Throw open your windows and swing open your doors. And welcome in the fresh spring air! OK … you may want to wait awhile before you do that in most parts of the country (brrrr!) but it’s not too early to start planning outdoor activities to welcome members this spring.

Outdoor events are appealing to active members and can help them feel energized and engaged going into 2017. Don’t keep recycling ideas that keep members cooped up indoors. Step outside and breathe fresh air into your chapter or club activities this spring.

Here are a few ideas to try.

NatureThe birds will be returning, as will be the many colors of spring. Enjoy the scenery with a nature hike, bird watching or a photography lesson focused on the sights of spring. Or learn about conservation, fishing or hunting safety from your department of

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

natural resources. Tour your local nursery to learn more about gardening, or plant a community garden and donate the produce later.

RecreationThere are many ways to enjoy spring by land or by water. Picnic in the park or ask members to gather with their favorite canines at a local dog park. Enjoy biking or learn about rock-climbing safety. Explore area waterways by boat, kayak or canoe.

SportsWatch your favorite teams compete or organize your own tournament of disc golf, horse shoes or bocce ball. Take a tennis, archery or golf lesson – or enjoy mini golf as a group.

Don’t forget about spring cleaning! Spring is a great time to help individuals and organizations in your community with cleanup, building or planting projects. Enjoy each other’s company (as well as the beautiful weather) while members of your chapter, Summit chapter or club help spruce up your community for spring.

into spring activities Breathe fresh air Breathe fresh air

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FRATERNAL DIRECTORJill Lain Weaver

EDITORJennifer Meyer-Michels Corporate Communications

DESIGNERDenise Chandler Corporate Communications

CONTENT EDITORKristen Roberts Fraternal Department

FRATERNAL DEPARTMENT STAFFBill BakerTammy BohlandMichelle DuyvejonckMelissa GottwaltAnn HeldMelissa MayersKathy MichelTammy MielkeKaren MiznerMartha NelsonAmber NicholsLori Sedam

IMPACT MAGAZINEOfficial fraternal publication of Modern Woodmen of America1701 1st Avenue PO Box 2005Rock Island, IL 61204-2005

Q. How should I use service project funds?A. Use funds to cover materials and supplies needed to complete a hands-on service project. You can use funds for light refreshments or snacks (i.e. bottled water or granola bars) to serve project participants, but funds shouldn’t be used toward meals, sponsoring a community event or covering admission. If you have questions, ask the Fraternal Department.

Q. Can I still submit paper requests and reports in 2017?A. The Fraternal Department will no longer accept paper reports and requests after Dec. 31, 2016.

Our leaders are on board with online submission. In 2016, they electronically filed 93 percent of requests and 86 percent of reports.

If you don’t have access to the internet or need help using a computer, ask a family member, visit your local library or contact your regional office for assistance.

Q. Can I still hold events in November and December?A. Yes. For an activity to count toward premier status, it must be held between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31. But as a fraternal leader, you’re compensated for up to 12 activities per year – including events held in November and December.

Have a question? Email us atimpact@modern-woodmen.org.

Do your members know about our improved Final Wishes benefit? The updated Final Wishes benefit simplifies the daunting task of planning for end-of-life decisions and organizing financial and personal documents. Members can determine whether or not they have enough life insurance to meet their end-of-life goals or receive help coping with the financial stress of losing a loved one. Just log on at member.modernwoodmen.org and click on “Benefits.” The site features a form wizard so it’s easy to document wishes and create forms.

“Approving requests and paying reports is much faster. Fraternal leaders like checking their finances and progress toward premier status at imakeanimpact.org.”

What’s most exciting about Make An Impact?

Share this IMPROVED 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 F A L L 2 0 1 6

Meet fraternal leader Cara MoffettFlag down law enforcement friends.4Follow the leadersExamples and ideas from across the country.6Do it differentHonor an extraordinary Hometown Hero.8Team huddleScore with a chapter board.9Q & ALeaders talk about Fraternal Exchange.10Plan aheadStart filling your calendar with fun.11

Frequently asked questions

Try something newBreathe fresh air into spring activities.12

It’s been a busy year! We launched the new Make

An Impact model and imakeanimpact.org in

November 2015. After several successful releases,

fraternal leaders can submit activity requests and

reports, photos, board reports and compensation

forms online. You can view progress toward

premier status, order supplies and track payments.

Regional offices can manage chapters and youth

clubs and access helpful reports.

Whew! Even with all that has been accomplished,

this is not the end. The Fraternal Department will

continue to evaluate and improve the model, the

system and our customer service. In order to do

that, we need to hear from you!

We encourage you to share questions and ideas at

fraternal@modern-woodmen.org. Or join us at a

future Fraternal Exchange where regional

directors, managing partners, field representatives

and volunteer leaders share ideas and provide

feedback on future initiatives. (See page 10 for

more information.)

Thank you for your patience and flexibility over

the past year. We look forward to working with

you in 2017.

And thank you for continuing to make an impact

in your communities!

signature

Kristen Roberts

Fraternal Department Operations Supervisor Kristen Roberts (right) helps sell Be an Everyday Hero T-shirts at Modern Woodmen Park. Proceeds from T-shirt sales will help future heroes through the Exploring program. The hands-on program connects young people with local community organizations and businesses in career fields that interest them. The home office also hosted Be an Everyday Hero activities to benefit military, law enforcement, and fire and emergency services personnel.

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Flag downlaw enforcements friends

City: Antioch, Calif.Occupation: Office supervisor at sheriff’s departmentFamily: Husband Willie and daughter Yesenia, 9; parents John and Maggie; and stepson Willie, his wife, Davine, and their daughter, Olivia, 1.

Why did you become a youth service club leader? I learned about the products Modern Woodmen offers, and I liked how the organization gives back.

What do you enjoy about being a club leader? It provides an avenue to give back. In my family, we already do a lot of community service, Modern Woodmen helps me know how and when to do activities and gives me new ideas. I use the manual a lot.

What’s your favorite club memory? We went to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum with another club. I enjoyed seeing the kids together. At the end, we put together summer bags – with sunscreen, towels and water toys – for less-fortunate kids.

What inspires you in planning activities? I usually ask my daughter where she sees a need. She tends to favor the homeless because she doesn’t like to see anyone be hungry or cold. I ask her how an activity will impact someone else’s life – how will she make a difference?

What’s your biggest challenge? Finding different activities. I know two other club leaders so I’ll bounce ideas off them or ask what activities they’ve done.

What’s your favorite meal? Mexican food. I love enchiladas.

What’s your favorite movie? Love and Basketball.

What is your simplest pleasure? Coca-Cola. Soda is my enemy.

What do you secretly love? Reality TV. I like “Big Brother,” but I watch them all.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? Everyone thinks I have a tough exterior, but I cry at TV commercials.

Cara Moffett has friends who are police. And she wants the kids in her Walnut Creek, California, youth service club to see local police officers as their friends too.

“I encourage my daughter to tell her friends that it’s OK to go to police and firefighters with an issue or emergency,” Cara says.

In June, Cara planned a Flag Day activity that helped kids and cops (as well as area firefighters) get more acquainted while also honoring those who protect and serve our communities.

Here’s how Cara organized a successful activity:

Working the beatCara called, emailed or text- messaged families to gauge interest and select a time and date. She purchased national and state flags for each police or fire station the club would visit, and she coordinated a route to avoid backtracking. Cara didn’t call ahead since departments are

staffed 24-7, but she says she would next time to avoid delays to being greeted.

Thick as thievesAt each location, Cara and two of the kids gave a presentation. Cara described Modern Woodmen and how the club is part of how the fraternal financial services organization gives back to communities. Cara’s daughter explained the significance of Flag Day, and another member presented the flags the club donated to each fire station or police department.

All of the kids thanked officers and asked questions. Police and firefighters showed the kids around their buildings and emergency vehicles and handed out stickers.

“The kids loved it. They were really excited,” Cara says. “They enjoyed seeing all the bells and whistles on the squad cars and firetrucks, and they liked seeing people in uniform.”

Protect and serveCara read about Flag Day in the fraternal handbook and brainstormed organizations to present with flags. Other ideas include beautifying the grounds of a veterans or senior home and including a flag donation or placing flags on the graves of fallen soldiers or first responders.

“In my family, we already do a lot of community service, Modern Woodmen

helps me know how and when to do activities and gives me new ideas.”

Members of a youth service club in Walnut Creek, Calif., presented area law enforcement and fire departments with large national and California flags for Flag Day in June. Kids toured police departments and fire stations and learned about the lights and sirens on squad cars and fire trucks.

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ATHENS, MICHIGAN

Club gives baby gators a lift

GYPSUM, KANSAS

Members feast eyes on cars, taste buds on slices of pie

QUITMAN, MISSISSIPPI

Summit chapter volunteerskeep Relay for Life running

SUMPTER, OREGON

Train heist re-enactors take chapter for a ride

The kids in Amey Little’s youth service club were awake and frisky – and so were the alligators they carried. After vowing not to drop the babies – even if they wiggled or turned their heads to stare

– kids helped move the 2- to 4-foot alligators (whose mouths were taped shut for safety) to their summer habitat. The sanctuary’s owner also taught members about alligator care and safety.

HOW TO: Amey researched the sanctuary online before calling. She asked about group tours and rates, accepted forms of payment and anything to make the visit more enjoyable (members were advised to wear clothes they could get dirty). Amey picked a day that worked well for her members, with fewer other large groups attending.

NEXT TIME: Amey didn’t tell members to arrive early to enter as a group, so she had to pay for each family separately. The process was time-consuming and resulted in multiple receipts. In the future, she’d plan to meet at a stated location. Families could still explore and leave as they like, with Amey checking in with each at least once during the event.

YOUR TOWN: No alligators in your backyard? The idea for this activity came from one of Amey’s members and fit with her goal to engage new members by trying unusual new activities. And alligators in Michigan are definitely unusual, she says.

Emily Page’s chapter offered members a taste of something sweet. In May, the chapter attended the Kansas Pie Festival & Car Show. The fundraiser for the city of Gypsum treated members to view more

than 150 sweet antique rides while enjoying slices of sweet, locally made pies.

HOW TO: Emily’s chapter didn’t organize the festival, members simply enjoyed it together. She contacted organizers for information after finding little published about the new event. She chose a time and place to meet, and she sent postcard invitations through imakeanimpact.org. Admission was free, so the only cost was $2.50 toward each member’s pie.

NEXT TIME: Pie ran out fast, and some members arrived too late. In the future, the chapter will meet earlier so everyone can buy pie.

YOUR TOWN: Most members of Emily’s chapter live in nearby Salina. Several are from Gypsum and one was even involved in baking the pies. The event was an opportunity to make out-of-town members feel more included and to introduce members from Salina to new activities — plus, offered it an alternative to dining at a restaurant.

TRY THIS: In the future, Emily’s chapter would like to partner with the event on a Matching Fund project as well as attend the festivities.

A Kansas chapter enjoyed an area pie festival and car show together. What community events can your members attend as a group?

A youth service club in Michigan helped move a sanctuary’s baby alligators to their summer habitat. What unusual opportunities can members learn from in your community?

Members didn’t have to stick up Kemberlea Brainerd’s chapter for the group to watch them perform a horseback train robbery re-enactment. In June, the chapter rode a

vintage steam train seven miles through the heart of gold country and watched the volunteer performers re-enact history. Members also learned to pan for gold and explored the mechanics of the historic train.

HOW TO: Members who are involved with the re-enactment suggested riding the train and negotiated the time and a discount with the railroad. The volunteers also helped spread word about the event. Kemberlea asked members to RSVP. To limit cash transactions, she asked members to write checks to the railroad in advance. She made vouchers which members exchanged for tickets at the train depot on the day of the event.

NEXT TIME: Some members were confused about ticket prices. Though children under 5 rode for free, some families paid for children’s tickets in advance, creating a hassle with refunds at the ticket booth.

TRY THIS: The chapter wants to partner with the nonprofit railroad on a Matching Fund project to help with maintenance.

An Oregon chapter rode a vintage steam train and enjoyed a horseback robbery re-enactment that included Modern Woodmen members as performers. How can your members help support a fellow member’s volunteer passions?

Members of Patricia Boney’s Summit chapter helped Relay for Life both on and off the track. Patricia’s husband, a cancer survivor, and several other members had already

joined teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s fundraiser walk. Other members helped keep the event running by assisting with setup, cleanup or serving at the survivor breakfast.

HOW TO: Patricia called members to ask if they would volunteer. The chapter didn’t organize Relay for Life, but Patricia worked with organizers to coordinate Modern Woodmen volunteers. Those who couldn’t commit to volunteering contributed by walking the track to honor local cancer victims or by making a financial donation. The chapter provided $2.50 for members to spend at a food or activity booth, from which the proceeds benefit Relay for Life.

NEXT TIME: Patricia would ask for volunteers earlier and have a sign-in station at the event. She’d like to provide Modern Woodmen hats or T-shirts to make the Summit chapter’s volunteer efforts more visible.

YOUR TOWN: Many community events need volunteers to operate. It’s easy to add to the efforts of a worthy cause. Members enjoy contributing to an event’s success and to their community.

Members of a Summit chapter in Mississippi volunteered at the local Relay for Life event as a community day activity. How can your members contribute to events for a cause in your community?

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Key: Take inspiration from these service projects, social activities and educational events.

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Score with a chapter boardImagine trying to run the football into the end zone without teammates to block tackles. Scoring a touchdown would be difficult, if not impossible, on your own.

Likewise, a team effort is key to your chapter or Summit chapter’s success. A strong leadership team (your chapter board of trustees) can grow both fraternalism and engagement. Here’s how:

1. More minds. Up to seven members can sit on your chapter board. At a minimum, the board should have an activities coordinator, a president, vice president and membership coordinator (a great position for your Modern Woodmen representative). A good candidate is any beneficial member who cares about the community and has ideas to make an impact.

Each board member brings unique resources, connections and ideas that can benefit your chapter or Summit chapter. They know diverse people and have varied interests, which can help the chapter plan innovative activities that engage a broad cross-section of members.

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

A Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero is no ordinary citizen. He or she stands out for making an impact in your community, through service or an act of bravery. Follow these tips to choose your chapter or club’s next Hometown Hero – and make the recognition as extraordinary as your hero.

WhoA Hometown Hero doesn’t have to be superhuman who saves the world from destruction. He or she should simply be someone who volunteers to make a difference in your community – and whose impact isn’t normally recognized. In short, your chapter or club is shining a light on a difference-maker in your hometown!

The honoree doesn’t have to be a Modern Woodmen member. In fact, many Hometown Heroes aren’t members. You can also honor a group of volunteers instead of an individual.

HowThe Fraternal Department offers a certificate and folder your chapter or club can present to its Hometown Hero, in addition to a $100 (chapters) or $50 (clubs) check for a charity of his or her choice.

Make the honor extra special by personalizing the presentation based on your recipient’s passion or interests. Try one of these ideas: 1. Coach, teacher or student: Present the

honor during a school event, such as halftime or a school assembly. Chapters could use funds to provide a discount on concessions for members and the recipient’s guests. Clubs could offer juice and cookies after the ceremony.

2. First responder or nonprofit volunteer: Honor your hero at their station or organization. Host a reception with a fruit or veggie tray, followed by a tour of the facility.

3. Service-minded young person: Recognize your hero at a local park. Attendees and their families could talk and play games. Use funds to buy bottles of water.

4. Anyone: Find out what your honoree is passionate about. If he loves gardening, host the event at a local nursery and use funds to buy a packet of seeds for attendees. If your hero is passionate about animals, host a low- or no-cost event at the local shelter. Ask attendees to donate money or supplies to help the animals.

Chapters are reimbursed $3 per attendee up to the total cost of the event. Clubs are reimbursed up to $50.

4 ideas to honor an extraordinaryHometown Hero

When your chapter or club recognizes a Hometown Hero, you’re sending a simple but powerful message that he or she makes a difference in your community. It’s also a simple and powerful way your chapter or club can make an impact.

Follow these easy steps to plan a successful presentation:

1. Pick your Hometown Hero. Ask your chapter board and members to nominate difference-makers in your community or contact a local nonprofit organization to nominate one of its regular volunteers.

Other potential honorees include educators, first responders, hospital volunteers, coaches, youth mentors, active military members and veterans.

2. Complete an activity request. Log on to imakeanimpact.org. Provide the name and mailing address of the Hometown Hero. (The Fraternal Department will mail the charity’s check to the Hometown Hero.) Use postcard invitations, if available, and invite the honoree’s friends and family.

3. Hold the ceremony. Present the Hometown Hero certificate (optional) to the honoree. You may use chapter funds to buy a different certificate, frame or a plaque. Save your receipts.

4. Submit an activity report. Log on to imakeanimpact.org. Provide the name and address of the charity your Hometown Hero selected. Attach photos to your report.

4 easy steps tosuccessfully honor a Hometown Hero

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Team huddle 2. More hands. The chapter board should meet every six

months to identify community needs, plan activities, review chapter finances and discuss progress toward premier status. The workload is lighter – and more enjoyable – when shared by the team.

In addition to ideas, board members can help organize and run activities – or even take the lead, allowing you to enjoy the event and talk with members about what activities they’d enjoy in the future.

3. More bodies. Board members aren’t required to attend every activity, but being on the board should help plan activities they’ll want to attend – and invite others to attend – so you’ll also have more members at events.

Don’t forget, a chapter board is now a requirement for chapters and Summit chapters to reach premier status. For more information, review the chapter board module in the training materials section of imakeanimpact.org. Time for a team huddle!

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O C T O B E RFamily History Month: Ask a guest to speak about genealogy.

Oct. 4-10: National Fire Prevention Week/National Newspaper

Week. Honor a firefighter or newspaper worker as a

Hometown Hero. Or help elderly or disabled residents test

and replace smoke detector batteries.

Oct. 24: Make a Difference Day. Organize a service activity.

Oct. 31: Last day to hold activities to count toward premier

status. File your activity report right away.

o Start planning your end-of-year chapter board meeting.

o _______________________________________________

o Email impact@modern-woodmen.org to share your

creative activity.

N O V E M B E RPopcorn Poppin’ Month: Invite members to share their

favorite popcorn toppings and watch a movie together.

Child Safety and Protection Month: Invite a guest to speak

about home accident prevention.

Nov. 11: Veterans Day. Visit with veterans, make cards or use a

Project-in-a-Box to hold a used clothing drive or assemble

personal care kits to donate to veterans in need.

Nov. 21: Family Volunteering Day. Volunteer together in a

food pantry, visit a nursing home – or use the Knock Out

Hunger Project-in-a-Box to pack meals for people in need.

o _______________________________________________

o Email impact@modern-woodmen.org to share your

creative activity.

D E C E M B E RRead a New Book Month: Collect new or gently used books

(used are new to someone else!) to read aloud with nursing

home residents or children in need. Leave the books behind

when you leave so they can continue reading.

Dec. 1: Deadline to file activity reports for premier status.

(Reports should be filed less than 30 days after an event and

no later than Dec. 1.)

Dec. 4: Santa’s List Day. Create an angel tree for local children

in need and ask members to buy gifts for a child whose name

they choose from the tree.

o Hold an outdoor winter activity.

o Elect your chapter board. (See Page 9.)

o Remind members that the Make An Impact Scholarship

deadline is Jan. 1.

o _______________________________________________

o Email impact@modern-woodmen.org to share your

creative activity.

J A N U A R YFinancial Wellness Month: As 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. 1: Complete your activities coordinator compensation/tax

form.

Jan. 5: Modern Woodmen’s birthday. Host a birthday party!

o Install the chapter board you elected in December.

o ________________________________________________

o ________________________________________________

F E B R U A R YAmerican 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.

o Start planning your spring outdoor recreation activity. (See

Page 12.)

o 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.

o ________________________________________________

o ________________________________________________

M A R C HNational 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.

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

o ________________________________________________

o ________________________________________________

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Right, click the fraternal achievement tab to see more details about activities included in the percentage. This page shows the status of all past and future activities within each category. It also shows the minimum number of activities required to achieve premier status.

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

Leaders talk about Fraternal Exchange

Modern Woodmen couldn’t make an impact without you. You deliver fraternalism to our members by introducing them to fraternal activities and benefits – and you have great ideas on how to engage more members.

We’re here to help – and listen. That’s the idea behind the Fraternal Exchange. Feedback from our fraternal leaders inspires improvements and helps the Fraternal Department fine-tune changes designed to help you make an impact.

Youth service club leader Amy Bergman of Georgia and Summit chapter activities coordinator Marian Crow of Pennsylvania joined Modern Woodmen representatives and managers at the third Fraternal Exchange June 13-14. The group, selected from different regions and types of fraternal groups, discussed changes made during the first year of the Make An Impact initiative and improvements yet to come.

Here’s what Amy and Marian had to say:

What did you take from the Fraternal Exchange?Amy: I was honored to be invited to give input. I felt my ideas and suggestions were accepted, and in some cases even applauded. It was evident that every person there loves what he or she does and believes in Modern Woodmen and fraternalism. It’s so energizing! I also have a better understanding of the differences between a chapter, Summit chapter and youth service club. Each group has a focus (youth service clubs on community service and chapters on member experiences). Marian: Everyone shared ideas and 90 percent of those ideas would work for chapters, Summit chapters or youth service clubs. There were many gifts of information, and I had a lot of “ah-ha” moments. We also discussed the possibility of regular emails to all leaders. As member leaders, we sometimes don’t get as much information to make our programs successful. Communication is very important.

What do you think of Make An Impact changes so far?Amy: I love the new website. I can plan my entire year and have it approved early. If I’m unable to follow through with an activity, I can simply cancel it online. The website is very user-friendly. I also really appreciate that I can do multiple activities in one month and no activities in other months – and it doesn’t affect premier status. Marian: Change is always difficult but Make An Impact streamlines and simplifies the planning and reporting processes. And I really like the focus on volunteer opportunities.

Youth service club leader Amy Bergman of Georgia listens to Fraternal Director Jill Weaver during the third Fraternal Exchange at the home office June 13-14. The Fraternal Department hosts the Fraternal Exchange each year to gain inspiration and feedback on fraternal improvements.

Summit chapter activities coordinator Marian Crow shares ideas during the Fraternal Exchange June 13-14. Volunteer leaders met with Modern Woodmen financial representatives and managers from across the country to discuss the Make An Impact initiative.

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