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It’s easy when you contribute to a national campaignIt’s easy when you contribute to a national campaign
FRATERNAL DIRECTORJill Lain Weaver
EDITORJennifer Meyer-Michels Corporate Communications
DESIGNERDenise Chandler Corporate Communications
CONTENT EDITORCortney Sievert Fraternal Department
FRATERNAL DEPARTMENT STAFFBill BakerMichelle DuyvejonckCynthia FloresMelissa GottwaltAnn HeldBritney HolstNora JohnsonMelissa MayersTammy MielkeKaren MiznerMartha NelsonAmber NicholsKristen Roberts
IMPACT MAGAZINEOfficial fraternal publication of Modern Woodmen of America1701 1st Avenue PO Box 2005Rock Island, IL 61204-2005
I haven’t seen a chapter do this yet, but it would be neat to host a member appreciation picnic. Chapters could even raffle prizes!
How would you spend Premier dollars?
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o p e n i n g M E S S A G E
What’s your position with the Fraternal Department?Nora: As operations coordinator, I focus on activity request and reporting processes and dabble in a little bit of everything.Cortney: As fraternal coordinator, I focus on fraternal marketing and assist on special projects.
What’s your life philosophy?Nora: Offer it up. Let go of bad things and focus on the good.Cortney: Let your faith be bigger than your fear.
What’s on your 2017 bucket list?Nora: I want to pay off my credit card, drink more water and eat more vegetables.
Helping you make an impact is our goal in the Fraternal Department.
Whether it’s answering questions about Matching Fund projects or
providing ideas for service projects your members will enjoy, we want to be
a resource to you. Nora Johnson and Cortney Sievert joined our team in
October of last year to support you and your chapters and clubs. Read on to
learn more about them.
All of us in the Fraternal Department work for you. So give us a call or send
us an email the next time you have a question or you just want to bounce
an idea off someone else. We are here for you!
Jill Lain WeaverFraternal Director
Cortney: I want to pay off my student loans and travel.
What are you looking forward to in 2017?Nora: I’m almost done with my MBA. I’m also looking forward to spending time in San Diego this summer with my family.Cortney: Last year was busy for me. In 2017, I want to slow down and appreciate life. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?Nora: In college, I spent a summer as a camp counselor in the mountains of Colorado. I slept in a platform tent and, once a week, slept in the open under the stars. And yes, there were bears!Cortney: For my 18th birthday, I went skydiving with my dad. It was exhilarating!
Fraternal Coordinator Cortney Sievert (left) and Operations Coordinator Nora Johnson joined the Fraternal Department in October 2016 and are here to help you make an impact.
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Q: How many activities are required to keep my chapter or club active? A: Chapters and clubs should hold at least one activity every three months. Help members get the most from belonging to Modern Woodmen by offering a variety of activities throughout the year. If you need help with ideas or planning, call the Fraternal Department. We’re here to help.
Q: What is the maximum number of activities I can hold in a month? A: Chapters and clubs can hold up to three activities per month. However, activities should be well-planned and take place throughout the year.
Q: What chapter board positions must I fill? A: To reach premier status, your chapter or Summit chapter board must have a minimum of four elected officials (activities coordinator, president, vice president and membership coordinator), meet at least once and turn in a board report. Boards can consist of up to four officers and three at-large trustees.
Q: Can I team up with national causes?A: Yes. To get you started, the Fraternal Department created a list of national causes your chapter or club can team up with to make an impact. Find it at imakeanimpact.org under Resources and Forms in the Support Materials section.
Have a question? Email us [email protected].
Do your members know about Modern Woodmen’s new PerkSpot benefit? Modern Woodmen recently introduced PerkSpot, an exclusive discount hub that helps members save on products and services from favorite local and national merchants. Members can select discounts from categories including beauty, books, electronics, food, home, travel and more! Log in at member.modern-woodmen.org and click on Benefits to create a PerkSpot account and start saving. Then access PerkSpot on your PC, tablet or smartphone.
Share this great benefit
l o o k i n s i d e S P R I N G 2 0 1 7
Meet fraternal leader Judy LindbergFuse a creative community partnership.4Follow the leadersExamples and ideas from across the country.6Do it differentEarn your chapter a chance at $250.8Earn a trip to Orlando2018 Youth Club Leader Symposium.9Make An ImpactHow to communicate fraternalism.10Plan aheadStart filling your calendar with fun.11
Frequently asked questions
Try something newJoin a national campaign.12
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m e e t f r a t e r n a l l e a d e r J u d y L i n d b e r g
City: Dell Rapids, S.D.Occupation: VolunteerFamily: Husband Ray and grown children Jeremy, Derek, Becky and Jordan
Why did you become a youth service club leader? I was an assistant club leader where we used to live. When we moved to Dell Rapids about 22 years ago, I wanted the kids to stay involved in a Modern Woodmen club for the volunteer and social activities.
What’s your favorite club memory? All of the clubs in Dell Rapids had a silly supper. Members ordered five things off the menu, but didn’t really know what they were getting. Everyone laughed.
What’s your most successful event? We supported a high school student with a difficult home by shopping for clothes and toiletries. We made a huge impact. I told the kids that what might not seem like a big deal to them might be the one thing that makes a difference in someone else’s life.
What do you do in your free time? My husband and I go antiquing for old kitchen, chicken and Christmas collectibles.
What’s your favorite meal? There’s nothing like homemade, traditional tamales and chili rellenos.
What’s your personal motto? Never give up. I was hit by a drunk driver in 1982. I was in the hospital for a month and in an induced coma for several weeks. My kids weren’t allowed to come to the hospital. When I finally saw them, I knew I could never give up. I had to fight my way back.
What’s your favorite movie? Anything with John Candy.
Where was your last vacation? The Black Hills with my sisters last July. Then we went up to Montana to see my aunt and cousins.
What is your simplest pleasure? Dark chocolate truffles and wine.
“I enjoy the volunteer opportunities. And the kids never mind volunteering;
they always make it fun.”
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HOW-TO GUIDE:
Fuse a creativecommunity partnershipTeens in Judy Lindberg’s youth service club fused together pieces of colored glass to create ornaments that are truly unique – just like the club’s relationship with a local artist.
Judy and the artist, Deb, have been teaming up for club activities for 15 years. With Deb’s help, kids have learned to make pottery, soap, candles and paintings. For three years, teens have been making stained-glass ornaments. This November, they even added a service aspect by donating ornaments to the local museum’s fundraiser auction.
Here’s how Judy organized a successful educational event:
One of a kindPlanning is easy with the right partner. Judy simply gets a list of times that work for Deb, then calls teens to see which of those times they’re able to attend.
“All I have to do is say we’re doing something with Deb and they’ll be there,” Judy says. “She’s just so much fun and she lets the kids be creative.”
Deb usually has a rough idea for a project, such as glass sailboats, poinsettias, gift
packages or Christmas trees, but doesn’t limit what kids can make. She has soldering supplies and imperfectly pre-cut pieces of colored glass – so no two works of art are the same.
Color within the (time)linesCreating stained-glass art can take up to two hours.
“The thing that takes kids the longest is picking out pieces of glass and deciding what they want to make,” Judy says.
Judy sets a time window, which also helps accommodate teens’ busy schedules. Not all kids come at once, allowing Deb to encourage creativity and assist each with the hot soldering gun (not safe for younger members).
Friend of the artsDeb’s family introduced her to Judy. At the time, Deb operated a local pottery shop. Judy asked her to host a tour and pottery-making lesson for the club.
Deb’s patience and enthusiasm for working with kids are qualities Judy now looks for with anyone who interacts with members.
“I’m really picky about who they work with,” Judy says. “Deb gets excited about the kids and she feeds on their excitement. She brings out their giggles, and it’s fun for them to have someone else run things once a year.”
Teens in Judy Lindberg’s youth service club in Dell Rapids, S.D., made stained-glass ornaments last November with a local artist and donated the ornaments to the local museum’s fundraiser auction.
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KINGSLAND, GEORGIA
Partnership helps girlsdream of positive futures
Sam Nielson’s chapter discovered more than the dinosaur bones they unearthed while touring a local museum last October. Members also uncovered a little-known local attraction
rich in history and fun.
HOW TO: After discussing ideas for an educational event, Sam’s chapter board selected the museum because few members had been there. Sam talked with members and museum staff to arrange a convenient time when few other large groups would be touring. Admission fees for the museum are low, so the chapter was able to cover members’ full cost to attend the event.
NEXT TIME: Sam invited members to attend by sending text messages and posting the activity on the chapter’s closed Facebook page. He didn't submit a request at imakeanimpact.org in time to mail postcard invitations. Next time, he’ll request the postcards at least 30 days in advance to reach even more members.
YOUR TOWN: Many cities and counties have local museums that many members may have never toured – or even known existed. Take time to learn about museums in your community and what they have to offer. Contact museum staff in advance so they’re prepared for your group’s visit.
The partnership between Lisa James’ chapter and a local nonprofit helped make an even bigger impact in the lives of middle and high school aged girls. In September, the chapter helped It’s a Girl Thing host a
board party (creating collages on poster board) for girls struggling with low self-esteem to discuss their current circumstances and dreams for the future.
HOW TO: Lisa met the group’s founder after asking a local small business organization to suggest nonprofits making a difference in the community. The group handled most of the planning, including arranging for the event to be held at a local church. Postcards and posts on the chapter’s closed Facebook group encouraged members to invite others to participate. The chapter also contributed supplies, from magazines to supplies to decorate poster boards, and contacted local businesses to help supply refreshments and other items.
NEXT TIME: Lisa would like to host a similar event for the next generation of teenage girls, perhaps inviting mothers, or planning a board party for fathers and sons.
YOUR TOWN: Chapters don’t have to host a board party to help members think about their future. Lisa suggests shadow boxes, vision journals or other creative workshops.
A chapter in Georgia partnered with another community organization to host a workshop for teen girls struggling with low self-esteem. How can your chapter or club work with other community groups to multiply the impact?
A chapter in Utah toured a local museum unknown to many members. What little-known local attractions can you discover with your chapter or club?
LEHI, UTAH
Members discover fun, history at local museum
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KANNAPOLIS, NORTH CAROLINA
Club’s service project isa painting masterpiece
MOUNT JULIET, TENNESSEE
Chapters on same pagewith Hometown Hero
Two chapters doubled the impact for a local volunteer recognized for reading to kindergarten classes. Working together, the chapters surprised the woman with a
Hometown Hero ceremony and updated her collection with new and lightly used books to continue sharing with children.
HOW TO: Members of both chapters were energized to honor the woman for 20-plus years of reading to students. Ann Solomon, one of the activities coordinators, contacted the school principal to request a wish list of books. She asked for book donations from the list while inviting members to attend and assist at the Hometown Hero ceremony. The chapter purchased a few books to complete the wish list, and a local financial representative donated a suitcase on wheels to move the collection from classroom to classroom.
NEXT TIME: Ann ordered the books the chapter purchased from Amazon. Books came from multiple companies – with multiple receipts to submit. She recommends ordering books from one source so there’s only one receipt.
YOUR TOWN: Ask local schools about reading programs in need of new or lightly used books. Or think about how your chapter or club can contribute to the difference a Hometown Hero is making in your community.
Two chapters in Tennessee teamed up to recognize a community volunteer and update the collection of books she reads to local students. How can your chapter make an even bigger impact by supporting the work of Hometown Hero honorees?
Volunteering is a work of art for Tracy Caskey’s youth service club. Kids enjoyed a painting lesson in September and then shared their love of art – and volunteering – by delivering the
bright, seasonally inspired artwork to residents at a local care facility.
HOW TO: Tracy found a simple artwork design online that worked for varying skill levels and within the time allotted (create a sample to judge time). Having kids create similar artwork with a limited color pallet lowered the cost of supplies, which Tracy bought on sale or with coupons in the weeks before the activity. A member with painting experience instructed the kids.
NEXT TIME: Having kids pitch in to set up before and clean up after the project helped make it one of Tracy’s easier projects to pull off. She also used heavy mugs instead of lightweight paper cups to eliminate spills while rinsing brushes.
YOUR TOWN: Tracy plans other painting activities to benefit other local nursing home and assisted living residents. Let the seasons inspire your club to create artwork to share while visiting with care facility residents in your community.
A youth service club in North Carolina created seasonally inspired artwork that kids gave to local care facility residents during a visit. What can your chapter or club create to share members’ enjoyment with people in need?
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Key: Borrow or put your own twist on these service projects, social activities and educational events.
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d o i t D I F F E R E N T
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. So goes the saying. Likewise, building your chapter board and growing member engagement won’t happen overnight. But with consistency and determination, you and your chapter will succeed.
If you already have a chapter board, there are many advantages to holding a mid-year meeting. Your chapter or Summit chapter is only required to hold one board meeting per year to earn premier status, but consider these benefits!
Why hold a mid-year meeting?1. Touch base: Reflect on what has worked
well and what hasn't. Apply feedback to future activities.
2. Prepare for upcoming events: Ask board members to help volunteer.
3. Change direction: If activities aren’t going so well, reconsider how you communicate to members and the types of activities your chapter offers. Maybe it’s time for a new approach.
4. Plan for next year: It may seem early, but the time is right to start planning for the first half of 2018.
5. Gain ideas: Ask board members for their ideas for future events and service projects.
How to recruit a chapter board?If your chapter or Summit chapter is missing out on these benefits because it doesn’t have a board yet, try these creative approaches to start recruiting your leadership team today.• Plan a social activity: Some members may
not understand what chapters are and what they can do. Plan a social activity to explain the purpose of chapters and the opportunities they offer to make a local impact.
• Snail-mail a letter: Mail a letter describing what chapters are and what they can do. Include a few examples of past and upcoming events, as well as positions available on the chapter board. Remind members that serving on the board is a great low-commitment way to give back to local causes and volunteer projects.
• Partner with a local rep: Contact your regional office and ask for names of financial representatives (if you're not one yourself ) who are interested in serving on your board.
5 benefits of amid-year chapterboard meeting
Your chapter could win $250 for activities of members’ choice. And earning a chance is simple! When all members of your chapter board read and sign the Principles of Conduct, your chapter is entered for a chance to win one of four $250 bonuses.
The Principles of Conduct outline your relationship with and responsibilities to Modern Woodmen. These standards of ethical behavior also extend to members of your chapter board.
The Fraternal Department recently announced its initiative for all board members to read the Principles of Conduct and sign the acknowledgment form.
Follow these step-by-step instructions (also available at imakeanimpact.org) to earn a chance for your chapter to win $250.1. Give a paper copy or email an
electronic copy of the Principles of Conduct to each board member.
2. Ask board members to read the document and print the acknowledgement form (Page 7 of the document). Members should complete and sign the form.
3. Ask board members to return the printed form to you or email it to you as an attachment.
4. Submit all board members’ acknowledgement forms at the same time. Simply scan hard copies of each form. Save all forms (scanned and electronic versions) to your computer. Then upload the forms to Survey Monkey. (Watch for the link in your email.)
Tip: Plan a mid-year board meeting and use the Principles of Conduct Fraternal Highlights as talking points.
4 steps to earn your chapter achance at $250
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Youth Club Leader Symposium will be June 17-20, 2018Volunteer. Socialize. Learn. These are three ways to make an impact with your youth service club. And volunteering, socializing and learning are three activities you can enjoy at the Youth Club Leader Symposium.
The Youth Club Leader Symposium will take place June 17-20, 2018, at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort near Orlando. The symposium, held in lieu of the Merit Club Leadership Conference, is an opportunity to: • Network with hundreds of the best club leaders from across
the country. • Hear top-notch speakers and engage in hands-on,
informational workshops. • Learn new ways to engage members and make an impact in
your community.
Qualifying leaders will receive three nights of lodging at the resort, transportation assistance (including one guest) and help with meals and gratuities.
Sound good? Of course it does! So how do you qualify?
4 Be a club leader as of Jan. 15, 2017. Go ahead and check this one off your list.
o Earn premier status this year. Review rules for achieving premier status in the Fraternal Leaders Handbook – and be on time submitting all activity requests (at least one week in advance) and activity reports (within 30 days of the event).
o Participate in one fraternal training webinar this year. Webinars will be held at various times, at least once a quarter. Register in advance and follow instructions to document your participation.
o Engage at least three new Modern Woodmen families in a club activity in 2017. Invite a member family (at least one child must be a beneficial member) to participate in its first club activity and fill out a short survey.
o Hold at least three activities between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2018. Again, submit activities for approval at least one week in advance.
You can do this! The qualifications are simple, but will be strictly enforced. Official rules and more information are available in the training materials section at imakeanimpact.org.
5 steps to earn a trip to Orlando
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Use member feedback to best communicate Modern Woodmen fraternalism!
Words matter
How they wantto be contactedabout chapterevents
• Keep it quick and concise.
• Use electronic tools, such as a closed Facebook page, to announce chapter events.
• Send postcard invitations in a timely manner.
How they feel about key terms
Younger members find the term outdated, secretive and not inviting.
Other key takeaways1. Many millennials inherited their certi�cates (a parent or grandparent purchased). Take time to explain our fraternal difference.
3. The concept of member bene�ts is appealing. Remind them of these benefits often – use the Fraternal Benefits Guide Form 453, or direct them to modernwoodmen.org.
2. Member ownership is seen as a positive. Explain that Modern Woodmen is member-owned and built for members, not for pro�t.
Six focus groups across thecountry were conducted with members in summer 2016. Participants were asked to share their feelings on an important topic – how we communicate Modern Woodmen fraternalism. Check out the info and take action on the feedback gained from our members.
How they perceive Modern Woodmen
Peace of mind
ChildrenRetirement
Perso
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Stable
Financial planningBanking Services
Afford
able
Caring People
Charity
Buria
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tectio
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Insura
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Emerg
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Finan
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MembersSupportive
Life long protection
Outings
FutureFamilySecurity
Educ
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Informative
Cost
used these key words to describe Modern Woodmen;the larger the word, the more frequently it was mentioned.
Members from ages
26-55
SocietyMost members feel this conveys that they’re more than a customer, gaining benefits and a high level of service.
MemberThe majority finds this helpful to explain structure, but many didn’t even realize they belong to a chapter.
Chapter
• Also, try a personal invitation ... don’t depend solely on postcards.
p l a n A H E A D
A P R I LKeep America Beautiful Month: Hold a litter scavenger hunt to turn cleanup into a game.April 2: International Children’s Book Day. Collect used children’s books and volunteer to read at a local library or school. Leave the books behind for kids to continue to enjoy.April 20: National High-Five Day. Attend a local sporting event together and give fellow members a high-five when your team scores.o Start planning an activity for Aquarium Month in June. Visit
a local aquarium, invite a marine biologist to speak, or plan to clean up and feed the fish at an area pond.
o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________
M A YNational Photograph Month: Snap a photo of your chapter, Summit chapter or youth service club’s activity and email it to [email protected] Blood Pressure Month: Invite a nurse to educate members and check their blood pressure level.May 5: Cinco De Mayo. Host a social event at an authentic Mexican restaurant and learn about the holiday.May 19: National Bike to Work Day. Invite members to gather for a bicycle ride after work. May 29: Memorial Day. Honor veterans by placing flags on graves.o Review the service project training module at
imakeanimpact.org.o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________
J U N EAquarium Month: Hold the activity you started planning in April.June 18: Father’s Day/International Picnic Day. Hold a Father’s Day picnic and collect nonperishable items.June 21: International Yoga Day. Organize a yoga class for members at your local gym or invite an instructor to teach yoga basics.o Plan a chapter board meeting for July.o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________o ______________________________________________
J U L YNational Ice Cream Month: Visit a local ice cream parlor and/or learn how to make your own ice cream.July 4: Independence Day. Recognize a veteran by hosting a picnic. Reserve a spot for members to gather and watch fireworks.July 15: Cow Appreciation Day. Visit a dairy farm to learn how milk gets from the cow to the grocery store.July 31: National Mutt Day. Volunteer at a local animal shelter – and walk or play with the mutts!o Hold a mid-year chapter board meeting. Review your
progress toward premier status and ask board members to read and sign the Principles of Conduct. (See Page 8.)
o ________________________________________________o ________________________________________________
A U G U S TWhat Will Be Your Legacy Month. Invite a Modern Woodmen representative to make an educational presentation on the Final Wishes benefit. Water Quality Month: Visit a water treatment plant to learn how your water is cleaned.Aug. 31: National Trail Mix Day. Assemble bags of trail mix to hand out at a local homeless shelter.o Plan a service activity to remember 9/11. Consider making
goodie baskets for local firefighters.o Partner with a group like the Kids in Need Foundation to
help kids pack their book bags for a new school year.o ________________________________________________o ________________________________________________
S E P T E M B E RInternational Square Dancing Month: Learn square dancing as an educational event.Better Breakfast Month: Serve breakfast to students or teachers at a local school.Sept. 11: Deliver goodie baskets to local fire or police departments in your community.Sept. 22: Business Women’s Day. As a service activity, collect and donate gently used business attire to a local organization that helps women in need.o Review your premier progress at imakeanimpact.org.
Remember, all qualifying activities must be completed by Oct. 31.
o ________________________________________________o ________________________________________________
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You’re up for this challenge! You’re finding new ways for members to volunteer and make an impact with Modern Woodmen. It shouldn’t be difficult. In fact, planning a service project can be easy when your chapter or club contributes to a national campaign.
We’re in your corner. The Fraternal Department compiled a list of “Service Project Ideas for 2017.” This document is available in the Training Materials section at imakeanimpact.org, and is filled with innovative ideas to help your members make an impact.
The ideas are listed; just work with your chapter board to pick one that will appeal to your members. Many organizations have planning guides and resources to help your chapter or club pull off the perfect service project – without breaking a sweat.
And you’ll know the impact your chapter or club is making will be multiplied by the efforts of other groups performing similar
t r y S O M E T H I N G N E W
projects across the country. Talk about a knockout win!
So what are you waiting for? Here are a few of the service projects your chapter or club could perform in 2017 as part of a national campaign:
• Adopt a soldier to send weekly letters and care packages. • Start a free neighborhood book repository. • Collect change in jars throughout the year to donate
anonymously at Christmas to a person in need. • Make thank-you cards for blood donors. • Assemble comfort kits for families hit by disaster. • Donate storage boxes with small toys and games for
hospitalized kids.
Again, these are just a few of the options your chapter or club can choose from. Check out "Service Project Ideas for 2017” online or contribute to another worthy national campaign.
It’s easy when you contribute to a national campaign
Take the service project challenge
