Clan Donnachaidh Society of Florida, Inc.

Left – Right: President, Bobby Bethel; Treasurer, John Lange; Historian, Pam Bethel; Vice President, Pamela Knock; Secretary, Christy Lange; Seated: Area Director, Caleigh Gilfillan; Pictured on computer: Area Directors, Stanley Reid, Rick Roberts & Evan Knock.

Bobby Bethel Greetings CLAN DONNACHAIDH! The Children of Duncan and The Ancient Earls of Atholl! It is my honor and privilege to serve as President of our Clan Donnachaidh Society of Florida. I have always had an interest in not only history, but more especially tracking heritage and family history. In 2014, my wife Pam and I attended the Northeast Florida Highland Games and Festival and became members of Clan Donnachaidh at that time. We have been working to assist our Area Director throughout Northeast and Central Florida and look forward to expanding and doing so in the future. We hope through this endeavour we will continue to promote our history and Scottish Heritage. At a time when our nation is trying to erase history, it is important that we hold on to our values and remember the history of our heritage. I came to Clan Donnachaidh, through his marriage to Pam 49 years ago. Pam's mother, Betty Jo Robertson, and uncle, Rubin B Robertson, who have traced their family back to the James Robertson family born in 1690 in Scotland. I am active in our community having served as Deacon at Mandarin Presbyterian Church, where Pam & I have been members since 1977. I currently serve as Tyler at the Mandarin Masonic Lodge # 343 in Jacksonville, Florida and am Past President of West Jax Shrine Club of Morocco Temple and member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Jacksonville.	PRESIDENT
Pamela Knock I became a member of Clan Donnachaidh Society of Florida and Clan Donnachaidh Society Scotland in 2015 and later became Vice President in 2020. As Vice President I help support each of the board members, attend board meetings twice a year, and help man our clan tent at various festivals. I also have the pleasure of calling fellow Clan members to let them know we appreciate them, make sure they are doing well, and find out if there are any prayer requests or good news to share. It’s interesting to hear their stories about their connections to the Donnachaidh Clan. I enjoy sharing in the fellowship of our Scottish heritage with the members. My love for my heritage began while listening to the stories from my mother and grandfather about the Roberston brothers leaving Scotland to settle in North America. I visited Scotland in 2012 and fell in love with the country. There is beauty in the vast expanses of countryside to the heather-covered hills and mountains. The peace I felt at the fairy pools in the Isle of Skye made me want to stay and listen to the waterfalls all day. The history I felt in the castles and ancient ruins and excitement of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ceremonies was exhilarating. We come from strong and hardy people whose spirit helped shape this United States of America by determination and capability of withstanding fatigue or hardships. Gathering and honoring Scottish culture with fellow “ family” at the highland games and through our membership helps us to stay connected and share our pride for our heritage.	VICE PRESIDENT	-
John Lange	TREASURER
Christy Duncan Lange Member of the Clan Donnachaidh Society of Florida and the Clan Donnachaidh Society in Scotland since 2001. My daughter and her friends invited me to attend the Central Florida Scottish Festival in January of 2000. It was great fun, and although I knew there was a clan associated with my name, Duncan, I was surprised to see a clan tent there. I remember speaking to a man, must have been Gordon Robertson, who piqued my interest in our family heritage. At the next year’s festival, I decided to join. At the Annual Meeting in January 2002, I was elected Secretary. At first, my duties were limited to publishing the newsletter, since then the tasks, along with my interest have steadily increased. I find this position to be very fulfilling, and I love to talk with and e-mail our members. This is one of the great joys in my life! My dreams of visiting Scotland came true as I attended the 2005 and the 2007 Clan Gatherings and A.G.M. John and I also attended the "Homecoming Scotland 2009" event and participated in the joyous march up The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, led by Chief Robertson. Scotland is so beautiful and you can just feel the history in the air. Please go when you have the chance – your heart and spirit will be filled to overflowing. In 2010, I was offered the remarkable opportunity to fill the position of International Vice Chairperson with the Clan Donnachaidh Council in Scotland. I was honored and excited to take on this new challenge. My role is to represent the many clan branches outside the U.K. and to provide communications between the Society and the Branches. I have enjoyed getting to know the leaders of each branch and am working to held them find ways to increase membership in their own branch and in the Clan Society in Scotland. We are all one family and we must work together to keep our heritage alive for the generations to follow. I encourage you to join us in the celebration of our Scottish heritage. Please feel free to contact me anytime.	SECRETARY
Pam Bethel	HISTORIAN	-
OPEN	MEMBER AREA DIRECTOR, SOUTH	-
Stanley Reid	MEMBER AREA DIRECTOR, NORTH	-
Diana Donaghy & Rick Roberts	MEMBER AREA CO-DIRECTORS, WEST	-
Caleigh Gilfillan	MEMBER AREA DIRECTOR, CENTRAL & EAST	-
Evan Knock	MEMBER AREA DIRECTOR, NORTHWEST/PANHANDLE AREA	-