... [CFAFC - don't you just love that palindrome?] is now in its forty-seventh year as a chartered branch of the parent Clan Fraser Association in Scotland. That's a testament to the ties that have bonded us for all these decades. Of course, over the years, we’ve seen our membership numbers both blossom and diminish. Now, as our country slowly turns to a more positive economic outlook, I can be the forever optimist and look forward to a successful year with the Clan.

Of course, in keeping with custom, this Chairman's Message is also your reminder that Clan dues for the year are due and payable. At our last Annual General Meeting in October, we elected to raise the annual dues to $50.00 for families and $30.00 for single members – not really a large amount when you consider what you get in return. The implementation of this dues increase is, however, my prerogative. Therefore, I will temporarily withhold implementation until after our first 2011 Clan gathering at the Round Potrero ranch -- next weekend, February 12^th and 13^th. So, if you're able, come on up to the ranch for the weekend. The long-range weather forecast appears favorable. If you can't make it up, please take advantage of the delay in dues increase and mail your annual dues to our Clan Treasurer, Ginger Stannah-Fraser.

Also, please be reminded that our CFAFC general meetings are routinely held at the Round Potrero ranch on the Sunday of the gathering weekend at 11:00 AM. Please try to be there. The future course of the CFAFC will be the main discussion at our forthcoming meeting. I have three specific issues in mind: 1) We need to set a plan for maintenance needs at the ranch; 2) we need to address the purpose of The Fiery Cross (our irregular quarterly magazine) and publish to our membership a complete, up-to-date roster of the Clan, current By-Laws (which have receive a significant alteration) and Modus Operandi; and, 3) we need to set plans for our annual big gathering and confirm the weekend date for our 50^th CFAFC annual big gathering in 2014.

And don't forget that this coming Sunday, February 13^th, is our Clan Chief's birthday. So, wherever you find yourself on Sunday, please tilt your glass with a Happy 34^th Birthday wish for Simon Fraser, 18^th Baron of Lovat, 25^th Chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat. Happy Birthday Simon!

Also, the weekend following our next Clan gathering, February 19^th and 20^th, is the Queen Mary Scottish Festival in Long Beach, CA. The CFAFC will be manning a Clan table (they don't allow tents in the ship.) So, please consider a trip to the Queen and experience a wee bit o' Scotland. For additional information, please visit their web site at: http://www.queenmary.com/Scottish-Festival.aspx. See you there!

Slainte,
Diolain Fraser
Chairman