The Friendly Fifth

Delegate Information

2026 District 5 Delegate District Lodge Meeting and Convention Reminders

2026 District 5 Delegate District Lodge Meeting and Convention As we prepare for our time in Stoughton:
• If you are flying in and need to be picked up, please contact Darlene with details as we do have some Mandt members who volunteered to make airport runs!
• Please take time to read, study, and then bring along your copy of the 2026 Report's Book. If your lodge has any delegate changes from the time of this mailing, please make sure the delegate coming to Indy has this book!
• This year has been challenging with many delegate changes, hard to fill committee lists, and the nominating committee still has a number of spots to fill for board positions and alternate positions.
• Changes in Reports Book and agenda! There are always changes! I will send out an updated agenda early next week and will have paper copies available of any important documents. We also will be projecting the information on screens.
• If you have changes in delegates, please let me know ASAP (arnesonfamily5@gmail.com) Any materials sent to the original delegate should have been passed along to the alternate- i.e. the Reports Book!
• Keep in mind that we will be electing District Board Members and alternates at this district lodge meeting. Please consider this opportunity, review your benefit member status, and talk to your spouse BEFORE coming to the convention!
The attire is business casual/business for most events. As leaders of your lodge and as we are in the public's eye, our attire should reflect our roles in the District. The banquet is formal- business/formal, bunads, black tie, Norsk sweaters. We know it’s a short time between the 4 PM close of the business session and the 5 PM social time at the VFW (eat at 6 PM)- so you do have a little wiggle room!
• If you have a camera, take pictures! We hope you will share your pictures on the District 5 Facebook page. Casual photos are always great so please don't be camera shy! Please use the hashtag- #SND5Stoughton2026
Reminders for Thursday! July 30, 2026  What to Bring!
• If you have stamps, bring them along! You can give them to our contacts who will deliver items to the Sisters of St. Mary’s College.
• Please check with your lodge to see if you are to bring along the lodge banner, newsletter display board, silent auction items, or other things!
• The room is air conditioned and sometimes they have the room cooler when there are lots of people. You may want to bring along a sweater.

To help answer questions your delegates (or lodge leadership) may have!
Convention Call- Thursday night at 7 PM – all are welcome! Darlene Arneson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SN D5 Convention Delegate Orientation and Q & A Time: Jul 30, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87504517058
Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87504517058
Meeting ID: 875 0451 7058 ---
One tap mobile +16465588656,,87504517058# US (New York) +16469313860,,87504517058# US --- J
oin by SIP • 87504517058@zoomcrc.com
Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/87504517058/invitations?signature=707q2X2aZpv3rzKbW0qPKnS8Y AufO9GEtcWIe0RYoM

What to pack
1.
Reports book
2. Lodge banner if you have one
3. Silent auction items if you or your lodge are sending them
4. $60 check from your lodge is they are participating in the 60-year SN Foundation anniversary challenge! Make the checks out to “Sons of Norway Foundation”.
5. Spending money for the silent auction, Flip of the Coin, and Foundation Fun Night! For the Fun Night, maybe of the activities are a $5 donation so having some $5’s that night will be helpful.
6. Something to take notes with
7. A sweater or something warm in case the AC is cold for you
8. Stamps for Sisters of St. Mary’s College and we will ask Scandiana members if they can bring them back.
9. If members of your lodge are sending items for the Cultural Arts Display, make sure all the paperwork is done! 10. A smile, patience, and being ready to meet others, share ideas, and have fun!

If you are listed as a • MARSHALS -
Position is at entrance to business hall for duration of session at direction of presiding chair.
Duties include monitoring those entering and leaving the hall during the business session and delivering messages to delegates. Will act as escort for any dignitaries as prescribed by the presiding chair. Directing delegates and non-delegates to appropriate seating areas for them.
The Marshals sit near the back of the room (or by entrance doors) during the session.

• GREETERS - Come to the meeting hall 15 minutes before the session begins and position is at entrance to business hall for duration of session at direction of presiding chair. Duties include welcoming guests (non-delegates) entering the hall for the business session and delivering messages to delegates. Directing delegates and non-delegates to appropriate seating areas for them. The greeters may sit with their lodge delegation during the session.

• TELLERS - Unless called on by the presiding chair, they sit with their other delegates in the business room. Duty extends through all sessions and days of the business meeting. When called, duty is to distribute, as necessary, and collect delegate ballots, when used. Collectively, tellers will then retire to a remote location to sort and count ballots. Tellers will separate any ballot determined not qualified or illegal, such as blank ballots or those with indeterminable selection or double marking, and so on. Tellers will carefully protect all ballots until their disposition is determined. Upon completion of the counting and preparing a written report (signed by Teller 1), tellers will return to their normal locations in the business hall. Teller 1, on behalf of the teller group, will proceed to the designated committee reporting position to read the ballot report. Teller 1 will present the report and all ballots to the district secretary after reading the report. When should you be there?

• If on a committee, committee meetings have met virtually prior to the convention and if they need to meet in person, they can meet at Mandt Lodge on Tuesday afternoon or evening. They will schedule their own time to meet- if needed.

Board members- we meet at 9 AM on Tuesday at Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge.

• If you are in a class, there has been information sent to you from Darlene in regard to Hardanger, Odalen rosemaling and Odalen carving. The other venues will send their registration and follow up details.
• We have some great optional speakers, presenters, and entertainment for delegates and non-delegates to enjoy! Delegates must be there: The business sessions start at 9:30 AM on Wednesday and 9:00 AM on Thursday. The doors will be open at 8 AM both days.
The business meetings are all at the Stoughton Area School District’s Administration Building and you’ll see the big Sons of Norway banner by the ramp/door you will enter.  You can bring your silent auction items, banners, and newsletter displays to that venue.

Registrations times and places:
• Sunday- 12:00-2:00 PM at Sons of Norway, 317 South Page St, Stoughton (upstairs)
• Monday- 7:15-9:15 AM at Sons of Norway, 317 South Page St, Stoughton (upstairs)
• Monday- 6:30-8:00 PM at Sons of Norway, 317 South Page St, Stoughton (upstairs)
• Tuesday- 8:00 AM- 7:00 PM at Sons of Norway, 317 South Page St, Stoughton (upstairs)
• Wednesday- 8:00 – 10:00 AM at SASD Administration Building, 320 North Street
• Thursday- 8:00 – 9:00 AM at SASD Administration Building, 320 North Street

Foundation Fundraisers at the District 5 Lodge Meeting & Convention!
First, what are the two Sons of Norway Foundations we have and how do they differ? The Sons of Norway Foundation (International) is dedicated to funding activities that preserve and promote Norwegian heritage, positively affect members and make Sons of Norway communities a more vibrant place to live. Be it through a student’s scholarship for study, a cultural exchange experience, or assisting lodges to provide quality programs and community events – the Sons of Norway Foundation is true to its mission. Established in 1966, our focus and offerings have grown to include several categories of scholarships and four categories of grants. Sons of Norway Fifth District Nordic Legacy Foundation, Inc. The purpose of this District 5 Foundation is to support youth, heritage, culture, and education through presentations, programs, and foundation grants. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) and donations given are tax deductible (minus any costs/services received) for the donation. We welcome donations given to help support District 5 activities such as Masse Moro, District Scholarships, Barnebirkie, Adult Camp, Project Grants, and other activities and programs that may come forth. The Sons of Norway Fifth District Nordic Legacy Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) and donations given are tax deductible (minus any costs/services received) for the donation.
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Thank you for supporting the various fundraisers that will occur during the District 5 Lodge Meeting and Convention. Lodges might consider giving their delegates a “fundraising stiped” to use at these events and please note the request to send a check for the “60 for 60 Convention Challenge”! • District’s Silent Auction- always a favorite and the items will be at the Stoughton Area School District (SASD) meeting room where the business session will be held. Due to space limitations in the registration area, we’ll ask that delegates bring the items to that area between 8-9:30 AM on Wednesday. The silent auction starts early Wednesday and will end at Thursday at 10:30 (end of coffee break) so you can pick up items during lunch. Thank you so much for bringing items to the convention and for bidding on them!

What can your lodge, delegates or businesses donate? We ask that you send items that are easy to transport, new items, nothing that requires refrigeration, vintage items that are clean and in good condition. Favorites are cultural items (rosemaling, pewter, carvings, textiles), gift cards, theme baskets, vintage SN items, beverage baskets, and items from your area. Be creative and have some fun with these!
District’s Heads n Tails fundraiser during the Foundation Fun Night on Tuesday at Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge. This is a fun, inter-active optional fundraiser that benefits the SN District 5 Masse Moro. Entry fees are $5 per person that wants to participate.
Foundation Fun Night on Tuesday at Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge- we are raising money for the SN Foundation as well as the SN D5 Nordic Legacy Foundation. We will have bingo (suggested donation to play), some fun games and activities, and the Heads n Tails that night! The 60 FOR 60 Convention Challenge- This year, we mark the 60th Anniversary of the Sons of Norway Foundation. The Foundation awarded 60 grants in 2026, supporting cultural programs, community initiatives, and outreach that benefits students, families, lodges, and individuals in need. At the same time, scholarship activity continues to grow, with increasing numbers of applicants and awards supporting both domestic and international study. Scholarship recipients have been notified, each one representing an investment in the future of our communities and our shared heritage. More members now see how every dollar becomes opportunity, whether through education, cultural preservation, or direct community support. Engagement is rising, applications are growing, and the impact is reaching further than ever before.

To honor the Foundation’s 60th Anniversary, we invite every District Five lodge to take part in a shared and visible show of support at the District Five Lodge Meeting & Convention. Each lodge is encouraged to bring and donate $60 to the Foundation in honor of 60 years of impact. Each lodge may wish to send their checks with their delegate(s) to the convention, and we will make the group presentations after SN Foundation’s Amy Tuchenhagen’s presentation during the Wednesday business meeting. With gratitude to every member, every lodge, and every leader who has contributed, thank you. Your support is changing lives and ensuring that the legacy of the Sons of Norway Foundation continues for generations to come. Checks can be made to: Sons of Norway Foundation. The Sons of Norway Foundation is a 501(c)(3) so donations are tax deductible.

Questions can be directed to District Foundation Director Scott Wegner at srweg61@gmail.com. Need help? My cell is 608-514-4951 (call or text) and my email is arnesonfamily5@gmail.com. I am working Thursday and Friday (July 30-31) but will get back to you as soon as I can!

Sincerely, Darlene Arneson District 5 Secretary

2026 District 5 Lodge Meeting and Convention

The District 5 Lodge Meeting and Convention are being hosted by Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge 5-314 on August 2-6, 2026 in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
This convention is testing a few new alternatives that we discussed with the delegates in Indy. It will be a Sunday-Thursday convention to help with reduce hotel rates which go up on the weekend. It is later as we don’t have to be within a timeline since there no longer are International Conventions. And because Stoughton doesn’t have a hotel with a convention center, the meetings and activities will be in various parts of Stoughton.

Delegates must be there for the District Lodge Meeting on Wednesday-Thursday, August 5-6. If asked to be on a convention committee, they need to be there on Tuesday, August 4.

The hotel block is with Tru Hilton in Stoughton and the overflow is with their partner hotels in Madison. The block of guest rooms for the Sons of Norway Convention links will be available soon.  The convention rate of $125 is in effect for Sunday-Thursday for a standard king or queen room. 
 

The delegate fee is $90 and covers two lunches (Friday and Saturday), goodie bag, access to speakers and classes, and beverages (coffee, water, lemonade) during coffee breaks.
 
We will be populating the District 5 website with information: https://sonsofnorway5.com/conventions/

We also have information on ads, sponsorships, well-wishers, registration and other items for your delegates and members to review and take part in. Please share the sponsorship and advertising opportunities with groups and businesses in your area and have your lodge consider them as well as it becomes available!


 
 
The Sons of Norway District 5 By-Laws, Article 111, Paragraph 2 states: Every local lodge in the District shall be entitled to two representatives for the lodge, and one representative for every 100 members or major fraction thereof, based on the last Semi-Annual Report prior to the election of delegates. All members in good standing are eligible representatives.
 
Delegates should be elected using the formula above based on December 31, 2025 membership figures. You should also elect a corresponding number of alternates, on a priority basis, that will serve should any of your delegates be unable to attend. These elections should take place so you can report ideally by March 5, 2026.  A Report of Election included with this letter, which is to be completed and returned to the District Secretary immediately following the election. These will be emailed to both the lodge president and secretary and hard copy mailed to the president. The Sons of Norway Constitution reads: “The Secretary of the Local Lodge shall prepare a report of election giving names and addresses of the duly elected Delegates and Alternates. This report shall be signed by the Local Lodge President and Local Lodge Secretary and forwarded to the District Secretary no later than five days after the election.

” Please be sure the names are written plainly and spelled correctly! I am asking that you include their membership number, address, city, state, zip, phone and email address on the form and return it to me postmarked preferably by March 5, 2026.
Please send it to me at: Darlene Arneson, 2056 Skaalen Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589 or email a scanned copy to arnesonfamily5@gmail.com
I have set up an electronic reporting method which I hope is easier for both you and me! https://forms.gle/6XCZMXFZT3P6vjvU6
 
Keep in mind as you elect delegates that they are the only ones that can be candidates for the District Board or alternates to the Board.

You do NOT have to be a benefit member to be a delegate to the District Lodge Meeting, but in order to run for any of these positions just mentioned, the delegate must be a benefit member or buy product at the convention.