New Dues Structure for Canada and Norway
Information about changes beginning Jan. 1, 2020
In 2018, the delegates at the Sons of Norway International Convention voted to implement a new, simplified dues structure for lodges in Canada and Norway. (See the full text of Resolution 49 below.) The updated dues structure, which takes effect on January 1, 2020, mirrors previous changes already in effect for lodges in the United States. The purpose of these changes is to bring the entire organization into alignment under a unified dues structure, making it easier for recruiters to explain our dues to potential members.
As of January 1, 2020, the annual dues for Sons of Norway members will be as follows:
| Individual | Family | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 60 USD | 95 USD |
| Canada | 58 CAD | 88 CAD |
| Norway | 475 NOK | 800 NOK |
We will continue to communicate with members about these changes as we move closer to the implementation date of January 1, 2020. We will be featuring information about the new dues structure in our publications and social media posts, as well as updating this site with additional information as needed. Members with questions not covered here or in the Frequently Asked Questions section below are invited to contact us with inquiries at [email protected].
2014 – Delegates at the 2014 International Convention voted to investigate and pursue a simplified dues structure to address concerns that the existing dues and membership levels were complicated and difficult to explain. (Read the resolution below.)
2016 – Delegates at the 2016 International Convention voted to adopt a new dues structure for lodges in the United States beginning in January 2018. There were no dues changes for Canada and Norway at that time. (Read the resolution below.)
2017 – At the May 2017 International Board meeting, the Board determined that the international portion of dues in Canada and Norway would be set in the local currencies, and therefore no longer subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
2018 – Delegates at the 2018 International Convention voted to pass Resolution 49, following the Finance/Investment Committee’s recommendation to update the dues structure for Canada and Norway. (Read the resolution below.)
2020 – The updated dues structure for Canada and Norway will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Q. Why are dues being changed for Canada and Norway?
A. The dues changes for Canada and Norway will align the dues structure for all three countries in our organization, making it easier for recruiters to explain our dues to potential members and allowing our business systems to operate more efficiently. This change was brought about by a resolution at the 2018 International Convention and approved by a vote of delegates, your elected representatives.
Q. How will the simplified dues structure be of benefit to members?
A. Simplifying the dues structure to maintain consistency throughout the organization will make it easier for lodges to sign up new members and to discuss the dues with people outside of their lodges and districts. For example, a person who is interested in joining could have his/her dues-related questions answered by a relative who belongs to a lodge across the country.
Q. How will potential new members apply for membership that reflects the updated dues structure?
A. New membership application forms will reflect the new dues amounts for Canada and Norway for all application methods, including paper forms as well as online and mobile applications. The new form will be available by November 1 and will apply for all members joining on or after Jan. 1, 2020. All previous application forms will become obsolete as of that date and will no longer be accepted.
Q. How were the new dues amounts determined?
A. The new dues were set after reviewing the full range of dues paid across the organization. The goal was to ensure that this change would not financially penalize lodges.
Q. Will Sons of Norway adjust dues based on the exchange rate for Canadian and Norwegian memberships?
A. No. Since 2018, the International dues for Canadian and Norwegian memberships have been based on the local currency (Canadian dollars or Norwegian kroner), and hence are not affected by exchange rate fluctuations. Dues paid by credit card from a non-U.S. bank may be subject to an exchange rate and/or service fee set by the bank and/or credit card processor.
Q. How are Life members affected by the new dues structure?
A. Existing Life members will continue to have their dues waived under the new dues structure.
Q. How are current Golden members affected by the new dues structure?
A. Current Golden members will retain the same dues reduction rate that they presently have. People who become Golden members after December 31, 2019, will still receive pins and recognition but will not have their dues reduced.
Q. What is Life Membership?
A. Life members are people who were 65 years old or older had been members for 30 years or more before the end of 1998. As of Jan. 1, 1999, Sons of Norway stopped awarding Life membership.
Q. What is Golden Membership?
A. On Jan. 1, 1999, Life Membership was replaced with Golden Membership. People who were already Life members at that time retained that status, but people who later met those same qualifications (65 years of age and older and 30 years of membership) became Golden members. Current Golden members pay a reduced dues rate and will continue to receive their existing rate reductions. People who become Golden members after December 31, 2019, will not receive a dues reduction but will still receive pins and recognition.
Q. Can a Life Membership or Golden Membership be purchased?
A. No. Membership in these categories cannot be purchased. They are based on a member’s age and length of membership with Sons of Norway.
Q. What is an Affiliate membership?
A. In addition to their primary lodge, some members may wish to join another local lodge. This is considered an Affiliate membership. For each additional lodge joined, the member will be charged only the local lodge portion of dues.
Q. What resources are available to me for more information?
A. The full text of the dues change resolutions is reprinted below, and we will continue to update this site with additional information and frequently asked questions as needed. We will also be featuring information about the new dues structure in our publications and social media posts. Members with questions not covered here are encouraged to contact their lodge or district leaders, or to send inquiries directly to Sons of Norway Headquarters by emailing us at [email protected].
Delegates at the 2014 International Convention voted to begin the process of investigating and pursuing a simplified dues structure. The following resolution, forwarded for consideration by District Five, passed with overwhelming support from the delegates.
WHEREAS the current dues structure and membership categories are complicated and very hard to explain to prospective members AND for current members to understand; now,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a committee be established by the International Lodge President to present a resolution in 2016 to the International Lodge which will simplify the current membership classifications to include Insurance/Social and Individual/Family and make total dues for each lodge consistent within each country.
In August 2016 at the International Convention in Tacoma, a new dues structure for the United States was voted in by a strong delegate majority (121-32).
WHEREAS the current dues structure and membership categories are complicated and very hard to explain to prospective members AND for current members to understand; and,
WHEREAS the 2014 meeting of the International Lodge passed a resolution for a committee to present a resolution in 2016 to simplify the current membership classifications to include Insurance/Social and Individual/Family and to make total dues for each lodge consistent within each country;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following law changes will be made to accommodate a more simple dues structure. As it states in the Constitution, the International Board of Directors will set dues annually at the Spring meeting. Effective January 1, 2018, the U.S. dues will be $60 for an individual and $95 for a family. The breakdown will be allotted as follows:
| $60 Individual Dues | INTERNATIONAL | $32 (no change) |
| DISTRICT | $14 | |
| LOCAL | $14 | |
| $95 FAMILY DUES | INTERNATIONAL | $42 (reduction) |
| DISTRICT | $25 | |
| LOCAL | $28 |
2018
Resolution 49, passed by delegate vote at the 2018 International Convention, reflects the Finance/Investment Committee’s recommendation to update the dues structure for Canada and Norway. The resolution reads as follows:
Presented by the International Board
The Finance / Investment Committee recommends that there be no change in dues for the United States Lodges for 2019.
The Committee recommends the following dues for 2020 for Norwegian Lodges and Canadian Lodges:
Canada Dues 2020
All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
| International | District | Lodges | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | 40.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 58.00 |
| Family | 52.00 | 16.00 | 20.00 | 88.00 |
Current Golden Members will remain with their current reduction percentage of dues.
Norway Dues 2020
All amounts are in Norwegian Kroner.
| International | District | Lodges | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | 250 | 160 | 65 | 475 |
| Family | 325 | 320 | 155 | 800 |
Current Golden Members will remain with their current reduction percentage of dues.