About RBANA
The association dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the life,
works and philosophies of Scotland's National Bard - Robert Burns,
and to promote Scottish culture and heritage in North America.
The genesis for the Association came from a meeting in 1981
of representatives from eight Burns Clubs, in Annapolis, Maryland.
A committee was formed to further explore their ideas.
In 1982 at a meeting in Hamilton, Ontario a constitution was drafted.
The name "The North American Association of Federated Burnsians" was adopted.
At the 2000 Annual General Meeting in London, Ontario the Association was renamed
" The Robert Burns Association of North America "
RBANA is affiliated with the Robert Burns World Federation Limited,
headquartered at Kilmarnock, Scotland.
An Annual Conference and General Meeting is held every year, alternating between Canada and the USA.
Conferences usually take place in May or June.
Recent Conferences have been held in:-
Calgary AB (2002), Baltimore, MD.(2003), Merrickville ON (2004), Waukesha WI (2005), Halifax NS (2006),
Winnipeg MN (2007), Houston, TX. (On a Cruise Ship, 2008),
Mississauga, ON. (2009), Detroit, MI. {2010}, and Winnipeg, MB {2011}.
The 2012 conference, in Williamsburg VA, was organized by a RBANA sub- committee on 27th.to 29th. April.
The business of the Association is conducted by an Executive Committee,
which is elected at the Annual General Meeting for a two year term.
The Executive consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Immediate Past President,
three Directors from the United States, and three Directors from Canada.
The 2012 A.G.M. in Williamsburg VA, acclaimed the following slate:-
President, Tony Grogan {Winnipeg Club}, Vice President, Robert Boyd {Heather & Thistle Club, Houston TX}, Secretary/Treasurer, Don Rennicks, {Winnipeg Club}, Past President, Chrys Ballantyne (Halton Peel Club}