Families/Houses

Establishing a Recognized O’Dubhda Family/House

The O’Dubhda Clan recognizes distinct family groups, or Houses, which are formed by individuals seeking to establish a formal family unit under the O’Dubhda name. These families represent organized groups within specific geographical regions and serve to strengthen connections within the greater O’Dubhda community.

At this time, The Council will accept up to nine families as official Houses. Each house must contain at least 25 members.

Leadership and Structure

Each O’Dubhda Family must have two designated leaders:

1. Taoiseach – The primary leader responsible for guiding the family and ensuring its alignment with the broader O’Dubhda Clan’s goals and traditions. The official communicator and responsible member of the House, who will serve as an honorable member of the O’Dubhda Council. While the Tánaiste does not have a primary vote in the council, they may obtain voting rights by meeting specific obligations.
2. Tánaiste – While the Tánaiste does not have a primary vote in the council, they may attend in the Taoiseach’s absence as a non-voting member.

Geographic Limitations

To maintain organization and prevent overlap, each family is assigned a distinct geographical region. Typically, this is a country; however, in larger nations like the United States, multiple families may be established based on reasonable divisions. In smaller countries, multiple groups may be combined into a single family unit. No more than one family shall operate in the same geographical area without special approval from the O’Dubhda Council.

Responsibilities and Obligations

To retain official recognition, each family must:

• Actively raise funds to support the functioning of the O’Dubhda Clan.
  (Expectation: Raise $1000 through donations or sales each 3 year period.)
• Encourage participation in clan events and bring members to gatherings.
  (Expectation: Have a minimum of 25 members.)
• Support clan archaeological digs and historical research efforts.
  (Expectation: Choose a specific archeological dig and support or promote with the family.)
• Facilitate connections and knowledge sharing across international O’Dubhda families.
  (Expectation: Offer opportunities for other family members from around the world to meet them.)
• Organize local rallies during off-years from primary clan gatherings.
  (Expectation: Run at least one event per 3 year cycle.)
• Promote engagement within their local community and foster involvement with the core clan.
  (Expectation: Taoiseach actively promotes the Clan within his/her community.)

In return, recognized families gain official status within the O’Dubhda Clan and the ability to use titles such as Tánaiste or Taoiseach within their family structures, qualifies by the regional name of the Family. For example, “South African Taoiseach“.

Armoral Bearings

Each Family/House may choose and slightly modify one of the current O’Dubhda armorial bearings through approval by the council, to differentiate from the original. *So that the original bearing is recognizable. (For example, replace the oak leaf with a Kiwi bird.)

Note that this bearing must be approved by the Council and ownership/copyright transfers to the Council, so that the bearing may not be used in inappropriate fashions. The Council reserves the right to limit the use of this bearing where it is used inappropriately and counterintuitively to the larger Clan’s stated mission.

“vs” Septs

As a Sept represents actual historical geological diversity, one can be both part of a Sept and be part of a House, as a house represents current geography. Septs are birthright, and have no function except historical interest: Houses are groups formed to promote the Clan.