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Written by: Carl Thomas

Published: 08 November 2020

Today is Sunday, November 8, 2020, we just got done serving breakfast to the members.  It was an amazing morning.  We served 25 breakfasts and 7 of them were for the littles.  It is so nice to have the little ones coming into the lodge again.  I want to thank all the members that have been coming out to help with our new every Sunday breakfasts.  Thanks to Jeff Sargent, Dave Kish, Gwen, and Darren for everything they do for the lodge.  As you all know we were shut down because of a COVID-19 exposure for a week.  Thanks to everyone that has made it into the lodge since this scare.

We are working on getting more safe events in the lodge.  Did you make it out to the Bonfire with Ron Thayer at the lodge on October 17, 2020?  It was another great safe event with a lot of kids in attendance.  We have the Koolerators scheduled for November 14, 2020, starting at 5:00 pm and running until 8:00 pm.  We are still looking for more events to bring you into the lodge.  Do you have any ideas for safe events?  Let us know!

I have noticed, on occasion, Lodge business being discussed in the social quarters.  Rarely, if at all, are these observations brought forward to the general meetings.  I urge all members to take advantage of sharing observations at the general meetings so that we can consider these ideas which have the potential of benefiting the Lodge operations overall.  That is why our general meetings always include an agenda item called "For the good of the order".

Speaking of meetings, all LOOM members are invited to attend our twice a month General Membership meeting on the first and third Thursdays at 7:30 pm.  This is where we discuss current matters for the lodge and future items.  We are still discussing what to do for our 61 st birthday on December 2, 2020.  If you would like some input into this please come out.  We would love to hear what you want to do!

If you have been to the lodge recently, you might have noticed that we removed a big evergreen tree in the front.  It was getting too large and was encroaching on the flag poles.  Many thanks to Gerry and Darren for this work (Father and Son Landscaping).  We are also having issues with the super big oak tree next to the lodge.  We are working with an arborist to treat the tree for the next year.  We are also going to be working on the playground soon to remove the fabric under the gravel because it is not allowing water to get to the roots of the big tree.  We really hope we can save the grand old tree.  We want to thank Stan and his crew (SR Tree) for trimming the big tree.  We are grateful to have them also as members.

In closing up, we have some new Grover Games to play at the lodge.  We have a new College Rivals Football and 2020 High Rollers game.  They are both a lot of fun to play.  We look forward to seeing and serving you soon here at the lodge.

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Written by: Senior Membership Reporter

Published: 01 November 2020

We wanted to keep the membership up to date with our current membership drive.  Yes, we know there is a pandemic going on.  We know these are trying times.  But we are an extended family that cares about each other.  So, I am asking all of you to call and make a buddy check with someone you know within the fraternity.  It doesn't even have to be a member of our lodge!  If you are a member of one you are a member of all lodges.  If you have not seen someone in some time or not seen them post on Facebook (if you are on Facebook) for some time check in on them.

This year's membership quota for this 2020-2021 year is 55 new members.  We are well behind our previous year's new member rate at this point in the year.  We would hate to see us not make the quota for this year.  So, do you know of a worthy friend, family member, or maybe someone you meet at a local restaurant or bar that might make a wonderful Moose member?  So far this year, we have signed up "7" new members since the last May.  We only have five months to sign up 48 more members.  We really need your help.

Virginia Moose Association Membership Info

• Application and Quota Report
• Last Year to Current Year Compare (AED) Report
• Top Sponsors Report

Remember they do not have to sign up the first time they come to the lodge.  Why not bring them in for breakfast some week in the future and show them around!  We are serving breakfast each Sunday now!

With that plug for our lodge breakfasts, we know many are staying away right now.  We get it!  We know your family's safety is paramount to you!  But, when you don't come in and frequent the lodge, the money we have to pay employees, pay the electric bills, and purchase food and drinks for the members dries up.  We need your help to stay vibrant and supporting of our communities.  I didn't want to sound so dire!  But our situation is not unique.  It is happening to all lodges all across the United States.  To everyone that reads this, thank you for all you do to support this lodge and our community.  You always make us proud to call you members/friends/family!

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Written by: Dan O’Neal - Special Project/Fundraising

Published: 08 August 2020

To the Moose Legion Secretary, Directors and Members of Bull Run Moose Legion #185, 

On behalf of the Moose Legion Council, Our Director Bob Neff, and President John Prough, we want to thank each jurisdiction for their donation to the Endowment Fund.  Your contributions through the month of August 2020 total $1133.00, which is $1.92 per Moose Legionnaire. 

Please remember endowment funds should be sent monthly, but a minimum of once per quarter.  In addition, jurisdictions exceeding $3.00 per-capita by April 30th receive 30 bonus points toward the Moose Legion Award of Excellence. This is how most jurisdictions will achieve the upper levels of award.

Total dollars collected for the Endowment Fund by the "President Division" amounts to $2,896.61.  The Grand total from all six divisions amounts to $15,458.45.  The Endowment Fund Competition "Top 10" standings for the 2020-2021 Moose fiscal year in the category of "President" consisting of Moose Legions with 426 thru 600 Moose Legionnaires is as follows:

Next month’s contributions will provide your jurisdiction an opportunity to move up in the standings within your division for this Moose fiscal year.  Statistics and competition standings from all jurisdictions in every division can be found in the Moose Legion area of the Moose International website.

Thanks again for all you do and please convey our gratitude to your members for the outstanding service they provide to our fraternity.

Fraternally,

Dan O’Neal

Special Project/Fundraising

International Moose Legion Council

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Written by: Dan Sullivan

Published: 20 July 2020

The Loyal Order of Moose held its election on Thursday, July 16, 2020. There was a good turnout to support the lodge even with everything that is going on in the world.

I would like to express my thanks to the current board for all their hard work over the last year. Our lodge has endured many difficulties in the last year. I want to thank all that have supported our board of officers. We have some of the hardest working and most generous members of any lodge. We are in a better place because of your hard work! We do have more to accomplish this next year. I want to thank all the members of the lodge that came out to vote with me for Lodge board candidates.

We will be looking for candidates that wish to join the board for the positions of the trustee.  Stay tuned for more information.

The lodge is hosting a Moose Legion Conferral and Celebration this Sunday, July 26, 2020, starting at 10 am.  We will finish the day around 6:00 pm with the installation of our officers for the lodge.  We invite all members to attend.

Fraternally,
Dan Sullivan
Governor
Vienna Moose Lodge #1896

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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: Dan Sullivan

Published: 11 July 2020

We hope you, your family, and extended families have been safe during this trying time.  We know this has been hard for all of you.  We are pleased to have not heard of any lodge members stricken by this virus.  We have heard many stories of friends and other families that have not been so lucky.  At the beginning of this pandemic, we made the decision to furlough all paid employees until times were safe to start again.  We want to thank all the amazing volunteers that continued to help the lodge pay the unending bills during our Grab & Go meal services.  Without their help, we would be in an even bigger hole.

Meanwhile, the nation's leading infectious diseases expert warned Americans that the nation is still "knee-deep" in the first wave.  With all the states around Virginia showing an uptick of new infections and hospitalizations, the board of officers made the hard decision to continue our closure until Tuesday, July 28, 2020.  As you know many of our lodge members are of an age and have underlying medical conditions that make them more at risk than the general population.

Our current plans (that are subject to change based on future information), we will be opening the main hall as the temporary Social Quarters.  We will be abiding by all CDC, State, and Fairfax County regulations on functioning during a pandemic.  Face masks are not optional, if you cannot wear a mask please stay home.  If you need a mask we have one for you.  We have been rearranging the Main Hall to include the movement of the gaming machines downstairs.

We cannot stress the value of our volunteers during this time.  We also want to thank all the members that came in and made a purchase of any size during this time.  Because our volunteers were getting tired, we also decided to give them a break.  We will not be holding Grab & Go’s until we re-open.

Finally, we started holding our General Membership Meetings outside in the pavilion the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:30 pm.  At the last meeting, we announced to the membership the slate of board officers running for the 2020 - 2021 year.  Below is the list of candidates.   We invite all members to come out for our election on July 16, 2020.

• Governor:  Bunky Clark
• Jr. Governor:  Bruce Chappell
• Treasure:  Jeff Sargent
• Prelate: Jaime Connelly
• Trustee: Gerry Piddington

As we get more information, we will be reaching out via our website, Facebook, email blast, and text messaging.  Meanwhile, please be safe!  We want to also let members know that we will be holding the Bull Run 185 Celebration on Sunday, July 26th. We will be posting the schedule soon.

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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: Dan Sullivan

Published: 25 March 2020

To all members of the Moose,

As members of the Commonwealth of Virginia and as members of a fraternity that prides itself on helping children and seniors in need, we want to step up and help those in need.  In the coming days, we are asking that if you are a member (lodge affiliation is not a determining factor) over the age of 60 and contracts the COVID-19 virus we want to hear from you.  We will be helping all that we can if you live near the lodge.  We are starting within a few miles of the lodge.  This requirement is adjustable based on your condition and need.  We are just setting a baseline.

This list will be used to check in on you, and procure needed items during your illness.  We see this as a way to give back to our amazing members and community.  So, if you are sick and in need, please contact the lodge.  You can do this by sending an email, calling the lodge, or telling us of someone in need.

We are going to also need volunteers to help in this effort.  We will need members for transportation of stuff (technical for anything) and needed items to sick members.  Please let us know if you can volunteer!  We have a few to start, but will need others!  Now if you can, please donate in any amount you can to help support this effort.  Now for safety, we will communicate with the sick member and find out a transfer place where both will be safe from infection.

No matter if the lodge is open or closed, we will continue to try to help in any way we can.  This is an open invitation for all members of the fraternity.  We will help members from any lodge that is nearby!  Everyone has a role to play during this national emergency, this is ours!

Thank you in advance for all your efforts and help during this time of great need.

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Written by: Membership Reporter

Published: 29 October 2019

Brothers and Sisters,

It is with a heavy heart that we tell you that Kent Caldwell has passed on October 27, 2019.  Many of us have fond memories of him and Heather at our lodge.  It hurts to know that Kent has left this world too soon.  We pray for his family in their time of need.

A celebration of life has been planned for Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 3:00 pm at the Vienna American Legion Dyer-Gunnell post #180.  The address for the post is 330 Center St N, Vienna, VA 22180.

If we get updates, we will update this article with more information.  Again, we ask that you pray for his family.

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Written by: Dan Sullivan

Published: 05 September 2019

Someone once said, "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose."  And, I want our lodge to win and win big!  So, I ask, is our lodge providing the activities and things you want to do?  Do you want to see more members in our lodge on a daily basis?  Do you want to help us?

I am here to ask for your support!  We can use everyone's help.  Maybe you can help check membership cards at big events at the lodge?  Maybe help in volunteering to cook or clean during our once monthly lodge breakfasts or other food events?  Do you have an idea for something you would be willing to volunteer for?  The volunteering can be big, but small will do too!  If you think you can help let us know!  For your information, we will need members to help with the crab leg feast, balloon fight, Christmas party, and the campfire socials coming up!

Now, there is always turn over in lodge boards and committees!  And, change doesn't always happen on a neat time table. You may have read that we have started a new Nominations Committee to staff the board position for Junior Governor.  This is a very important position in the lodge.  The Junior Governor supports the lodge by standing in should something happen to the Governor.  It is also a voice to help move the lodge in the right direction during our meetings.  So, we are looking for the best someone with a big MOOSE heart and excitement to help the lodge in moving forward in the right!  If you think you might be the right person or are interested in helping the lodge in some other way, big or small, now is the time to let the board know.  We are accepting nominations now!

The workaround the lodge never really ends.  This last month, we made another donation to a great charitable organization that helps to heal and lift up those devastated by addiction and its effects on the addict.  We also upgraded our lodge Wi-Fi and cable boxes.  We have been working on the playground by painting and maintaining the horses and playset.  We did maintenance on the kitchen lighting to make it brighter and more efficient by replacing old ballast styled lighting with LED lights.  It is so much brighter!  We even upgraded some of our Grover Gaming machines with new taller units.  I could go on, but there are other things to talk about.

This last month your lodge attended the Virginia Moose Association's Convention in Roanoke, Virginia.  We participated in the election of new Virginia Moose officers.  Received our Moose International Premier Lodge award presented by Danny Williams from Moose International's Justice of the Supreme forum.  We listened to the reports on the different topics presented.  And, gained a new appreciation for all things Moose!  I want to personally thank you for your continued support and membership to help the kids and seniors entrusted to our care at Mooseheart and Moosehaven and for helping our communities to be a better place to live and work!  Congratulations to our newest State President Ken Kennedy!  Over the last few years, I have gotten to know "MY BROTHER" Ken at the many functions and conventions.  I have assured him that our lodge is willing to help in any way we can to make his tenure as the State President successful!  At this year's convention, I was personally acknowledged as a member of the Moose International Communications Committee.  I am still in awe of this honor.  I am looking forward to the activities this entails over the coming year!

There are so many members to thank each month for the successes that we have.  I want to start with what I consider is a many times overlooked and rarely thanked enough group our employees.  I want to personally thank Carl Thomas, Sharon Chappell, Gwen Smith, Codi Smith, and Richard Pyle for the work they do day in and day out.  You all help to make our members experiences in the lodge great.  Thank you for all you continue to do!  I also want to thank Mark Los, Bunky Clark, Chris Martin, and Garret Awkard for helping around the lodge with the many different events.  You all helped to pull together a great Cajun Seafood Boil and Summer Island Luau party.  If you missed the pictures from these events please check them out on Facebook.  Now, as usual, I know there is going to be someone that I miss in thanking personally.  I try to do this when you help.  If I have missed you, please know that your help is not going unnoticed.

In conclusion, I have said to many that I have a lofty goal for our lodge, something that is near impossible, to gain two hundred new members in two years!  As my last request for this message, I am asking for your help in attaining this for the lodge.  Our lodge once had over 2000 members.  With the non-smoking rule going into effect on January 1, 2020, please contact our former members and friends and see if they would consider checking us out again.  We have so much going for us these days.  I see good days ahead for our lodge!