Charlotte, Michigan Lodge 2565 Loyal Order Of Moose
1809 N. Lansing Rd. Charlotte, Michigan 48813
Some new (or veteran!) members assume that they'll see a notice posted calling for Lodge officer nominations in plenty of time to get on the ballot. But that's not required, and as a result, too many potential leaders may miss their chance. Read this now, and you won't!
By JERRY O'CONNOR
Why do we elect Lodge officers? The answer may seem obvious - to provide direction and leadership for the Lodge and it's facility (the latter through their service as the House Committee). However, it's also a legal requirement: every Lodge is incorporated in the state or province in which it is located, and all those jurisdictions require the election of corporate officers.
Those legal corporate officers are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; our fraternal names are Governor, Jr. Governor, Administrator and Treasurer, respectively. The election of officer is essential because Lodge members are, simultaneously, electing both it's corporate and fraternal officers. The corporate officers are legally responsible for the corporation that is the Lodge; they have a fiduciary responsibility ( meaning that of a trusted representative) to protect and preserve it's corporate assets.
Every spring, Moose members ask in their Lodge, or ask us a Moose International, about the election of officers - only to learn that it is too late to do anything until the following year.
Too many members assume that all election notices, nominations, ect., must be posted within the Lodge or published in the Lodge newsletter, And although such full disclosure of information is encouraged, the General Laws do not require it. However, notice is posted of all Lodge meetings, where election matters must be discussed; attend Lodge meetings and you will be informed.
The annual election process in every Moose Lodge must begin no later than February. The Governor first appoints a Nominating Committee of 18 members - the eight elected officers, plus the five most recent Past Governors (by order of their juniority by service in the Lodge) and five additional members who are either appointed officers, committee chairmen, or other Past Governors (either by service or honorary) of that Lodge. The names of men appointed, plus time and place of Nominating Committee meetings must be announced verbally during the last Lodge meeting in February. Additionally, a written copy of that announcement must be included in the Lodge meeting minutes.
Who is eligible to be a Lodge officer? The only requirement for the offices of Treasurer and Trustee is that the member be in good standing. For the offices of Prelate, Jr. Governor and Governor, membership of at least six months duration in that Lodge is required. And for Governor, the member must have served in another elected office (not a combination of offices) in that Lodge for a full 12 month term.
A member wanting to be considered for nomination to an elected Lodge office must submit his name to the Nominating Committee no later than one week prior to the last Lodge meeting in March, when the Committee must make it's report. The Committee is to meet at least once during that week to consider members whose name have been submitted; the Committee may also, on it's own, consider and recommend candidates whose names were not submitted, but who they consider qualified. The Committee should interview all prospective nominees before deciding on the nominees for each office. After making it's report at the last March meeting, a written copy must be attached to Lodge minutes.
What if a member, meeting the qualifications for a given office and who submitted his name for nomination, isn't nominated at the last March meeting? He may then (and only then) begin the petition process. To run on petition, the member must have submitted his name for the specific office he sought. The completed petition must be returned to the Administrator no later than one week before the day of the election; if the petition is completed correctly and contains the required number of valid signatures, the member's name should be placed on the ballot.
What constitutes correct completion of a petition, and how many signatures are required? Members who sign a candidate's petition must also print their name, their Moose identification number, and the date they sign the petition. Legibility is very important, so that the Administrator can verify that all signers of a petition are good standing members of the Lodge. Number of signatures required depends on the number of good standing members in the Lodge. For Lodges with 500 or fewer good standing members, 10% of the total is required. For Lodges of more than 500 good standing members, the required number is 10% of the first 500 (or 50), plus 5 % of the number off good standing members over 500. For example, if a Lodge has 800 members in good standing, the number of valid petition signatures is:
Unless the Lodge is utilizing the "Australian ballot," the election must be held during the first Lodge meeting in April, but no less than two weeks after the report of the Nominating Committee (giving potential petition candidates at least seven days to get the signatures they need).
What's the "Australian Ballot?" If a Lodge has a significant number of members who are shift workers, it may choose to accept ballots for an extended period of hours on the day of the Lodge Meeting. This is permissible only if the Lodge has voted at least two weeks prior to the regular election date to accept ballots in this manner. The election must still take place and conclude on the day of the first regular meeting in April; it cannot be conducted on any other date.
The Governor appoints an Election Committee of three good standing members who are neither officers nor candidates for elective office. This Election Committee is responsible for the conduct of the election, for the counting of ballots, and for the safe guarding of ballots for 48 hours, in case of a written challenge. After the votes are tallied, the Election Committee prepares a report to be read, either by it's Chairman or by the Governor, prior to the completion of the Lodge meeting. Again, the Administrator must attach a written copy of this report to the meeting minutes.
Copies of Moose International's new pamphlet, So, You Want To Be a Lodge Officer? were sent to each Lodge by the Supreme Secretary's office in the January 2003 Quarterly Certified Report mailing. Limited copies are still available on request from that office. Chapter 35 of the General Laws and the "Election of Lodge Officers Handbook" explain the election process in much greater detail, and should be available from your Lodge Administrator. If not, copies may be ordered from the Catalog Sales Department at Moose International.
Why do we ask you to be aware of, and knowledgeable about the election process in a Lodge? Because an informed member, who knows and understands the correct process will be a more supportive member, and is more likely to submit his name and become involve in the Lodge's success.
Why is this process frankly a bit involved and detailed? Because having a member become a candidate "on a lark" in anger, or during an evening in the Social Quarters, is generally not the best way to get qualified candidates on the ballot. Electing qualified leaders is crucial to the success of every Moose Lodge.
POOL TOURNAMENTS
January's pool tournament had 6 shooters and was won by Dan Black Sr. We will be holding pool tournaments every month on the second Sunday at 7:30pm. The next tournament will be held on the 13th of February.
Those celebrating birthday's in February are:
EUCHRE TOURNAMENT'S
We will be starting Euchre Tournament's in February. They will be held every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 6:00pm starting on the 24th of February. These will be a Progressive Euchre Tournament. There will be one or more tables playing the game at the same time, depending on the number of people involved in the tourney. After 8 hands are played, everybody writes down the number of points that their team scored, then switches partners. Repeat until all of the players have been paired with each of the others once. Everybody adds up the number of points they scored throughout the night, and the TOP TWO PEOPLE with the most points win. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each player. We will give away 1st and 2nd place prizes and the player with the least amount of points gets their entry fee back. Further information is posted at the Lodge.
JANUARY'S DINNER
We had a good turnout for our January Dinner. The proceeds from this dinner will be sent to Moosehaven for the "Michigan House." We will be holding a spaghetti dinner in March and the proceeds from that dinner will also be used for the "Michigan House" at Moosehaven.
FEBRUARY'S DINNER
February's dinner will be Taco's. We will have both hard and soft shell taco's along with re-fried beans. For those that like a little spice in their life there will be several bottles of hot sauce ranging from "sissy" to "liquid fire". "Liquid Fire" is also known as MAD DOG 357. Make no mistake, this stuff will burn you. We will also Taco Salad and if possible, an authentic Mexican desert. Come on out and enjoy a great meal with friends.
Electronic Newsletter
I would again like to ask everyone that has email and who would like to get the newsletter before anyone else to please send an email with Moose Newsletter in the subject line. It will be in MS Word format. [email protected]
TIPS TRAINED
We would like to see more of our TIPS trained personnel(11 total) behind the counter. Let's repay the Lodge for the training that has been provided to you. If you would like to have help while serving ask, someone will offer to "show you the ropes" until you feel comfortable serving alone. We will also be scheduling another TIPS class early in the new year. If you would like to serve with an all volunteer staff behind the counter contact a Board member for details. We have a sign-up sheet behind the counter. Let's start seeing some new talent behind the counter. The ones that serve are starting to get burned out and could use a break. We are putting together another list of people that would like to receive T.I.P.S. training. The Lodge will pay for this class, all we ask is that you be willing and able to cover the counter 2 or 3 times during each month.
Lodge Officers
In Our Thoughts
Ken Conkey is home and doing better. Robert Rasmussen's wife broke her other arm.
THANK YOU'S
We would like to say thank you to Dan Black for completing the installation of the ice machine, for cooking the Meat Loaf for our January dinner, and attending the state officers meeting. We would also like to thank everyone that helped with this dinner, without you it would never happen. You may notice a different look inside the Lodge. Ron Smith Sr. and Gary Jacobson moved the pool table and extra counter to better utilize the floor space. Thank you to Joyce Haga for decorating the Social Quarters for Valentines Day and to Ryan McGregor for getting the new computer up and running.
CHILI COOK-OFF
We will be having a Chili Cook-Off on the 12th of February. If you would like to enter this event please sign up at the Lodge. If you would like to sample the Chili there will be a donation can available.
SUPER BOWL PARTY
The Lodge will be hosting a Super Bowl party on the 6th of February. The party will start at 7:00. Bring a dish to pass, the main entree' will be furnished by the Lodge. Come on out and see the Eagles(editor's pick) take the title. Football not your forte? Come out to the Lodge and watch all the new commercials.
LEGION NEWS
We hosted a Legion Enrollment on the 15th of January. Thank you to the Ritual Team for their roll in bringing Rick Dedolph and Paul Black into the "Degree Of Service."
NEW MEMBERS
We enrolled 1 new member to the Lodge on the 15th of January. Please welcome Ralph Leist II to the Lodge. Ralph is sponsored by Dan Black Sr. Again, thank you to the Ritual Team for the service that they provide.
MEMBERSHIP BENIFITS
Save on your hotel costs with the Moose Hotel Savings Program! Save 15% to 30% off your next stay at any of these hotel brands.
The Super 8 in Charlotte will allow Moose members and guests a room for $55.00 plus tax per night.
Moose membership offers you a 20% discount at these Choice Hotels. Sleep Inn, Comfort Inn, Quality, Clarion, Choice Hotels International, Rodeway Inn, Econo Lodge, and Main Stay Suites.
NASCAR
NASCAR will start on the 12th of February with the Budweiser Shootout at the Daytona International Speedway. Starting time, 8:00.
DISTRICT MEETING
Our Lodge will be hosting the February 6th district meeting at 1:00pm. Show your support for the Lodge and attend this meeting.
Here's Why We Ask You To...
Learn About Lodge Elections
Assistant General Governor
10% of the first 500, or 50; plus
5% of the remaining 300, or 15,
... for a total of 65 signatures.
February's Birthday's
Larry Bushey, Joe Halsted, Shadd McMann, Richard Robison, Malvin Ruff, and Ken Young. Stop into the Lodge and enjoy a free drink and dinner during the month of your birth.
Governor.....................Dennis Hall
Junior Governor..........Gary A. Jacobson
Prelate.........................Morris Edgerly
Administrator...............Ryan McGregor
Treasurer.....................Gene Byrd
1st year Trustee..........Kenneth E. Young
2nd year Trustee.........Steven Wythe
3rd year Trustee..........Shane Copher
AmeriMost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Travelodge, Villager, and Super 8.
©Lodge 2565 - 2005