A Note from the Chief Executive Officer
“There is nothing quite like the sound of the starter’s pistol at a track meet. Athletes settle into their starter blocks or walk up to the starting line, nervous energy courses through their bodies. Two commands are called out, “On your Marks… Set,” followed by the “POP” of the pistol, and immediately runners start barreling down the track with the goal of winning the race before them. It has been decades since I preferred to be on the track versus up in the stands, and although I never participated in the Field Events, I marveled at those who could throw a discus or spring off the ground with ease. Some time ago, Mooseheart had an athlete that could defy gravity. Oumaru Abdulahi set Mooseheart and Illinois records and won a mass of medals in the High Jump. Clearing a whopping 7 feet at one point in his career!
Early on, it was Oumaru’s goal to reach 6’ and then 6’4” and even 6’10”. He worked hard to clear that bar at each new height and practiced countless hours on the track at the Ohio State Fieldhouse on the Mooseheart campus. Several years ago, our Moose Fraternity had a vision to unify our women and men within the lodge structure. In May of 2021 that came to fruition and in a display of that unity we set a goal to grow our membership numbers. We did just that in 2022 and then again in 2023 and now in 2024 we jumped by 30,292 members. Our new bar height is set at 905,614 incredible Moose members!
This unprecedented growth didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly wasn’t something that started at the top and worked its way down through our fraternity. No, it is happening because lodge leaders, sponsors and members are working hard to be the friendliest place in town. You are providing a safe and well-appointed lodge facility for members to gather, with a focus on a variety of activities for everyone to participate in. And finally, you are giving your best effort to be the Heart of the Community and connect personally with families throughout your town.
At the top of the leaderboard are Associations like Michigan, Virginia, California-Nevada, Arizona-New Mexico and Pennsylvania. Setting the bar higher are Englewood, FL No. 1933 and Rutland, VT No. 1122, with eyepopping growth. Individually, Byron Dalton, Sr. continues to lead the herd, with John Owens of Merritt Island, FL No. 2073 and Kim Small of Punta Gorda, FL No. 1693 pushing the pace for all our incredible sponsors.
A new Moose year has begun. My heart is pounding, and the adrenaline is flowing as we start the “Moose – Embrace Our Community” campaign. I hope you’re even more ready than I am. Thank you for being an important member of our Moose team and for helping our fraternity reach new heights – Let’s Go!! God Bless!
If you have a concern or idea you’d like to share, use our online form: “Tell the Chief Executive Officer.”
