September 2019 President's Message / BESKJED FRA PRESIDENTEN

Velkommen members and friends,

I start this message with a heavy heart. We have lost two lodge members: Ann Pederson, 77, and Nellie Larson, 86. Ann was a member since 2012. Nellie was new to Gateway to Florida lodge but a long Nme member of SON (61 years.) We will miss them both at our gatherings and send our condolences to the families.

As I write this message, Florida is bracing for Hurricane Dorian, so thoughts and prayers are with everyone for a safe ride through it. Compared to other natural disasters, we have advance warning to prepare ourselves.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer. We welcome you back with our upcoming Sept. 13 dinner meeting. We’ve readjusted some of the lodge activities between September and year end so if you have a schedule from earlier in the year, please make note of the changes.

On Saturday, June 17th, we will have our New Member Brunch and Welcome Ceremony from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00. We look forward to seeing all of our new members and our lodge members to welcome and meet each other. As always, we will have good food and great company. As a reminder, our lodge changes leadership every two years so Bill Large is chairing the Nominating Committee to create a slate of board members and officers to be both elected and appointed in November and then assume their posiNons in January. Helping on the committee are Evelyn Hopkins and Tammy Mayer. If one of these folks approaches you to serve, please consider how you can help. The usual phrase, “I’m too busy” does not apply because we are all busy with life. You, of course, can offer your services as well. We’ve been fortunate over the years to fill our numerous posiNons so I anticipate that our members will be willing to assist.

While we have been working on the District 3 Convention planning all this year, we are increasing our activities to implement a memorable event June 5-8, 2020 at the DoubleTree Hilton on the St. Johns River. Some of you were involved in our team work for the 2014 International Convention so planning and implementing the District Convention is very similar. D3 President Kathy Dollymore joined us in May for our lodge anniversary and toured the hotel; she was very favorably impressed. So, the next nine months will be busy. Cheryl Drabek is coordinating the convention volunteers so let her know where you plan to help. Cheryl’s contact info is ceejay611@yahoo.com or 860-3173.

2020 is Sons of Norway’s 125th anniversary. I am forming a committee to oversee our 125th activities to commemorate the anniversary. I have two volunteers but would like another two or three to create ideas and help implement a year-long plan. We also have to plan the anniversary celebration for the district convention. If you are interested in being part of this planning please reach out to Lodge Secretary Marci Larson @ mlarson@northfloridatpo.com or 307-2888. The District has adopted the Alzheimer’s Assn. as the charity for this anniversary with a goal of reaching $125,000. Therefore, please keep this on your radar screen.

Looking forward to seeing you
Tusen Takk, Marty Iverson, Lodge President