Wow, what can I say. Two years in a row the Association has finished at a “PLUS” and over 80% Retention. I can start by saying THANK-YOU to all the Lodges, Chapters, and Moose Legion that finished at a Plus. Without your efforts and hard work, we could not have done this. I hope to make it a three-peat and do it again this year.

As most of you should know by now, we are now in the Plains West Region. We are joining Territory 37, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Territory 38, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, South Kansas, and Arkansas, Territory 39, Arizona and New Mexico, Territory 41, Colorado, Montana, West Nebraska, and Wyoming. Overall this is a vast area, but there are a lot of good Territory Managers covering that space. All of this is managed by Regional Manager Jeff Gutowski. I know we will continue to do our thing and excel at everything that we do.

Now to address the elephant in the room. Many of you have asked if it is true that I am retiring. Well the answer is… NO. I am however looking into my VA Benefits to see what I will be rated at.  I retired from the service back in 2000 for medical reasons, and as I am now almost at full retirement age, I am starting the paperwork process, and any veteran knows, that takes forever.  I plan to continue what I am doing for as long as I can. Kellee Chwala has spent a lot of time with me while I train new Field Staff, and has picked up on my job remarkably well, and it does make sense that she could replace me, but currently she is just assisting me with training.  Maybe, when, and if, I decide to retire, or move on, and if she wants the position, and if she gets it, she would do great, but until them, she is a great asset to both me and the Association.

As we move forward with this Moose Year, we will be facing new changes, and challenges. I am confidant that you will make the transition, and adapt to the changes well. Jeff is a good manager, but has a different style than Frank or Darrell, and I look forward to working with him.  He will be joining me on Lodge visits later on in June, so please welcome him to the family.

Until next time – take care, be safe, and keep on Mooseing.

Mike Rynearson, TM

     

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Moose,

As this year comes to a close, I have spent some time reflecting on the last few months and I would like you all to know that I am so grateful for the Moose.

We participated in the Rudolph Run with many dedicated Moose members, and over $77,000 was raised for Mooseheart. If for one moment, you think that your efforts don’t matter, remember that this was not accomplished by one person, but by MANY individuals working together. I would like to send out a huge Thank you to everyone who donated or participated in this event. For those who were unable to join us…there’s always next year!

The graduate luncheon was especially memorable this year. As usual, Nichole and John Springsteen organized another amazing holiday meal for all attendees. The food was delicious, the decorations festive, and cordial fellowship fostered. Thank you both for continuing to organize these events. You are greatly appreciated.

My wife and I were honored to have graduate Heritier Rukumbuzi join us at our table for the luncheon. We spoke about his daily life at Mooseheart, how he came to be there, and about his future plans. We were warmly greeted by and spent time talking to other graduates after the luncheon. We discovered that many of the children have, or have had, other family members at Mooseheart. Which made me realize that we are helping generations.  All the children at Mooseheart have easier access to bright futures because of the Moose and all of our members.

The tree lighting ceremony was short and sweet this year, but no less memorable. Several people mistook me for Gary Urwiler. When they realized the error, an idea was shared that I should be Gary’s stunt double. Now, as happy as I am to participate and be a part of the Moose at every opportunity available to me, I will regretfully have to pass on the stunt-double position. (Sorry Gary, you are on your own with that one.)

As the time for the tree lighting grew near, we were gifted a small miracle. The tree lights that hadn’t been working were fixed within minutes of the Tree lighting ceremony. God blessed the hands of the gentlemen that were able to make that happen. We are so fortunate to have such skilled people who are willing and able. My heart felt Thank you to all those behind the scenes who made the day come together so flawlessly.

The WMA Christmas party was deemed a success. Everyone was invited to this event, and the turnout was impressive. After the WMA Board finished their morning meetings, we had some fundraisers, gift exchanges, and we found out why some of our members were on Santa’s Naughty list. (You know who you are!!) There was live music after a holiday dinner Prepared by the Beloit Lodge, with a great evening ending with cocktails and fellowship.

I would like to thank all our Moose members. Everyone one either participated in or donated to these events simply by being a Moose member, and you are all greatly appreciated.

As always, I will remain dedicated to my God, my family and my people of the Moose. With motivating thoughts for the futures of our lodges and the continued success of Moosheart and Moosehaven, I wish you all safety and blessings this new year.

 

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Be kind. With the state of the world being what it is we are all a little on edge these days. You never know the battles people are facing at home and you never know how much work someone is doing behind the scenes. Every-one needs a little grace right now, so please be kind.
If you know of someone that you used to see around, but no longer do, please give them a call to see how they are doing.
When you see someone come into the lodge, say hello, make them feel welcome. We are a friendly place. A family center. This is OUR MOOSE HOME.
Please support and share our Moose events. If you are having fun, post it on Facebook. Take pictures. (Please no live videos in the social quarters.)
Invite your friends. Remember they can only come as a guest twice to hangout in the Social Quarters or to Member/Guest events. (Public events do not count in this number.) Make sure to sign them in.
We are all members. No member is greater than another. We are all here together. Board members are volunteers. There is literally only one board member that is a paid employee of the lodge. Where board members are to hold themselves to a higher standard, remember they are still volunteers. Some work full time jobs. Some are enjoying a well-deserved retirement, but it is up to the individual board member to police themselves and it us up to you to elect the members that you believe will do the best job for the lodge.
If you have great ideas bring them to a meeting and get involved. It’s great to have ideas, but there are so few that actually volunteer to bring them to life.
We need you to keep our moose home going. Do you have a little time? Do you have a talent? Please speak to a board member. If every member of our lodge volunteered 12 hours a year, just 1 hour a month, in Kenosha, that would be over 24,600 hours, can you imagine all the things we could get done?!? Take the number of members in your lodge and multiply it by 12 to see how many hours you could possibly have for your lodge! Does an hour a month seem like too much to ask?
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee Chwala
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM POPS 3/10/2022
Pops would like to thank everyone for the well wishes. He is home and resting comfortably.

 

Community service is the easiest task to do and to describe. “Community” is what surrounds us and the “Service” we do is what makes the warm, happy feeling in-side. You don’t have to look too far and it doesn’t always take a lot of time to say to the community “we are here for you”. What can we do, just about anything when you’re a Moose. In return, a warm heart and a smile of thanks goes a long way. That’s not bad payment for a job well done.
Speaking of jobs well done – How about Eau Claire Community Service! We are going to have a huge amount of items for all those little ones as well as the lap robes and personal items for the adults. “Wis. Moose on the Move” We’re trying to utilize this newsletter to the fullest, so I hope you liked when we put the list of needed items in here. We know every lodge and chapter receives this mailing so its accessible to the President, Administrator, Senior Regents and many others, what better way to communicate our needs. All you need to do is read it, print it, clip it and hang it in your lodge by your HOC Collection Box. How simple is that!
I would like to thank the Bloomer Lodge/Chapter for sending me a copy of their HOC Report which enables me to share some of their wonderful community service ideas……
They provided desserts for the Swim team and Youth football Fund Raising Events. Having a sign saying desserts provided by the Bloomer Moose Lodge/Chapter and wearing Moose shirts, caps, pins is crucial so we can use the service hrs. etc. They are providing rides for community residents to and from the Cancer Treatment Center as well as visiting Veterans at the Local V.A. AWESOME JOB BLOOMER!
Thanks for your ideas, for all you do for your lodge, this great organization & for your community. Stay safe & remember be “MOOSE PROUD”.
H.O.C. Chairperson

Greetings from Moose Charities

Every February is the time of year when we cover the walls of our lodge home with rocking chairs to help raise awareness and money for the Endowment Fund.

Are you ready to rock the Rocker?

Ideas/Suggestions to promote the Rocker:

  • Lodge officers meet and agree to hold a friendly competition.
  • Create a competition: Use different colored paper for the Rockers for each group created in the competition.
  • “Work” the Rocker Fundraiser every day and every night in February. Use special dates during the month for added fun: Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Day, Valentine’s Day, Giving Hearts Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day, and Presidents’ Day.
  • During meal functions: Place paper Rockers at each table setting and/or provide a paper Rocker at the same time as providing liquid refreshments at a table or bar.
  • Keep a running total/thermometer posted in the lodge.
  • Ring a bell, bang a gong, blow a horn, or do a happy dance whenever a donation is made.

 

What fun activity is your Lodge doing to promote the Rocker?

 

All donations will need to be submitted to Moose Charities by March 15th.

 

Thank you for all you do for our Mooseheart Children and Moosehaven Seniors through Moose Charities.

Cheryl Ripp

Moose Charities Chairman

 

Hello my Moose Friends, I am Thomas Kronenburg from Muskego Moose Lodge 1057 and Wisconsin Moose Legion 31. I am so Honored to have been sworn in at Moose International Convention 2022 as The State of Wisconsin Moose Legion Ambassador. I want to thank all of you for becoming Moose Legion members. We, The Degree of Service, are here to assist our Lodges, District, State and communities all while having fun. We are the members, ready to help our Lodges during any functions and with day to day activities, We look for ways to increase our Lodge’s potential to become that Organization that everyone knows and those in need can come to for help. We do events to bring in members to enjoy Our Lodge, which creates funds to take care of needs in both the Moose and our Local Communities. We need to speak to our Lodge members about activities we do and the fun we have doing them. Let our potential Moose Legion member know what their yearly dues are used for and the positive effect it has on our Children at Mooseheart and Seniors at Moosehaven. Remind our Moose members that a large group of people giving a little extra takes care of So Much. Let everyone know what you do, where your money is being used and most importantly, be proud of what you accomplish. Advertise at your Lodge, but not just your event, include the outcome and what you are planning to do with your success. Be Proud, Tell People. Make sure your Lodge Moose Legion Assistant Secretary, at a minimum, is at every Lodge Membership meeting informing (bragging) our members what your Doing and what you have Accomplished.  Your actions and how you present yourself is the Key to the success of the Moose Legion. Be Proud that we give a little more, be Proud that you took that extra step. I AM.  I’m very excited to have this chance to meet with you at your Lodges, Moose Legion Celebrations and at the WI Moose Legion Fun Weekend.  Please, feel free to contact me with any issues and all accomplishment, my cell number (414) 708-7716. Again, thank you for your Moose Legion service.      Your Moose Legion Brother, Thomas Kronenburg

Greetings Sisters and Brothers!

Happy New Year!  Let’s hope for a wonderful 2023!  New year, new beginnings… Let’s Make It Happen!

In our Moose home in Monroe, WI, there’s a picture/mirror in our hall with an inscription on it.  Many of you probably have the same picture hanging in your Moose homes. Now I’ve probably walked by that picture thousands of times in the 40 plus years as a member and never really took the time to pause and read the inscription.

The inscription goes like this:

Our Moose Family is a deeply rooted tree with branches of different strengths all receiving nourishment from an infinite source.

Our Moose Family is where character is formed, values are learned, ethics are created and society is preserved.

Our Moose Family is where all members contribute and share, cooperate and work and accept their responsibilities toward the good of the group.

Our Moose Family is where holidays are celebrated with feasting, birthdays acknowledged with gifts, and thoughts of days gone by kept alive with fond remembrances.

Our Moose Family is where each member can find solace and comfort in grief, pleasure and laughter in joy and kindness and encouragement in daily living.

Our Moose Family is a haven of rest, a sanctuary of peace and most of all, a harbor of love.

Such a beautiful sentiment in this message!  It’s my hope for each and every Moose Lodge to live by the words written on that beautiful picture.  We should all be very proud to belong to an organization with standards such as these.  I’m ever so glad that I took the time to pause and read the inscription. 

So my wish for all of you is to “pause” and read the inscription on that picture and then to live by the words that are inscribed.  Once you read those words, I hope they live on in your hearts forever.  I don’t know about you but I am ever so grateful to have such a wonderful Moose Family!

Thank you all so very much for everything that you do!  Mooseheart, Moosehaven and our communities truly do appreciate it!

Take care, be safe, stay well and always stay humble and kind!

Karyn Johnson

Grand Council Member

WI Chapter Advocate

ATM