‘Let’s Not Forget What
Makes Us Special’

As We Face Stress of Tech Changes, Chambers Urges Lodge Leaders to ‘Remember Why We Joined’


General Governor David Chambers discussing an issue with first-time International Convention attendees at a Saturday morning reception.

> General Governor David Chambers admitted that he was “stuck” to start with, as he prepared the report he is now called on to give regarding the “state of the Loyal Order of Moose”-- the men’s component of our organization.

“I initially concentrated on information about Moose International departments, statistics... as I read and re-read... it did not convey what in my heart I felt was the state of the Loyal Order of Moose. Brothers, our fraternity goes much deeper than what the various departments at Moose International are doing.”

With a nod to both management restructuring at Moose International and the technological changes mandated in Lodge offices this year, Chambers said that sometimes, “it is easy to forget the real reasons why we became Moose and continue to serve this fraternity. I have heard it said many times this year that we have become a corporation and no longer a fraternity.

“If you feel that way, I truly wish you could have had the opportunity to attend this year’s International Youth Congress,” Chambers said, calling it “one of the most exciting and wonderful experiences of my Moose career... (it) recharged my fraternal batteries.” He urged members to attend the Monday session at which the winner of the top $7,000 International Youth Congress scholarship, Dolvin Speight of North Carolina, would speak.

Chambers continued with a frank recounting of criticisms directed to Moose headquarters from throughout the fraternity. “We often hear from members that all Moose International cares about is membership and money. Yes, we are all about members and money, because without either, we do not exist,” he said. “We could not support our beloved Mooseheart and Moosehaven. An increased membership lessens the burden shared by us all. If you are not concerned about membership and money in your Lodge--you certainly should be!”

In this area, Chambers directed a gentle criticism back at his audience. “I was saddened to learn this year that over 200 Lodges contributed nothing” to the Mooseheart/Moosehaven Endowment Fund, he said, noting also that the fraternity’s General Laws book recommends that the Nine O’Clock Ceremony, followed by an Endowment Fund collection, be conducted “whenever Moose are assembled”-- not just during special ceremonies.

“Addressing the state of the Loyal Order of Moose also means reporting on issues that cause debate. One such issue is smoking,” Chambers said, noting that one 2004 revision to the General Laws now requires every Moose Center to provide at least some smoke-free areas. “Almost every day at Moose International we receive a letter from a member who is dropping their membership because of smoking; (it) has become a critical issue negatively impacting our membership production and retention which we can no longer ignore... Young people with children, and seniors with breathing issues, just will not frequent places filled with smoke. Reasonable accommodations, or an outright prohibition of smoking, must be made for nonsmokers, or our membership rolls will continue to decline.”

Chambers detailed the new structuring of the Fraternal Programs area of both the Loyal Order and the Women of the Moose, jointly under his direction and that of Grand Chancellor Tonie Ewoldt.Assistant General Governor Jerry O’Connor is in charge of Government Relations; Barbara McPherson is Director of Youth Programs, Family Activities and Ritual; Jim Morgan is Director of Community Service, the Moose Legion and Higher Degrees; and Jim Kersbergen is Director of Lodge and Chapter Development.

“Brothers, this has been a year of change and stress, for all of us,” Chambers said. “Our fraternity must change in order to continue to grow and prosper. Candidly, I am concerned... not about the changes we must make... (but) the possible loss of those fundamental qualities that make our fraternity, and each of us, so special.

“As Moose, we have a moral obligation to give back to our communities . . . it is our oath and obligation to provide loving and nurturing homes for our children at Mooseheart, and a happy and healthy environment for our seniors at Moosehaven. Have we forgotten this responsibility?... Brothers, we must change and adapt as necessary to stay efficient and save resources. But during the course of change, let us never forget the core values that make us unique and special.”

After 46,500 miles traveled, more than 100 Moose Centers visited and more than 900 new Moose members enrolled at ceremonies he attended, Supreme Governor Don Eisel said a heartfelt “thank you” Saturday to the men of the Loyal Order of Moose as he began the last five days of his year in office.

“What a great experience it has been to travel across this great continent and represent this phenomenal fraternity... I wish that everyone could have the opportunity that I have just experienced.”

Prominent among individual thank-yous was a tip of the hat to Director of Marketing & Membership Development Bill Airey, “the man who nominated me in every office I have held at Moose International.” Eisel and Airey began working together in the leadership of the Ohio Moose Association in 1967.

Of Director General Donald Ross, Eisel said with admiration, “A leader’s job is to look into the future, and to see the organization not as it is--but as what it can become.”