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FRATERNAL DIRECTOR

Jill Lain Weaver

EDITOR

Jennifer Meyer-Michels

Corporate Communications

DESIGNER

Denise Chandler

Corporate Communications

CONTENT EDITOR

Cortney Sievert

Fraternal Department

FRATERNAL

DEPARTMENT STAFF

Bill Baker

Michelle Duyvejonck

Melissa Gottwalt

Ann Held

Nora Johnson

Melissa Mayers

Tammy Mielke

Karen Mizner

Martha Nelson

Amber Nichols

Kristen Roberts

IMPACT MAGAZINEOfficial fraternal publication of

Modern Woodmen of America

1701 1st Avenue PO Box 2005

Rock Island, IL 61204-2005

Q: Will the Merit Club

Leadership Conference be

held in 2018? How can my

club qualify?

A: Yes, but MCLC is now called the

Youth Club Leader Symposium. It

will be held June 17-20 during the

National Convention in Orlando.

Visit the training materials

section at imakeanimpact.org for

more information and

qualifications.

Q: Will a board and board

report be required in 2017?

A: Yes. Chapters and Summit

chapters must have a chapter

board in place and submit at

least one board report to earn

premier status in 2017. This

requirement was waived for 2016

only. To submit a board report,

use the left navigation bar on

your chapter dashboard.

Q: Can I change how often I’m

compensated for planning

activities?

A: You may choose to be

compensated monthly, quarterly,

semiannually or annually.

Payments are made on the first of

the month. Default frequency is

semiannual for activities

coordinators and monthly for

club leaders and assistants. To

change your payment settings,

log in at imakeanimpact.org and

follow these steps:

1. Click your name in the upper

right corner.

2. Select “Account.”

3. Change the frequency under

“Payment Interval.”

4. Click “Update.”

Have a question? Email us at

impact@modern-woodmen.org.

Do your members know about our

100 percent Modern Woodmen

Family Benefit? Each year during

their birthday month, children ages

1-16 can receive a free, age-

appropriate book to help develop

their love of reading. The wholesome,

high-quality books range from classic

tales to contemporary fiction to

educational resources and are mailed

directly to the child’s home. All

parents/legal guardians and children

under age 18 in the household must

be beneficial Modern Woodmen

members to qualify. Contact your

representative for details.

“We’ve seen some creative

educational events – painting

and cooking classes, walking

tours of local historic sites,

inviting a historian to explain

genealogy research, and farming

and recycling demonstrations.

These are all great ways to

encourage member involvement!”

What interesting activities have you seen from leaders?

Share thisgreat benefit

Find us on:

modernwoodmen

@modernwoodmen

ModernWoodmen1883

c o n n e c t w i t h S T A F F l o o k i n s i d e W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

Meet fraternal leader Tammy Matuska

Acquire a taste for unique local venues.4Follow the leaders

Examples and ideas from across the country.6Do it different

3 ways to share your premier reward.8Rites of passage

3 rituals to welcome members.9Make An Impact

Be an Everyday Hero recap.10Plan ahead

Start filling your calendar with fun.11

Frequently asked questions

Try something new

Focus on a theme or cause in 2017.12

You did it! We asked you to change how you lead

your chapters and clubs to the Make An Impact

system last year, and you did it. Was it a successful

transformation? Overwhelmingly, the answer is

yes!

You held more activities for members and their

guests in 2016 than the previous year. You and the

organizations you partnered with raised a huge

amount of money – over $23 million and counting

at the time I write this – through Matching Fund

projects. And you touched so many individuals

and families through service projects, Hometown

Hero awards and the Be an Everyday Hero

campaign.

I’ve spent the past few months visiting with

fraternal leaders across the country about Make

An Impact. Leaders shared with me what they like

about Make An Impact (“It’s so easy to file

requests and reports”) and what they’d like to

improve (“The wait time on the website was long

at times”).

At each meeting with fraternal leaders and each

fraternal activity I attended, that feeling of pride

in my chest grew stronger and stronger. I’m so

proud of all of you. If I could meet each of you, I

would start our conversation with a hug and a

deeply felt thank you for all you do for Modern

Woodmen members and their local communities.

Each and every one of you is an impact maker!

Thank you for making an impact in 2016.

Jill Lain Weaver

Fraternal Director Jill Lain Weaver (right) joined Regional Director Joe Sztapka (from left) and Activities

Coordinator John Murawski in Brandon, South Dakota, to honor kindergarten teacher Marcel Boscaljon as a

Hometown Hero.

4

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MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICAYOUTH CLUB LEADER SYMPOSIUM

JUNE 17-20, 2018

32 W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 | I M P A C T

m e e t f r a t e r n a l l e a d e r

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T a m m y M a t u s k a HOW-TO GUIDE:

Acquire a tastefor unique local venues

City: Yankton, S.D.

Occupation: Modern

Woodmen financial

representative

Family: Husband Doug, son

Joseph, daughter-in-law

Michelle and granddaughter

Lilly

Why did you become a Summit

chapter activities coordinator?

I had been the director of a day

center for seniors, so it fit right in.

I like talking with seniors and

planning activities they enjoy.

What’s your favorite chapter

memory? Grandparents at a senior

center painted Easter eggs with

their children and grandchildren. It

was lively. Members were laughing

and having fun and there were lots

of hugs and thank-yous. It made me

feel good.

What inspires you in planning

activities? I like trying something

different. I ask members what

they’d like to do, and say “Let’s try

it.”

What’s your biggest challenge?

People are so busy and there’s so

much going on. We look at the local

calendar to find a night that isn’t as

busy and doesn’t have school

events.

What do you do in your free time?

Spending time with family is very

important to me – whether its

outdoor activities or cooking

together. I also like riding horses

and biking – anything outdoors.

Where was your last vacation?

Hawaii with my sisters. For the past

eight years, we’ve gone on an

annual trip. We live far apart and it’s

nice to have the four of us together.

What makes you laugh? We have

dogs that do silly things and play

with the weirdest toys.

What would people be surprised

to learn about you? I filet crochet

doll dresses to relax.

If you could be anything you

want, what would you be? I’m a

mom, a grandma, a wife – and

someone who likes to help others –

so I’m doing what I want to do.

The wine and catered hors

d’oeuvres weren’t the only

flavors members of Tammy

Matuska’s Summit chapter

tasted when they gathered

last March. They also

sampled a unique local

attraction when Tammy held

the event at the Lewis and

Clark Pulley Museum near

Crofton, Nebraska.

Here’s how Tammy organized

a successful social activity:

New barrel

Tammy was inspired by

the popularity of wine and

canvas-painting events

across the country. She

wanted to plan a wine-

tasting activity for members,

but didn’t want to host it in

a restaurant. She asked

for creative venue

recommendations, and a

member suggested the

new museum.

Delicious blend

Conveniently, the owner of

the museum is also a caterer.

Tammy worked with him to

plan a menu that fit the

Summit chapter’s budget.

Each member paid $5 to

attend. The Summit chapter

paid the other half of the $10

per person food cost. The

owner/caterer also handled

all setup for the activity.

Perfectly paired

The member who

recommended the museum

as a venue also volunteers

with community groups that

support victims of domestic

violence. To include a

fraternal element with the

social activity, Tammy asked

members to donate bottles

of shampoo and conditioner

for the local organizations.

Time to breathe

Tammy chose a different

time for this activity. Most

events are held during the

day, but she hosted the wine

and hors d’oeuvres event on

a weeknight with few

competing school activities

for parents and

grandparents. The event

drew 28 members –

including both younger and

older Summit chapter

members and some

members who don’t typically

attend activities. Average

attendance at Tammy’s

Summit chapter activities is

12. Members were having

such a good time they stayed

longer than the two hours

that activities typically last.

Cheers

The event was such a success

Tammy held a similar activity

for another Summit chapter

at a winery in September.

Again, she chose an

interesting local venue, relied

on a caterer and asked for

donations for a local

organization. She’s

considering other locations

for future events, as well as

possible canvas-painting or

floral-arranging activities.

“Members know they’re giving back to the community – and they’re glad to. Modern Woodmen gives back to their community,

and volunteering is a way they can give back to Modern Woodmen.”

Members of Tammy

Matuska’s Summit chapter

from Yankton, S.D., gathered

in March for wine and hors

d’oeuvres at the Lewis and

Clark Pulley Museum. Many

members had been unaware

of the new museum, which

featues hay carriers and barn

pulleys manufactured from

the 1860s to the 1950s.54

f o l l o w t h e L E A D E R S

DONIPHAN, MISSOURI

Learning emerges from chapter’s butterfly project

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

Club gives birthday wish to local people in need

DAYTON, OHIO

Members get mooving for local dairy farm tour

Leann Ostler’s chapter turned the search for a

special Father’s Day present into a special social

activity for members. For the second year, the

chapter met at a local men’s clothing store in

June. The shop owner provided a discount on ties and other

accessories, and members received $2.50 from Modern Woodmen

toward their purchase.

HOW TO: Leann simply worked with the owner to arrange a

night and offer a discount. She ordered postcard invitations at

imakeanimpact.org and sent email and text message reminders

to members.

NEXT TIME: Leann purchased cookies from extra funds in the

chapter’s account. Having a snack encouraged members to stay and

mingle after shopping. However, the cookies were a little messy, so

Leann will select a different snack when she plans this event again.

YOUR TOWN: The shop owner – a Modern Woodmen member –

and financial representative Jon Ostler came up with the idea for

this event to support a local business while offering a variety of

activities for members. Leann looks for opportunities when

members already plan to buy gifts for special days. The chapter has

also shopped together for flower baskets at a local nursery before

Mother’s Day and for sweets at a chocolate/bakery shop before

Valentine’s Day.

Lola Eudaley’s chapter made the world a more

beautiful place last Earth Day. Members released

monarch butterflies, raised by local school children,

into a garden they planted to nourish the beautiful

creatures at risk of becoming endangered.

HOW TO: Early planning is essential. Lola says the chapter started

research for the garden and ordered butterfly-hatching kits

(caterpillars and habitats) three months in advance. Members

gathered information from Missouri’s conservation and agriculture

departments about plants butterflies need for migration and planted

the garden to provide a food source. Lola distributed the hatching

kits to first-, third- and fourth-grade classes to make an impact

on students as they watched and learned about the butterflies’

development. Cost was about $500, but could vary depending on

the number of butterflies raised and garden size needed.

YOUR TOWN: Lola encourages other chapters along the monarch

butterflies’ migration path to raise butterflies or plant gardens to

sustain them on their flight.

NEXT TIME: The community had a positive response to Modern

Woodmen and the chapter as students shared updates on the

butterflies’ development. Other schools approached Lola about the

valuable learning experience, and the chapter plans to repeat the

activity this spring.

A chapter in Missouri worked with local elementary students to raise

monarch butterflies and release them in a garden planted to support

their migration flight. How can you help animal, insect or plant species in

your area?

A chapter in Utah shopped together for Father’s Day gifts at a local

men’s clothing store. How can you partner with local or member-

owned businesses to support your community and offer members a

variety of activities?

Katie McDermott LaVelle knows how to milk her

chapter members’ interest. For a fun, family

activity, Katie turned to a local favorite – a dairy

farm known for making some of the best

cheese and ice cream around. Members toured the farm to learn

how the tasty treats are made, then enjoyed a round of mini-

golf.

HOW TO: Katie’s chapter held a different event at the dairy a year

earlier. Members enjoyed it so much they asked to go back. Katie

thought a tour (which she read about online) would make the

return visit different from the first. She arranged a time that

worked for the business and her members. To encourage

participation, the chapter offered a free round of mini-golf for

members who went on the hour-long tour.

NEXT TIME: Katie’s chapter would provide cheese samples or an

ice cream cone to members instead of mini-golf. Since the tour

was in July, she’d also bring a cooler with bottled water to help

members keep cool.

YOUR TOWN: Katie suggests looking around your community to

see what food or drink items people enjoy, or what locations

they enjoy visiting. Ask the business about tours they offer to the

public or would offer for your group.

A chapter in Ohio toured a local dairy farm known for its tasty

cheese and ice cream. What popular local businesses can you learn

about and enjoy with your members?

Marie Dunning’s youth service club had a happy

birthday wish for local people in need. The club

packaged boxed cake mixes, frosting (some

with sprinkles), candles and even a few Modern

Woodmen balloons – all the makings for a special birthday

celebration – and donated the bags to a local food pantry.

HOW TO: Kids from Marie’s club helped her shop for supplies,

spending about $3 per kit. Marie also contacted the food pantry

to ask workers (who were impressed by the unique donation) to

pick up the bags once assembled. On the day of the activity,

Marie organized the items on a table. Kids formed a single-file

line, with each member selecting items to place in a clear plastic

bag. Volunteers tied the bags with ribbon and applied a sticker

that read “Donated by Modern Woodmen.” The activity took

about one hour.

NEXT TIME: To donate more kits, Marie will ask members and

their families to donate cake mixes and other supplies.

TRY THIS: Marie borrowed the idea from another leader. She has

discussed other variations on the activity, such as filling bags or

socks with necessities for the local homeless shelter.

A youth service club in Michigan prepared birthday cake care

packages that kids donated to a local food pantry. How can you

make your donations special for the people who receive them?

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Key: Borrow or put your own twist on these service

projects, social activities and educational activities.

PLEASANT VIEW, UTAH

Chapter ties activity to Father’s Day shopping

76 W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 | I M P A C T

3 rituals to welcome members

at your next activity

Early Modern Woodmen members had secret handshakes,

uniforms, and even an encrypted password to prevent thieves

from selling copies of secret meeting rituals.

The rituals were elaborate procedures for opening and closing

official meetings and conducting business. Members were insiders

to the secret workings. Knowing the rituals helped them feel

welcome and included.

The meeting rituals were simplified and phased out over time.

However, Modern Woodmen’s Board of Directors still votes on a

password each year in accordance with our bylaws. You can share

the password with members as a way to connect with Modern

Woodmen’s 134-year history as a fraternal benefits society.

Activities today are more informal and much less mysterious. But

chapters, Summit chapters or youth service clubs can still learn

from Modern Woodmen’s days of lore. Here are some ways to

connect with members with simple welcoming “rituals.”

1. Greet guests. Sometimes the simplest things are the most

effective, and the easiest to overlook. Make sure you

d o i t D I F F E R E N T

You’ve got it figured out. In 2016, you

volunteered, socialized, learned and honored

a Hometown Hero in your community. You led

your chapter, Summit chapter or youth service

club to make an impact – and achieve premier

status.

Congratulations, it’s time to do it again! And

for reaching premier status in 2016, you’ll

have a little extra money in your chapter or

club’s account for 2017. You can use that

money to make an even bigger impact in your

community or thank members by reminding

them of the difference they make.

Here are a few ideas to help you use your

premier status reward.

Bigger service projects

Use your reward to do more service projects

or larger scale projects. Can you think of a

project that you wished you could have done

more for or a project you wanted to do that

was bigger than your budget? Now you have

a little more money to help make an even

bigger impact. Check out 101 Ways to Make

an Impact (online training materials) for great

service project ideas.

Tip: When submitting the report for the service

project, be sure to include the premier reward

under “Amount from other sources/existing

funds.”

Say ‘thank you’

Plan an event that recognizes members for

their hard work throughout the year. You

could even give members a small gift of

appreciation. Here are a few inexpensive ways

to say thanks:

• Thanks a latte – give a $5 gift card to local

coffee shop.

• Thank you for going the extra mile – give

a pack of Extra gum.

• Thanks for being a lifesaver – give a roll

of Life Savers candy.

Door prizes

Reward your members for working hard and

being active with an organization that makes

a difference for other members and their

community.

• Offer gift cards or a Modern Woodmen

Bank Visa gift card so members can enjoy

a local coffee shop or restaurant in their

free time. Or give away tickets to catch a

movie.

• Give away gift baskets. Consider a

volunteer survival kit that includes a

Modern Woodmen T-shirt and water

bottle with a thank-you card. Check the

supply list online for more ideas.

3 ways to shareyour premier statusreward in 2017 You watched that light blue bar work

its way to 100 percent at

imakeanimpact.org. Now you’re

ready to do it again. Ready, set … go

for premier status!

First, here’s a reminder of what’s at

stake for your chapter, Summit

chapter or youth service club. The

rewards for premier status are:

Chapter/Summit chapters

1-100 members: $500

101-400 members: $1,250

401+ members: $1,500

Youth service clubs: $100 regardless

of membership.

Second, here are three steps to help

your chapter or club reach premier

status in 2017.

1. Review the requirements.

Refresh what you know about

premier status by reading the

leader handbook, quick reference

guide and online training

modules. Take note of the slightly

different requirements for

chapters, Summit chapters and

youth service clubs, as well as

important deadlines (hint: Oct. 31)

you’ll need to meet.

2. Brainstorm ideas/themes with

members and your board.

Ask members what they want

to experience and how they

want to make an impact in your

community. Chapters and Summit

chapters should hold a board

meeting (see training module) to

review what worked or didn’t work

last year. Also discuss the types of

activities members are interested

in. Seek variety to attract different

members to different events.

3. Plan, plan, plan!

Plan activities at least three to six

months in advance (Hint: Use the

Plan Ahead calendar on Page 11).

3 tips to earn premier status

8 W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 | I M P A C T

Rites of passage

personally greet members and their guests when they arrive

and ask them to provide their contact information on the

sign-in sheet. If you can’t greet attendees, designate

someone else to do so. For fun, you could even ask for

Modern Woodmen’s password at the door or exchange a

secret handshake your chapter or club makes up. Let

newcomers in on the secret.

2. Make a welcome announcement. At the start of the activity,

introduce yourself to the group and thank everyone for

making time in their busy schedules. Invite them to share

feedback on this activity and ideas for future events. Make

any announcements about chapter or club business,

including acknowledging newcomers. Encourage members

to share announcements (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) to

help them connect on a personal level.

3. Recite together. The Pledge of Allegiance and Modern

Woodmen Creed were always recited in Modern Woodmen

rituals. They’re no longer required at activities, but are a

reminder of the fraternal and patriotic values our members

share.

Password puzzleUse Modern Woodmen’s official cipher to learn the 2017 password. Deliver the

password to your chapter president and share it with members at your January activity.

ANNUAL PASSWORD

‡ () : – ➾ : ()

OFFICIAL CIPHER

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

$ @ ? ! : . , * ➾ § Œ & –

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

П † ‡ [ () ] ) ‘ “ ( ° [] a

Kids from a youth service club in Rock Island, Ill., participate in a

meeting ritual in 1985.

9

p l a n A H E A D

J A N U A R Y

Financial Wellness Month: Ask your Modern Woodmen

representative to present on a financial topic, such as Final

Wishes or student loan debt.

Blood Donor Month: Organize a blood donation drive in your

community.

Jan. 5: Modern Woodmen’s birthday.

❏ Complete your activities coordinator compensation/tax

form.

❏ Install the chapter board you elected in December.

❏ ______________________________________________

❏ ______________________________________________

F E B R U A R Y

American Heart Month: Tour your local hospital’s cardiology

department or invite a guest speaker on heart health.

Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day. Host a Valentine’s Day party for

seniors.

Feb. 20: Love Your Pet Day. Learn about pet care, visit a

veterinarian’s office or donate supplies to an animal shelter.

❏ Start planning an outdoor recreational activity for spring.

❏ Refresh your knowledge of premier status requirements.

Watch the module in the training materials section at

imakeanimpact.org and start thinking about how you’ll

use the funds your chapter or club earned by reaching

premier status in 2016.

❏ ______________________________________________

❏ ______________________________________________

M A R C H

National Kidney Month: Honor an organ donor as a

Hometown Hero.

Music in Our Schools Month: Attend a school music program

as a group or plan a Matching Fund project to buy school

band equipment.

National Nutrition Month: Sample unusual healthy foods

together as an educational event or invite a guest to speak on

nutrition.

March 1: Share a Smile Day. Attend a comedy or improv show

together.

❏ Plan a service project for Join Hands Day on May 2.

❏ ______________________________________________

❏ ______________________________________________

A P R I L

Keep America Beautiful Month: Hold a litter scavenger hunt

to turn cleanup into a game.

April 2: International Children’s Book Day. Collect used

children’s books and volunteer to read at a local library or

school. Leave the books behind for kids to continue to enjoy.

April 20: National High-Five Day. Attend a local sporting event

together and give fellow members a high-five when your

team scores.

❏ Start planning an activity for Aquarium Month in June. Visit

a local aquarium, invite a marine biologist to speak, or plan

to clean up and feed the fish at an area pond.

❏ ________________________________________________

❏ ________________________________________________

M A Y

National Photograph Month: Snap a photo of your chapter,

Summit chapter or youth service club’s activity and email it to

impact@modern-woodmen.org.

National Blood Pressure Month: Invite a nurse to educate

members and check their blood pressure level.

May 5: Cinco De Mayo. Host a social event at an authentic

Mexican restaurant and learn about the holiday.

May 19: National Bike to Work Day. Invite members to gather

for a bicycle ride after work.

May 29: Memorial Day. Honor veterans by placing flags on

graves.

❏ Review the service project training module at

imakeanimpact.org.

❏ ________________________________________________

❏ ________________________________________________

J U N E

Aquarium Month: Hold the activity you started planning in

April.

June 18: Father’s Day/International Picnic Day. Hold a Father’s

Day picnic and collect nonperishable items.

June 21: International Yoga Day. Attend a yoga class at your

local gym or invite an instructor to teach yoga basics to

members.

❏ Plan a chapter board meeting for July.

❏ ________________________________________________

❏ ________________________________________________

THIS QUARTER

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m a k e a n I M P A C T

Modern Woodmen chapters, Summit chapters and youth service clubs marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11 by honoring first

responders, military members and other everyday heroes across the country. Here are just a few examples:

Be an Everyday Hero

1 . California – Members of the youth service club in Walnut

Creek showered emergency dispatchers with treats, a water

bottle and a colorful thank-you card.

2 . Kentucky – In Monticello, youth service club members joined

in a ceremony to remember first responders who lost their

lives responding to the 9/11 attacks.

3. Iowa – Youth service club members in Eldridge made

paracord bracelets for active military members.

4. Utah – Kids from the youth service club in Syracruse made

gift baskets and a large thank-you card to show their

gratitude for local police officers who keep them safe.

5. Ohio – Members of the chapter in Wilmington presented

care packages to thank local firefighters for their service.

6. South Carolina – Chapter members in Myrtle served a meal

in appreciation of local veterans.

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1110

The zodiac animals of the Chinese calendar are said to affect

strengths and character, depending when people are born in the

12-year cycle. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. The rooster’s crow

awakens people for work, and those born in a year of the rooster

are believed to be punctual.

This year is another opportunity for your chapter or club to rise

and shine by making an impact in members’ lives and in your

community. But don’t let the rooster have all the influence. You

(and your chapter or Summit chapter’s board) can affect the

character of activities in 2017 by focusing on a theme or cause.

The Summit chapter at Modern Woodmen’s home office

concentrated on animals in 2016. The board communicated its

yearlong focus with members. The Summit chapter supported

10 local animal organizations through donations and the

following programs:

t r y S O M E T H I N G N E W

• Hometown Hero – Members honored a student organization

that trains service dogs.

• Service project – Members planted flowers, spread mulch and

cleaned out stables for an organization that provides equine-

assisted therapy.

• Everyday Hero (special 2016 campaign) – The Summit chapter

recognized an area police department’s K-9 unit. Four K-9

officers received awards, spoke about their work and

introduced members to their canine partners.

Focusing your chapter or club’s impact can multiply the difference

your members see themselves making in the community. A theme

or cause can also simplify your planning for the year by providing

an area of concentration.

Your chapter or club could declare 2017 its Year for the Animals – or

be influenced by the Chinese horse (energy and enthusiasm) or

monkey (clever) to come up with a theme or cause of your own!

Year of the __________

Make 2017 your chapter or club'sMake 2017 your chapter or club's