THE ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF LOUISIANA

The St. Andrew Society was established in New Orleans in March 1807 for the purpose of cultivating the friendship and promoting the welfare of all respectable Scots residing in and near New Orleans and especially for engaging in philanthropic and charitable works in order to assist Scots in sickness and need, so that the members of the Society, by their conduct and goodwill to each other, might thereby show the world that the countrymen of Wallace, Bruce, Burns, and Scott still love their country. Natives of Scotland and persons of Scottish descent, who had attained the age of eighteen years and were of good moral character, were eligible for membership. During the Civil War, the Society suspended its meetings; but it was reorganized in October 1868 and flourished for several years thereafter. As time went on, New Orleans Scots became so assimilated into the American population of the City that interest in the St. Andrew Society diminished to the point that the Society was allowed to become dormant. This unfortunate situation continued until March 1981, when fourteen gentlemen of New Orleans and the surrounding area, natives of Scotland or of Scottish descent, regretting the long absence of the St. Andrew Society from the New Orleans scene, took steps to reactivate the Society.

Incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of Louisiana in April 1981 and affiliated with the St. Andrew Society, Edinburgh, Scotland, The St. Andrew Society of Louisiana was organized for the purpose of reviving the New Orleans St. Andrew's Society which was founded in March 1807. In keeping with the principles and purposes of that Society, The St. Andrew Society of Louisiana is committed to the following objectives and purposes:

1. to promote and foster among its members a spirit of unity and fellowship based upon joint participation in charitable, educational, cultural, and social activities;
2. to uphold the rights, privileges, and traditions of Scotland and the Scottish people;
3. to encourage the study of Scottish history, literature, art, institutions, language, music, dance, and other aspects of Scottish life;
4. to cooperate with organizations which are committed to the preservation of authentic Scottish customs, dress, music, dance, literature, art, heraldry, crafts, sports, historic sites, buildings, and artifacts, and Scotland's natural scenery, environment, and flora and fauna;
5. to provide, from the financial resources at its disposal, assistance to deserving native Scots, other people of Scottish descent, arid Scottish charitable, educational, and cultural organizations and institutions.

Although the St. Andrew Society is a male organization, ladies of members are invited guests at most of its functions. The activities of the Society include charitable and philanthropic works, cultural and educational programs, an annual ecumenical religious service in November in honor of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, and two formal and very enjoyable social activities each year: the Bruce Dinner in June and the New Orleans St. Andrew Scottish Ball in November. The first of the social activities, the Bruce Dinner, takes place on .June 24th, the anniversary of Scotland's great victory at Bannockburn under King Robert Bruce in 1314, which ensured the independence of the Scottish nation and the subsequent development of the Scottish character as we know it. The second social activity, the New Orleans St. Andrew Scottish Ball, takes place on the last Saturday of November in the Grand Salon of one of the City's finest hotels. Both the Dinner and the Ball are thoroughly Scottish in character; and every effort is made to ensure their authenticity; dignity, and enjoyability.

Membership in the St. Andrew Society of Louisiana is restricted to gentlemen of good moral character and social standing who are eighteen years of age or older; and who are natives of Scotland, or who are of Scottish descent, or who are married to ladies who are natives of Scotland or of Scottish descent. The Articles of Incorporation of the Society allow the Board of Directors to admit a limited number (10% maximum) of gentlemen who are not Scottish by birth, descent, or marriage, but who have, in the judgment of the Board, clearly demonstrated their love of Scotland and of Scottish culture and who sincerely desire to promote the objects and purposes of the Society.