‘All You Want Is Members, Money.’ Well, Isn’t That What We Promise?

> Those of you who listened to me speak during various functions at this summer’s International Convention in Orlando may have heard some of your own words come back toward you; or perhaps more likely, they were words that you have heard grumbled by Lodge and Chapter leaders. They’re words that I’ve heard, or overheard, more in the last 10 or 15 years than during my earlier years in this fraternity:

“All Moose International ever wants is members and money.”

And some who heard me toss out that phrase in Orlando, expecting me to follow up by “correcting the record,” or with an apology of sorts, may have been surprised. Because my response was, and is: “Yes, that’s basically right, and it shouldn’t be a surprise!”

Now we would hope, always, that you would be moved to sponsor new members, and make regular contributions toward our endeavors because you can honestly say the words that are this year’s membership campaign theme: “I Believe.”

For if you joined our Order because you believe in your heart that this fraternity is doing God’s work in providing a bright future for youngsters who otherwise might not have one, and in providing a secure final chapter to life for our brothers and sisters in need--then you won’t need any cajoling from headquarters to do the two things you promised to do, with your right hand upraised, on the day you were enrolled: to “strengthen the Defending Circle by inviting your friends, relatives and associates into Moose membership”; and to “give of your energy and substance.”

Of course, the leadership of this fraternity wants--and needs--its members to sponsor new members, and to contribute dollars! How else can we be able to keep performing the Moose fraternity’s major missions--to care for children in need at Mooseheart, and for seniors seeking a secure retirement at Moosehaven? This is nothing new! Look at back issues of Moose Magazine and other Moose literature for more than 90 years, and what you see is a wide variety of campaigns exhorting members to...sponsor members and contribute money!

Again, those of you who were either in Orlando, or who carefully read the August issue of Moose Magazine, know that Chief Operating Officer Len Solfa introduced the “Gimme Five” program at the International Convention.

You can read more about this really very simple plan in the cover story which begins on page 32 of this issue. “Gimme Five” simply involves EACH of us setting aside just five cents from the change in our pockets in the morning, five cents more in the evening, for the next five years--and sending it in to a separated account at Moose International.

It’s $36.50 per member per year; a total of $182.50 per member for the five-year period. We hope there aren’t too many of our members who can’t manage this. If “Gimme Five” is successful, it could bring Mooseheart and Moosehaven much closer to permanent financial security within the next five to ten years.

“Gimme Five” is based on a simple truth, which you also have heard before as a Moose “A burden heavy to one is borne lightly by many.” Just within the last decade, we all pitched in a little bit to reach a large financial goal in a short time--as we raised the $16 million necessary to build and pay for the Moosehaven LifeCare Center in just the five years between 1997 and 2002. The goal of “Gimme Five” is a good bit more ambitious--but if you can spare just five cents in the morning, five cents in the evening, it’s just as achievable.