Conveners are the appointed representatives and the faces of our Kerr Clan organization at Highland Games and Celtic events across America. Conveners represent our Clan at games in their States of residence, and oftentimes in adjacent States as well. Become a CLANKERRUS Convener and get involved!
What is a Convener?
Someone who is interested in their Scottish history and in particular their Kerr/Carr background and enjoys attending social events, meeting people, and having a good time at Highland and or Celtic games. A convener is the Clan’s official representative at Highland and or Celtic games in his Location or State.
A Convener Responsibilities?
Convener’s set up Clan Kerr tents at games and greet visitors who stop by, informing them of about the Clan’s purposes and interests. If visitors are not already members and are interested in joining, the convener provides information regarding the benefits of membership and encourages them to join, lists benefits of membership, that it is free, and to fill out a Clan Kerr membership application while at the tent.
What does the Convener need?
Convener’s are responsible to provides the tent on the field, its tables, chairs, and displays and accessories normally required to “dress up” a Clan Kerr tent. This could include coverlets, signs and brochures and information downloadable from various areas of the Clan Kerr website at www.clankerr.org.
What does Clan Kerr provide?
The Clan leadership will help the convener acquire literature, brochures, and ideas for displays for the tent. This would include past newsletters, brochures about CLANKERRUS, membership forms, and depending on availability, from time to time the Clan will also provide one-time layins of tartan materials for table coverings and use in making banners, signs, and brochures.
And the costs involved?
Most highland games charge Clan registration fees (also referred to a Clan Sponsorships) of about $100.00 to $130.00 for a one to two day event. This fee frequently includes a tent, a table, chairs, and two entry tickets along with on-site parking. The costs for these activities are born by the convener. Many conveners find that the cost of sponsoring a clan tent at games is often-times (but not always) not much more than the general admission charge for two at the gate and costs associated with parking at the games site.
A New Clan Tent Convener’s Survival Kit.
Some useful thoughts.
- Learn all you can from the internet and other sources at about Clan Kerr and the Scottish Clan system.
- Download and print out all clan related information and keep it in a three ring binder or on clip boards.
- Assemble an assortment of inexpensive Scottish related gear that you can manage by yourself and store it in one or more large plastic tubs which you can keep in a closet at home in between games.
- Try to look as authentic and Scottish as possible. This will probably be a work in progress and could take a year or two to gather display items of interest for the tent. A lot can be learned by studying other Scottish Clans tents attending games.
- Don’t be shy. Talk to people passing the tent and invite them to sit with you. Ask about their backgrounds. Be willing to listen to what visitors are interested in, and not just your issues. Once a bond has been established everyone enjoys the encounter.
- Be willing to help other neighboring clans with the setting up of their tents and offer to watch their tents if they want to wander around and shop or watch events. This creates goodwill and friends you will meet over the years to come.
If you would like to set up a tent at an upcoming Games, please email the President of Clan Kerr.