TCA Growth, Strength, and Happiness

In spite of the seemingly never-ending natural disasters and man-made problems that plague the world this is a great time to be a Turnbull.  On behalf of the Board of Directors of TCA, I want to thank each of our members for helping make 2004 a resounding success for the Turnbull Clan Association as we look forward to an even better 2005!

With 71 new members joining our ranks, 2004 was one of the best for growth.  Yet growth alone is not a good measure of success.  The impact of that growth on each member is what matters most. 

TCA is not a service of a few officers to the members of the organization.  TCA is very little more or less than the interaction of the membership.  Our very name says that we are an association of the extended Turnbull family.  We are Turnbull in various shapes and forms by ancestry or by marriage.  We are a clan by heritage and tradition.  However, we are an association by choice.  We have each chosen to join together just as our ancestors did, for strength and for pleasure. 

The strength we seek today is that of knowledge and the self-identity of our heritage.  We are not die-hards trying to glamorize the good old days.  The past was not all that good and it was certainly not glamorous.  It did, however, through the traditions and values of those who survived it, help make us who we are today.  We become stronger by understanding both our ancestors’ virtues to be emulated and their faults to be avoided.

The pleasure we seek is in part the process of gaining and sharing the knowledge of our heritage.  It is also the interaction we have with other members of our extended family.  Sometimes our interaction leads us to discover a common ancestor.  Other times it is simply developing a friendship more easily because of a common bond.

At our September Annual General Meeting in Manchester, NH we agreed to launch a new program called the Bull Pen for those who are willing to assist members of the extended Turnbull family as worldwide local resources.  The Bull Pen is meant to be used as an exchange of resources from TCA members in all countries where there are members.  Bull Pen exchanges and supports are meant to be at a level comfortable to each member.  Some may only be able to provide recommendations to others about local activities and services.  Others may offer local contact and support to Turnbulls who are traveling.  Some may offer vacation or study exchange opportunities.  Others will provide business networking contacts.  We look forward to Bull Pen enrollment and beginning to use this resource in 2005.

As TCA grows, the strength of our Clan Association increases the opportunities for our personal growth and pleasure through interacting with our extended family members and friends.  How well we do that is the best measure of TCA’s success.

Please interact, share, support, learn, grow, serve, and be happy in 2005.

Wally Turnbull
President