Greetings and Happy New Year,

2020 already? Where did 2019 go?

The month of December was filled with lots of Moose Activities, along with a much needed vacation spent with my family. It’s hard to believe that the “baby” of the clan is now 5 years old. They grow up so fast.

We started the month with the annual Tree Lighting and Senior Portrait Luncheon at Mooseheart. Once again John and Nichole did an outstanding job in putting together a wonderful program. The Field House was packed and so was the House of God.  If you were not able to attend, it truly was one of the most inspiring and moving days that I have ever spent at Mooseheart.  It is well worth the trip to experience this special day, especially as a proud Wisconsin Moose member!

We followed that event up with hosting the Supreme Governor, Rodney Hammond, for several Lodge Visits.  We visited 7 Lodges in 3 days, and were overwhelmed with the receptions at all of the Lodges.  Although Beloit #191 and Kenosha #286 were “surprise” visits, Rodney was happy with the hospitability afforded him during these visits. Overall, the visits were great, and the donations presented on behalf of Rodney totaled over $2,300.00.  Great job!!

As we start the New Year, we need to reflect on what worked in regards to our membership. Currently the LOOM is short 275 and the WOTM are short 181 from being a PLUS. We are closer this year than we were last year at this same time. We ALL need to make a serious effort to maintain and grow our membership. As I am sitting here writing this on Christmas Eve, I remember that my dues are also due. As most of you know, I have several memberships to both Lodges and Moose Legions, and the reason for that is to support those Lodges and Moose Legions. But I also use this as a tool to gauge how our Membership Retention Committees are performing. I sometimes purposely delay in paying my dues to see if anyone reaches out to me with a friendly reminder. (Hint, Hint)

The upcoming months are going to busy for Lodges, Moose Legions, Districts, and Chapters. It’s that time of year again that we all need to start looking for 0fficers for the next Moose Year.  With that being said, we also need to start thinking about the required training to hold those positions. The State Association will be hosting FREE LLHC, MLEC, and 2HOTT Training Sessions at the start of the Mid-Year Conference. The Association Training Division will also be meeting on the 25^th of January to plan out this year’s training schedule.  If your Lodge or Chapter would like to host a Training Session, please contact me prior to the 25^th. There is also an Administrator’s Class scheduled for January 21^st – 23^rd.  Please contact Matt Boardman to reserve your spot.

Also in regards to training, the General Governor’s Office, with the support of the Director General and the Supreme Council have mandated that ALL training requirements MUST be current prior to July 1^st, 2020, or that officer will be removed.  I have let that “slide” these past two years, but I will not be able to do so in the future.  So PLEASE complete your training as required.

Our Mid-Year Conference is scheduled for March 5^th, 2020 in Green Bay.  I hope to see everyone there. Please remember that this will be our FIRST JOINT Conference, so not only are the Governors and Administrators required to attend; now both the Senior Regents and Recorders are also required to attend according to our Association By-Laws. Be sure to start making plans now!

I know that we will be covering the 1 Moose program in more detail. For those of you that have not heard of this program yet, the Fraternity is looking to combine the LOOM and WOTM into one organization. Currently the International “Straw Pole” vote is overwhelmingly in favor of becoming one.

Until next month, I want to leave you with the following six little stories:

Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith.

When you throw babies up into the air, they laugh because they know that you will catch them. That is trust.

Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but we still set the alarm to wake up. That is hope.

We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future.  That is confidence.

We see the world suffering, but we get married and have children. That is love.

On an old man’s shirt was written the sentence “I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.” That is attitude.

Have a happy day, and live your life like these six stories – Good friends are the rare jewels of life, difficult to find and impossible to replace!!

Fraternally,

Michael S. Rynearson

Territory Manager / Liaison