Officers

Salutations, Brothers, and Sisters of The Moose.

I wanted this, my last article as the Wisconsin State Moose Association President, to be a memorable piece. As I pondered what thoughts to share with you, my Moose Family, I couldn’t for the life of me think of any words of wisdom that we haven’t all heard before. Then I noticed a magnet on my wife’s file cabinet. On the magnet is an Emerson quote that ends, “…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

I am so moved by countless moments that life has given me, I am unable to narrow them down enough to fit on this page. I re-read every speech and article I have presented, and realized that the most common idea I offer is to “stop and look around you.”

This idea of a pause is very significant. It can give us a moment to catch our breath. It gives us time to think and observe. In that pause, we can prioritize, plan, recharge, and prepare to take more effective action. This moment of pause can provide us with new insight…but only if we choose to take the moment.

When I pause, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. My pause brings to light all the blessings that God has given me. I cannot express how much my wife has positively affected my life, how proud I am of our children, how comforted I am by our friends, and how much good we are able to spread via this fraternity. My gratitude stems from the help I can offer others, and the help that others offer to me.

The ability to ask for support and accept assistance is not a weakness, but a strength. The Moose Association thrives because we recognize that not a single one of us is an island. We recognize that not one of us can stand alone indefinitely. Everyone needs support at one time or another, and everyone is given opportunities to assist others.

As State president, I had a goal in mind to raise funds for Police K-9 units. The support from our members is the keystone to our strength, and it was that support that made the project so successful. It is the dedication and actions of moose members that make things happen. WE…make it happen.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the 107^th Annual Convention in September. I am also excited to be part of the Rudolph Run again this year. Any donations to our team (Team Wixom Wisconsin) would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made on the Moose International/Moose Charities website.

As my presidency is coming to an end, know that I am grateful for being given the opportunity to have helped make a difference. I cannot thank you all enough for all that you do to support the children at Mooseheart, the seniors at Moosehaven, our Wisconsin communities, and each other.

I am humbled to be a part of such an amazing fraternity, and I am proud to call each of you my Moose Family.

As always, I thank you for all your past and future support. You are the strength of the Moose.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Wixom

Wisconsin Moose Association State President

Good evening,

During my travels across our great state, I have experienced expressions of destitution as reasoning for not attending the upcoming MI convention. I just had to report to MI yet another Lodge stating that the lodge will not be attending this year because they can’t afford to send anyone.

I don’t recall MI making it “optional” and my failure to aggressively address this seems to be creating an epidemic of complacency. Therefore, I am challenging all of you to start a fundraiser NOW in order to provide resources to have representation at convention in New Orleans next year.

The message here is that it is NOT OPTIONAL!

Sec. 46.5 – Representation to International Convention and Associations – The President and Administrator of each member Lodge shall be the Lodge’s representatives and delegates to the International Convention, and state, territory or provincial associations during their terms of office. The Lodge shall select any active member to serve as an alternate when necessary.

A representative of a Lodge shall not be entitled to a vote in any meeting of The Moose while their Lodge is in arrears for any lawful charges of The Moose. The Chief Compliance Officer shall immediately determine all disputes concerning any charges against the Lodge when the representative of the Lodge presents their credentials to the committee.

All representatives or delegates shall attend all sessions of the convention, conference or meeting and submit a written report to their Lodge in a timely manner. A Lodge may vote to pro-rate or decline to reimburse the expenses of any representative or delegate who, without valid excuse, failed to attend all or any portion of the required sessions of a convention, conference or meeting.

Should a lodge fail to have representation in the future, according to the above (Sec. 46.5) attachment and I will refer the issue to the CCO for the appropriate corrective action.

Also, it is widely known that your representatives fail to deliver a report to the lodge once they return from convention. One of our challenges appears to be communications and our membership failing to be informed; the message/s “die on the vine” before the representatives get back home.

During my next visit to the lodge after convention, include in my report to MI, will be my review of the written report of the International convention and its inclusion into the meeting minutes. If there is no report given, there is a problem.

So, spread the word… we are going to be fraternal and have leadership that support the entire mission of the Moose and not pick and choose as you wish.

Mike Rynearson, TM

From the Association President – Sept 2023

Territory #32 Manager