Official Communication for Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - Ohio ...

Subject: 200603 Official Communication ‐ 2020‐2021 Moose of the Year Selection (Lodges only); Lodge
Safety Inspection Form; Virtual Moose Conven Web Opens Mon June 1st; Moose Rewards; Custom
License Plates

Official Communication for Wednesday, June 3,
2020
2020‐2021 Moose of the Year Selection (Lodges only)

This program recognizes each Lodge’s selection of its most outstanding lodge member as their
Moose of the Year. Since ALL active members of the Order may be considered as a Lodge's
Moose of the Year nominee, it is our belief that no Lodge has an excuse to not participate in
this recognition program. Submitting a timely Moose of the Year is one of the criteria for a
Lodge to earn the Premier Lodge Award.

The Moose of the Year is selected by the Lodge’s Junior Past Governor, serving as Chairman,
and at least three other Past Governors of the Lodge. If three (3) active Past Governors are not
available, the Governor may appoint other Lodge Officers to the selection committee.
Additionally, if the Junior Past Governor is not available to serve as Chairman, the Governor
may appoint any Past Governor of the Lodge to serve in this capacity. The Moose of the Year
selection should be based upon the member’s overall record as a Moose during the past year,
with particular attention paid to his membership efforts, his support of Moose Charities and his
contributions to his Lodge and community.

Electronic Submission. The Lodge’s Moose of the Year selection will be submitted to Moose
International electronically, via the Admin Menu. On‐line entry is open, via the Admin menu
and submissions are being accepted through Friday, July 24, 2020.

As a reminder, Lodges are required to submit a Moose of the Year nominee as part of the
criteria for the Premier Lodge Award.

A Message from Ritual, Moose Legion & Higher Degrees regarding Meeting
Ritual Adjustment Suggestions

Due to current recommended social distances, some suggestions have been offered in
conduction meetings. Please see “Ritual Etiquette” attachment for suggestions.

Lodge Safety Inspection Form

Online Lodge Safety Forms are now open. Deadline extended to July 15th. Click HERE to access
a guide on how to fill out the form and ensure that there are no errors. Access the form HERE.
A list of received forms will be posted daily in the Moose International website. Go to Lodge
Operations and scroll down to the Legal/Risk Management Area. Click on Received Safety
Forms.

Virtual Moose Convention Website Opened Monday, June 1

The Virtual Moose Convention runs from June 25 – 26, 2020 and information about the
Convention is now available on line. Access to the site can be made from the Moose
International homepage (www.mooseintl.org)

Any member can attend by using a smart phone, tablet or computer and accessing this site,
which will hold links to the live videos, recorded sessions, convention merchandise, and more.
On June 25 & 26, you may view any of the sessions you choose, based on the schedule listed on
the site. Sessions will also be recorded and posted to this site (via YouTube) so that members
may view the sessions at a later date.

Participation in the Moose Virtual Convention is free and there is no need to
register in advance, WITH ONE EXCEPTION!

If you are a delegate (current Administrator, Governor, or Past Governor) for the Loyal Order of
Moose and will be voting on the General Laws Amendments, approval of reports, or the
nomination and election of Officers, you MUST register for the Convention.

The link to register is found on the Convention website under the Registration tab and there is a
$10 registration fee to offset electronic voting costs. The fee is payable by credit card, or you
may use 8,000 Moose Rewards points in lieu of payment (The Moose Rewards option will
appear if registrant has 8,000 available points). Only LOOM delegates will be allowed to
register, so if you are a current Administrator or Governor you must be listed on your lodge’s
Board of Officers within the Admin Menu. All registrations must be done online, therefore, if a
delegate needs help in registering for the meeting, he should contact his Administrator or
Territory Manager for assistance.

Only delegates for the Loyal Order of Moose are allowed to vote per the current General Laws,
therefore all non‐delegates, including members of the Women of the Moose, need not register.

For delegates, registration begins June 1, 2020 and will close at 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 23rd.
You may register at any time during this period in order to participate in voting during the
Convention.

Double Moose Rewards Points for Training During April, May, June and July

It’s time to make lemonade out of lemons. The current shelter‐at‐home restrictions are difficult
for Moose members (as well as all others) during this pandemic crisis, however, it allows for the
perfect opportunity to take online training modules and the accompanying assessment tests.
  Moose International will double the Moose Rewards points for officer training during April,
May, June and July. Complete any instructor led class (if available) or complete an on‐line
training class and LOOM, WOTM and Moose Legion members will receive double Moose
Rewards points. (WOTM members should check training requirements for 2‐HOTT credit)

Online versions of the 2‐HOTT training and Lodge Leadership/House Committee classes are
available on MI’s website. There is also an “experienced” administrator assessment test for
those individuals with working knowledge of the position. These classes are a great alternative
when a member cannot attend class in person. While it is highly recommended that members
attend instructor‐led training, it is acceptable to complete the online training even when it is
the member’s first experience with the class.

Any member may access the modules and take the assessment tests for credit, however, it is
especially pertinent for new officers, those considering running for office, or those officers who
haven’t taken training within the past three years. Moose Rewards credit will only be given
once every three years for any specific class taken, so you will not receive additional credit if
you have taken the same assessment test within the last three years.

For all Moose training opportunities, visit https://www.mooseintl.org/moose‐training/.

Custom License Plates

You’ve asked and we’ve listened! Catalog Sales has brought back the Custom License Plate
program. Use the attached order form to receive front license plates with your lodge name,
number, and state. Custom license plates are great items for your members to purchase. These
plates are also used to trade with other Moose Lodges and look great on display in the social
quarters. Trading and collecting different plates creates a fun competition between lodges.
Who will have the biggest assortment? Who will have the rarest plate from a distant lodge?
Order yours today!

Meeting Agenda Etiquette
                                       Unusual Times Dictate Adjustments
        Very little is ‘as normal’ these days. Lots of things come into question. Common sense sometimes
dictates we need to adjust things we normally would not change or even consider altering. But between corona
and other unusual things going on we are certainly looking at lots of stuff differently these days.
       The Lodge Handbook for instance - like the Moose Legion’s Next Step in Fraternalism as well -
provides the agendas and basic ‘ritual’ instruction for a normal and properly organized and conducted
membership meeting. In those general instructions are such items as handing out officer medallions or
performing the defending circle and other similar customs rich to our history and tradition.
        But right now, the common guidelines for our safety and that of others is to socially distance. We have
received questions about how we can do that and “not break the ritualistic rules”? Now, we know there are
those who would point out if some officer(s) did not follow proper protocol per the handbook. While we are
not saying to throw the book out - we are currently in a situation where some deviation just simply makes sense
and realistically should be done to help keep everyone at our meetings comfortable and safe!
       For instance, in the lodge membership meeting opening ceremony, the Sergeant at Arms moves about
the room to hand to out the officer medallions. During this time, we suggest he does not physically pick it up
and hand it to the officer but only speaks the words from a safe distance and the officer would then pick up the
medallion and invests himself.
        Later in the lodge meeting there is the forming of the defending circle. Again, we suggest a simple
adjustment whereby the Governor would give the written instruction but adjusted to instruct attendees to do so
“in place”. So, the instruction might be: “Brothers, form the defending Circle “IN PLACE” by placing your
left hand over your heart as a symbol of sincerity, “and SYMBOLICALLY” place your right hand…..etc…..
and listen to the Legend of the Locked Horns.”
        Similarly, in the Moose Legion Conferral during the vote on candidates……Simply spacing out
members in the line to approach the altar for casting a vote is reasonably easy to do. Instead of taking the ballot
to the JPP and President – they could each simply walk to the altar (one at a time) to examine it to avoid close
contact.
        Other adjustments to floor work by the ritual staff in order to accommodate social distancing should be
made without incident or concern (including the beginning and ending chair placement for seating of the staff).
Adjustment of normal spacing of chairs and even the stations as needed to make a reasonable accommodation
during the conferral is OK. Again, an impressive welcoming conferral is the real goal of the conferral.
        When it comes to the business meetings, keep in mind our foremost concern (over ritual movement and
floorwork) is to properly conduct and record in the minutes, the business of the fraternal unit. We may need to
adjust some of the mechanics of the normal ‘ritual’ we use in doing so – and that is ok. We must make sensible
accommodations and take reasonable steps to protect ourselves and the members who might attend. A little bit
of caring and common courtesy can go a long way.
       We all look forward to things getting to ‘normal’ again soon. Best wishes adjusting in the meantime!
                                                                                                  Issued: June 3, 2020
                                                                                                                    1

FRONT LICENSE PLATES
                   MADE OF ALUMINUM-BAKED ENAMEL
            WITH LODGE NAME & NUMBER

 $4.50 each                     Minimum Order 125 pieces
Lodge Name and Number to be imprinted

Imprint Color (Circle Choice)    RED       ROYAL    BLACK        (All backgrounds - White)

Catalog # 480             Plates @ $4.50 each      Please Allow Six Weeks For Delivery