If you have been reading our newspaper or perusing our website, you have likely seen a lot of references to our Convention. In just a few weeks, the Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann will be holding its 47th Convention. Amongst other defining factors, fraternal benefit societies have a representative form of government and operate under a lodge system. We have 136 lodges across the state representing the members of their individual lodges and all of our lodges together form what is known as the Grand Lodge. When the Grand Lodge convenes, delegates represent the total membership. Delegates are chosen from among active lodge members and each lodge receives an allotment of delegates based on the number of adult members. The Convention delegates represent less than half a percent of our total membership, which means that their involvement and vote at the Grand Lodge Convention has a very large impact.
Of all the fraternal benefit societies in the same asset class as Hermann Sons, 62 percent hold a convention every four years (2015 Fraternal Governance Survey Results and Best Practices Report, American Fraternal Alliance). So what are the others doing? Some hold a convention every one, two or three years and there are others that handle typical convention business by mail-in ballots. Due to the expense and level of coordination required, holding a convention every four years or through other methods is most popular and growing in popularity.
Because of the large expense and level of coordination required, it is that much more critical to make the time and energy spent at Convention valuable.
Some of the ways we provide value at Convention include:
- Taking care of the business of our organization
Some of the business will include voting on proposed law changes and electing board members if the law changes are approved. Electing a Board of Directors is a very important duty because the Board of Directors is able to make decisions for our organization in between Grand Lodge Conventions. This is very necessary due to the amount of time between Conventions. They also are responsible for strategic planning and fiduciary oversight.
- Expanding member voice and member choice
For the first time ever, delegates can choose committee meetings to attend rather than being assigned to only one. Delegates will be able to select up to three open committee meetings to attend but will only be required to attend one. Open committee meeting options include the Grand President/CEO, Grand Finance Committee, Ritual Committee, Grand Vice President-Secretary/Treasurer, Grand Vice President-Investments, Grand Vice President-Marketing, Grand Vice President-Fraternal, Grand Committee, Youth Activities Committee and Retirement Home Committee. The opportunity for selection in committee meetings is the member choice element and the increased level of participation in these meetings is the expansion of member voice.
Delegates will hear the reports from all of these committee meetings and more when the Convention reconvenes.
- Offering educational sessions
We are pleased to introduce “Coffee and Conversations” two mornings. These are sessions where delegates and guests can grab a cup of coffee and then go to a session room hosting a topic of interest to them. Topics include Gatherings across Generations, Questions and Answers, Empowering Lodge Coordinators, Using Technology to Streamline Lodge Processes and Getting Involved in Committees.
As you can see, many of the topics are meant to benefit the lodges that delegates are representing.
- Increasing ambassador engagement
Delegates are major ambassadors for our organization. They are charged with understanding all information presented before and during the Convention and making the decisions that are in the best interest of all members. By increasing the opportunity for ambassadors to take part in more committee meetings, get involved in education sessions and take part in fun fraternal activities, delegates are more meaningfully engaged as ambassadors of our organization.
- Bringing in more members
Loyal ambassadors are some of our best advocates and recommenders. Convention is a fitting time for us to celebrate our organization and promote involving more individuals. Each delegate is asked to bring a quality member referral so that agents may contact these individuals about joining our organization.
- Joining together in support of a cause to benefit our communities
At the heart of our existence, we believe in strengthening community. As a representative body of Hermann Sons, coming together in support of a cause strengthens our bond to each other and to our purpose.
This year, we are joining hands together to raise funds to sponsor children to attend the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons-Camp. The Camp session is for members and non-members ages 6 to 17 who have lost a loved one. Volunteer program staff and licensed therapists will come together to create a special stay for these campers. Anyone who knows a child who has lost a loved one knows the need and the value of such an important endeavor. I am especially looking forward to hearing from Leslie Wood of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas during the Convention Banquet about the significance of this project.
Even if you’re not attending the Convention, we encourage you to get involved with this important cause by making a donation online.
- Sharing in the spirit of fraternalism
Research has shown that the words “fraternal” and “fraternalism” are not widely understood, but the delegates and guests to our Convention are a group of dedicated people who understand and practice fraternalism on a regular basis. There are activities each evening geared towards celebrating fraternalism and sharing together.
During the evenings there will be time for fraternalists from all over the state to socialize and enjoy entertainment. And, of course, we will be sharing great food, too!
For all of the Convention first-timers or even for past participants who want to hear about ways to get the most out of their Convention, a First-timer Orientation is being held the first evening. As Engagement Director and a first-timer to our Convention four years ago, I have the privilege of leading that session, so I am hoping there will be a good turnout and that participants will find all of the information that will be packed into the 30-minute time slot to be of value.
I am a delegate representing my lodge and at our last lodge meeting, all of our delegates got together to make sure we would have good coverage across the Convention. We divided up for each Coffee & Conversation session and each open committee meeting. Like all members, I’m exceptionally proud to be a member of my lodge, and taking the time to make sure our lodge would get the most out of the Convention made me even prouder.
Information about our Convention will be shared in the June edition of Hermann Sons Life and delegates should be reporting back to their lodges about what happened and what they learned at the Convention.