The SCOTTISH COALITION, USA

The American-Scottish Foundation® is a founding member of The Scottish Coalition, USA.

The Scottish Coalition, USA - News

The Scottish Coalition, USA - Events


On December 19, 1991, in response to action initiated by the Clans & Scottish Societies of Canada, the Ontario Legislature passed a resolution proclaiming April 6 as Tartan Day, following the example of other Canadian provinces. America followed suit on March 20, 1998, when Senate Resolution 155 (S. Res.155), proposed by US Senate Republican majority leader, Trent Lott, was passed unanimously.

The Coalition comprises six leading national organizations who share the mission to further interests and common goals throughout the United States through collaboration.  Members are: 

The American-Scottish Foundation®
Scottish Heritage, USA
The Living Legacy of Scotland, Inc.
The Association of Scottish Games and Festivals
Scottish American Military Society
Council of Scottish Clans and Association (COSCA)

The Coalition has been instrumental in setting up a national platform for the Observance of Tartan Day in the US, through the development of a network of State representatives. Over 33 states are represented at this time with the American-Scottish Foundation representing New York State as of January 2012.

In 1998 Alan L. Bain spearheaded the New York City Tartan Day Parade up a side walk in Manhattan, to be followed by the first permitted parade in 1999 in Central Park.

In 1998 The Scottish Coalition saw the Senate Resolution adopted recognizing Tartan Day, leading to Congressional and then Presidential passing of the recognition of Tartan Day Observance on April 6 each year.

In 2002 The American-Scottish Foundation partnered in the formation of the National Tartan Day New York Committee with the St Andrew's Society of the State of New York and the New York Caledonian Club to oversee the Parade's growth and give oversight to the associated events of the week in New York.

In the formative years of 2000-2003, the American-Scottish Foundation also arranged Tartan Day programming in Washington D.C.

THE SCOTTISH COALITION USA (TSC) - TARTAN DAY AWARD

PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO RECOGNIZE  AN 

EXCEPTIONAL SCOTTISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADER -  EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

 

GUIDELINES FOR AWARD BACKGROUND, PROCESS, AND CRITERIA.

 

BACKGROUND 

The Scottish Coalition USA has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining a national platform for the Observance of Tartan Day in the USA - now observed in various ways from San Diego to Charlotte, to Washington DC and New York City.

 

Recognizing the efforts of those that help to sustain and grow the Scottish American Diaspora,  TSC USA is increasing the nomination outreach this year. We are inviting leading Scottish American organizations, organizers of Games and Festivals, leading Clans, and individual National Tartan Day Coordinators (employing the TSC USA Members outreach) to provide a clear path in submitting their nominations.
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TSC USA Member Organizations

American-Scottish Foundation (ASF)
Association of Scottish Games & Festivals (ASGF) 
Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
The Living Legacy of Scotland
Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS)
Scottish Heritage USA (SHUSA)

 

NOMINATION PROCESS : 
A communication is sent from TSC USA to leading Scottish American organizations, organizers of Games and Festivals, leading Clans, and individual National Tartan Day Coordinators, requesting their nominee.  An organization or individual leading the National Tartan Day effort in their area may nominate ONE person per year to the TSC USA Selection Committee. TSC USA will use their existing network to send out call for nominations, with the expectation responses will be used to expand the network.

Nominations are to be submitted by email to thescottishcoalitionUSA@gmail.com

Or with a hard copy by mail to 
The Scottish Coalition USA
864 Lexington Ave, 2nd Floor
New York NY 10065
Tel (929) 499-9025

 

NOMINATIONS TO BE RETURNED FEBRUARY 1ST 

 

NOMINATION CRITERIA
- A citizen of the United States
- Male or Female 
- Member in good standing of Nominating Organization or Individual of standing in the community
- Minimum of 10 years active involvement in project, or projects with nominating organization and others

 

SUBMISSION :
- Nominees Name
- Nominating Organization or Individual - Address, Phone, Email

- Letter outlining in 100 words or less why the Nominee should receive the Tartan Day Award.
- Letter to note Board approval for nomination by organization (if applicable)
- Submitted by President/designated representative of organization or nominating individual

 

Supporting Documents to include press, articles, examples of work undertaken by nominee.  Letters of support from local leaders in the respective community may be included.

 

The Tartan Day Award is awarded annually, and will be awarded in Washington DC on or about April 6th in conjunction with the National Tartan Day Washington DC Reception in celebration of Tartan Day 

 

The Awardee will be invited to attend the reception in Washington DC. accepting the award in person. Travel is at Awardees own expense.  Committee will look to arrange one nights hotel for the awardee in Washington DC.

 

Recipient of the Tartan Day Award will be invited/asked to give remarks at the reception and agree to be noted as recipient of the prestigious award recognizing outstanding dedication to the Scottish American community.

 

Tartan Day Award

As part of the National Tartan Day Washington DC celebration of Tartan Day, The Scottish Coalition, USA presents The National Tartan Day Award. Past recipients are:

2003 - Duncan Bruce
2004 - Ellis MacDonald
2005 - Ethyl Ray
2006 - Duncan MacDonald
2007 - Bob Murdoch
2008 - Sen. Trent Lott
2009 - Royce McNeil
2010 - Dr. Phil Smith
2011 - Barbara Humphrys
2012 - Bill Wallace
2013 - John Flowers
2014 - John Toffy
2015 - Marjorie Warren
2016 - Robert McWilliam
2017 - Anne Robertson Kennedy
2018 - Alan L Bain
2019 - Rev. Douglas F. Kelly PhD
2020 - Bob Creighton
2021 - Gus Noble
2022 - Bub Currie


About National Tartan Day: April 6

(from www.tartanday.org)

Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of this country. However not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998, National Tartan Day of April 6 was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41 which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. The passage of this bill was due to the work of the National Capital Tartan Committee, Inc. and president James Morrison. 

The date of April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was an influence on the American Declaration of Independence. 

Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish-American cultural organizations.