News From the North

News From the North
By Barbara Fumosa Wisniewski
State 1st Vice President

Sisters and Brothers: Ken and I have just come back from our first trip to Italy! We got to see Rome in a way most people don’t get to see. There was hardly anyone there. By the time we got to Catania where my father’s family came from, we realized we had to cut our trip short and come home. COVID-19 had taken hold in Italy and was in the USA as well. We were fortunate that we were able to get home before the lanes of flights were closed. Since then we have been under voluntary quarantine for 14 days. We will be back!

During this time, we had a very productive Grand Council meeting via conference call and webinar. For our first try I think it went very well. We all learned how to mute ourselves and listen. I believe we all did more listening than ever before. I know we got more business done in a much shorter period. Does that say something for the way we listen? We had to hear what was said, digest it and unmute before we could speak.

That leads me to the next topic, Do you, as members, listen first, digest what is said and then speak? I think, for most of us, the answer is no. So many times, we are more concerned with what we are going to say instead of listening first. I know I have been guilty of this and will certainly try to be more aware in the future. Being a good listener is so important in being a good leader.

I would like to continue with our conversation on Membership. Alexis, at the Grand Lodge, was kind enough to get me some figures on our Membership in the North. For the last quarter of 2019 the Northern District maintained a 0 increase/decrease. Northern Salano, had an increase of 11 new members, Ukiah and Gold Country also had increases in their membership. I’d like to congratulate those Lodges for their work on Membership. Unfortunately, the rest of our 19 Lodges in the North either lost members or remained the same. I don’t have the figures for the first quarter of 2020 but I’m hoping we did a little better. Remember, if each of us brought in one member, we would double our numbers. If your Membership chairs would like some suggestions, Louie Lodi and I have a bunch! Not all will work for every Lodge, but some might be worth a try for your Lodge.

Remind your Financial Secretaries that we need to get our address corrections in, so the Grand Lodge isn’t charged for returns. I know it doesn’t sound like much but as much as $20.00 per day are the charges coming into the Grand Lodge and it adds up.

In this time of trouble both here and around the world, I would like to encourage all of you to remain safe and take the precautions as directed. When this has passed, we will all celebrate.

Thank you for all you do to keep our Order strong.

Till next month

Fraternally

Barbara