What is a St Andrew's Society

St Andrew's Societies can be found all over the world but primarily in the English-speaking countries. There is no central organization or "mother chapter"; each St Andrew's Society is an autonomous organization. While there are still some St Andrew's Societies which limit themselves to only male membership, most of the Societies are open to all regardless of gender. Some Societies also limit their membership to individuals who were either born in Scotland or who are direct descendants of people born in Scotland (one Society requires geneological proof). New St Andrew's Societies in the United States have found that in order to qualify for a tax-exempt status from the IRS, they must have a non-discriminatory membership policy; in fact the only real requirement is an interest in the St Andrew's Society!

Most St Andrew's Societies are established as charitable/educational not-for-profit organizations. To fulfill their charitable/educational mandate, many Societies give scholarships for university study and for special Scottish cultural classes (e.g., Highland Dancing, Celtic Harp). Some Societies also sponsor Scottish Games or at least sponsor trophies at their local Scottish Games. The Washington DC St Andrew's Society has housed a Scottish family in a hotel when the father had a heart attack in Washington, DC, truly "relieving the distressed"!

All St Andrew's Societies that this author is familiar with are also strongly social groups with regularly scheduled luncheons, quarterly dinners, annual Tartan Balls, Kirkin of the Tartan, etc. Many have special interest groups with in them for genealogy, Gaelic language, militaria, and/or history. Some sponsor their own Pipe Band. The membership of St Andrew's Societies tend to be highly educated, knowledgable about Scotland (history and culture), and fairly well off financially. There is a social "pecking" order within the Scottish world: St Andrew's Societies at the top, followed by Caledonia Societies, Scottish Societies, and finally by other groups (admittedly, this author has some opinions on the matter).

There is some controversy over the origins of the first St Andrew's Society.

According to the St Andrew's Society of Charleston SC a number of gentlemen, "chiefly natives of Scotland," organize the St. Andrew's Society in 1729, the first such Scottish organization in the world. Named for the patron Saint of Scotland, it lends assistance to widows, orphans, and others in need of help.

This author remembers reading of a St Andrew's Society being established in London during the reign of King James VI/I after he had ascended the English throne; this would place it between 1603 and 1625. This Society was established to aid indigent Scots and later also became more of a social club. Their motto was "Relieve the Distressed" which has become the motto of many St Andrew's Societies around the world.

There are also two other totally separate types of St Andrew's Society. One is basically a group of laymen (and women) associated with churches who perform steward functions. There is another group called the Society of St Andrew, also church affiliated, that helps to feed the poor and hungry. Since St Andrew is also the patron Saint of Greece and old Russia, there are a few St Andrew's Societies which are for Greek or Russian fellowship (it is easy to spot the difference ... they don't wear kilts).

You can contact your local St Andrew's Society for membership information. For those of you who live in the central Virginia area and are interested in joining the St Andrew's Society of Richmond Virginia, just click on our How To Join link. If there is not one in your area, then start one! All you need to do is get a few like-minded individuals together, adopt some bylaws, and you have a St Andrew's Society.