “advance notice” issue because it came after the name was changed at the September meeting --- “after the deed was done.” So George Ewing made a perfectly legitimate statement (but contrary to David’s view).
George Ewing has been one of the outstanding members of Clan Ewing for many years, making huge contributions in time and effort to the furtherance of Clan Ewing, and served as Chancellor. We do not know why George did not attend the last couple of Reunions, but he obviously maintained his strong interests in Clan Ewing. I consider George Ewing to be one of the finest men I have met. He is reasonable and honest. The Chancellor should not have made a personal criticism by trying to “put him down” with words such as “troubled and surprised”, had not attended a gathering since 2006, and not knowing why the name was changed, etc., apparently so that George’s opinion wouldn’t be given any weight. George was merely expressing what many members have said or have been thinking --- that many people in our group have no idea why the name was changed from a word that meant so much (“Clan”) to a misnomer (“Family”). .Such a personal criticism by the Chancellor about a member could be intimidating and have a “chilling effect” on other members thinking about taking part in expressing their honest opinions in what should be free and open discussion...
Slainte
Roger Settlemire
patric...@comcast.net
Martin Ewing
Thanks for your comment on the name. I am used to arguing as a Devil's Advocate around here. (It goes with the name Ewing, I think.) So in my view the current "EFA" as a "surname interest society" is a bit shy of the mark. It is clear enough to me, when attending a Ewing gathering (I've been to two), that the spirit is clearly one of a large family ("clan" if you will). That is so, whether or not we are related genetically, or hopefully whether or not we have any longings for Scotland. For many of us, an American story of Ewing ancestry is all we have for sure.
The family feeling may be harder to pick up in our emails or the EFA Journal, but it still is there behind it all. So, I prefer the new name, but the family/clan aspect needs to be kept in mind, too.
Martin
I think the new name better reflects the purpose of the website at least as to the content provided. If I were starting to research the Ewing name I would be more receptive to joining EFA as the name seems to imply a place to find out more about the Ewing family whereas Clan Ewing of America is questionable as to it’s purpose. I guess I think of the website as primarily promoting Ewing genealogy research, not Clan specific business. Btw – I first became aware of the website from another member when it was Clan Ewing and didn’t have any say or vote in the name change.Patrick Ewing
roger settlemire
To Ewings all,
Some of you have contacted me directly expressing their dismay and anger for the manner of the change of name from Clan Ewing to Ewing Family Association, without sufficient notice and to a name that means nothing..
Anyone wishing to express their opinion “confidentially,” please contact me at my personal e-mail below. I will keep it confidential.
Slainte,
Roger Settlemire
From:
ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Martin Ewing
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 10:33
AM
To: patric...@comcast.net
Cc:
ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ewing-assn] EFA vs
Clan Ewing in America
Hello, Patrick,
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David Ewing
Indeed, I encourage those of you who think that the name should be changed back to Clan Ewing in America or some other alternative to put this on the agenda for the next gathering, which will be held in Gallia County, Ohio, in 2012--probably in September if the organizers choose to follow the precedent that has been set in the past. Our Board Chair Wally Ewing is in charge of setting up the organizing committee. Beth Ewing Toscos is the EFA secretary and will be happy to include any agenda items for the general membership meeting that you might wish to suggest. On second thought, you do not need to do this, because I will personally see to it that this issue is included in the agenda.
What is more, I encourage Roger and whomever else has an opinion on the matter to write up their thoughts for publication in the Ewing Family Journal. This EFA email list reaches about 150 interested people, not all of whom are members of the EFA. Many members of the EFA do not use email and will only know your thoughts if they appear in the Journal. I do not know how to reach interested members who receive but do not read the Journal.
David Neal Ewing
roger settlemire
To David and Ewings all,
SECRET MAIL-IN BALLOTS FOR VOTE ON EWING NAME
David has suggested that the name of our Ewing group (Clan Ewing vs EFA) be placed on the agenda and voted upon at the 2012 Reunion at Gallia, Ohio.
I would propose that we go even further and have “a secret mail-in ballot” for name change (Clan Ewing vs. EFA), similar to “absentee voting procedures.” This will allow a vote of all members, whether they are in attendance or not. We should remember that a number of our members cannot attend the gatherings due to health, expense, other commitments, or other reasons, but maintain their interest in our Ewing group. The voting process should be completed well before the gathering in Gallia.
I agree that articles submitted to the Ewing Family Journal will be helpful. Further, a “pro and con” statement sheet could be enclosed in the envelope with the ballots, so that everyone will be well informed before they mark their ballots.
I have a passionate interest in our Scottish name “Clan Ewing” (of a couple of decades up to 2008), and I believe that a majority of the members agree that Clan Ewing should be our name given a free choice. To facilitate a “secret mail-in ballot”, so that all of our people may participate, I will donate $200.00 to our Ewing group to help defray the cost of stamps and postage.
Roger
GEOE...@aol.com
Perhaps Roger has an idea which could very well settle this without waiting until the next gathering. If not a ballot at least take a poll with someone impartial receiving the returns.
Some possibilities could be:
Revert to Clan Ewing in America
Remain Ewing Family Association
Restore Clan Ewing, omitting “In America”.
Change to Clan Ewing Association
Any which way we should get on with the fine work of our own group, sharing our heritage and helping those searching for theirs.
We know our roots go back to Scotland and most of us by way of Ulster. If we were Lowlanders or from somewhere else, whether our ancestors were Gaelic-speaking or spoke English, wore kilts or not, it’s not significant, we are all proud of our ancestors and pleased to be Ewings
A family made up of cousins and for most of us in America, in no need of a Chief. Leave that to our cousins in the old country.
Hope others look favorably on Roger’s proposal, get it done and go on with the fine work and friendship of our group.
Audaciter (Proudly)
George Wm. Ewing
David Ewing
http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/index_About.html#bylaws
Any action we take must be in accordance with the bylaws. If we want to do things in way that is not provided for in the bylaws, then we must first change the bylaws in the way that is prescribed in the bylaws. I have not re-studied the bylaws after receiving Roger's suggestion, but I do not recall any provision in the present bylaws that would allow for a "secret mail-in ballot." If I am mistaken in this, please draw my attention to the appropriate section.
David Neal Ewing
Joen...@aol.com
3500 West Chester Pike CH-103
Newtown Square, PA 19073-4101
(610) 356-1651
joen...@aol.com
Martin Ewing
A change of name does not seem to be an urgent (time critical) matter for the Association. The name change was made about 2 1/2 years ago. Some of the criticism now has been about the supposedly hasty decision at the 2008 Winchester meeting. So let's take our time now.
Any member with a proposal has a right to pursue it in a constructive spirit.
While the e-mail discussion has been lively, it is not the primary way to arrive at a sense of the membership. There is no perfect way to do this, but I suggest that a debate in the pages of the Journal would be a good next step.
In my opinion, the question is whether, after hearing all sides of the question, a substantial part of the membership wants to revisit the Association naming issue. If so, it should be on the agenda at our next membership meeting, which will be (I assume) at the 2012 gathering in Ohio.
Now, a less neutral comment on governance! I have just read the by-laws using the link David provided. They seem to say that any properly scheduled membership meeting with a quorum of 20 members can do anything legal that it wants, including totally revamping the by-laws, changing the name, or whatever. It requires as few as 11 votes. That seems like a low hurdle for making a "fundamental" decision, however you would define that term. Possible improvements come to mind. For example, fundamental decisions could require approval at two successive meetings before becoming effective.
Regards to all,
Martin
Thor Ewing
David Ewing
As Martin pointed out, there is no real time urgency regarding the name of the Ewing Family Association, as no final decision will be made about that until the General Membership Meeting at the gathering in Ohio in September 2012, so if you cannot make your contribution in time for publication in the May issue, you can still get it into any of the subsequent five issues that will appear before then (Aug & Nov 2011, and Feb, May & Aug 2012).
On the other hand, the Board will need to come to a decision about the issue of whether the EFA should take a position in the Court of the Lord Lyon regarding a Chief for Clan Ewen sooner than that. I am sending another message to this list in the Chief for Clan Ewen thread about that--but it will basically say that the May 2011 issue of the Ewing Family Journal will be the last opportunity before the Board's decision to comment about that in a way accessible to all members of the EFA.
David Neal Ewing
Chancellor of the Ewing Family Association and proud member of Clan Ewing.
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roger settlemire
To Ewings all,
(Note: Opps! Please disregard my earlier e-mail of this date,
As I inadvertently hit the send button before erasing
parts of drafts that are no longer applicable
since the provisions for Amending the By-Laws was
not followed at the September 20th, 2008 meeting and the
action taken was illegal and null and void).
The action taken at the meeting of September 20th, 2008 to change the name from “Clan Ewing in America”
to the “Ewing Family Association”did NOT comply with the By-law for Amendment of the By-Laws
and was ILLEGAL AND NULL AND VOID
THEREFORE, OUR OFFICIAL NAME REMAINS “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA”
In my March 30th e-mail, I proposed that the issue of our Ewing group name (Clan Ewing vs. EFA thread) be put to a vote by secret mail-in ballot, so that all of our members could vote, including all of those that could not attend a meeting at a Gathering due to health, expense, prior commitments, or other reason, and so that no member would be made to feel guilty or intimidated at the meeting.
I received several e-mails telling me that this was not possible as we all have to abide by the By-Laws, etc. Presumably, according to these people, it would be permissible to amend the By-laws to change the name of “Clan Ewing in America” without complying with the provisions of the By-Laws --- but it is argued that our By-laws would not allow a vote on a amendment of the By-laws to change our Ewing name by a secret mail-in ballot with the opportunity of all our members to vote, whether being able to attend the meeting or not I submit that this is ridiculous.
I do not know why the By-Laws were written as they were (and, I doubt that anyone, other than the person drafting the By-Law), even read them before they were passed.
As Martin Ewing points out (his e-mail of 3/31/11), by our By-laws, as presently written, it would be “hypothetically” possible to amend the By-Laws (including changing the name of our group to something else) by as few as eleven (11) votes as long as there was a quorum of twenty (20) members actually present at the meeting.
Now, let’s see what actually happened to see if the By-Laws were complied with in an attempt to amend the By-Laws to change the name of our Ewing group from “Clan Ewing in America” ---the name of our Ewing group for about two decades --- to the “Ewing Family Association” at the meeting of members at Uniontown on September 20th, 2008 as the matter was taken up, after a long evening of dinner, clogging performance, the election of officers, etc., and most of us thought that the meeting would be adjourned, so that we could retire for the evening.
- Giving “so-called notice” in a vague way in the most hidden and obscure place (e.g. page 63 under “New Directions” of the 79- page August 2008 issue of Clan Ewing Journal, so no chance for a written rebuttal). Certainly, this falls far short of giving adequate notice to the members required by the By-Laws.
- Not giving any advance notice that a vote would be taken at the meeting.
- Not putting the proposed amendment of the By-laws for change of name on the Agenda.
- Not even mentioning at any time or any place that this would be for an amendment of the By-Laws.
- NOW FOR A LITTLE SURPRISE --- the next item of “new business” will be the change of our name from “Clan Ewing in America” to some other name, without any mention of amendment of the By-Laws.
- The “putting down” of any member trying to say anything in opposition --- made to feel guilty and intimidated.
- Calling for an immediate vote by show of hands (no postponement or tabling allowed even though called upon by Dave Purtil, the man in kilts) for the name change, and the name was changed (even though many of the members did not know what the arguments against the name change and the consequences would be).
- No secret ballot, of course.
- (While not presently required by the By-Laws, as written, it is doubtful that a majority of all of our Ewing group members, whether present or not at the 2008 meeting, would have voted for an amendment of the By-Laws to change the name from “Clan Ewing in America” to something else).
Prior to the meeting of September 20th, 2008, our By-Laws read, in part, as follows:
ARTICLE I, Section 1.1.provides as follows:
Section 1.1. “Name: The name of this organization shall be Clan Ewing in America.”
The first part of ARTICLE X, Section 10.1 provides as follows:
Section 10.1. Amendments. “These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority of the votes which all members present are entitled to cast at any regular or special meeting duly convened after notice to the members of that purpose…[emphasis added]
At some time after the meeting (now posted on our website), Article I, Section 1.1. was changed to read: “The name of this organization shall be Ewing family Association.” In addition, the By-Laws were changed throughout to read “EFA”.
Since the name of our group prior to the meeting OF September 20th, 2008, as set forth in the By-Laws was “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA” and there was no notice whatsoever that there would be a vote to amend the By-Laws to change the name from “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA” to “Ewing Family Association,” the vote to change the name to “Ewing Family Association” was ILLEGAL and NULL AND VOID. Moreover, there was no mention at any time, whether in the August 2008 Journal, the Agenda, or during the meeting, or taking of a vote, that the By-laws would be amended. REMEMBER, WE ALL HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE BY-LAWS.
THE OFFICIAL NAME OF OUR EWING GROUP REMAINS “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA”
The By-Laws, the website, the letterhead, and everything else must immediately be changed back to reflect our official name of “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA”.
Further, the By-Laws, as written, need a lot of work. I request that the AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS be placed on the Agenda and voted upon before any amendment for change of name to “Ewing Family Association” or any other name --- the official name remaining “CLAN EWING OF AMERICA”. The Amendments of the By-Laws should include adequate provisions for advance notice to all members, whether present or not, of any proposed action, the amount of time that must be given for such advance notice, the specifying all matters on which a vote will be taken, the placing of all matters on the Agenda on which a vote will be taken at the meeting, and, most importantly, a plebiscite” of all members, whether present or not, by secret mail-in ballot for any change of name and other amendments of the By-Laws. The mailing of ballots to all members should contain a statement of the arguments in favor of the change and arguments opposing the change.
Since the official name of our Ewing group remains “CLAN EWING IN AMERICA”, it appears that there is no necessity of submitting arguments to the Journal by June 19th, unless David or someone else proposes an Amendment to the By-laws to change the name to “Ewing Family Association”some other name.
Roger Settlemire
David P. Ewing
great deal what the organization is called but want it to continue to
provide a serious forum for genealogical research and history of the
Ewings. I do not believe it is a clan or a fraternal order. I would
vote against expending another minute of anyone's time to change the
name back to Clan Ewing.
On Apr 11, 12:17 am, "roger settlemire" <rsettlem...@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> 2008 issue of Clan Ewing Journal, so no chance for a written rebuttal).
> Certainly, this falls far short of giving adequate notice to the members
> required by the By-Laws.
> meeting.
> * Not putting the proposed amendment of the By-laws for change of name
> on the Agenda.
> * Not even mentioning at any time or any place that this would be for
> without any mention of amendment of the By-Laws.
> for the name change, and the name was changed (even though many of the
> members did not know what the arguments against the name change and the
> consequences would be).
> * (While not presently required by the By-Laws, as written, it is
> or not at the 2008 meeting, would have voted for an amendment of the By-Laws
> to change the name from "Clan Ewing in America" to something else).
>
> Prior to the meeting of September 20th, 2008, our By-Laws read, in part, as
> follows:
>
> ARTICLE I, Section 1.1.provides as follows:
>
> Section 1.1. "Name: The name of this organization shall be
> Clan Ewing in America."
>
> The first part of ARTICLE X, Section 10.1 provides as follows:
>
> Section 10.1. Amendments. "These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or
> repealed by a majority of the votes which all members present are entitled
> to cast at any regular or special meeting duly convened after notice to the
>
> _____
> From: ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of David Ewing
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 1:55 PM
> To: roger settlemire
> Cc: ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [ewing-assn] EFA vs Clan Ewing in America
>
> The EFA is governed by a set of bylaws, which are available on the website
> Any action we take must be in accordance with the bylaws. If we want to do
> things in way that is not provided for in the bylaws, then we must first
> change the bylaws in the way that is prescribed in the bylaws. I have not
> re-studied the bylaws after receiving Roger's suggestion, but I do not
> recall any provision in the present bylaws that would allow for a "secret
> mail-in ballot." If I am mistaken in this, please draw my attention to the
> appropriate section.
>
> David Neal Ewing
>
> On Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 9:55 PM, roger settlemire
>
>
> To David and Ewings all,
>
> SECRET MAIL-IN BALLOTS FOR VOTE ON EWING NAME
>
> David has suggested that the name of our Ewing group (Clan Ewing vs EFA) be
> placed on the agenda and voted upon at the 2012 Reunion at Gallia, Ohio.
>
> I would propose that we go even further and have "a secret mail-in ballot"
> for name change (Clan Ewing vs. EFA), similar to "absentee voting
> procedures." This will allow a vote of all members, whether they are in
> attendance or not. We should remember that a number of our members cannot
> attend the gatherings due to health, expense, other commitments, or other
> reasons, but maintain their interest in our Ewing group. The voting process
> should be completed well before the gathering in Gallia.
>
> I agree that articles submitted to the Ewing Family Journal will be helpful.
> Further, a "pro and con" statement sheet could be enclosed in the envelope
> with the ballots, so that everyone will be well informed before they mark
> their ballots.
>
> I have a passionate interest in our Scottish name "Clan Ewing" (of a couple
> of decades up to 2008), and I believe that a majority of the members agree
> that Clan Ewing should be our name given a free choice. To facilitate a
> "secret mail-in ballot", so that all of our people may participate, I will
> donate $200.00 to our Ewing group to help defray the cost of stamps and
> postage.
>
> Roger
>
> _____
>
> [mailto:ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of David Ewing
> Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:26 PM
> To: roger settlemire
> Cc: Martin Ewing; patrick-ew...@comcast.net;
> ewingfamily...@googlegroups.com
>
> Subject: Re: [ewing-assn] EFA vs Clan Ewing in America
>
> Though certainly anyone who wishes to do so may have a confidential
> discussion, I see no reason for that as regards this matter. There is no
>
> read more »
Chuck & Judy Ewing
W EWING
Great, four each, lets make it democratic, get as many members to give their vote. Come on all you yanks with a bit of good old scottish blood in you. Vote for a clan.
I honestly think these abstainers and opposers must be sassenach English.
|
Gfl...@aol.com
Gail Ewin Fairfield
Anny Ewing
William Riddle
Folks,
First, let me sincerely apologize to those on the list who couldn't care less about the Ewing Family Association (EFA) changing its name. If you're one of these listees, please just delete this message.
I've been monitoring the name-change conversation (as well as the Clan Chief conversation). For numerous reasons I've stayed silent. But with the recent move to keeping a tally it looks to me like we've started to vote, and I feel I have get involved, cast my 'nay' vote and explain my reasoning. My first two reasons are based on my feelings about the nature and purposes of the EFA and how its name should reflect this. My third reason reflects the impact a name-change would have on the time I spend on maintaining the EFA website and publishing the Ewing Family Journal.
Please count me solidly in the KEEP NAME AS IS column. For one, I don't feel even a miniscule need to belong to a Clan. I belong to a dozen-plus groups and support each much more extensively than just by paying dues. I belong to the EFA, and support its activities monetarily and with volunteered work, because of my genealogical interests rather than my genetic coding or the need to indicate my heritage or the strength of my interests by pledging an allegiance. I have no interest in belonging to a clan and supporting it activities.
For two, I think the purposes of the EFA go way beyond the notion of a clan. The EFA exists for none (ok, hardly any) of the reasons that clans used to or currently exist. The organization's purposes (www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/index_About.html) don't, to me, reflect any of the reasons for a clan. Some people have obviously joined the EFA because they wish to belong to a clan even though the EFA's purposes don't come very close to reflecting a clan's purposes. But, I believe that many people belong to the EFA because they understand the organization's purposes, are interested in Ewing or related families, and would not be interested in swearing allegiance to a Ewing clan (as they might feel they have to in order to join, no matter how much or how well we 'spin' who's welcome to join and the commitments they are making by joining). To me, the name 'Ewing Family Association' quite adequately, and excellently, indicates the nature and purposes of the organization as originally written and evolved over the years by the membership-at-large.
For three, changing our name would have an incredible impact on my EFA work and, as a result, the quality and value of the Journal. The 2008 name change led to approximately 50 hours of website-related work which I was able to spread out over two calendar months, working overtime in the extreme, when I could, for several weeks during this period. Even so, I often find places where I missed changing the name; the name-change decision continues to 'make work' for me.
For various reasons, I predict – I think accurately – that a name change would, this time, take two-to-three times the 2008 amount of website-related work. Unlike back in 2008, David and Martin are now helping me maintain the website. If we divvy up the work, and I give my part my exclusive attention, my 35-to-50 hours of name-change website work could be the proverbial '90-percent done' in about a month. But that would consume all the time I have for my EFA work for this period and severely impact the quality and value of at least one issue of the Journal. If I work on the Journal in parallel to working on the website and try to preserve at least some of the Journal's quality and value, my website name-change work would have to be spread out over five-to-seven months.
Other volunteers would, I believe suffer analogous impacts. I leave it to them to estimate and indicate the impact on their work. And there are numerous small-but-collectively-significant expenses. I leave it to another time to estimate them (if needed).
Further affecting my decision is that it takes quite a while for the Internet to forget about 'old' organizations and links to their (defunct and unmaintained) websites. I predict it would take ages – literally rather than just figuratively – for the Internet world to truly recognize us under some new name. Googling "ClanEwing.org" returns in excess of 400,000 items, not all that big a reduction from when, two years ago, we operated under the Clan Ewing in America name. Googling "EwingFamilyAssociation.org" returns in excess of 800,000 items. To be blunt, all of us (as well as our descendants) will be dead and buried well before these links disappear. One can predict that the apocalypse will happen before these links disappear no matter how far out our religious beliefs and/or scientific knowledge predict a catastrophic end to the world as we know it! More seriously, the Internet already severely polluted with just two names out there and this diminishes our effect with so many broken links populating the Internet. The pollution and effect of having three names out there makes me wonder if we wouldn't be essentially destroying our value to the genealogical world at large.
The bottom line to me is that changing the name is a very serious matter that I feel must be made with full consideration of the impact on the functioning and value of the organization. The name-change conversation to this point hasn't reflected any of the 'hidden costs', and I've tried to partially correct that by explaining the impact on my EFA-related work and the pollution of the Internet with broken links.
I am totally opposed to spending 35-to-50 of my EFA hours (let alone 100-to-150 hours total – 5%-plus of a work year – by David, Martin and I) unless a name change is important to a significant portion of the membership-at-large. Let's say that 'significant portion' means that at least half of the membership vote 'yea' rather than 'nay' or 'don't care'. That would be 135-or-so members voting for a name change.
Slightly differently ... Should a name change be approved, the prioritization of my resulting Journal- and website-related work will match the priority indicated by the membership-as-a-whole's 'yea' vote. If the name is changed because x% of the membership-at-large say 'yea', then doing the name change-related website work will receive x% of my attention. So far, four people have voted 'yea'. That's 1.5% of the current 265-plus-or-minus-a-couple individual members (i.e., not counting library and genealogy organization memberships). If that – heaven forbid! – leads to a name change, and if I can continue to work about a-third-time on behalf of the EFA, my name change-related website work would be finished in three-and-a-half-to-five years. If 135 members – 50% – vote 'yea', I could get my name change-related website work done in one-and-a-half-to-two months with the Journal's value being reduced to a bare minimum for at least one issue.
Cheers ... Bill
--
theo...@cox.net
Robert Ewing
Anny Ewing
Patrick Ewing
8-7 in favor of no change. This is an informal poll as some votes here may not count toward an actual vote, should it occur.
KEEP NAME AS IS – EWING FAMILY ASSOCIATION
Chuck & Judy Ewing
David Neal Ewing
Patrick A. Ewing
Martin Ewing
Anny Ewing
William Riddle
Robert Ewing
Janet Ewing Deaton
CHANGE NAME BACK TO CLAN EWING IN AMERICA
William (Bill) Ewing of Scotland
Jeannette Swisher Buckley
Roger Settlemire
Ra Ewing
George Ewing decended from William Ewing of Sterling, Scotland
John Mathew Ewing
Dick Ewing Childs
Gfl...@aol.com
Gail Ewin Fairfield
Linda Ziemann
Linda Ewin Ziemann
On 4/14/11 4:36 PM, "Gfl...@aol.com" <Gfl...@aol.com> wrote:
W EWING
I demand a recount, they are coming in thick and fast for the Clan; the opposition are even panicking? some inuendo about between the lines giving up working with the group, shame on you. Come on you abstainers the group will not die if you vote for Clan.
Give it a Yes vote for a good old Scots Wahay up yere kilt "Ewing Clan"
William Ewing |
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Linda Ziemann
I want to vote to KEEP it as Ewing Family Association.
Linda Ewin Ziemann
l_e...@juno.com
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