gillis ladders - Welcome to the Frontpage

International Director Bakken, President Bennett, Delegates, and guests. Good Morning. It is great being back in “The Friendly Fifth”. I did attend the Madison Convention and since being elected President this is my fourth trip to The Friendly Fifth. I was able to celebrate with Fosselyngen Lodge, Leif Erikson Lodge, and Skjold Lodge on the occasions of their 100th anniversaries. I also spent a great weekend with Polar Star Lodge. I have attended so many of your District Board meetings that Present Bennett said she was going to have to put me on a committee! I have really enjoyed getting to know and work with your International Director Jostein Bakken. I don’t think I have met anyone who is more dedicated to Sons of Norway as Jostein. It is also been a pleasure to work with your President Mary Bennett. What a gem you have as District 5 President.

Valkyrien 53 Unfurls New Banner

Valkyrien 53 will “mark its place” with a new banner during the Woodville Syttende Mai celebration. The lodge will display the new banner, donated by her family in memory of the late, long-time member Violet M. “Vi” Moller, in conjunction with the lodge’s festive activities on Saturday, May 16, 2010, in the Lion’s Den. Moller, whose twin sister Viola Gomer remains an active lodge member, was always engaged in various lodge activities.

As it is now, the popular annual Syttende Mai festival was one of those times Moller was busy helping make and sell Norwegian food and dessert items everyone looks for during the two-day event. Being a member for more than 50 years, Moller participated in very many Syttende Mai celebrations. The family concurred with the lodge’s suggestion of the banner as a fitting Valkyrien Lodge tribute.

Since Moller’s passing, the lodge has expanded its annual participation to include food sales on Main Street on Friday evening and a Norwegian-English church service at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday afternoon. The banner will otherwise dominate the lodge’s traditional site of Saturday food sales and displays in the Lion’s Den.

President's Message Spring 2010

The District Board adopted the following goals for 2008 - 2010:

Achieve net membership growth
Reduce number of members voluntarily leaving
Expand financial benefit participation by Sons of Norway members
Hold at least one zone leadership meeting per zone
Have at least one member from each lodge earn a Sports Medal and a Cultural Skills Medal

Friday, 30 July 2010

Sons of Norway District 5