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Written by: Scott Hart

Published: 15 July 2020

If you have been around me during a day in the office over the course of the last 15 years, then you have probably heard me say, “It is going to be a big day at Mooseheart today!” No doubt that every day at Mooseheart, Moosehaven, and in our Lodges has the potential to be a “big day”; but Friday, June 26, 2020, at approximately 7:15 pm changed the way I define what is and what isn’t a “big day.” The Judiciary Committee report was read on the floor of the Convention which included the results of a momentous delegate vote.

I don’t feel I’m going too far out on a limb by saying the General Law amendment vote that rewrote the way for a unified fraternity was the most important in our 132-year history. I am proud to be part of an organization that recognized the need to change and brought gender equality to our Lodge membership. Doing this on the first vote with 77% of the delegates approving the amendments is absolutely incredible! Congratulations and cheers to a brighter future because of this giant step forward.

Given the weight and complexity of the move to a One Moose Lodge membership model, it is going to take a little time to prepare for a smooth transition. The date of May 1, 2021, will usher in the slate of organizational changes and when we get to Cincinnati, Ohio for the 133rd Annual International Moose Convention (June 30 – July 4, 2021), we can celebrate the dawning of a new era in our Moose fraternity.

Congratulations to all who have been elected or appointed to serve our fraternity on a Board, Council, or Committee, or as a Deputy Grand Regent, Deputy Supreme Governor or Moose Legion Ambassador. None of this would have been possible without your leadership and willingness to consider the needs of others greater than your own. I appreciate your commitment to our Moose fraternity – together we are unstoppable – together we are One Moose! God Bless!

If you have a concern or idea you’d like to share with me, use our online form: “Tell the Director-General.”

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Written by: Scott Hart

Published: 28 May 2020

We are in the midst of a pandemic that is testing every fiber of our being, our Fraternity and our nations. As a Fraternity that is nearing 132 years old this April, we have weathered many trials over that time. It has taken the collective strength of our membership to carry the Moose Mission forward in good times and bad. This point in our history will be no different. We will care for one another, serve our communities and provide a loving home for our children at Mooseheart and our seniors at Moosehaven.

During this time when many of our Lodge homes are not accessible to the general membership due to precautionary measures or state restrictions, let’s remember that there are a few things that we can do –

Be safe in this time of uncertainty and look to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and follow state/provincial and local orders to minimize the impact of this pandemic (www.cdc.gov)

Give our Lodge a good deep cleaning. Invite a limited number of men and women over a period of several days to tackle different parts of the building. Let’s just not sanitize, but thoroughly clean areas that have needed it for a while.

Work the Expired Member List by phone and let them know the good that your Lodge provides in the community and for Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Every Administrator and Recorder should be able to provide a copy of the monthly list.

Make needed repairs or updates that the Board has been meaning to do – a new coat of paint goes a long way to providing a fresh look when food and beverage service begins again.

Communicate with your members. This isn’t the time to stop the Lodge Newsletter or let the Lodge website slide. If your Lodge doesn’t have a Newsletter, consider a special mailing with a letter from the Board of Officers reminding them of the good things that have happened in the past year at the Lodge and what good things lay ahead.

Review the Lodge Safety Report and take corrective action.

Take a complete inventory of Lodge, Social Quarters’ and kitchen supplies and order items that you will need when the Lodge reopens.

Put together a Lodge Calendar of some of the old favorites with a mix of new activities to involve all members and their families.

Check up on your elderly members. Make sure they are okay and see if they need anything. This is a great way to keep them connected and feeling valued.

Doing the above will make you fully prepared when the Lodge doors reopen. Our members and their guests will be hungering for fellowship and social interaction. Let’s make sure the Moose is the first place they want to visit!

As we look to tomorrow, let’s be safe, be healthy and be One Moose!

If you have a concern or idea you’d like to share with me, use our online form: “Tell the Director General.”

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Written by: Prelate Reporter

Published: 07 February 2019

Update 2/12/2019:  Gerry Piddington is having a celebration of life at the American Legion Post #177 on Thursday, February 14, 2019, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Everyone is invited to attend.

The Vienna Moose lost a chapter member on February 7, 2019.  Jenny Piddington died after an extended battle with cancer.  She and her entire family have been a huge part of this lodge for 40 years.  It hurts to know she is gone.  While she is known so well in our lodge, she is best known as a wife, mother, aunt, and godmother.  We ask that you please keep her and her family in your prayers.  Jenny, please know you have many friends that will miss you dearly.

Arrangements:

Friday, February 8, 2019:

• Viewing at Cloherty’s Funeral Home in Lilly Pennsylvania from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
• Service at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, February 9, 2019:

• A celebration of Life at Skols Club from Noon to 4:00 pm

A message from the family (Blair Piddington):

The support today has been so amazing. It’s lifted us up and made us realize how special my mom was, which we already knew.

In Lieu of Flowers, we are asking for donations to Grane Hospice in Altoona. They were amazing and took great care of Mom.

We are excited to have as many people as we can. We know we have a lot of people from out of town, and a lot from in town. If you can make Friday and Saturday, that would be amazing. If you can only make Saturday night, that would be great too. We want to celebrate Moms life with all the people she has reached through the years.

Please spread the word since this won’t be in the paper until possibly Saturday. Having Social media is an amazing tool. We know it’s a quick turnaround but family needs to be there and Saturday is a great day for us to celebrate. She loved some ice cold beers and loved people. Come out and see us.

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Written by: Dan Sullivan

Published: 27 October 2018

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that we report that Violet Gale “Gay” Neary died yesterday on Friday, October 26, 2018.  Gay was a long-time member and employee at our lodge.  We have very little knowledge of her death at this time.  Please keep Gay and her family and friends in your prayers as they go through this tough time.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

Update 10/29/2018:

Gay's family will be having a funeral service on Thursday, November 1, 2018, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Jefferson Funeral Chapel (5755 Castlewellan Drive Alexandria, VA 22315).  

For more information and an obituary please, click here.

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Written by: Grand Regent Kim

Published: 12 February 2018

Well, I almost missed the beginning of the year…okay I know it is January 30 and the month is all most over, but I can still wish all our fantastic members “HAPPY 2018!”

I usually don’t set any New Year Resolutions as within minutes I have broken them, but I did this year. My resolutions are to be healthier and happier, take off 30-40 lbs, exercise by walking, and to smile more at everyone I meet. I usually journal all year, and I have lots of them in boxes from the sixth grade to now, but my journal this year is writing down my blood sugars and my walking time with a few remarks.  I started January 2, 2018, and have documented in my Journal and on Facebook, because you see, I need all of you to keep me on the right track so I don’t break these resolutions.  It is like everything we do in the Moose, we need each other to be successful in our Chapter year.  If we are there for all our members we are a successful group, the Chapter grows, members participate, we are having fun, eating together, planning all kinds of activities together that we don’t have time to dwell on the gossip running around the corners of our Lodge homes.  My friends, yes, I consider all of you my friends, but as I have said before we don’t all have to be besties to be a successful Chapter.  We need to learn to respect and work with each other at all times towards our mission of supporting Mooseheart, Moosehaven, and our communities.  We should be united in our goals so the Chapter earns the Award of Achievement and we should uplift the Co-workers working for their personal honors. The important thing is to work together for everyone’s success.

That said, FEBRUARY, the month of LOVE, is almost upon us. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL OUR MEMBERS. There are so many things going on in all the Chapters this month; selling the Rockers for the Endowment fund, Valentine dances and dinners, Mid-year Conferences, and making plans to attend the International Conference in New Orleans. Share the LOVE and have FUN!

This is also the time for nominations and elections for 2018-19.  Have you announced the dates, time and place of the first, second and third Nominating Committee meetings, as well as the names of the co-workers serving as your Nominating Committee?  At the second meeting in January, you should have asked co-workers to submit names for consideration to serve as an officer. The first Nominating Committee meeting shall be held during the first two weeks of February (prior to the 15th) with the second and third meetings held after February 15th.   Make sure all Nominating meetings are announced at Chapter meetings prior to the date held and that you hold them before the first meeting in March.  At the first meeting in March, the FINAL Slate of Nominees is read to the Chapter.  At the second meeting in March (two weeks later) Elections are held and then anytime in April you hold the Installation of Officers. WOW!  We’ll be busy!  Plan ahead to stay organized and productive.

Remember co-workers, always have lots of fun even when you are working hard on completing your Chapter year.  The next few months are going to be busy for you as well as for me, but I promise to stay in touch with you either here on the Moose Website or check out my “Travels of the Grand Regent” page on Facebook.  Follow Tiddlywinks and me as we visit Macon, GA, New Orleans, LA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Harrisburg, PA and then Ontario, Canada.

I am here for you……Love to all, have a fantastic February and March!

Grand Regent Kim

Reposted from Moose International