Offisersiden_av_Gyda_Varden

OFFISERSIDEN

Sons of Norways misjon er å fremme
og ivareta norske kulturtradisjoner, og samtidig tilby de beste forsikrings-
og finansprodukter til alle medlemmer.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (Constitution Article: 188.)
----- (Your profile & photograph will help to promote the website.)

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

Glenn L. Fontaine----
772-5119----

Click to see a short profile

Ellen Houska----
779-7681----

COUNSELOR

SOCIAL DIRECTORS

Don Forsman----
772-3608----

Click to see a short profile

----Evelyn Hensrud ----772-1970
Sandra McCleary
Peggy Kindem
Darlene Holien --------746-7613

SECRETARY and ZONE I DIRECTOR

TREASURER

Bonnie Jacob-Forseth----
772-9416----

Linda Larson----
773-1060----

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

RESPONSIBILITIES
(Constitution Article: 188. (b))

----Eunice Vold
----746-8831

The Board of Directors of the Local Lodge
shall be responsible to the lodge
for all of its actions
and shall make a complete report
to the lodge at regular lodge meetings.

2008 NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Article 161. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Diana Drees
Jean Haus

At a regular meeting, not later than September of each year, a Nominating Committee of three or five members shall be elected.

At the first regular meeting in October, the Committee shall present to the Lodge its slate of candidates recommended for office. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the time of election. (9/80)

Local Lodge Partnership Grants Local Lodge
Partnership Grants
------------
CONSTITUTION
of Local Lodges
(Constitution article 202.)
CONFORMITY WITH LODGE LAWS.
Bylaws or Amendments must not conflict with
the Charter and Bylaws of the International Lodge,
or the Bylaws of the District Lodges,
or the general laws of Sons of Norway.

BYLAWS and RITUAL
of Gyda Varden Lodge.
(Constitution Article:200.)
APPROVAL OF BYLAWS.
Copies of Local Lodge Bylaws
shall be on file at the
Sons of Norway Headquarters,
with a copy sent to the
District Secretary.

APPOINTED OFFICERS: (Your profile & photograph will help to promote the website.)

Editor:
Cindy Dahl ------------- ---741-9132
classycd@yahoo.com

Librarians:
Debbie Hanson----------------------795-8044

Foundation Director:
Everett Knudsvig------------------775-6952
(Click to see official report)
I propose that the Gyda Varden Lodge donate $25
to the Sons of Norway Foundation for each deceased member,
and that the member's family be notified of the donation.
This will help our Foundation grow
and it will remember passing members.

Membership Secretary:
Eunice Vold---------------- 746-8831

Junior Lodge Director :
Bonnie Jacob-Forseth-------------772-9416
Wendell Ekness

Cultural Directors:
Sharon Myron----------------599-2111
Bernell Bachmeier---------------780-0978
Lucille Langheid -----------------775-8077

Field Staff Rep
--Ann Krause, FIC
------1516 16th St. NW
------Minot, ND 58703
------701-852-5508

Honorary Marshall:
Olger Langheid

Marshalls:
Ellis Larson
Wendell Ekness

Greeters:
Julie Gladwin
Jane Hardy
Vidette Knain
Delores Donarsky

Assistant Secretary:
Betty Grabanski

Sunshine Committee:
Glenn Fontaine--- 772-5119
Pauline Bondy--- 775-9254

Stamp Chairperson:
John Schaffer

Sports Director:
Arden Shores---775-6952

Musicians:
Donna Schaffer

Historian:
Laura Munski

Photographer:
Marge Burnstad--------772-4091

Trustees:
Lloyd Staveteig
Selmer Kvande

Auditors:
Stanley Hoistad
Duane Myron

Web Site Managers:
Melvin Pedersen ---746-5239
Lila Pedersen ---746-5239

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS SUGGESTED:
THAT SENIOR MEMBER PROFILES AND COMMENTS BE LISTED.
TO BE POSTED NOTIFY THE WEBMASTER OR A SOCIAL DIRECTOR

PROFILES & COMMENTS OF MEMBERS, PREVIOUS OFFICERS, AND INSTRUCTORS
(PLEASE HELP TO PROMOTE THE WEBSITE)

------Melvin Pedersen
------Lila Pedersen
------746-5239
Click to see a short profile
Statement:
We are developing a website similar to the website of the SON headquarters, but specifically for our Gyda Varden Lodge. A website like that would help to integrate members & acquaint members with the many various lodge activities, and help to bring new young members who have access to computers and the new technologies that are necessary to our lodge and its growth.

We ask that the SOCIAL, SPORTS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL DIRECTORS work with us to develop a well-rounded site that reflects the activities & interests of lodge members, interests that preserve and promote Norwegian culture & heritage.

There is a lot to consider, for instance, security, maintenance, & coherency with the desires of the other officers.

Please encourage the use & promotion of the site. There are various ways to do this. One way is to report the web activity to the lodge regularly at lodge meetings, and by announcing the board meetings ahead of time to the webmasters. A short discussion may be a regular part of the board meeting.

We believe a dynamic website will be useful to all members passionate about preserving and promoting Norwegian heritage and culture, for information & integration, not just into the local lodge and its various offices, but into the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway.

Sincerely, Mel & Lila Pedersen

GRANTS RECEIVED OR GRANTS GIVEN

Gyda Varden Lodge received a 2006 General Heritage & Culture Grant to put toward the program:

Why Kings & Queens Don�t Wear Crowns
The amount of the grant: $250

The Sons of Norway Foundation Grants Committee awards grants to lodges & individuals for projects designed to promote Norwegian & American cultural exchange.

Stamp Chairperson:
Win a FREE trip to Norway
Receive a chance to win a free trip to Norway by collecting cancelled stamps for the Tubfrim program. Bring your collected stamps to the next meeting and John Schaffer will be sure to send them to Norway.

Sunshine Committee:
Sunshine Committee Request:
If you hear about a member in the hospital or a death in a family, please notify.

The Voices of the World
International Choral Festival

The Grand Cities Children's Choir, founded in 2002 as part of the Grand Forks Public School District, is a performance-based, music education program. This Festival will expose 900 children to cultures that American school children typically know very little about – this year the cultures include those of Uganda, Kyrgystan, Scandinavia and India.

Participants in grades 3-9 are led by cultural experts in songs, dances, and customs in a non-competitive, inter-choral, enrichment experience.

Since one of the cultures represented this year is Scandinavia, the Gyda Varden Lodge has agreed to sponsor this event and will be donating $500 from the local Cultural Fund. We will also want to provide cultural materials for the children to view.

Some of the children will be performing at our April meeting.
Right now things are in the works and Darlene, Evelyn, Sharon, Lucille and Donna will be discussing this at the next meeting.

Think about something you may have that you would loan out for this two day event, ie., rosemaling, wood carvings, hardanger, knitting, pictures, flags. We may also want to supply a taste of our typical Norwegian delicacies. Think about if you will have time to be present to answer questions and maybe demonstrate one of your items or talents.

What a great way to present the Norwegian culture to our children. The event will be held on Friday, April 30th and Saturday May 1.

OFFICER REPORTS -- of their official acts and the condition of the Lodge (164. REPORTS)

Sons of Norway Foundation ----40th anniversary: 1966 - 2006
Foundation Director: Everett Knudsvig --------- 775-6952 SONS OF NORWAY	International ---- Foundation Director Cindy Olson	Mission statement: "The Sons of Norway Foundation: 1. Awards scholarships and grants ---- to promote the heritage ---- and culture of Norway, 2. Provides assistance to our members, ----lodges and their communities."
October 12, 2006 "Celebrating Culture / Expanding Horizons" Gyda Varden is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization		REMEMBER: Deadlines for the various scholarships and grants vary, so check the dates. Scholarship applicants must be children or grandchildren of current SON members.
Our passion is the Norwegian heritage and culture: In the last decade or so the SON Foundation has awarded over $900,000 in 400 grants and 2,000 scholarships. That is the good news. Our challenge is to provide grants to qualified applicants: At present we do not fulfill that obligation: For every grant and scholarship awarded Eight qualified applicants do not receive funding, yet they are also qualified.
1. Embracing our Norwegian heritage a. By underwriting cross-cultural experiences through general heritage and culture grants. b. By promoting Norwegian culture opportunities and support of the arts. c. By sponsoring Norwegian festivals, guest lecturers and community events through local lodge partnership grants.
2. Helping our communities a. We support Sons of Norway initiatives through "Helping Hands to Children Grants" that include: Adopt A School, Barnas Norsk Klubb, heritage campus, children's heritage programming. b. Outreach programs that include: Ski for Light (teaching the visually and mobility impaired to cross-country ski), USA Cup soccer tournaments, Norwegian Home Guard, National Guard troop exchange.
3. Creating study and research opportunities through scholarships and grants a. Scholarships, for children or grandchildren of current SON members: King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Studies (may be repeated twice in 5 years), $1,000 - $5,000. Oslo International Summer School (2 awarded per year), $1,500. Astrid G. Cates/Myrtle Beinhauer Scholarship Fund (may be repeated twice in 5 years), 6 @ $1,000, and 2 @ $3,000. Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Scholarship (for women only; may receive up to 3 awards), $4,000 - $14,000 New: Helen Tronvold Norwegian Folk High School Scholarship (number varies), $2,000. b. Grants: General Heritage and Culture, up to $3,000, available to lodges and individuals Cross-cultural exchanges of musicians, folkdancers, bands, artists, cultural skills, preservation projects Local Lodge Partnership Grants, matching fund grants up to $1,000 Cultural programs, hosting visiting groups, community events, etc.
4. SON Foundation Humanitarian Fund was established in 1997 Assistance for victims of natural disasters (floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes). Our lodge received fund after the Flood of 1997. Members in Stoughton, WI, whose homes were destroyed received assistance.

In my final thoughts: I propose that the Gyda Varden Lodge donate $25 to the Sons of Norway Foundation for each deceased member, and that the member's family be notified of the donation. This will help our Foundation grow and it will remember passing members.

BYLAWS and RITUAL of Gyda Varden Lodge

200. APPROVAL OF BYLAWS.
Copies of Local Lodge Bylaws shall be on file at the Sons of Norway Headquarters,
with a copy sent to the District Secretary.

Local Lodge By-laws

Article I

1. The name of this lodge shall be: ____________________________________, No. _________, Sons of Norway. City_____________________________ State/Province___________________ District _____________

2. Regular Meetings shall be held at such time and place as the Lodge itself shall determine. Special meetings may be called in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws of Sons of Norway.

Article II

Membership, Qualifications and Privileges

1. To become a member of Sons of Norway, the applicant must possess requirements outlined in the Constitution.
Membership in the lodge is effective immediately upon ONE of the following (check one):
o payment of dues; or
o affirmative vote of the lodge.

2. The Membership shall consist of insurance and non-insurance members either of whom may be Life, Golden, or Honorary members in accordance with the Constitution.

3. LIFE MEMBERSHIP shall be extended to all members who were 65 years of age or older, and who had been members in good standing in the Society for 30 years or more by 01/01/1999.

4. GOLDEN Membership shall be extended after 01/01/1999 to all members who are 65 years of age or older, and who have been members in good standing in the Society for 30 years or more.

5. All members shall enjoy equal privileges, except that only those with insurance shall have the right to vote on matters concerning insurance.

6. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP. Members possessing a current membership card of a different lodge may petition for affiliate membership. Affiliate members shall pay local lodge dues directly to the treasurer. Affiliate members may not vote within the lodge for, or become, district or convention delegates from this lodge and are not counted in the member totals for determining representation.

Article III

Fees and Dues

1. The Initiation Fee for insurance members and Junior Lodge members shall be waived; for members without insurance, the initiation fee shall be $_______.

2. The local lodge dues shall be $_______/$_______ (spouse) per year, plus an additional amount representing the District and International Dues. Local dues for members age 16-23 shall be $_______, plus an additional amount representing the District and International Dues.

3. Life Members are exempt from payment of International and District dues and are/are not exempt from payment of local lodge dues, which are collected by the local lodge.

4. GOLDEN Members are billed by International headquarters for 50% of International and District dues and are/are not exempt from payment of local lodge dues. The local lodge dues shall be $______per year.

5. No fee shall be charged for issuance of a transfer card nor for membership by transfer.

11/01/04

Article IV

Good Standing

1. A member who is in arrears 120 days in the payment of dues shall not be eligible for any benefits of the Lodge, and shall be subject to suspension in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Constitution.

2. A MEMBER who pays all back dues and assessments shall be reinstated effective with their original date of membership.

Article V

Lodge Funds

1. Appropriations to defray the running expenses of the Lodge shall require only a simple majority vote for adoption. Other appropriations from the Lodge funds shall require a two-thirds majority of votes cast for adoption.

2. The Lodge shall maintain one or more funds. The General Fund shall be used to defray the running expenses of the Lodge.

3. The Financial Officers of the Lodge are covered by a blanket position bond, as provided in the Constitution, with a deductible for each claim, which surety bond is maintained by the Home Office, in accordance with the Constitution.

4. THE LODGE elects (choose one) a. to retain the positions of Financial Secretary and Treasurer with duties as described in the relevant sections of the Charter and Constitutions of Sons of Norway, o

b. to have a Membership Secretary whose duties are as specified in the Charter and Constitutions of Sons of Norway and a Treasurer whose duties are as described in the Charter and Constitutions of Sons of Norway. o

5. The Lodge shall participate in the mandatory liability insurance for District and Local Lodges as secured by the International Headquarters. This insurance does not cover lodge-owned real estate or buildings, or liquor liability claims.

Article VI

Changes in and Approval of By-laws

1. These By-laws may be repealed or amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that such By-law changes were presented in writing and read at the prior meeting of the Lodge.

2. These By-laws, and any changes thereto, shall become effective upon approval by the International Headquarters.

3. The By-laws of this Lodge are subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Charter and Constitution of the International Lodge of Sons of Norway.

Date Adopted: ________ day of _________________________________, 20____.

Names of By-Law Committee:

Signed:_____________________________________ President

Signed:_____________________________________ Secretary

Sons of Norway

These by-laws approved on the ________ day of ________________________, 20____.

By:_________________________________________Chief Executive Officer

By:_________________________________________ Legal Counsel

11/0104

Mission statement changes to:
The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway and provide quality insurance and financial products to its members.

Sons of Norways misjon er å fremme og ivareta norske kulturtradisjoner, og samtidig tilby de beste forsikrings- og finansprodukter til alle medlemmer.

The organization has long had two primary goals:
1. to promote Norwegian culture
2. while also offering high-quality insurance products to its members.

Member dues and profits from insurance products fund the organization.

The Sons of Norway�s mission statement has been adapted to include quality financial products.

First, the new mission statement reads: �The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway and provide quality insurance and financial products to its members.�

Second: ( a lodge revenue sharing program)

A lodge revenue sharing program will fund programming at lodges.

Funding will be based on the net revenue of Sons of Norway and will be paid to local lodges based on insurance premiums received from their members.

This is a new strategy to increase the purchasing of Sons of Norway�s insurance products and is expected to increase revenue for most lodges.

For now members are not required at Sons of Norway to purchase insurance or annuity products issued by the organization.

Previous mission statement before change:
"The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit and offering maximum benefits to its members."