A Message from the State 1st Vice President

I am happy to announce that Ken and I have received our second vaccination and are enjoying our newfound freedom. The very first thing we did was go to our young granddaughter and hug her forever. I certainly didn’t want to let her go and she let me hold on as long as I wanted. That was the hardest thing to endure while following the COVID guidelines, not seeing my grandchildren. I hope that you have all received your vaccines and have been able to get your hugs in also!

Now that Spring is finally here and we can spend more time outside, Please consider spending time together as a Lodge. If our numbers aren’t low enough to meet inside perhaps a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at a park or in a member’s backyard could be arranged. Our members are counting on Lodge Presidents to keep us together. Lodge Presidents, you are the backbone of our Order. You keep our members involved. Thank you for all you are doing during this difficult time.

How are you doing with Membership and Retention? I know some of our Lodges are still not meeting. I certainly understand the members that are concerned about being in a meeting. Are we reaching out to the members that we haven’t heard from in some time? Are we sharing our “Love of the Order” with family and friends? These things will help with our Membership and Retention.

I know we are still in a holding pattern with many of our activities but let’s plan. We may have to tweak a date or two, but we will give our members things to look forward to participating. So many of our Lodges are holding Drive thru Dinners. They are all reporting financial success.

The newsletters I have received are taking their Lodge members to Italy with articles about traditions and celebrations as they have been practiced pre-COVID.

I am wishing all my Sisters and Brothers a happy and holy Easter,

Till next month

Fraternally