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Delegate Election Information |
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The District 5 Lodge Meeting will be held June 20-24, 2012 at The Radisson in Appleton, Wisconsin.
The Sons of Norway District 5 By-Laws, Article 111, Paragraph 2 states: Every local lodge in the District shall be entitled to two representatives for the lodge, and one representative for every 100 members or major fraction thereof, based on the last Semi-Annual Report prior to the election of delegates. All members in good standing are eligible representatives. Delegates should be elected using the formula above based on December 31, 2011 membership figures. You should also elect a corresponding number of alternates, on a priority basis, that will serve should any of your delegates be unable to attend. These elections must take place in the month of February 2012. Each lodge secretary is receiving a Report of Election via USPS, which is to be completed and returned to the District Secretary immediately following the election. The Report of Election Form can also be downloaded here. (Sons of Norway Constitution reads: “The Secretary of the Local Lodge shall prepare a report of election giving names and addresses of the duly elected Delegates and Alternates. This report shall be signed by the Local Lodge President and Local Lodge Secretary and forwarded to the District Secretary no later than five days after the election.”) Please be sure the names are written plainly and spelled correctly! I am asking that you include their membership number, address, city, state, zip, phone and email address on the form and return it to me postmarked no later than March 5, 2012. Please send it to: Darlene Arneson, 2056 Skaalen Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589. Your lodge may wish to propose resolutions to be considered at the District or International Conventions. These resolutions, along with any proposed changes to the District 5 By-Laws or International Constitution, must be submitted to the District Secretary no later than April 1, 2012. The submission form can be downloaded here. If your lodge is interested in hosting the 2014 District Lodge Meeting, you are asked to send a written notice of your intention to the District Secretary prior to April 1, 2012. Should your lodge wish to present a bid, we ask that you make arrangements for a "walk through" of the facilities by a District 5 Board Member. This should be done prior to the June convention in order to identify proposal merits as well as needed additions or changes. The biding guidelines information can be downloaded here. Thank you for your prompt attention to this convention call! |
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Be a Delegate to the 2012 District 5 Convention |
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All across District 5, elections will be held in February as lodges elect their delegates and alternates for the District 5 convention. Some of your members may be sharing their experiences as delegates at your meetings so members are more aware of what happens at conventions, what their role is, and the experience they have had. To help new members and those without convention experience, here are some things to consider and share with your membership: Who can be a delegate or alternate? You do NOT have to be a benefit member to serve as a delegate to the District Convention. Current District 5 Board members cannot serve as delegates for their local lodges. Time Requirements The District 5 Convention is June 20-24, 2012 in Appleton, WI. Your delegates may be asked by the District President to serve on a committee. This would require them to attend committee meetings on the Thursday morning and afternoon (or until committee work is done and the committee is dismissed). The opening ceremonies will be on Thursday afternoon. The first official business and seating of the delegates is on Friday morning and all delegates need to be in all sessions Friday and Saturday. As times and schedules are finalized, watch the District 5 website (www.sonsofnorway5.com) and future mailings for schedules and timelines What does a delegate do? Represents and speaks on behalf of your lodge on District business, resolutions, proposed changes Accepts your lodge’s recognition and awards Attends all delegate sessions, zone meeting (Saturday noon) and votes on behalf of your lodge May serve on a committee if asked to by the District President A delegate can run for the District Board (if a benefit member or if they purchase a benefit product at the convention) A delegate can run for a delegate spot for the International Convention (August 23-25, 2012) in Fargo, North Dakota, if they are a benefit member or if they purchase a benefit product at the convention. Learn about Sons of Norway by attending workshops, visiting displays and visiting with other members Bring back many ideas, activities and enthusiasm that will benefit your lodge Report to your lodge about what they learned, business conducted and report on elections held at the convention Have a wonderful time and go home ready to carry out the mission of Sons of Norway! Who is a Benefit Member? Someone who owns a benefit product which includes: Nordic Elite, a term product, Viking 23, Viking Voyager, Annuities ($2,000 minimum), Whole Life, and Single Premium Whole Life. How do you pay for delegates? Each lodge handles this differently. Many will help the delegates with convention costs, registration, travel and hotel costs in varying amounts, paying it in full, or a portion. Some lodges will have a special fundraiser or event to raise money for delegate expenses. Thank you for electing delegates and alternates and your consideration to serve as one! If you have further questions, contact your zone officer or a District Board member! |
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From Your District 5 President |
The International Board, District Presidents and Headquarters Senior Staff met in October. All attended a seminar where the following Sons of Norway messages were developed. Message to Current Members: that we are Generations uniting under the banner of fellowship and culture to give back, to contribute and to secure our future with insurance products being the lifeblood of our organization. We celebrate volunteerism and fraternalism by aiding our members and their communities. We create educational opportunities through cultural programs, scholarships and grants. We support our lodges with resources to showcase our Norwegian heritage and culture. Message to Prospective Members: Sons of Norway is where culture and community meet: Financial - we offer personalized financial planning for life. Foundation - Opportunities are available through scholarships and grants as well as humanitarian aid to members and their communities. Fraternal - We provide ever expanding resources for learning about traditional and contemporary Norwegian culture. We also provide fun, fellowship and food. Message to the World: Sons of Norway as a Fraternal Life Insurance Company has been in business since 1895, with approximately 65,000 members and over 400 lodges. We provide a global network to secure your financial future, to give back to your community and to celebrate Norwegian culture and heritage.
The 5th District Convention will be held June 20 - 24, 2012 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lodges will be electing delegates to the convention in February. I would like to see all lodges represented. Norse Valley, Gronnvik and HR Holand lodges are working together with the 5th District Board to provide a time of information, fun and fellowship.
Two forms required by the IRS need to be filed during the first half of 2012. The deadline for the D17 is March 1. The deadline for form 990 is May 15. Failure to comply could result in local lodge dues being withheld, district dues being withheld and eventually the lodge charter could be pulled. Make sure the reports are filed in a timely manner.The Wisconsin Regional Ski for Light event will be held at the Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI January 20-22. Thank you to those 5th District lodges who continue to support this event. The participants are most appreciative.
At this time of year when lodges are electing officers, selecting committees and making plans for the coming year I would like to thank all of you who have accepted leadership roles and committee appointments and have volunteered for fundraisers, program planning and anything that makes your lodge a great place to be. Have a wonderful holiday season celebrating Norwegian culture and fellowship. I look forward to a great 2012 with Sons of Norway.
Fraternally, Mary Bennett |
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Submitting Photos for The Viking |
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Always remember when taking pictures to have a nice background, show action or an activity and always think on how they will look in the Viking. Do not write on the back of the pictures with a sharpie as it will show through. Use a post-it not on the back of the pictures with names, lodge name and number and a brief description of the event. Thanks for all of the nice pictures and keep sending them! |
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Sports & Recreation Doings |
Greeting to the hearty Vikings! Now is the time to show our tolerance and resilience to minus 20F weather. As I speak of winter it brings to mind the plans and preparations for the 2012 Barnebirkie ski race in Hayward, Wisconsin, on February 23rd. If you need accommodations in Hayward make them soon as they sell out quickly. Watch for lodge mailings from the Sports and Recreation director with complete information on the Barnebirkie. We will be handing out cookies in the Celebration tent after the race. Our most significant change will be at the Commercial Expo Center at the Hayward Middle school. Sons of Norway District 5 will have an information booth where we also hand out cookies and sell coffee. We will need extra volunteers this year as we are extending our serving hours to Thursday AM through Friday afternoon, February 23-24. Call you zone director if you need assistance with getting your lodge cookie donation to the Barnebirkie or if you need a volunteer form. All if this information is available from Dave Hermundson as well.
The 5th District Family Bowling tournament will be the same as last year. The bowling activity dates are November 1, 2011 through March 1, 2012. Again there will be a mailing with all of the information to your lodge president.
Lastly there have been updates in the Sports medals program. There is a District goal that every lodge earn at least one sports medal per year. Check the home office website for additional information.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Hermundson |
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Mandt Lodge 314 Bunad Class |
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Mandt Lodge 314 will offer an working bunad class this spring. The classes will be held on March 20, 27 April 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 6:00pm-8:30pm. The lodge is located at 317 Page Street in Stoughton. The maximum number of students for this class will be 12. Class Fees: $25.00 for Sons of Norway Member and Seniors (ages 55 and up) and $50.00 for Non-Members. Students will need material, pattern, thread, and other supplies. A good source to purchase supplies is Saving Thyme of Stoughton WI. They anticipate that the cost of a working bunad including the pattern, material, ribbon and pewter (hooks/buttons) will cost around $150-$200. The owner of Saving Thyme, Gloria Stehley, has agreed to teach this class. She has attended classes on the construction of Bunads. Please have your material purchased before the first day of class. Saving Thyme (233 West Main Street, Stoughton WI 608-877-0075) will assist you with the purchase of the pattern and materials. Their hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10-7, Friday 10-5 Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 12-5. Their email address is
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and the web site is www.savingthyme.net. For more information contact Nancy Odalen (608-873-0890 or
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). Registration forms are available from Nancy Odalen or Darlene Arneson (608-873-7209 or
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). You can also download the form here. The registration deadline is March 6. |
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Mandt Lodge 314 Rosemaling Class |
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Mandt Lodge is excited to have Andrea Herkert agree to teach an Adult Rosemaling class. Andrea is on her way to receiving a Vesterheim Gold Metal. At the last competition in Iowa she received a 1st & 3rd place and Best of Show Ribbons. She has been teaching for the last few years both in Milwaukee and here in Stoughton. Beginning/Intermediate Rosemaling Classes will be held on February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 3 & 10 from 1:00 pm-3:30pm at Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge. The lodge is located at 317 Page Street, in Stoughton WI. Heckert will be teaching the basics of Rosemaling starting with design. She has offered to provide “kits” with brushes and paint for the individuals that have not painted with oils or rosemaled previously. This will be an interesting, fun and informative class that will provide you with a firm foundation in the art of Rosemaling. For more information contact Nancy Odalen (608-873-0890 or
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). The class fees: $95.00 Sons of Norway Member and Seniors (ages 55 and up) and $120.00 for Non-members. Registration form and payment due: January 27, 2012. Forms are available from Nancy Odalen or Darlene Arneson at 608-873-7209, or you can download the registration form here. |
Dear fellow members,
Do you check your horoscope when you reach that page in the newspaper? I must admit that I do, every so often. Today I read: “To achieve your goals, you must define them well. The more detail, the luckier you will be.” This thought, in the column dutifully noted “For entertainment only,” reminded me of the goals established at International, District, and Lodge levels. Annually, the call goes out to establish goals for the forthcoming year. As we participate in establishing goals for recruitment, retention, programs, and financial benefits, how much effort do we spend on defining the goals and just how do we plan to accomplish them? If we are not achieving our goals, maybe/perhaps, we didn’t figure out just what exactly we would do for example, to recruit new members. I suspect success stories are the result of intense research and detailed planning.
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As we move into the holiday season, don’t forget your Cultural Skills. Although we will all be busy, some of our activities associated with the holiday season are part of our cultural skills, for example Christmas cooking. Check out our cultural skills pages, and see if we can all get a new cultural skills medal. Here are the steps to gather the information you will need:
Log into the members page: http://www.sofn.com/members/
Enter your Username and Password. (I will assume that you all have a Username and Password. If you do not have them, you will have to apply. Just follow the directions on the page. )
Click on Resources on the right side of the page. A drop down list will appear.
Click on Cultural Skills.
The Cultural Skills Program page opens. Scroll down to Cultural Sills Units.
Click on 1. Traditional Norwegian Cooking.
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It is interesting to note how prevalent a role one’s perspective plays in the concept or feeling a word generates.
Take the dreaded “S” word, for instance. For those “over 25,” very often snow is not the favorite of the day. On the other hand, youngsters see “school” as a dread. At the same time, the “over 25” group see “school” as hardly a current challenge and they likely agree with the concept of “learning something new everyday.” The younger crowd welcomes “snow,” both as a playground and a reason for canceling “school.”
Well, whether “school” or “snow” is in your dreaded category, they both are (or almost are) upon us. Naturally, as descendants of Norwegian heritage, we all welcome “snow”- it’s in the blood!!! So much for “snow.”
That brings us all to “school.” Even if you are not a student, you can get involved- and make “school” more fun or (perhaps) easier.
Help your lodge with its Adopt-a –School program. If your lodge doesn’t have a current activity, suggest one. We can help “school,” and it doesn’t necessarily mean you have some daily duty to do so. One activity is collecting “Box tops for Education” for one (or more) of your schools. With very little individual effort, you (along with the rest of your lodge) can boost the school’s earning power with these box tops.
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