At our lodge, we take pride in our long-standing commitment to supporting the wonderful town of Vienna! From lively events to community cleanups, and generous donations to our schools and first responders, we’re all about making a difference.
We are thrilled to announce that the Vienna Moose has snagged the highest honor for the first quarter, as recognized by Moose International, achieving a stellar score of “Superior” for our ongoing efforts! 🏆
Our Heart of the Community service program focuses on uplifting our neighbors through local volunteer services, supporting seniors and children in hospitals, aiding first responders, fostering youth sports, providing substance abuse assistance, and partnering with the Salvation Army.
Making our communities better places to live is at the heart of the Moose fraternity’s mission. Each year, our Lodges and Chapters contribute over $75 million through monetary donations, mileage driven, and hours served. From small projects to grand initiatives, whether locally or through national and international partnerships, the men and women of the Moose are always there—reliable, compassionate, and genuinely dedicated to meeting the needs of others.
Together, we’re not just a lodge; we’re the Heart of the Community! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to shine brightly as a beacon of hope and support for everyone in Vienna!
In an era where organizations are striving to make their mark, the story of our lodge is nothing short of remarkable. We have not only defied expectations but set a standard for excellence. In this article, we will delve into our journey, shedding light on the extraordinary achievements that have made us a standout presence in our state and nationally.
The title speaks volumes about our commitment and dedication. "Thank you to all members who continue to help our lodge grow." We cannot emphasize enough the importance of each and every member's contribution. Our journey to excellence began with a monumental achievement - becoming the first lodge in our state to meet and exceed its quota.
Currently, we stand tall with 146 new members signed up, surpassing 156.99% of the annual quota. This achievement showcases our unwavering spirit and dedication to growth.
Nationally, we are making waves, securing the 82nd position. In the state of Virginia, we proudly stand in 7th place, a testament to our hard work and commitment to the community.
Our retention numbers are truly remarkable and a cause for celebration too. They reflect our dedication to maintaining strong member engagement and commitment. In discussions among our enthusiastic lodge supporters, our retention rate proudly stands at 12.17% for expired members and an impressive 10.30% for dropped members. These outstanding figures demonstrate our unwavering commitment to keeping our members actively involved and devoted. We express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated members of the Membership Committee, whose efforts contribute to these exceptional results.
We would be remiss not to celebrate the individuals who have played a pivotal role in our success. Chris Oskuie deserves special recognition for leading the charge in the Virginia Moose Top 25 rankings. With 14 new members signed up this year, Chris has exemplified the dedication and leadership that define our lodge.
We extend an invitation to all our sponsors to remind their new members of our 3rd New Member Social and Orientation of the year. This event promises to be an unforgettable evening of fun and music, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among our members.
Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Location: Vienna Moose Lodge
Event Details: Join us as we welcome new faces to our Moose family while enjoying the soulful tunes of music artist Keith Reals. The evening promises to be a memorable one, strengthening the bonds within our lodge.
Our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and our success story continues to inspire others. We are a lodge that prides itself on its commitment to growth, its unwavering dedication, and its ability to adapt to changing times.
We appreciate the support and enthusiasm of our members who have made our success possible. Thank you for your continuous dedication.
Could it BE any more exciting? I mean, seriously, folks, we've got some awesome stuff coming up at the Vienna Moose Lodge, and you won't want to miss it! So, here we are, November, the time when the weather decides to go all moody and bring out the winter gear. But don't worry, we've got some cool things to warm your heart.
First off, let's give a big shoutout to our volunteer bartenders – Chol, Susan, Robyn, and Isa. You guys are the real MVPs! And not to forget our buddy Steve Grosz, who's been helping out with recent events – you rock, man!
And how about Mike Grass, huh? He's been doing some serious hunting and recruiting to find us new bartenders and an administrator. Kudos, my friend!
Oh, and speaking of being part of the action, don't forget our Lodge meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. It's where all the Moose magic happens, so mark those dates in your calendar too!
Now, let's dive into the fun stuff! We've got some events that'll make you say, "Could I BE any more excited?"
So, don't miss out on all this fun. Get your calendars out, mark those dates, and let's make memories that'll have you saying, "Could this day BE any better?" See you there, my friends!
Yabba-dabba-doo, folks! It's me, Roger Chang, and I've got a few things to say about our good ol' lodge and the fantastic folks who keep it running like a well-oiled dinosaur, or should I say, a well-roasted bronto-rib?
First off, I wanna put a friendly ol' pebble out there and say we could sure use more of you fine folks at our general meetings. Yep, we've got some real bedrock-solid plans and ideas brewin', and your input is like the cherry on top of a Bedrock Bronto-Burger. So, why not come on down and join the conversation? The more, the merrier, I always say!
Now, about volunteers, well, they're the backbone of our lodge, just like a good sturdy log under our Flintmobile. We can always use more hands to help with all the great stuff we do around here. From serving up delicious dino-dinners to keeping the place lookin' spiffy, there's a lot to do. And when we all pitch in, it's like one big happy Bedrock family!
Speaking of family, let's give a big ol' "Yabba-dabba-doo!" to our current board. They work harder than a Brontosaurus pushin' a boulder uphill, and we're mighty grateful for 'em. Thanks for keepin' things runnin' smoothly, folks!
And how 'bout Robyn Oskuie, our Moose of the Year? Well, she's been putting in some serious elbow grease, and it shows. Her dedication is rock-solid, and she's like the Bedrock's beacon of community spirit. Thanks, Robyn, for all you do!
Now, I can't forget to mention our maintenance marvel, Alex Atsaves. Keepin' our lodge lookin' sharp and sturdy is a big job, and we appreciate your hard work, Alex!
And Joe Copeland, well, he's been a real hero, fixing up the playground last spring and those kitchen doors just last week. Thanks for keeping our place safe and sound, Joe!
Sarah Knudsen and Shelia McMullan, you're gems for all your help gettin' those kitchen goodies sorted out. You make cookin' in there a real blast (Or at least fried really well)!
And let's give a big ol' thumbs-up to Steve Grosz. He's been rockin' the role of activities chair like a true Bedrock superstar. Way to go, Steve!
So, there you have it, folks. We've got a heap of gratitude to spread around, and we're lucky to have such wonderful folks like you makin' our lodge the best it can be. So let's keep rollin' like a wheel on the Flintmobile, and remember, we're all in this together! Yabba-dabba-doo!
The Vienna Moose Lodge, the only one in the state to date, has achieved something truly remarkable. As of September 21, 2023, they've not only met but exceeded their quota for the 2023-2024 year. With immense gratitude, we celebrate the members who have made this possible.
In just over two years, Our membership has soared from 316 to an astounding 640 active members. This phenomenal growth reflects the lodge's ability to connect with the Vienna community on a profound level.
Not only have we achieved local recognition, but we have also secured the 71st spot in national rankings. In our home state, we proudly hold the 6th position, based on year-to-date applications.
Acknowledging individual contributions, members Chris Oskuie and Matt Hass have each sponsored an impressive 12 new members, earning them a well-deserved place on the Top 25 sponsor report.
Our lodge journey continues, as we recently welcomed 11 new members on October 4, 2023, demonstrating everyone's commitment to growth and community engagement.
The Vienna Moose Lodge's story is one of resilience, dedication, and unity. From their humble beginnings to their current achievements, they remind us that together, we can accomplish great things. So, let us extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vienna Moose Lodge members who have made this journey possible. Your spirit of unity and growth is an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on your incredible achievements, and may your path continue to shine brightly.
Just a few quick updates.
A new board has been elected. You can check out who is on the board here: https://viennamoose.org/index.php/moose-lodge/loom-officers
Also a reminder that at our special meeting on 4/20/2023, two main items were passed.
Also remember the Moose Lodge is having an Yard Sale on May 6th. Info below! If the graphic is small Click "read more..." to to zoom in. :)
We are calling all Moose Legion members! At that time of year, we get together and celebrate what it means to be a Moose Legion member. We will hold our once-a-year Winter Celebration for the Bull Run Moose Legion #@185 on Saturday, February 4th, 2023. The Official Visitor from the state is Tom Keefer. Below is the list of items on the agenda for this coming Saturday:
As always, we invite all members not in the Moose Legion to inquire about becoming a Moose Legion and Women of the Moose members. This is the reason it is called the next level of membership. Click here for a flyer for your refrigerator.
As reported in the last General Membership meeting (September 1, 2022), we have two openings for board positions here at the lodge. We have formed a Nominations Committee to fill the following positions:
I would like to thank our resigning Chaplin Scott Flesch and 2nd-year Trustee Andrew Jennison for their help in navigating a tough year. They both have served with distinction and while it is hard to accept their resignations, I do understand the stress it has put on them both. I want to personally thank them for all their hard work. I have heard from both and they say this is not the end of their help. They both are continuing to help with lodge committees and lodge events.
So, our next meeting of the Nominations Committee will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 6:00 pm. At this meeting, we will review any applications that are submitted and will set the hours for the next three meetings.
I am inviting any members that would like to help move the lodge in the right direction to apply now. For information on the duties of each officer, I am including a link to our officer’s handbook. All applicants must be either a Woman of the Moose or a Moose Legion member and if not, Officer trained they must be trained within 60 days of taking office.
The lodge is scheduling a special membership meeting on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 7:00 pm to notify the members of the current state of affairs at the lodge. During this meeting with guest speaker Mike Stumbaugh of Moose International, we will talk about the current financial struggles the lodge is having. We will also talk about efforts to replace the aging hall HVAC units and the current estimates for replacement. There will be many different choices the membership can make at this meeting. Please put this on your calendar and attend, we need everyone’s voice at this meeting.
Thanks in advance for attending this meeting.
As the hot days of summer are upon us, we again ask every member to attend our general membership meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month. I know this sounds like a broken record, but you can find out important lodge information. The lodge is still very much struggling to make ends meet and attending might help you to know where you might help. This is not to say we are not having any successes; we are!
Our lodge for all its efforts has attained the Premier Lodge Award given by Moose International each year at the convention. Our lodge along with many other lodges of Virginia attained this because of members like you and your efforts to increase membership, efforts to support our community at large and other requirements. This is something everyone can be proud of!
Reporting from the Moose International Convention in Orlando from June 30 to July 4, 2022, the lodge had three members attend this year (myself, Sharon Chappell, and Cheryl Shrey-Hovey). It was an amazing time with our fellow brothers and sisters. Your representatives attended many classes on “Moose Marketing and More”, “The Lodge Financial Review Committee: Worry Less About Your Unit's Finances”, “Lodge Operations - Things I Should Know”, and “The Compliance Side of the Lodge”, and others. There was a lot of good information in the classes.
As part of the Moose International Communications committee, I got to give out the awards to the best of the best of the fraternity in the categories of the newsletter, news article, editorial, lodge/chapter websites, and association websites. There were so many good submissions this year. Congratulations to everyone that applied. Virginia Lodge was well represented! If someone else was to chair the communications committee for our lodge we could enter the competition. We have one of the best websites in the fraternity!
The lodge is continuing to have issues with the main hall HVAC system (installed in 2005). I want to thank Sharon Chappell for her calling the right AC company to get the system up and running again. This is not to say the system is fixed. As you have noticed we are having lots of events to raise money to replace the current hall system. Stay tuned for a lodge capital improvements announcement coming soon. The lodge needs lots of TLC (Tender Loving Care) and we need money to take care of these items. We are also applying for a Lodge Grant from Moose International to cover part of the cost.
So big shout out to Wendy McClelland our amazing bartender for stepping up and filling in where needed for the last few months. She is amazing in so many ways but most of which is her flexibility to fill in at a moment’s notice. To Wendy’s mom, Tanya McClelland for helping with her beautiful art projects during events and serving our banana splits at the “Save the Heat” event last Saturday. We always look good when she is helping! To Earl Green for helping to take up the slack from others during this time. We are lucky to have him. To the men and women that volunteered at the “Chillin on Church” in Vienna last weekend and served beers for the Caboose Brewery. You all made us look fantastic. To our newest committee member Steve Rao. Steve takes over where we have not had a person to chair the community service committee in some time. If you are interested in helping Steve and his committee, please reach out to him at the lodge or on Signal. Now, I am sure I am forgetting a lot of people but I want to thank the entire board of officers for sticking with the lodge during this hard time. These men and women have been pulling together and doing 
things to keep this lodge moving forward in the right. I know we would not have survived this last year without them all! If I forgot even one person, I am sorry. To the membership at large, Thanks for helping the lodge in so many ways. You continue to surprise me with your amazing volunteering efforts at the lodge and in our community. Thank you so much!
We are trying to communicate so much and more often right now, if you are wondering what is going on around the lodge, please check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Lodge email or text message blasts, or our Signal group. We want you to know and have a reason to visit the lodge every day we are open. If you are not on the Lodge Signal group, just find a member who is on it and ask to be included. I know it is summer time and many are going on vacation and will be out of town, but the lodge will not survive without your continued support and attendance in lodge events. We can all work very hard, but if you as a member do not attend, the lodge cannot last forever.
In conclusion, please mark your calendars for the Big Yard Sale on Saturday, July 23 (this Saturday) starting at 10 am. There are still spots available. And also, on Saturday starting at 6:30 pm is a great band the Hand Painted Swinger. Don’t forget we have Cornhole nights on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month starting at 7:00 pm. On Saturday, August 27, the lodge will host Mars Rodeo starting at 5:00 pm. We are also starting a weekly Karaoke night starting that is just in the starting stages (we are thinking Fridays). Finally, thank you for being a member of this great fraternity.
Fraternally,
Daniel Sullivan
Vienna Moose #1896 President
Moose International Communication Committee
