The Scottish North American Community Conference: Connecting Hearts and Minds: The Way Forward, Strengthening our Collective Scottish Heritage.

The Scottish North American Community Conference: Connecting Hearts and Minds: The Way Forward, Strengthening our Collective Scottish Heritage.

The Scottish North American Community Conference (SNACC) will be hosted in Alexandria, VA on December 5th, both online and in person. Now in its 23rd year, this annual conference brings together the Scottish American diaspora community for a collaboration of experience and knowledge.

This year’s theme, “C onnect i n g H eart s and M i nd s: T h e W a y F orward , ” will focus on strengthening our collective Scottish heritage. As the community faces technological and generational change, the conference aims to bring together the Scottish American community as an anchor of shared challenges and experiences, promoting collaboration and mentoring for future generations.

Charles, Lord Bruce, the new Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, will deliver the keynote, offering insights into his plans of strengthening the connection with the Scottish American community.

A panel from The Heirs Project, an initiative of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, will explore the importance of mentoring. The panel will feature John Cochran FSA Scot, Vice President of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA) joined by heirs, The Hon. Alexander Fraser, Master of Saltoun, and Lord Archibald Cochrane.

Young leaders from the Council of Scottish Clans and Association (COSCA),the Scottish American Women’s Society (SAWS) and the Clan Campbell Society NA will discuss their shared experiences as they emphasise the importance of mentoring ‘Scottish Connections’ brings together exciting opportunities open to the Scottish American Community, with Rory Hedderly, Head of Business Development, Saltire Foundation USA, joined by Brian Smith, Trustee of the University of Strathclyde, and Jonathan Jack, NA Opportunities Manager at the University of St. Andrews.

Among the many engaging panels are ‘Women in Scottish Societies, Associations, & Organizations,’ ‘Heritage and Culture as a Tool for Connection,’ and ‘St. Andrews Societies.’

Gus Noble, OBE, President & CEO, Chicago Scots, will introduce The Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish who will highlight the work of Alzheimer Scotland, introducing a later thread of how the Scottish American Community can contribute to a better society with philanthropic engagement. The conference organizations will discuss thechallenges they face in the changing social landscape, giving their valuable insight and knowledge to the community.Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (American Scottish Foundation) will be joined by Gus Noble, OBE (Chicago Scots); John King Bellassai (COSCA); Bob Giles (St. Andrews Society of Detroit); Susan Bryant Thomas (Scottish Heritage USA); and Aliana Shephard (Scottish American Women’s Society),

Together, Leaders and Organizations from across the Scottish American Community, come together in collaboration to share, mentor, and secure the way forward for the future. This educational and inspiring day will be followed by whisky tasting and reception.