Thoughts from the lodge

                                                    VALUED VETERANS

                     Supporting veterans is something that has always been important to the Moose. So, it is no surprise that our “Valued Veterans” program has drawn so much interest from members, lodges and chapters. The focus of this program is on the recognition and support of Moose veterans with an emphasis on their ongoing service to their fraternal units and communities through the Moose. The program’s tag phrase captures this well: “Moose Members Serving Then . . . and NOW!” This approach simultaneously honors our veterans while also highlighting the Fraternity’s commitment to community service.

The International Heart of the Community Committee approached the planning of this program with passion, enthusiasm, and personal insights, as several members are veterans themselves. The goal was to deliver more recognition and support to our own members who are veterans and to provide Lodges and Chapters with the necessary tools to make the best possible impact on all who have served.

When this ambitious program was previewed at the 2016 Moose Convention in St. Louis, many voiced strong opinions about elements they wanted to see included in the program.  Obviously, the main focus of the Moose is our fraternal programs, including Mooseheart, Moosehaven and Heart of the Community activities; and though we don’t have the expertise or resources to be a full-fledgedveteran’s services organization, we know we can still provide recognition and support to our veteran members who have made a positive impact on society through their service and through our Fraternity.

Admittedly, this program may not be all things to all veterans, but we will strive to serve our veterans to the very best of our ability. Our members’ strong sentiments only confirm that they are passionate about this cause and do want to see the program succeed – and therefore, we are confident that it will. (From Moose International website)

                                                   MOOSE CHARITIES ON A MISSION

     We want you to know that at Moose Charities we are on a mission. It's true the main purpose of Moose Charities is to be the friendly fundraising arm of this Fraternity, but we believe that our true mission and calling is much, much bigger.

Dedicated and generous members founded Mooseheart and Moosehaven because they had the heart to care for those in need. After the two campuses were founded, the Fraternity grew larger thanks to its dedication to fulfilling the missions of these campuses. For that reason, we believe that supporting Mooseheart and Moosehaven goes hand-in-hand with creating a sustainable, excited group of Moose members across the Fraternity. We believe that if we can move ALL our members to become invested in the cause, they will stick around for the long haul.

     Today, the mission of Moose Charities is to spread awareness about Mooseheart and Moosehaven, make friends with all members and recognize our donors. We believe that as we accomplish these missions, we will see our organization thrive.

That's where you come in. 

Friends, we need you to be our champions. We need you to go to your lodges and chapters and spread what you know about getting involved with Moose Charities. Talk about the Donors Circle and how it helps the lodge and chapter meet their all-giving goals, while at the same time also helping Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Talk about Mooseheart Boosters and making an annual gift to the school. Talk about the m+m Club and how simple it is to make a monthly gift. Every little thing you do and say makes a difference for the organizations we all love so much. Let’s all go be champions

(Extracted from an article by Pam Amundsen/Executive Director, Moose Charities) 

                                               MOOSE LEGION WINTER CELEBRATION

I attended the Moose Legion Winter Celebration held at our Lodge on Feb. 26th. At the culmination of the celebration was a great dinner made by our own Terry Denniston and Judy Stiles. The Winter Celebration is a meeting of all the Moose Legions in our district. It occurs four times a year. Fredericksburg Lodge Moose Legion is one of the Lodges in the Bull Run 185 Moose Legion District. Every meeting is hosted by a different Lodge within the district and Fredericksburg was honored to host this one. The day started with meetings to discuss the business, successes, goals, and health of Bull Run Moose Legion. After a light lunch and plenty of time for fellowship a Moose Legion Conferral was held. At the conferral, sixteen men were inducted into the Moose Legion. Out of those sixteen two were from our Lodge. These men chose to enrichen their Moose Membership by joining the Higher Degree. They are now Moose Legionnaires, members of the Degree of Service.   The Moose Legion is the first step a Moose must take to advance to the Higher Degrees. The Fellowship and Pilgrim Degrees have the Moose Legion as their foundation. All Lodges in the Loyal Order of Moose must have an active Moose Legion to remain in good standing. The Moose Legion is considered a Standing Committee and has monthly meetings. They raise their own money to fund special projects around the Lodge, support Mooseheart and Moosehaven, and many local and national charities. Our Moose Legion Committee meets on the fourth Saturday of each month. The meetings start with a social hour, followed by a meeting with dinner, and then occasionally a party. The meetings are relaxed and fun.   The Higher Degrees of our order are different for men and women. Although we are all One Moose now the path to the higher degrees split after that. For the men it begins with the Moose Legion. For the women it begins with the Women of the Moose. The paths may be different, but the goals are the same. Those ultimate goals are the support of Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Both paths are important to the good of our order and all members are encouraged to seek the Higher Degrees. Women that originally joined the Moose before the merge to One Moose already have the first step towards the Higher Degrees. The men and women that hold the higher degrees are the backbone of our order. They do most of the volunteer work around the Lodge and raise most of the money for our local and national charities in addition to supporting Mooseheart and Moosehaven. These people donate their time to do this.   When you joined The Moose, you signed an obligation on the application form stating that you would support the work of the Moose. Perhaps it is time to take that obligation seriously, volunteer some of your time for the various projects and campaigns at the Lodge. You will be working with some great people and have fun doing it. You don’t have to join the Higher Degrees to volunteer to help but you will find it rewarding to do so. It is your Lodge. Take some ownership of it and help keep it a great one.   Dave Cramer Membership/Ritual Chairman 

                                               IS THE WOTM NECESSARY

Is there still a need for Women of the Moose Chapters if we are a unified fraternity? ABSOLUTELY!! 

While the Women of the Moose have changed over the past 108 years, the mission and purpose has not. The Women of the Moose are the sole financial providers of the Mooseheart School; Moosehaven pharmacy assistance; Moosehaven daily needs; Mooseheart physical and occupational therapy; the girls’ and boys’ athletic program; necessities for each new child to get the right start at Mooseheart; Moosehaven vision, hearing and dental needs; and Christmas on both Campuses. We bring the music program to our children, and the beauty and barber shop to our senior members. In addition, our Chapters have provided over eight million dollars this past year in service to others in our communities. 

These financial contributions are often referred to as “114 donations” by our Chapter members and are required to earn the Award of Achievement. Lodges do not donate to any of these projects. Imagine the impact of this additional financial requirement on the Lodge if Chapters were no longer contributing to these vital programs. Therefore, Chapters shall be allowed to conduct fundraising projects. Chapters are NOT required to give the Lodge the proceeds from these fundraisers. Monies raised are used to offset donations to our charitable endeavors; excess funds may be used to support the Lodge if approved by the chapter membership and if in accordance with our General Laws. 

Thank you to the dedicated members who support fundraisers, renew their dues, attend meetings, functions and events, and support the Moose fraternity by promoting our mission of helping others. We are indeed stronger together, but our current structure provides varying opportunities for our members. Please continue to support your Lodge, your Chapter, your Moose Legion to enjoy your membership to the fullest as well as help ensure the future of Mooseheart and Moosehaven. 

(Denielle Baile on the Women of the Moose (WOTM) Facebook page.)