WHO:        The Red Suit Society is a very special group of individuals.  They are called by numerous names: Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle and many others, as the culture of their motherlands have decreed.  What ties these individuals together is that most are alumni of the International University of Santa Claus, aka: School4Santas.  Additionally individuals who have attended other schools or through their work, accomplishments, etc., may also be considered for membership.  The Society was created by Santa Tim Connaghan, www.santahollywood.com

                   This is a special Society of men and women whose personal contributions, studies, and volunteer efforts demonstrate that they share the responsibility to maintain and perpetuate the magic and mystery of Santa Claus.  Each of them has shown a commitment to following the traditions and history associated with Saint Nicholas.  Additionally the Chancellor may admit new members based on their personal experiences or training from other similar institutions. 

                    Members come from all walks of life: Most common are the everyday parents and grandparents.  But they are also teachers, policemen & firemen, Clergymen, Doctors and Lawyers, members of the media and even famous celebrities. *

WHAT:      In different ways each member has dedicated a portion of their life to giving joy and happiness to others by following the tradition of 'Secret Giving" that St. Nicholas demonstrated during his life, over 17 centuries ago.   In addition, each year, they ceremoniously transform, when they put on the famous Red Suit or take on the personality of a holiday figure and commit themselves to continuing the myths, stories, mystery and fantasy, of Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves and other holiday personalities. 

Members may from time to time be invited to attend or participate in local, regional or national events.  In addition, each member may list the wording "Member - "The Red Suit Society."

WHY:         The Red Suit Society was started in 2003 as an Alumni association for the International University of Santa Claus.  The association was established to be a society of individuals that have accomplished something special by investing their own personal time to improve or enhance their representation of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or other Holiday Persona.

                    Members may be professionals or just volunteers. Most importantly, however, is that they believe in the traditions associated with St. Nicholas and have a desire to continue his practice of Secret Giving and bringing joy to others.

                   Historians tell us that sometime near the first millennium, over 1000 years ago, a group of French nuns, wanted to do something to reward the good children in their village.  As Saint Nicholas was the patron Saint of children, they baked some little cookies or treats, and in the early morning hours of December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas, they went through the village leaving  a little treat in the shoes of each  and every child.   

All of this was done in secret, following the examples of Saint Nicholas, who was revered for his strong principles and his dedication to the practice of “Secret Giving.”  When the children woke and found the treats, they began asking where they came from?  The nuns simply replied that because the children had been good, St. Nicholas decided to reward them.

Thus began one of the World’s most widely celebrated traditions.   Over the following years, decades and centuries, the simple handiwork of those little nuns has continued, supported by hundreds, then thousands and finally millions of followers who, in the name of Saint Nicholas, found joy in “Secret Giving,” and helping others.

                   In 2004, Santa Tim Connaghan, stopped the organization planning for the Red Suit Society in order to concentrated on the AORBS.  He had been working on an idea to hold a convention for the Red Suit Society.  A year later, that convention actually became the first ever Santa Convention for the  AORBS.  "Discover Santa," was held with over 300 Santas, plus a matching number of Mrs. Claus, vendors and friends, at the Radisson Hotel Branson, in July of 2006.    

                   Last year, following Santa Tim's departure as the President of AORBS, He had more time to devote to other projects and therefore decided to re-open the Red Suit Society.

Originally membership in the Red Suit Society, was to be only from those individuals who attended the IUSC/School4Santa schools.  However, that has evolved to include anyone who has purchased the course book or DVD's.  Other's may be invited to join the Society based on their personal experiences or training from other similar institutions.   More recently attendance at the International Congress of Santa Claus or the 2006 AORBS Convention has been added.

Most often individuals come to this industry as reluctant participants. Someone 'volunteers' them for the job of Santa or a helper.  Reluctantly they accept the position.  But, once they have experienced the magic and joy of the work, they want to become more involved and expand their experience.  They set out to learn more and to become better at representing this timeless symbol of Christmas.

For additional information, suggestions or comments, please contact Santa Tim Connaghan at Santa@theKringleGroup.com  or call (951) 779-0536