I’m sure you have all heard about the devastation that Nashville incurred on May 3rd. With the flooding & extreme damage of the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the International Convention scheduled for July 2nd was up in the air. Moose International and the Governor of Nashville sat down to try to come up with an alternate plan to keep the Convention in Nashville. The biggest task was moving 2800 rooms from Opryland Resort elsewhere. Now you have to remember, this was over the 4th of July weekend too! They ended up utilizing 41 hotels in downtown Nashville to accommodate everyone. PATIENCE! That was the word of the Convention. These hotels were spread out over miles as well as the 2 meeting locations. Nashville did a super job accommodating and welcoming the Moose! They had 40 buses running from location to location throughout the day (Just for Moose Members). Hardly ever did you have to wait for a bus. It was remarkable.

I would like to quote something our Grand Chancellor, Barb McPherson, said during one of our meetings, “Flexible is what we all must be when working with people and with volunteers like each of you. After all, Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish, caring, patience and just plain love for one another. How you treat people has a lot to do with your success as a person, as a Chapter and as an organization.”

Every Chapter of the WOTM was organized for the purpose of bringing women closer together in a closer fraternal relationship to assist in the charitable activities of the Moose fraternity, with special attention to Mooseheart and Moosehaven. When you tell people about the Moose, do you tell them, we help our kids at Mooseheart and our seniors at Moosehaven? You should! The majority of our fundraising projects and monetary donations should be for the benefit of Mooseheart and Moosehaven. There was a chapter last year that held a fundraising project for a local charity (that receives federal tax dollars I might add). They raised $52,000 while the total sent in to Mooseheart and Moosehaven totaled just under $1,000 for the entire year! Does this seem fair? I think not! On the flip side, Fredericksburg Chapter donated $10,471 last year to our twin cities. And here’s a shocker …. Our own Moosehaven residents donated $14,949 to help support our children and provide for their own needs! Amazing huh! The top sponsoring chapter was Indianapolis, IN with an outstanding total of $16,525 donated last year!

Moose International has received many complaints from new members expressing their disappointment in our fraternity. They thought they were joining a family fraternity that cared about people and provides community service to others. That’s not what they are getting. Let’s make sure we are not the ones they are pointing their fingers at. This past year, 57 chapters throughout the United States and Canada were closed. Many of the closures were caused by a lack of activity, inability to get along or failure to follow proper procedures.

Now let me touch on Moosehaven, our “City of Contentment”. During its first years, the cost to maintain each resident was approx $94 per month, now … it averages $5,000 per month. They have roughly 107 men and 143 women currently. The youngest is 66 years old and the oldest resident is 102 years old. They also have 34 couples included in these totals. There is a new center in the works at Moosehaven. The Katherine Smith Center will provide services to our Moosehaven residents suffering from age-related dementia, primarily Alzheimer’s. There are 2 plans you can choose from to enter Moosehaven. The Traditional plan and the new Brandon Place plan. If you would like to hear more about these plans, please contact me. I would be glad to explain what I know about this wonderful retirement community.

On Tuesday June 29th Mooseheart welcomed into its care Akemi Haddox. She is a 1year old little girl that was sponsored by Williamsburg lodge. She was escorted to campus by the lodge Governor and a very good friend of mine, Russ Gibbons. Russ said it took some sacrifice but it was worth every minute of it. He saw the need of a struggling single mother in his community, made contact with Mooseheart and cleared a path for this child to arrive safely at Mooseheart. The opportunity to learn and grow in the safety of the child city is what children like Akemi need most.

24 Seniors graduated this year from Mooseheart. ALL of which are moving on with scholarships to universities such as Florida State, UNC. We got to meet 2 of these students and listen to their stories of how and why they arrived at Mooseheart. It was heartwarming to know that I made a difference in their lives!

Mooseheart has been approached by business, community and church leaders from the Fox Valley area to consider a maternity home concept on campus for unwed teen mothers, who would other than their pregnancy, already meet the admission guidelines of the program. This short-term placement option includes partnerships with local hospitals, doctors, adoption agencies and other social service organizations to provide for the medical, emotional and long-term planning needs of these young ladies. The length of stay in the program would be six weeks post delivery. The full annual operational cost of $100,000 for the program would come from sources outside of the Moose fraternity. The home will open once the first years cost is raised and donated to Moose Charities, it is anticipated that this will occur sometime during the fall of 2010.

Nov 26th through Jan 1st, Mooseheart will be hosting its 1st annual holiday lights drive through spectacular. Just in case you are in the area!

Mooseheart will turn 100 years old in 2013. On Saturday July 27th 2013 Mooseheart will host a reenactment of the dedication of Mooseheart. This centennial event will overflow with music, dance, good food, fireworks, circus performances, tours and lots of family activities for all those in attendance.

I would just like to say that we MUST remain focused on our reason for existence, MOOSEHEART and MOOSEHAVEN!!!! These children need our support, love and guidance. It’s amazing to me to see the gratitude that these children have for all of us, no matter their age. Why can’t we put aside our petty differences and reciprocate those same feelings by working together for the betterment of our Lodge and Chapters.

Sincerely,
Tracy Allen
Junior Graduate Regent
Caroline Chapter #2316

Caroline Chapter #2316 received their "Award of Achievement" for the 2009-2010 Year. Way to Go Ladies!!!! Congratulations to Tracy Allen for receiving her "Green Cap".

Caroline County Lodge #2610 received the Lodge Premier "GOLD" Award Congratulations to Past Governor Ricky Pugh and Administrator Sonny Stanley for helping to earn this prestigious Honor.