Hi All,
I hope that everyone has had a safe and enjoyable summer. I also hope that everyone is aware that Sons of Norway is entering into a partnership with BetterLife.
The International Board held an all-member meeting via zoom to announce the new partnership. They have put some information on their website. After attending the all-member meeting, the members of the Third District Board sent a list of questions to the International Board of Directors in May. We recently received answers to some of our questions. The questions and answers are posted on the Third District website..
I am very excited about the new partnership. As it was explained at our convention, Sons of Norway was in financial trouble, and this partnership will allow us to continue as Sons of Norway lodges.
We don’t have all the details yet, but we do know that the Sons of Norway Bylaws will no longer be what guides us. We will be governed by the BetterLife Bylaws and the Sons of Norway policies and procedures which are in the process of being rewritten.
I have appointed a committee to review the Third District Bylaws and the Third District Policies and Procedures and to recommend any changes needed to be in line with BetterLife’s Bylaws and the new Sons of Norway policies and procedures. Changes to the Bylaws will then go to the delegates of the 2026 convention for approval. Changes to the policies and procedures will go to the Third District Board for approval. I will share any new information in my future President’s Messages.
Many good and interesting things took place at our 2026 Third District Convention. I would like to highlight a few that will most affect the local lodges.
First, my congratulations to the new Third District Board:
President Stephen – Helmold from Norden Lodge.
Vice-President – Katie Brink from Hampton Roads Lodge.
Secretary – Karen Olsen-Helmold from Norden Lodge.
Assistant Secretary – Karen Lima from Troll Lodge.
Treasurer – Diana Syvertsen from Noreg Lodge.
Charitable Trust Director – Peter Hanson from Norumbega Lodge.
Cultural Director – Cherri Johnson from Bla Fjell Lodge.
Publicity Director – William (Bill) Browning from Norskevenner Lodge.
Zone 1 Director – Leif Easterson from Loyal Lodge
Assistant Zone 1 Directors – Elaine Breiland from Lodge Brooklyn and Susan Olson from Loyal Lodge.
Zone 3 Director – Paul Kornbrekke from Nansen Lodge
Assistant Zone 3 Director – Barbara Bensen from Noreg Lodge.
Zone 4 Director – Kaare Hansen from Norrona Lodge.
Assistant Zone 4 Director – Gregory Lima from Troll Lodge.
Zone 5 Director – Christine Taylor from Tampa Bay Lodge.
Zone 6 Director – Linda Hestvik from Washington Lodge.
Assistant Zone 6 Director – Marie Hansen from Washington Lodge.
Zone 7 Director – Dirk Hanson, from Southern Star Lodge.
Assistant Zone 7 Directors a- Don Watrud from Norge Norsemen/Hampton Roads and Robert Longworth from Hampton Roads.
The delegates passed the merger of Zone 2 into Zone 4. This was necessary because a number of Zone 2 lodges have disbanded or merged into other lodges leaving only two lodges remaining in Zone 2.
Also passed was the ability of the District Lodge to suspend term limits for the Third District Offices.
We passed a resolution to request that the International Lodge be reconstituted and there be an International Lodge meeting.
The delegates also passed a resolution to investigate other Scandinavian organizations and the possibility of forming our own fraternal organization just in case the partnership with BetterLife does not work out. This is only an investigation, and nothing will be done without a vote of the District Lodge (the delegates) at a future date. In my four years as president, as I visited lodges or held programs on zoom with members from lodges throughout the district, this idea was raised many times. If anyone in your lodge is interested in serving on the committee, please have them contact me.
The Third District Board and its committees announced a few programs in which I hope that all of our lodges will participate.
Recruitment and Retention Contest – To entice lodges to recruit new members and offer programs that will help to retain members, the Third District is holding a recruitment and retention contest. The contest will run from June 2026 through May 2027. There will be 3 categories for which prizes will be awarded. Details are available on the Third District Website.
Newsletter Contest – We are bringing back the Third District Newsletter contest. Information along with a sample scoring sheet had been sent to all lodge editors from District Secretary Karen Olsen-Helmold. Information about the contest and a sample scoring sheet are also available on the Third District website.
The Toolbox is available on the Third District website. Revitalization Committee Chairperson, Christine Taylor, has been hard at work to get lots of ideas to help make your meetings fun and interesting. She has gathered (and continues to gather) programs, skits and events that were successfully done at local lodges and put them in our toolbox for all to share.
The Third District also announced the Lodge Assistance Program. Since we no longer get Fraternal Funds from the home office, the Board wanted to do something to help those lodges with limited funds. Lodge presidents and secretaries have gotten information from District Secretary, Karen Olsen-Helmold. The request form is available on the Third District Website.
This is only a small part of what took place during the convention.
The next convention will be June 4th to 7th in Riverhead, Long Island, NY. I hope every lodge will be represented.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me either by phone or email.
Fraternally,
Stepen Helmold
District 3 President