Greetings fellows!

My name is Bradley Henderson, and I am very excited to have found this clan society here in the States.  I have just recently begun to be more interested in my Scottish ancestry as well as all of the wonderful culture and history that accompany it.  I am currently getting my genealogy in order to more concretely show my link to the clan, and I was wondering what genealogical tools are best or frequently used by those perhaps more experienced than I.  Also the legality of displaying the crest is somewhat confusing.  How is it possible for clan members to display it when it belongs to the chief?  Is it when it is surrounded by the belt that signifies it is a member?