THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (SSO)
2017 Annual General Meeting
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Annual Report from Directors and Event Planners
Table of Contents
Director Reports
1.
2.
Membership Director Report .......................................................................................... 1
Marketing & Communications Director Report ........................................................... 3
Event Reports
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2016 – 2017 Events and Activities Summary ............................................................... 10
Hogmanay ...................................................................................................................... 11
Sir John A. Great Canadian Kilt Skate ……….………................................................... 14
Robbie Burns Dinner .................................................................................................... 15
Scotch Whisky Bars/Tastings ........................................................................................ 16
Director Reports
1.
Membership Coordinator Report, Elizabeth MacLeod
Executive Summary
Responsibilities include maintenance and recording of the SSO mailing list, membership
information and member volunteer experience and/or interests.
The SSO’s regular membership list has grown by approximately 15% from April 2016 to April
2017. In April 2016 we had 566 regular members and as of April 2016, we have 614 general
members. In 2016-17, we had 85 VIP members, whose membership expired at the end of
April 2017. We currently have 11 family and individual VIP members for 2017-18.
Membership Email Report (May 10, 2016 to April 30, 2017)
Date
Title
Subject
May
10/16
Jul
22/16
Aug
25/16
May
Newsletter
SSO July
Newsletter
Scottish
Heritage Day
SSO May Newsletter
Total
Successful Open
Recipients Deliveries
Rate
564
563
46.89%
SSO July Newsletter
575
567
50.97%
Scottish Heritage Day
622
605
46.45%
Page | 1
Oct
2016 Hogman11/16 eh! Festival
Volunteer
Sign-up
Oct
SSO Tutored
21/16 Whisky
Tasting Nov 27
2016
Oct
Reminder to
26/16 submit
Volunteer
Application
Forms
Hogman-eh
2016
Oct
WHISKY
30/16 TASTING Nov
27th 2016
TICKET
SALES
POSTER
Nov
Hogmanay
2/16
2016 - 2nd call
out to potential
volunteers
Hogman-eh! Festival 2016 We're
Building Our Volunteer Team for
New Year's Eve FUN!
605
599
50.75%
SSO Tutored Whisky Tasting Nov
27 2016
600
597
45.39%
Don't miss out! ... 3 days left to
volunteer for Ottawa's best New
Year's Eve festival ... We need
you!
597
595
45.71%
ON SALE NOW - Whisky Tasting
Nov 27th - Limited tickets
available - Call Milestones
Lansdowne for
tickets/registration.
596
594
38.22%
You still have time! Join the best
598
New Year's Eve Festival in
Ottawa ... Volunteer by November
16th.
596
38.42%
Nov
Advance
18/16 Notice to Gen
Membership of
Sale VIP
Tickets
Hogman-eh!
2016
Dec
Announcement
10/16 Barra
MacNeils
Dec
SSO Email
24/16 Reminder for
Christmas Eve
2016
Advance Notice - VIP Tickets go
on sale to the public, Sunday,
Nov 20, 2016
603
602
41.20%
Hogman-eh! with The Barra
MacNeils, two ways to celebrate
New Year's Eve with us!
Reminder: Hogman-eh! FREE
with The Barra MacNeils, two
ways to celebrate New Year's
Eve with us! VIP Experience
Tickets make a great gift ...
SSO eNewsletter - Dec 2016
605
602
47.67%
609
606
45.21%
607
606
47.69%
Rabbie Burns Supper - Limited
Tickets On Sale Now
614
610
46.23%
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry
Presentation & Tour - Gathering
of the Scots!
607
606
46.20%
Dec
SSO
28/16 eNewsletter
Dec 28 2016
Jan
Rabbie Burns
7/17
Supper Email
to General
Membership
for Jan7_2017
Jan
Scottish
16/17 Diaspora
Tapestry
2
Presentation &
Tour - Jan 222017 General
Membership
Jan
Brunch and
24/17 Kilt Skate
Reminder
Jan
Brunch and
26/17 Kilt Skate
Reminder
Apr
April 2017 12/17 Spring Scottish
Breakfast &
AGM, call for
volunteers
2.
Kilt Skate Update & How to
reserve a pre-Kilt Skate brunch
spot at Malone's Lakeside Grill
UPDATE: NEW LOCATION KILT SKATE AT LANSDOWNE
PARK SKATING COURT
Executive Director's Message,
Spring Scottish Breakfast & AGM,
VIP Membership
614
612
41.50%
616
615
41.30%
612
608
44.74%
Marketing & Communications Director Report, Communications and Marketing
Director Report, Sue Tolusso & Sue MacGregor
Website Summary, Charlie Inglis
Executive Summary
Events assisted (since 2016 AGM):
1. Perth Kilt Run – 25 June 2016 - SSO booth in Stewart Park, Perth, Ontario
2. Glengarry Highland Games – 29 - 30 July 2016 - SSO booth in the Clans Building;
event in Maxville, Ontario
3. Scottish Society of Ottawa day with The Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, August 25,
2016, Lansdowne Park; SSO ticket section in south-side stands, Frank Clair Stadium,
Ottawa.
4. Tutored whisky tasting at Milestone’s Restaurant, TD Place (Lansdowne Park area) in
the Glebe, Ottawa – November - organized and hosted by Emmett Hossack, SSO
board member.
5. Hogman-eh! 2016 – 31 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 - Main venue, Aberdeen
Pavilion, Lansdowne Park (TD Place); Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibit preview in the
Horticulture Building, adjacent to the Pavilion
6. Scottish Month in Ottawa–January 2017, declared by Mayor Jim Watson at
Hogmanay:
a. Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibit, SSO sponsored the final destination of
the North American tour in Ottawa. It debuted December 31 at Hogman-eh!, the
New Year’s Eve celebration – Scottish Style, at a pre-exhibit in the Horticulture
Building. The full exhibit was on display at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public
Library from January 3-25, 2017 as part of Scottish Month in Ottawa. There was
also an SSO sponsored talk on 22 January.
b. Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate, 28 January 2017, Lansdowne Park,
skating rink beyond the Aberdeen Pavilion; sponsored by the Scottish
Government; SSO comms team also coordinated tandem events in Toronto,
Calgary, Saskatoon and Montreal (and Lloydminster?) on various dates in
January.
c. Burns Supper –28 January 2017, Heart and Crown pub, Byward Market,
Ottawa.
Communications & Marketing – Sue MacGregor
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Sue MacGregor developed an integrated communications and marketing strategy in the fall of
2016 for the remainder of 2016–2017 to streamline messaging and attract more people to
attend events and to volunteer. The focus was to position Hogman-eh! 2016 as launch event for
Scottish Month in Ottawa – January 2017 and to encourage revelers to move from Parliament
Hill to Lansdowne in time for the New Year.
The Comms team developed a dynamic marketing strategy with the slogan “Hogman-eh! New
Year’s Eve Scottish Style!” We promoted the event on bus ads, bus shelters on Parliament Hill
and on a large poster on the end of Sparks Street. We hired Postering Ottawa to put posters
up along Elgin Street, Bank Street North and South and in venues along these key corridors.
Besides the posters, we added table-top cards with Hogman-eh! up front and Scottish month
events on the back. We also worked with The Running Room to include tabletop cards in the
Runner’s kits on New Year’s Eve. A paid Facebook ad increased interest in the event. Of
course, we also kept SSO members well informed: as a result, the VIP tickets for Hogman-eh!
sold out well in advance of the event even with a price increase.
Media efforts included placing articles for key local community newspapers. News releases and
event advisories went out and media links went on the website. There were several radio and
TV interviews and we have a list of them all in our appendix, if anyone wants it to help plan next
year’s event.
The SSO also hired a professional photographer and videographer to shoot during Hogman-eh!
A resulting collection of photos is now on our Facebook page and the promo video will go up on
our new YouTube page shortly.
A professional MC was also engaged for the event which greatly helped to keep the flow of the
evening going. Bill Welychka also used his personal media connections and position to promote
the event.
Facebook, Twitter – Sue Tolusso, Heather Theoret & Dave Masson
The SSO’s Facebook presence was fun, colourful, informative and culturally vibrant throughout
2016, beginning the year in the warm after-glow of a successful Hogmanay event at the
Aberdeen Pavillion, Lansdowne Park. We received many thanks and congratulations and began
thinking about the next one, and plans to ring in Canada 150. Our following on both FB and
Twitter grew this past year as did visits to our FB page. We have nearly reached 2,000 “LIKES”
on our page!
In terms of our social media support, the statistics say it’s 60% women and about 40% men.
While our fans are mainly from Canada, we have an international following, including 100
comments and posts from the U-K, almost as many from the U-S…and even people from the
United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Italy, Turkey, France, India, Germany and Slovenia!
Throughout January, FB was the place for promotions and information about a month’s-long
celebration. On FB and Twitter, too, thanks to many SSO Tweeters, we welcomed the return of
Sir John A.’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate and spread the word about partner events in other
Canadian cities. At the Kilt Skate, the Saltire Cross flew atop Skater-in-Chief Don Cummer’s
hockey stick as he led the skate on the rink behind the Aberdeen Pavillion. On Facebook and
Twitter, we attracted a happy crowd to salute Canada’s first Prime Minister’s Scottish roots. We
served birthday cake and hot chocolate…and were grateful to have a descendant of fellow
Scotsman and Father of Confederation Alexander Mackenzie join us. Once again, Mayor Jim
Watson proclaimed Sir John A. Macdonald Day in Ottawa.
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And shortly after Kilt Skate, we partied in the heart of the Byward Market at our Rabbie Burns
Supper. Stories and laughter rang out through the evening—and more than a few wee drams
could be seen morphing into empty tumblers. Once again, live Tweeting was afoot and, thanks
to the images and promotions on the Facebook page, the SSO had attracted a sell-out crowd.
Footage of the SSO Burns dinner figured prominently on the CTV news.
Facebook remained a centre of the SSO’s social media presence all year, alerting everyone to
our favourite cultural haunts, places where we’d have a booth. Twitter returned before and
during events, with much Tweeting and followers increasing along the way. FB advertised that
the SSO would be at the Perth Kilt Run in June and the Glengarry Highland Games in August.
And in September, the planning got underway with a concerted push towards Hogmanay #5
(HOGMAN-EH!) and Canada 150. The 2016 event was complemented by the arrival of The
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, hosted in Ottawa by the SSO and formally launched on New Year’s
Eve at the Horticultural Pavillion at Lansdowne Park.
The SSO also set up an Instagram Account OttScott and YouTube channel but both are in
their infancy. Facebook Live was used for the first time during Hogman-eh! and the fireworks
post got a lot of views and shares.
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Website: Charlie Inglis
The Scottish Society of Ottawa website was originally designed and set up in 2011 and was
stored on an American server using WordPress software. It was tweaked a bit over the following
five-year period with several people contributing data to the system but nothing significant. The
website was also “owned” by someone who was not a member of the SSO.
We transferred ownership of the OttScot.ca website to the SSO and transferred it to a Canadian
supplier late in 2016; that was a very helpful move, but our membership data is still stored in the
U.S. on the Mail Chimp system.
Once the system was transferred, Webmaster Charlie Inglis chose a new WordPress template,
allowing for additional built-in presentation features. Charlie did some Web development work,
installing coding on top of the template to make the system more user friendly for all platforms,
including smart phones. And he added several WordPress widgets to boost our options to jazz
up the visual presentation.
Now the big news in cross-branding our marketing tools: The Comms team decided the original
Web domain “thescottishsocietyofottawa.com”, while descriptive, was too long—took up too
much space on advertising material. We decided to extend the catchy little phrase “OttScot”
through the creation of an alias domain. We bought “Ottscot.ca” and visitors can find it with the
full, formal URL and by little OttScot.ca.
At the same time, the Society’s email addresses migrated to the ottscot.ca domain.
Development work continues on a back-end membership system that will automatically update
the Mail Chimp mailing lists. All of which will simplify the life of the membership director. The
communications team also updated the content and helped reorganize some of the pages for
improved continuity.
Our intern Michelle Beaupre was keen to learn and get involved in the communications as well.
She was instrumental in getting most of the event calendar listings as well as engaging the MC
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for the event. She assisted in keeping Facebook updated and was responsible for the Eventbrite
process for the VIP tickets.
Kilt Skate 2017 – Don Cummer
The Scottish Government sponsored the Kilt Skate events across Canada and the SSO was
responsible for overseeing coordination of the Ottawa event as well as supporting the other Kilt
Skate cities. There was symbiosis between kiltskate.com and ottscot.ca which worked very
well. In January, visits to kiltskate.com spiked to 4,313 views by 1,798 visitors – many of whom
came from ottscot.ca.
The SSO through Sue Mac and John Theoret did a terrific job designing and managing posters
and table-toppers that were used by all six kilt skates across the country.
For media placement and follow-up, the other kilt skate partners used the services of a Madison
Avenue public relations agency provided through the Scottish Government – and next year SSO
should consider doing the same.
In Ottawa, the kilt skate will be going into its fourth year and is no longer seen as the novelty it
once was. In 2017, the first skate of the year (Montreal) gained national media. The other
skates had local media.
Some discussion needs to take place about burdening SSO with responsibility for organizing
and providing communications for a national skate. It taxes our resources. Is there a way to
organize the national skate independently of SSO so that SSO focuses only on its local event?
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibit
SSO sponsored its final destination of the North American tour in Ottawa. It made its debut
December 31 at Hogman-eh!, the New Year’s Eve celebration – at a pre-exhibit in the
Horticulture Building. The full exhibit was on display at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public
Library from January 3rd to 25th, 2017, as part of Scottish Month in Ottawa. On 22 January, the
SSO sponsored a talk about the Tapestry.
News releases and event advisories attracted some media interest and an interview. The exhibit
was listed in online event calendars and we wrote articles for community papers. A poster went
up across public library branches and was sent to City Councillors. Tweets, Facebook posts and
website notices and emails to SSO members also promoted the event. While attendance was
good and SSO volunteers staffed the information table throughout, pick-up in the Scottish
community was lacklustre. However, the SSO’s sponsored talk January 22 had a great
response.
Outcomes:
We made great strides in addressing certain issues–improving the website, engaging more
people in communications efforts and allocating funds to market Hogmanay.
There were a great many more volunteers for Hogaman-eh! 2016 and Kilt Skate 2017. But
Hogmanay could not compete with better-funded Canada150 events at City Hall and Parliament
Hill. Attendance during the first few hours focussed on families and was at capacity. But on a
very stormy and cold night, even the popular Barra MacNeils couldn’t bring in the big crowds for
the second wave of the evening.
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Communications efforts far exceeded those in 2014 and 2015, with a sub-committee in place
and volunteers contributing Facebook posts and Tweets, writing articles and news releases,
handling graphic design and marketing and updating the website.
SSO participation and community support for Scottish Day at the Fury had limited success
again this year. Plans for Scottish Day at the Senator’s Game was cancelled due to lack of
interest and volunteer support.
Challenges
Given that there will be competing events on New Year’s Eve 2017 as well, the SSO should
carefully consider putting money and effort into another Hogmanay event.
Opportunities:
The current SSO board is changing after five years. It’s the moment for a new board and
volunteers to review the SSO’s mandate and choose the events it will hold. This is also an
opportunity to expand our reach by finding a French spokesperson (and we may have one at
the ready) and acquiring the ability to easily write and/or translate communiques and articles
into French.
Recommendations:
2016-2017 was a very busy year. The communications sub-committee worked very well as a
team but more volunteers are needed to spread the workload. While progress was made, the
SSO needs to find a way to attract comms volunteers that will help out throughout the year and
remain loyal supporters on the team. Obviously, the most help is required for Hogmanay and
Kilt Skate.
Finally, but very importantly, new volunteers need to step up and take the SSO into the future.
Building on past success and adding their own energy and ideas will benefit the entire
community.
Addendum: Media Hogman-eh! 2016
Marketing materials:
Poster
Table topper
Bus ad
Bus shelter and Sparks Street sign Ad
Pop up banner
Sponsor list signage
Facebook ad
News Release
Community Articles
Blog article
Social Media campaign on Facebook and Twitter
Direct push to be included in online and print based event calendars
Hogman-eh! 2016 – Media Coverage
Specific post thanking Celebrate Ontario for sponsorship:
https://www.thescottishsocietyofottawa.com/blog/
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Paid Advertising/Marketing
Postering Ottawa – first push posters outside and inside completed, along with table toppers,
second blast for outdoor Dec. 27th
Bus campaign – Up and running
Bus shelters and Sparks Street poster – up week of 12.10
Running Room included table toppers in their registration kits
Posters also sent to 33 branches of the Ottawa Public Library
Facebook ad last week of December
Earned Advertising/articles
News Release – English release went out 12.16.16, French release 12.28.16
Follow-up News Release – 12.28.16
Blogs:
http://www.resortsandlodges.com/travelblog/b/hogman-eh/
http://www.kiltskate.com/blog/2016/12/4/st-andrews-at-sir-john-as-house
Community Newspapers:
http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2016/12/17/hogman-eh-new-years-eve-scottish-style/
http://www.oldottawasouth.ca/oscar/oscar-features/3562-bring-in-the-new-year-scottish-style
http://www.glebereport.ca/2016/12/come-to-the-new-years-party/
http://barramacneils.com/2016/12/new-years-eve-scottish-style/
http://www.what2doineh32.info/eh32/html/show_news.asp?newsid=5670
http://intheglebe.ca/event/hogman-eh-new-years-eve-scottish-style/
http://www.glebereport.ca/2017/01/hogman-eh-new-years-eve-2016-aberdeen-pavilionlansdowne/
http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=20412
Radio
John Ivison’s Interview: 1310 Talk Radio Mark Sutcliffe, December 21, 2016
TV
Bill Wylechka – will be talking about Hogman-eh! week of Dec. 28th
The link to Hogman-eh 2016 interview on CTV with Bobby Watt:
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1024697&binId=1.1164511&playlistPageNum=1
Bill Wylechka’s post-Hogmanay summary: https://youtu.be/nK2vJ7VQxyI
Event Calendar Listings:
VIP Experience Promotion:
http://www.thespec.com/events/7021033--hogman-eh-festival-new-year-s-eve/
http://ottawa.eventful.com/events/hogmaneh-festival-new-years-eve-2016-vip-experie-/E0-001098139066-7
Hogman-eh! / New Year’s Eve in Ottawa 2016
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/free-nye-family-events-1.3883651
www.Elocalpost.com
http://www.todocanada.ca/new-years-eve-ottawa/
https://www.ottawatourism.ca/ottawa-insider/ring-in-the-new-year-ottawa-style/
9
http://www.newyearsevelive.net/cities/ottawa.html
http://ottawastart.com/events/hogman-eh-at-lansdowne-park/
http://www.prestoungrange.org/gothenburg/html/news/show_news.asp?newsid=5670
http://www.glebereport.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/GR_December-2016_web.pdf
http://ottawastart.com/events/categories/festivals-2/
http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/events/7021033--hogman-eh-festival-new-year-s-eve/
http://apt613.ca/event/hogman-eh-new-years-eve-scottish-style/
https://www.scottishbanner.com/event/hogman-eh-new-years-eve-2016/
http://charitywishlist.ca/event/td-hogman-eh-festival-2016-new-years-eve-ottawa/
http://www.oldottawasouth.ca/events/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2016/12/31/2018//hogman-eh
http://ottawastart.com/events/hogman-eh-at-lansdowne-park/
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-lovell-ritual-january-15th-live-ottawa-all-ages-tickets20024739535
https://ontarioculinary.com/event/a-family-friendly-hogmanay-celebration-ottawa/
https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada--smiths-falls/festivals/
http://ottawacapitalregion.macaronikid.com/calendar/2016/12/31/
http://www.tysonchen.com/shows
https://www.ro.connect.facebook.com/CBCMusic/#
http://www.todocanada.ca/new-years-eve-ottawa/
http://ottawa.eventful.com/events/maker-faire-ottawa-2016-/E0-001-096415840-8@2016101610
http://www.fm96.ca/events/71679
Events
2016-2017 Events and Activities Summary (May 2016 – April 2017)
Key themes considered included events, fundraising, engagement, visibility, sports, and culture.
Date
April 30, 2016
June 25, 2016
August 5-6, 2016
August 28, 2016
December 1, 2016
November 27, 2016
December 31, 2016
January 20, 2017
December 31, 2016,
Jan. 4 – 25, 2017
Event / Activity
2016 Spring Scottish Breakfast and Third AGM
Heart and Crown Pub, Byward Market
SSO booth, Perth Kilt Run, Stewart Park, Perth,
Ontario
SSO booth, Clans Tent
Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville
Scottish Day with the Ottawa Fury
Proceeds for SSO: $62
Private Pre-Hogmanay Reception hosted by His
Excellency Howard Drake, British High
Commissioner, Earnscliffe.
Tutored Whisky Tasting at Milestones, Lansdowne
Park Proceeds for SSO: $~1100
Fiftth Annual Hogman-eh!
Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park
Robbie Burns Dinner
Heart and Crown, Byward Market
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibition
Outreach
34 guests
12 new
members
63 new
members
20 attendees
61 registered
guests
~65 registrants
~7000 guests
~100 guests
1444 visitors
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January 28, 2017
May 6, 2017
Sir John A.s Great Canadian Kilt Skate
National event in Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg,
Saskatoon and Calgary
Ottawa: Skating Court, Lansdowne Park, including Sir
John A. Macdonald Day proclamation presentation by
Mayor Jim Watson, attended by the Honourable
Catherine McKenna, P.C. Minister of Environment
and Climate Change and Minister Yasir Naqvi, MPP,
2017 Third Annual Spring Scottish Breakfast and Fifth
AGM, Heart and Crown Pub, Byward Market
Ottawa: ~75
skaters and
brave Scots
37 registrants
Event Planning Group (EPG) Lead Reports
1.
TD Hogman-eh! 2016, December 31, 2016
Richard Fleming to share details at the AGM
Event Summary
Thursday, December 31, 2016 5:00 p.m. to midnight
Aberdeen Pavilion, Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park
2.
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, December 31, 2016 and January 4 to 25, 2017
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibit
Report for Annual General Meeting - May 6, 2017
Heather Theoret
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry - a project involving communities around the world in celebration of
Scottish heritage and culture, the people and places which connect Scotland to its global
diasporas.
Scots have migrated all over the world and have often had a profound impact on the areas
where they settled. This project brings together stories from more than such communities,
documenting their Scottish connections in more than 300 embroidered panels. It is a remarkable
and heart-felt homage to the determination, courage and achievement of Scottish migrants and
their descendants across the centuries.
The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry is the creation of Prestoungrange Arts Festival in Prestonpans,
supported by Barons Courts of Prestoungrange & Dolphinstoun, hundreds of stitchers and
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Scotophiles globally, CreativeScotland, the Scottish Government’s Diaspora Division,
VisitScotland, EventScotland, University of the West of Scotland, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Copyright rests with Prestoungrange Arts Festival.
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Partners
SSO EXHIBIT TIMELINE
December 31, 2016 – January 25, 2017
Exhibit History
The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry project is intended to create an enduring tribute to the Scottish
Diaspora. The tapestry, which is likely to measure at least 90 metres when fully-assembled,
continues to be displayed long after Scotland’s Homecoming 2014, both in Scotland and abroad.
Because it is designed in sections, exhibits can be flexible, and can be separated or display in
different locations simultaneously.
The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry had its first word premiere in Scotland in May-June 2014 at
Prestonpans Community Centre during PRESTONPANS – Three Harbours Arts Festival. It
continued to tour Scotland through 2014, moving to Norway, Netherlands, Italy, France,
Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and toured North American Tour, including major Canadian
cities such as Victoria, Winnipeg, Toronto, Charlottetown, New Glasgow, and Montreal through
2016.
Eventually, the aim is for the Diaspora Tapestry to join the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry at a
purpose-built venue in Prestonpans, but until then, it will tour the UK and the countries which
helped in its creation. It will continue to educate audiences and promote Scottish heritage for
many years to come.
Venue
After exploring various options for the exhibit, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) main branch,
located downtown at 120 Metcalfe (https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/main) was decided
as the best option considering location, accessibility, display area, security and community
support. OPL Chief Executive Officer, Danielle McDonald, Division Manager, Branch
Operations, Cathy Seamans and Tony Westenbroek, Program Manager, Public Services, Main
Branch were all extremely supportive, and incorporated the diaspora tapestry exhibit into library
programming and promotions through the month of January 2017. The OPL’s Ottawa2017
celebrations included a January theme of music and dance, and tied in Canadian-Scottish
heritage fiction and non-fiction publications, including poetry, particularly around Burns Day.
Library staff, including an exhibitions coordinator and a historian / genealogist were available to
offer support.
Tour Director Accommodation
Accommodation for the Tour Director was “en famille” with volunteer Maria Stewart-Lefebvre
hosting Jenny Bruce from December 30th to January 13th, after which Elizabeth MacLeod was
able to secure accommodate at a friend’s downtown vacant condo until January 28th. Both were
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within walking distance to the tapestry venue.
Outreach and Promotions
The British High Commission in Ottawa, leaders of pipe bands, highland and country dancer
groups, Scottish rugby, the British Isles Geneology group, local Highland games organizers, and
embroidery and stitching groups were contacted personally by Heather Theoret.
Promotions included posters, bookmarks, table-talkers, SSO member emails and social media
promotions.
Success and Outcomes
Based on daily log sheets and schedules, following are the statistics on the Scottish Diaspora
Tapestry.







1444 visitors attended the exhibit including walk through and talk&tour attendees
300+ in-library volunteer hours were logged by 12 volunteers, plus 40 volunteer planning
hours
8 organized talks and tours took place at the library including the Scottish Society of
Ottawa, the British Monarchist League Ottawa Branch and several hosted by the library
Two presentations of stitching and weaving took place on site by the Ottawa Stitchers
and Weavers as a result of outreach to the stitchers and weavers communities
Four media hits including Ottawa Family Living from early January
(http://www.ottawafamilyliving.com/see-the-scottish-diaspora-tapestry-exhibit-at-opl/),
your W1310 News radio interview with Carole Ann Meehan (January 4), Centretown
Buzz article (January 13), Metro News Top 5 Things to Do in the City (January 20
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/01/20/five-things-to-do-in-ottawa-thisweekend.html).
The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry website was receiving 4000 visits a week while the
exhibit was in Ottawa.
$630.00 in donations and $1694.00 in sales (books, CDs, catalogues) were collected
with proceeds supporting the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry
Sponsor:
Tartan Homes $1500
Partners:
Ottawa Public Library Main Branch
City of Ottawa Archives
Finance
The estimated cost to SSO would include the shipping cost to return the tapestry to Scotland (or
move on to next destination, possibly Iceland), estimated at approximately $1000 to 1500 CDN.
Sponsorship Revenue:
Expenses:
Net Cost:
$1,500.00
$2,626.88
$1,125.88
Tapestry Key Contacts - Scotland:
Dr. Gordon Prestoungrange
E: [email protected]
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www.prestoungrange.org
Jenny Bruce, Tour Director
E: [email protected]
3.
Sir John A.s Great Canadian Kilt Skate, January 28, 2017
Report from Don Cummer, Skater in Chief, EPG Lead
Event Summary
The Scottish Society of Ottawa takes the national lead in helping organize kilt skates across
Canada to celebrate Scottish culture in general, and the birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald. This
year was the third annual event for Ottawa as well as for Montreal, Saskatoon and Calgary. Kilt
skates were also held in Toronto and Lloydminster; the kilt skate in Winnipeg was cancelled at
the last minute because of warm weather.
Executive Summary
The Third Annual Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate was planned for January 28, 2017, on
the Rideau Canal Skateway at Dow’s Lake. A warm spell in the days leading up to the event
forced the closure of the skateway and the event was moved to the Skating Court at Lansdowne
Park, where it had been held in 2016.
Funding for the event was provided by the Scottish Government, whose representative, Chris
Maskell, joined us for the opening ceremonies along with Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor and
Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, MP, Ottawa-Centre.
The Scottish Government’s contribution of $15,000 was divided evenly among six cities. Most
spent less than their $2500 allocation and returned unused funds to SSO, who will return it to
the Scottish government. Because of last-minute communication expenses, food costs related
to the last-minute change in venue, the Ottawa event spent more than its allocation and toped
up with unused funds from other cities before reimbursing the Scottish government.
About a hundred people showed up in kilts and tartans – not as many as 2015 when the event
was held in conjunction with Winterlude, but much larger than last year’s Kilt Skate which was
also held at the Lansdowne Park’s Skating Court. Participants enjoyed complimentary hot
chocolate and birthday cake. After the event, volunteers and participants gathered at
Milestones.
On the whole, it was a very successful event. Numbers were up, in large part, because of an
effective communications effort using broadcast, print (posters and table-toppers) and social
media, including Facebook, Twitter, and websites of SSO and kiltskate.com.
Opportunities
Nationally, the notion of a kilt skate as a way to celebrate Canadian winter, Scottish heritage,
and Sir John A. seems to be taking off. For the national kilt skate, a concerted effort was made
last spring to reach out to Scottish societies across the country, and we have expanded our
contact lists significantly.
The most encouraging news is that Scottish societies are beginning to take the initiative to
contact us. The Lloydminster skate was organized by a Highland dance school with no previous
contact to SSO, but which had heard of the event because of kilt skates held in Saskatoon. This
is organic growth of the kilt skate phenomenon.
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In Ottawa, we have succeed in attracting people from outside of our membership base, and
from outside of Ottawa. However, we can do more to connect with local Scottish organizations,
such as Highland and country dance groups, and the Cameron Highlanders. Their participation
in the 2015 contributed significantly in getting out larger numbers for the 2015 Winterlude event.
Recommendations
Ottawa:
1. Host the Fourth Annual Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate in 2018.
2. Continue to hold the event in late January, avoiding Winterlude, but planning for the coldest
weekends of winter (statistically). Late January allows the volunteer base more time to
rest, restore and rejuvenate following Hogmanay.
3. Try again for an event at Dow’s Lake. Some thought has been given to making Lansdowne
the kilt skate’s permanent home, but on balance we should try again to host an event on
the World’s Largest Skating Rink with the media opportunities this provides.
4. Replicate the communications strategy established this year – heavy use of table toppers and
social media. If the Scottish Government continues with its financial and PR support,
use their PR firm to connect with local and national media for Ottawa as well.
5. In the Fall, as preparations begin, initiate contact with other Scottish societies – this could be
done in conjunction with preparations for Hogmanay.
National:
1.
Work with Scottish Government to secure funding for national event in 2018.
Discussions are now underway as to whether the funding would be divided evenly or
distributed according to who puts it to best use.
2.
This year, our big breakthrough was to hold an event in Toronto. The turnout
numbers there were disappointing and both Scottish Government and SSO may wish to
take more of a hands-on role in helping the Toronto organizer with communications.
3.
Over the coming months, Kevin MacLeod and Don Cummer will target Scottish
organizations in Atlantic Canada, where no Scottish society has yet stepped forward to
host an event.
4.
Continue the kiltskate.com site as a portal for national event. NB: Much of the
traffic to kiltskate.com has come through links from a much-improved http://ottscot.ca.
5. The kilt skate requires a great deal of effort on the part of organizers and volunteers.
Because it takes place so soon after Hogmanay, we risk burning out our volunteer and
organizer base. Some have questioned whether the effort is worth it for the kilt skate – since
the number of participants is so small compared to the turnout for Hogmanay. However, SSO
is gaining national recognition as the organizer of a cross-Canada event, and for the coming
year, at least, we should continue to support the local and national event. Eventually the
organic growth may mean that we will no longer need to work so hard at giving this event
both its local and national presence.
6.
Alternatively, SSO could seek partnerships with potential corporate sponsors to
help find ways to rely less on a volunteer base.
4.
Robbie Burns Dinner, January 23, 2016
Report from Brian Lyall, EPG Lead
Event Summary
Friday, January 22, 2017
Heart and Crown Pub, Byward Market
$65 per ticket, SSO VIP members receive 10% discount
Approximately 100 guests
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5.
Whisky Tasting Events in 2016
Report from Emmett Hossack, Vice-Chair, SSO and Whisky Enthusiast
Tutored Whisky Tasting at Milestones Lansdowne Park – November 29, 2016
The Scottish Society of Ottawa hosted its fifth annual Tutored Whisky Tasting at Milestones,
Lansdowne Park on November 27, 2016. The turnout was tremendous: ~65 participants. Five
whiskies were offered along with finger food for a cost of $40; a tremendous deal. Over $1,100 was
raised after accounting for the cost of food and gratuity.
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