From the chair - pat bellingham

Svea Lodge has a calendar filled with wonderful activities, dedicated members, new members, and a renewed sense of our purpose; bringing the Scandinavian culture to our community.  There is a lot happening so you'll need to visit our website often to keep up!

The trees aren't as green, the sky isn't as blue, and Kraftskiva is over for the year - sure signs that fall is on the way!  Thank you to all who participated and organized a great summer full of activities.  

As part of our Lodge responsibility, the Svea Officers have been meeting to review the By Laws.   In any good organization, By Laws should be reviewed periodically to make sure that there is clear communication with its members.  By Laws are a wonderful way to make sure that everyone understands the focus and direction of the group.  On our website under the Members tab above, then Svea Member Documents, then Proposed Amendments you can find the draft version of our By Laws.  Please take the time to review the highlighted sections.  If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to our Recording Secretary, Judy Etzler.   At our September meeting, we will review those highlights and any comments presented to Judy.  There will NOT be discussion at this time.  This meeting will be to introduce the changes.  In October, there will be time to discuss changes.  In November, the By Laws will be voted on. 

It's also time to think about the leadership of our organization.  A slate of officers for the upcoming year will be presented in October for the vote in November.  Per our present by-laws the following offices will be voted on:  Chair, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Master of Ceremonies, and Trustee.  The Nominating Committee is made up of the Past Chairmen; Cheryl and Lorraine.  If you have any interest in any of these positions, please contact these two ladies.  Perhaps you don't want to be an officer but you would like to serve on a committee - you would be welcome to participate in that way!  We hope to fill committee positions by February.

Membership is an upcoming topic as well!  We have two types of membership in the Vasa Order/Svea Lodge.  You can be:

Associate member - A person of good moral character and who has an approved application to a local lodge.  The Associate member will have voice, but no vote, and shall receive the Vasa Star but no other benefits

Active member - A person of good moral character, who has filled out an application, been voted on by the membership, paid yearly dues, and has been initiated.  An active member is eligible to vote and receive all benefits of the Order (The Vasa Star, Old Age and Benefit, Scholarships, to name a few).

Every member, whether Associate or Active, is required to pay the annual dues beginning January of the upcoming year, no matter when they have joined.   That being said some prospective members, who consider membership after July,  choose to hold their membership until January so that they are not billed again for the upcoming year in a couple of months.

Be kind to your neighbors, you never know who may need a kind word.

Pat