On the list of famous Norwegians, Leif Erikson places very high. As you probably know, more than 1,000 years ago Leif and his fellow Vikings established the first European settlement in North America at Vinland. In the 10 centuries that have followed, Leif Erikson, and Vikings like him, have captured the imagination of people around the world. Next month marks the [...]
If you recall, last month we discussed how to create a lodge identity, or brand; something that helps your lodge stand out in the community. We’ll continue that theme this month by looking at one very important tool you can use that will help spread your lodge’s name in the community: social media. If you’re unfamiliar with it, social media is [...]
Not only does December mean the 2014 Recruitment Challenge is coming to a close, but Sons of Norway Headquarter's search for the best lodge volunteer experience, Spotlight on Volunteerism, is as well. If you recall, at the end of the month we'll select the best story from 2014, which will appear in the May 2015 issue of Viking. All your lodge [...]
Have you ever considered what type of leader you are and how it can help your lodge succeed? Typically, leadership can be broken down into two types: a Big Picture Thinker and a Detail Oriented Planner. Both types are equally important and valuable to a lodge's success. Understanding what type of leader you are can help you harness your skills better [...]
Did you know that January marks National Mentoring Month? It’s a great time for your lodge to join in a nationwide effort and make a difference in the lives of youth in your community. Additionally, working in conjunction with National Mentoring Month also falls under Adopt A School, Sons of Norway’s committed effort to work with children in a variety of [...]
December is the final month of the 2014 Recruitment Challenge. Fortunately, it is also amongst Sons of Norway's busiest months for bringing new members into the lodges. Christmas parties are especially popular occasions and they also make a great opportunity for recruiting new families and young members. We've found through conversations with them, that Christmas and Syttende Mai are two of [...]
Is community promotion a part of your lodge's plans for the New Year? By now, you probably understand the myriad of reasons why promoting the lodge to friends and neighbors in your community is vital to the long term health of the lodge. This month, we'll take that idea to the next level: we'll share with you an exciting opportunity for [...]
Lately, a lot of people have been asking the Sons of Norway Headquarters staff for the secret to getting more members involved in lodge activities. Unfortunately, there's no single correct answer or solution; different members respond better to different programs or activities. This diversity is what makes Sons of Norway an exciting and engaging organization to be a part of; no [...]
Have you ever been to Lanesboro, MN? The small town of just over 700 people is located a few hours southeast of the Twin Cities. It's also home to Sons of Norway's Heimbygda lodge 1-376. Heimbygda is one of the fortunate lodges in the organization to also own their own building. A former Norwegian church, the building has been in the [...]
As we discussed in last month's issue of R&R, welcoming new members to your lodge is a balancing act between creating a warm, welcoming environment for new members and not overwhelming them. Several lodges have said finding new people to fill officer positions is one of their main concerns. Your lodge may have experienced this. This month, we'll focus on ways [...]