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FRATERNAL DIRECTOR
Jill Lain Weaver
EDITOR
Jennifer Meyer
Corporate Communications
DESIGNER
Denise Chandler
Corporate Communications
CONTENT EDITOR
Kristen Roberts
Fraternal Department
FRATERNAL
DEPARTMENT STAFF
Bill Baker
Tammy Bohland
Melissa Gottwalt
Ann Held
Courtney Lawrence
Melissa Mayers
Kathy Michel
Tammy Mielke
Karen Mizner
Martha Nelson
Amber Nichols
Lori Sedam
Nancy Thomas
IMPACT MAGAZINEOfficial fraternal publication of
Modern Woodmen of America
1701 1st Avenue PO Box 2005
Rock Island, IL 61204-2005
Q. Our town doesn’t have a
museum or zoo. How can I
host an Educational
Experience for young
members?
A. Look for opportunities for kids
to learn something new. Tour a
local farm or business. Offer a
CPR class. Learn a sport. Invite
a speaker on nutrition, bullying
or study skills. For teens,
arrange a speaker on summer
jobs or college prep.
Q. We already held our Good
Neighbors project. Can we
do a second project?
A. Chapters and youth service
clubs get credit for one Good
Neighbors or Community
Beautification project per year,
but you can count additional
projects as a social activity or
regular monthly meeting. You
won’t receive additional
money, but you can use
existing funds to pay for
supplies.
Q. What are some ideas for
chapter Family Life/
Educational Events?
A. Ask your financial
representative to present on
family budgets, retirement
planning or fraternal benefits
(programs found at
mwavolunteers.org). Or invite
an expert to speak on health
topics or to teach a dance,
exercise or first aid course.
Look for opportunities to tour
an area farm, manufacturing
plant, vineyard or brewery.
Do your members know Modern
Woodmen may help cover life insurance
premiums if they’re affected by serious
illness, accident, fire or natural disaster?
The Fraternal Aid Fund helps members
keep their certificates in force during
times of hardship by paying premiums
for a three-month period. Requests are
granted on the basis of need and
inability to pay premiums. To apply,
members can contact their
representative or complete and
return the appropriate form at
modern-woodmen.org.
“We assembled Buddy Bears
at Modern Woodmen’s Merit
Club Leadership Conference in
Orlando, Florida, in 2012. We
stuffed the bears and donated
them to Florida Hospital for
Children. The bears were so
cute, and I was excited for the
child who’d receive one.”
What is your favorite volunteer experience?
Share thisgreat benefit
Find us on:
modernwoodmen
@modernwoodmen
ModernWoodmen1883
c o n n e c t w i t h S T A F F l o o k i n s i d e S U M M E R 2 0 1 5
Meet fraternal leader Kandy Noles Stevens
Veterinary tour in Minnesota.4Follow the leaders
Examples and ideas from across the country.6Do it different
Creative Matching Fund twists.8Thinking outside the box
Family trivia: a fun social activity or fundraiser.9The big picture
Why YOU are important as a fraternal leader.10Plan ahead
Start filling your calendar with fun.11
Frequently asked questions
Email your questions to the
Fraternal Department at Kristen.
[email protected] something new
Energize senior sharing activities.12
Simple, flexible and fun. These three watchwords
were at the forefront when Modern Woodmen
started the Summit chapter program in 2012.
Success seemed unlikely if events were
particularly complicated or too rigid. And if
members didn’t enjoy themselves, they certainly
wouldn’t come back.
While these guidelines were designed for the
55-and-older crowd, perhaps they’re applicable
for all youth service club, chapter and Summit
chapter activities. Keep activities simple and easy.
Mix things up! Be flexible and creative when
planning and scheduling events. And for
goodness sake, have some fun along the way!
Laughter and camaraderie are wonderful,
frequent outcomes when Modern Woodmen
members come together. Whether it’s a service
project, educational event or simply a social
gathering, participants always seem to have a
good time. And the value of the positive,
long-term impact on the health and well-being
of their communities cannot be overstated.
Thank you for helping fulfill Modern Woodmen’s
mission to improve the quality of life for our
members and for having an impact in your
community!
Fraternally,
Kathy Michel
Fraternal Department Innovations Supervisor Kathy Michel walks with her daughter during the Race to
Knock Out Hunger in Rock Island, Ill., in September 2014. The 5K race was the culminating event in the
home office’s Knock Out Hunger campaign.
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32 S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | I M P A C T
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K A N D Y N O L E S S T E V E N S HOW-TO GUIDE:
Learning animal care from your local veterinarian City: Marshall, Minn.
Occupation: Teacher, writer
and speaker.
Family: Husband Daniel;
sons Reed (deceased) and
Sawyer, 18; and daughters
Erin, 15, and Cloie, 10.
Why did you become an assistant
youth service club leader? Glenda
Vizecky and another Modern
Woodmen representative helped
us with a fundraiser when Reed
died in a school bus accident. We
were blown away by their
generosity. Glenda saw how much I
love working with kids and asked
me to help with a youth service
club, and I enthusiastically said yes.
What’s your favorite club
memory? Over Christmas break,
kids ages 4-18 spent an afternoon
at a local grocery store café making
cards for a deployed soldier. That
was one of my proudest moments.
My husband still has a box of cards
kids made for him when he was
deployed in the service.
What inspires you in planning an
activity? For it to be exciting for
me is one thing; I’m a mom and a
teacher. I really try to look at it from
kids’ perspectives and what would
be exciting for them.
How do you find new activity
ideas? We feel it’s really important
for kids to meet their community
members. There are a lot of places
to visit in your community – a
doctor’s office, plant nursery or a
construction company. Many
would love to share what they
know with kids. Don’t be afraid to
ask them.
What’s your personal motto?
We have a family motto: safe,
family, football. It explains our
priorities.
What’s your favorite meal?
Gulf shrimp. I savor it when I’m
home in Pensacola, Florida.
What would people be surprised
to learn about you? I always talk
about the ocean. But when I was a
little girl, I was afraid of the water.
Now, I do triathlons.
Kids in Glenda Vizecky’s
youth service club in
Marshall, Minnesota, might
say their tour was the cat’s
meow. They’re still talking
about the February tour of a
local veterinarian’s office,
where kids learned about
veterinary medicine and
at-home animal care. The
club also donated cat food
and blankets for animals at a
shelter.
Here’s how Glenda and
assistant club leader Kandy
Noles Stevens organized a
successful activity.
KEEP TWO TOP DOGS
Glenda and Kandy combined
their clubs, both struggling
with attendance, into one
club starting in January. They
set a regular meeting day
each month and outlined
activities for the year ahead.
The club has benefited from
their combined creativity
and connections, and kids
from Marshall and
Cottonwood enjoy meeting
members from a
neighboring community.
TEACH A NEW TRICK
While planning the first six
months of activities, Glenda
and Kandy were inspired in
part by a suggestion from
the Fraternal Department
(see Page 11). They
expanded the tip for an
animal shelter donation to
include a fun and
educational tour of a
veterinary office.
COACH CURIOUS CATS
Finding the right
veterinarian is key to a
successful tour, Kandy says.
The vet should be
comfortable with kids and
allow hands-on learning.
Kids examined Dr. Brenda
Evans’ dog, Jed, after she
demonstrated. They
observed animals in surgical
recovery and diagnosed
pets – one with a broken
leg and another pregnant
with kittens – based on
X-ray images. Dr. Evans also
educated kids about animal
care and first aid, and she
provided each with a leash
to assist their own pet if ill
or injured.
BARK UP A TREE
After picking a date, Kandy
shared information about
the upcoming activity on
the club’s closed Facebook
page (contact the Fraternal
Department to start a page
for your club or chapter).
Facebook lets parents know
what the club has planned
and arrange rides for kids.
Parents also appreciate the
photos and recaps of
activities involving their
children.
“I just love working with kids. It’s so much fun to see how they learn and how much
their hearts grow. They care so much about their neighbors.”
From top, Kandy Noles
Stevens (left) and Glenda
Vizecky merged their
struggling youth service
clubs in January. Their
combined connections and
creativity have produced
activities that are both fun
and educational.
During a tour in February, a
local veterinarian taught
kids about veterinary
medicine and at-home
animal care. Kids even had
an opportunity to practice
an exam on the vet’s dog,
Jed.54 S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | I M P A C T
f o l l o w t h e L E A D E R S
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PUEBLO, COLORADO
Chapters combine friends, chocolate in recipe for fun
LEE, MAINE
Farm family gives chapter a taste for Maple Syrup Sunday
LOGAN, UTAH
Kids climb to new heights
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
Chapter activity takes timeout away from kids
“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with
chocolate,” says author Linda Grayson. Both were ingredients for
baking lessons Chapter Activities Coordinator Kallene West
organized in Pueblo, Colorado. Chefs discussed different types of
chocolate. One chapter’s members learned to bake brownies.
Another chapter’s members made truffles. Of course, a lot of tasting
was involved, Kallene says.
HOW TO:
Find a chef and secure a kitchen large enough for members
attending. Kallene used a commercial kitchen for one event and her
church’s kitchen for the other. As a Modern Woodmen
representative, Kallene met one chef while networking. Your
chapter board can also be a resource for finding a chef to host an
event, she says. Kallene sent postcard invitations and reminded
members about the event via the chapter’s closed group on
Facebook and in person.
NEXT TIME:
Your chef’s personality and level of experience matter. One chef
Kallene worked with was outgoing and experienced. The other was
quieter and less experienced. Both groups had a good time, but the
outgoing and experienced chef kept members better engaged by
talking and telling jokes. Most important, Kallene says, is that
everyone gets to eat a lot of chocolate!
YOUR TURN:
Kallene’s chapters are considering lessons to make cookies,
cupcakes or potica bread from a local bakery. The recipes are
countless, and baking is just one skill your members can learn.
Rock-climbing opportunities are everywhere in southern Idaho.
Tami Turner’s youth service club members learned about safety and
gained experience when they traveled to northern Utah in April.
After instruction on belaying (handling a partner’s ropes), the kids –
ranging in age from 2 to teen – tried out their climbing skills on the
indoor runs.
HOW TO:
Make a group reservation at a climbing facility. Making reservations
as a group or on a weekday saves money. Tami’s club paid the $11
per person fee so members weren’t charged to participate. Sign
waiver forms online (if available) to save time when your group
arrives.
NEXT TIME:
Read through the facility’s policies and procedures before you go.
Members may be required to rent climbing shoes or be at least 16
years old to belay. Make sure your mix of members includes
enough adults (usually one to every three or four kids) to handle
ropes for climbers.
YOUR TURN:
No mountains or boulders in your neck of the woods? Members
may still enjoy learning about rock climbing, and indoor centers are
located throughout the country. Depending on your local
geography, adventurous members may also enjoy lessons on skiing,
kayaking, sailing or surfing. Or explore more mildly with biking,
hiking, canoeing, fishing or bird watching.
Youth service club members
learned about and experienced
rock climbing at an indoor
facility in northern Utah. What
recreational activities would
your members enjoy learning?
Maryann Tudor’s chapter celebrated Maple Syrup Sunday a day
early this March with a tour and treats at members Andrew and
Sonia Maxwell’s maple syrup farm in Lee, Maine. Andrew
demonstrated how the farm makes syrup from sap and served
maple syrup-covered ice cream. The chapter supplied coupons
that provided a discount on maple syrup members could purchase
to take home.
HOW TO:
During its semiannual meeting, the chapter board planned a tour
of the farm. Maryann simply contacted the Maxwells to set a date.
She also negotiated coupons for members by explaining the
advertising benefit to the business.
YOUR TURN:
Your members may know very little about businesses – including
those owned or operated by fellow members – in their own
community. Ask your members about ventures in which they’re
involved. Look locally for opportunities to learn. Maryann says her
chapter may tour a potato farm or lobster pound in the future.
The Maxwells, a 100-percent Modern Woodmen family, hosted a tour
for chapter members before Maple Syrup Sunday in Maine. What local
or member-owned operations could host your members?
Chefs taught chapter members in Pueblo, Colo., how to bake with
chocolate during activities earlier this year. What cooking, craft or
other hobbies can you learn as a group?
Jared Hart doesn’t have to stretch his imagination for chapter
activities that appeal to members in their 20s or 30s. He just thinks
about what he enjoys, and that includes the occasional cigar.
During an educational activity in March, members learned about
different cigar tastes from a manufacturer and third-generation
cigar roller.
HOW TO:
Approach a shop owner and schedule an event for a time that’s
both convenient for members and slow for the business. Send
postcard invitations and follow up with an email or phone call. A
personal invitation goes a long way, Jared says. At the event, he
personally greeted each member and introduced them to the
presenters.
NEXT TIME:
Attendance was affected due to weekend scheduling and March
Madness. Jared said he’ll hold similar events (possibly beer* or
bourbon tastings) on a weekday after work (around 5:30 or 6 p.m.)
YOUR TURN:
Many chapter activities focus on families with children. Some
families don’t have children, however, and parents enjoy occasional
time away from kids with other adults. The cigar presentation
engaged a different demographic of members who say they’ll look
forward to future chapter events.
Chapter members learned about cigars from a third-generation
roller in Raleigh, N.C. What activities would adult members in your
chapter enjoy?
*Chapter funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.
76 S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | I M P A C T
d o i t D I F F E R E N T
The Matching Fund Program is
one of Modern Woodmen’s most
popular and powerful ways to make
a difference. It’s also an opportunity
to have a fun and creative impact in
your community.
Dinners, raffles, auctions, and yard
or bake sales are the most common
Matching Fund events, but they
aren’t the only activities out there.
Here are a few ideas to get your
imagination started.
1. Strut your stuff
Cheryl Tidwell’s chapter in
Arkansas partnered with a Little
Rock animal shelter for Paws on
the Runway. Shelter animals served
as “models” with area celebrities as
handlers. The event raised funds by
charging admission, which the chapter
matched up to $2,500. Create your own
show by partnering with an area shelter or
featuring members’ pets as models.
Or, use human models to show clothing
you’ll donate to families in need. With
contributions of cash and clothing, you can
make twice the impact.
2. Play along
Chris Garcia’s chapter in California part-
nered with his high school in Palmdale for
a baseball hit-a-thon. Kids on the varsity
baseball team found sponsors, who paid a
certain amount for each foot the player hit
the ball. Modern Woodmen matched the
money raised from sponsorships to help the
team buy jerseys.
Jared Hart’s chapter held a similar event for
a high school weightlifting team in South
Carolina, and Sonya Cardwell’s chapter in
Kentucky helped at an archery tournament
to raise money for an elementary school’s
archery program. Each sport offers oppor-
tunities.
Consider other competitive activities or
games, such as trivia (see Page 9).
3. Shop around
Shop for something you love – such as
designer purses – while raising money for
a good cause. A Michigan chapter charged
$15 admission – which included an appe-
tizer, soft drink and music – for a designer
handbag auction. Members and local celeb-
rities donated new or gently used designer
purses, which volunteers cleaned as needed
before the auction. Proceeds of the event
and auction, as well as matching funds,
were donated to help feed those in need.
3 fun, creative Matching Fund project twists
Family trivia: a fun social activity or fundraiser
Thinkingoutside the box
Still trying to figure out what
qualifies for the Matching Fund
Program and what doesn’t? New
rules effective in July make it easy.
The reporting process has also been
simplified.
New guidelines
Instead of a long list of what does
and doesn’t qualify to receive
matching funds, we’ve simplified the
requirements to three key criteria:
1. Recipient must be local. A local
nonprofit organization or local
individual in need.
2. Project must address a specific,
tangible community need.
Funds shouldn’t go into a non-
profit’s general operating budget
(for example, to keep the lights
on or to pay staff ). Money raised
and matched should impact the
community or an individual in
need.
3. Members must be involved in
the project. They can help plan
the project, volunteer at the
event or participate in the
fundraiser as an attendee.
New reporting process
You won’t be required to send a
check for the amount raised
anymore. Instead, you’ll submit a
form acknowledging the amount of
money raised and how the money
was raised. The form will require
notarized signatures from you and
the partnering organization/
individual.
Matching funds won’t be awarded if
the document isn’t complete and
notarized. No exceptions.
Remember, we’re making the
matching donation with members’
dollars. It’s important to verify funds
were raised. Watch for more details
to follow in this month.
3 new rules for Matching Fund projects
It’s more than questions and answers packed in a box. Sure, this
box has paper, pens and just about everything you need to easily
organize a fun-filled trivia event. But to make the biggest impact
with the Fraternal Department’s new trivia contest kits, try
thinking outside the box.
The new family-oriented trivia kit, available to chapters and
youth clubs since June, now includes questions for members
who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s. Categories include toys
and games, famous canines, potpourri and “I love a parade.” A
version of the game with questions for older members was
offered for Summit chapters in 2014 (a limited number are still
available for Summit chapters only).
Trivia is a blast as a social activity. Teams with members of
different ages can put their heads together to recall facts and
outwit opposing teams. In the process, members reminisce,
laugh and get to know each other.
Trivia is also a great start for a fun Matching Fund project or
other fundraiser. To make a bigger impact, consider pairing your
social event with these fundraiser ideas:
1. Price to play. Require a small participation fee from each
player or team. Award the winning team with a portion of
the money raised. Donate the remaining, largest portion to
an organization or individual in need.
2. Feed the mind. Wracking your brain for trivia answers works
up an appetite. Sell concessions to hungry players or offer a
light meal. You can donate the extra money you earn from
food sales.
3. Raffle the odds. Sell tickets for a 50/50 raffle. The donation
will be twice as nice if the winner donates his or her half
back to your chapter or youth service club’s cause.
4. Best bids. Ask local businesses, your Modern Woodmen
representative and fellow members to donate items for a
silent auction. The proceeds will help your chapter or club
donate top dollar to its cause.
These are just a few ideas. You’re only limited by your
imagination.
Each family-oriented trivia kit includes: • A CD with a PowerPoint presentation of 100 trivia
questions and answers. The presentation advances
automatically to guide you through the game
categories, questions and answers. (Requires laptop or
projector. Paper guide also included.)
• Large score sheet, markers and tape.
• 10 copies of categories and rules.
• 10 answer sheets and 10 sharpened pencils.
• 10 table tents.
• 3 red pens for judges (at least 2 judges recommended).
• Pre- and post-event instructions and media release
templates.
• 100 Mulligan stickers.
• 50 Modern Woodmen brochures.
Pet shows, purse auctions and playing baseball (or other
games) are just a few ideas to inspire your next Matching Fund
project. Be creative to make a fun impact in your community.
A new trivia kit, with questions for children and Millennials, is now
available from the Fraternal Department. Pair your family trivia
event with a favorite fundraiser to make a bigger impact.
98 S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | I M P A C T
p l a n A H E A D
J U L Y
National Recreation and Parks Month: Remind qualified
members (age 62 plus) about the discounted National Parks
Pass member benefit.
July 19: National Ice Cream Day. Tour a dairy or invite mem-
bers to bring their favorite toppings to an ice cream social.
July 30: Deadline to file semiannual financial and activity
report.
❏ Hold your chapter board planning meeting. Plan activities
for the next six months. Ask members about their interests.
❏
❏ Share your creative activity with other leaders. Email
Impact via [email protected].
A U G U S T
National Back to School Month: Identify a school or organi-
zation to help deliver school supplies your members collect to
families in need.
National Golf Month: Host your next meeting or activity at a
golf course. Or hold a social event at a miniature golf course.
Aug. 26: National Dog Day. Tour a veterinary office, donate to
an animal shelter or raise funds with a dog show (see pages 5
and 8).
❏ Finalize plans for a service activity to remember 9/11.
❏
❏ Share your creative activity with other leaders. Email
Impact via [email protected].
S E P T E M B E R
Life Insurance Awareness Month: Ask your Modern Woodmen
representative to share the Final Wishes presentation.
Sept. 9: National Teddy Bear Day. Ask members to bring gen-
tly used toys to the activity and donate them to sick children.
Sept. 11: 9/11 Day of Service. Honor first responders.
Sept. 23: Autumn begins. Rake leaves for the elderly.
❏ Finalize plans for Make A Difference Day, Oct. 24.
❏
❏ Share your creative activity with other leaders. Email
Impact via [email protected].
O C T O B E R
National Pizza Month: Tour a pizzeria or make homemade
pizzas as a club or chapter.
National Depression Education and Awareness Month:
Invite an expert to speak on depression.
Oct. 4-10: National Fire Prevention Week and National
Newspaper Week. Honor a firefighter or newspaper worker
as a Hometown Hero. Or help elderly or disabled residents
test and replace batteries on smoke detectors.
Oct 24: Make A Difference Day. Host a National Day of
Service activity.
Oct. 30: Deadline for youth service clubs to complete
activities for Merit Club status.
❏
N O V E M B E R
Child Safety and Protection Month: Invite a guest
speaker to discuss home accident prevention.
Good Nutrition Month: Bring unusual healthy foods for
members to try, or organize a class on healthy cooking.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day. Visit with veterans or make cards for
a veterans’ home.
Nov. 21: Family Volunteering Day. Volunteer together in a
food pantry or visit a nursing home.
❏
D E C E M B E R
Dec. 4: Santa’s List Day. Create an angel tree for children in
need in the community and ask members to buy gifts for a
child chosen from the angel tree.
Dec. 5: Walt Disney’s birthday. Ask members to dress as
their favorite character or plan a movie night as a social
activity.
Dec. 13: National Cocoa Day. Serve cocoa and enjoy time
with members.
❏ Remind members that Modern Woodmen scholarship
applications for high school seniors are due Jan. 1.
❏
THIS QUARTER
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NEXT QUARTER
When does 1 equal 76?
When does 1 equal 76? When that one is a single dollar
invested in a fraternal organization.
According to the results of a 2014 study by Professor Phil
Swagel at the University of Maryland, America’s fraternal
benefit societies produce $76 in value to communities
for each dollar the federal government “invests” in them
by maintaining the fraternal tax exemption.
The study demonstrates that fraternal organizations
deliver that value in two ways:
• Direct financial support for organizations that
reflect their members’ shared values.
• Facilitating millions of hours of volunteer service by
their members on projects that enhance the quality
of life in local communities across the country.
Thank you for helping Modern Woodmen turn $1 into
$76 in value to local communities.
The big picture
As a fraternal financial services organization (the third-largest
in the nation), Modern Woodmen makes a positive impact on
local communities. We touch lives and secure members’
financial futures.
We couldn’t do it without you. Fraternalism is what sets
Modern Woodmen apart from other financial services
organizations.
Our fraternal business model illustrates how fraternal
activities build relationships, allowing for membership growth
and greater community impact. The financial products we
provide help fund member benefits and local fraternal
activities.
Fraternalism allows us to make a difference and invest millions
in local communities each year – and you make it all possible.
Why YOU are important as a fraternal leader
1110 S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | I M P A C T
t r y S O M E T H I N G N E W
A little young blood can go a long way.
Spending time with young people – or people who are young at
heart – helps reinvigorate seniors. And with a little fresh thinking,
your youth service club or chapter can make a big impact through
social or volunteer activities with seniors.
Meaningful and memorable activities are personal and interac-
tive. Consider these ideas as suggestions or inspiration for your
next club or chapter activity.
If your members donate time:
Create opportunities for seniors to impart their knowledge,
experience and interests with other generations.
• Rent a photo booth for Grandparents Day. The photos will
be a fun reminder of the experience seniors and members
shared together.
• Play board games, puzzles or cards to encourage interaction.
What games can seniors teach kids or adults?
• Work together on a simple craft project. Or make and fly
paper airplanes together.
• Bring a photo album or journal to organize memories seniors
share. The record can also help seniors remember precious
stories.
• Instead of making cards to give to nursing home residents,
spend time helping them write cards or letters to loved ones.
• Learn how to sew a hem or button, or prepare a new dish. Let
seniors instruct. If you can’t cook there, prepare the recipe at
home and bring it on a return visit.
If your members donate goods/money:
There are circumstances where it’s difficult to give time, but you
can still make a personal difference. For example, ask members to
shop for an individual selected from an angel tree. Donate items
that suit his or her personal likes and interests, such as hobby
books or magazines for a birdwatcher.
Don’t let the activities your club or chapter does with seniors get
old. Some young blood gives seniors joy and value from sharing –
and you just might learn a thing or two!
Energize senior sharing activities with
young blood
