Scottish society’s backward thinking

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/06/2015 (3771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Usually, I’m proud of my Scottish heritage and the history that goes with it.

Not so much today, though.

This is, after all, the 21st century.

Regrettably, it still looks and feels like the 19th century in a cobwebbed corner of the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg that was established in 1871 to promote and preserve Scottish culture and heritage.

I say that because after all those years of sipping Scotch and puffing cigars in a men-only environment, some of the old-school members of the city’s original Old Boys club are resisting opening the doors to female members.

Even though local president Bill Blaikie says Winnipeg’s club is one of the last St. Andrews Societies in Canada and perhaps North America to still bar women.

And even though last year, the executive, the board of directors and ultimately a gathering of members at the annual general meeting approved the inclusion of women.

The resistance, led by a longtime member who’s against female members, has led to an internal revolt.

On Friday, the Free Press was emailed a copy of a letter sent to the society’s secretary by Don Comack, a former past president and the leader of the revolt. The letter, also signed by 12 other members, calls for a “special meeting of members” for the purpose of removing the three-member executive. That includes Blaikie, the former NDP member of Parliament who, if Comack et al get their way, would be replaced as president by retired Winnipeg police chief and former past president Herb Stephen. Comack, the letter says, would become immediate past president.

Why does Comack want the executive replaced?

John Perrin, who was president last year when the AGM approved the inclusion of women, believes it’s not only because Comack wants his way, but because it’s become personal.

When I spoke with Comack on the phone Friday, he blamed the executive for the decline in both the society’s membership and attendance at the annual dinner. I suggested to Comack Old Boys clubs everywhere — especially really Old Boys clubs that still exclude women — are in decline everywhere. Comack’s bigger issue is his contention the bylaws weren’t followed at the annual general meeting that passed the amendment. He alleges the process wasn’t transparent; that prior to the AGM, the membership wasn’t properly informed about the nature of the amendment. And that of the group’s 291 members, fewer than 40 members attended and voted.

Perrin says all procedures were followed to the letter, and bylaws require as few as 15 to be present and only those who show up can vote.

At the risk of getting too detailed, there’s also a legal argument at issue around whether the advisory committee, made up of past presidents, has the power to veto the amendment. That may end up being decided in court.

In the meantime, Comack and those who endorsed the call for a special meeting want a plebiscite on the matter of including women, so the votes can be counted from those members who were too ill or fragile to attend an AGM.

Comack was reluctant to answer directly when I repeatedly asked if he personally was against women joining.

“It has nothing to do with the gender issue,” he said.

No?

Perrin told me about one member — not Comack — who vowed he and others would start a new men’s-only club if women were allowed to join the St. Andrew’s Society.

In any event, Comack isn’t in favour of women joining. Unless, he said, the membership supports it. The irony is Comack believes he’s in the minority when it comes to wanting to keep the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg in the minority of other St. Andrew’s Societies across Canada when it comes to including women as members.

“My sense of it is most members are in favour of it,” Comack said. “But we don’t know that.”

What I sense — despite Comack’s denial — is the revolt is all about keeping the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg the way it’s always been.

“I think it’s true,” Blaikie said. “This will change the Old Boys clubiness of the society some people have valued. But I think if the mission is to promote and preserve Scottish culture and heritage, we need everybody on board.”

But who says women would walk through the doors if they open?

Frankly, if I were a woman of Scottish descent, I wouldn’t want to join the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg after reading about all the old boys who refuse to grow up. Even if they are in the minority. Heck, I’m a man of Scottish descent, and I haven’t joined.

And now I know why.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca