In a manoeuvre described as "a rare honour'', the association's Otago branch has appointed its first female member - Elva Meek.
President Stan Rae said the association was founded by Scottish returned servicemen and not even family members had been invited to join the association since it was established 62 years ago.
He said Mrs Meek was nominated for the position in light of her past interest and dedication to the association. As soon as nominations closed and Mrs Meek was voted on to the committee, her "valuable'' contribution to the association began.
"She contributes in a way that men sometimes don't think of. She will give meetings a woman's touch,'' Mr Rae said.
"Already she has contributed by remembering things like the tomato sauce for the sausage rolls on Anzac Day.
"She's great with the details.''
Mrs Meek said she felt honoured and privileged to be the first female on the association's management committee, but hoped her presence would not alter the dynamics of the group.
She attended "countless'' association meetings and social functions with her late husband, Russell, a returned serviceman who was a member of the association for 40 years.
As a result, she said she already felt like she was part of the association.
"We made an awful lot of friends over the years with the 'Scottie Boys'. It's those friendships that have made me so passionate and close to this committee.
"It was very nice to be asked to join,'' she said.
Despite a decline in membership, the New Zealand Scottish Regiment of Ex-members Association (Otago branch) fought calls to disband during its annual meeting at the weekend.
Immediate past-president Len Burgess said the association's members were ageing and it was becoming difficult for members to attend committee meetings.
However, he believed the association could continue by reducing its commitments and only holding three or four meetings a year to organise activities.
New president Stan Rae said the newly-appointed committee would investigate which activities members wanted to take part in each year and would decide how many meetings would be needed to make them happen.
