Dear Lodge Secretaries,
Here’s a Fall update for you. Thank you for the energy and time you give to your lodge and to Sons of Norway.
President’s Corner:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the 2022-2024 Third District Board.
President – Stephen Helmold
Vice President – Diana Syvertsen
Secretary – Karen Olsen-Helmold
Treasurer – Elaine Breiland
Charitable Trust Director – Lloyd Ritter
Cultural Director – Andy Mathisen
Youth Director – Susan Olson
Sports Director – Paul Kornbrekke
Foundation Director – Dirk Hansen
Publicity Director – Asbjorn Lageraaen
Zone 1 Director – Michael Pedersen
Assistant Zone 1 Director – Melissa Pedersen
Zone 2 Director – Peter Hanson
Assistant Zone 2 Director – John Foss
Zone 3 Director – Audun Gythfeldt
Assistant Zone 3 Director – Barbara Bensen
Zone 4 Director – Kaare Hansen
Assistant Zone 4 Director – Julia Nilsen
Zone 5 Director – Christine Taylor
Assistant Zone 5 Director – Harriet McHenry
Zone 6 Director – Jeanne Addison
Assistant Zone 6 Director – Marie Hansen
Zone 7 Director – Bill Browning
Assistant Zone 7 Director – Dirk Hansen
Pictures for the Viking Magazine should be sent to Mary Andersen at
I am looking forward to the next two years working with this dedicated group of members. I am sure I will have lots more news to share after our October Board meeting.
Fraternally,
Stephen Helmold
Location of Forms
Sons of Norway website www.sofn.com
Log In/ Member Resources/ Lodge Leadership Resources/ Administrative Resources/ Lodge Forms or Governance
Third District website www.3dsofn.org
Go to “Download important documents and forms”
Both websites have plenty of other great information, such as the Third District’s TDT (Third District Today). Please acquaint yourself with them.
Lodge Anniversaries
Nor-Bu – Sept. 19,
Bernt Balchen – Sept. 22, 45th
Norge – Oct. 20, 95th
Fraternal Funds – Lodge ZOOM contracts qualify, too- NEW DEADLINE DATE
Think about whether your Lodge would like to apply for Fraternal Funds. These funds are given for lodge cultural activities that have already occurred and are voted upon each time the Executive Committee meets which is at least at the Fall and Spring Third District Board Meetings. The Fraternal Funds form is located on www.3dsofn.org under Documents and Forms. I have also attached an updated copy to this issue of the Third District’s Secretary’s letter. Receipts must accompany the form.
Please note these funds are meant to offset losses. If the event has for which you are requesting funds had a profit you are not eligible for reimbursement.
Items for which Lodges and Zones can request fraternal funds:
Bus trips to cultural events such as the 17th of Mai parade or Scanfest
Zoom contracts
Memorial services
Storage of Viking Ships
Membership drives
Christmas parties
Music or cultural activities at Lodge meetings
This list is given as an example and is not necessarily complete. There limits to the amounts given for various categories. If you are unsure if an event qualifies, send me an e-mail and I will be happy to advise you. Please note these funds are meant to offset losses. If the event has for which you are requesting funds had a profit you are not eligible for reimbursement.
Nominations and Fall Elections
Two years ago, Sons of Norway Headquarters requested that ALL lodges have their biennial elections in November (prior to December 1), so that Lodge Secretaries can complete the D-63 Officer Update Forms with the correct names and contact information of the new officers who begin their term in January.
If this is the election year for your lodge, make sure that your lodge is organizing nominations in September and October. Some lodges have adopted “C0-positions” or committees if it is difficult to fill positions.
Annual D-63 Forms
Sons of Norway requires every lodge secretary to annually complete the D-63 form on www.sofn.com in order to report any change in officer positions or no change. The absolute last day for it is December 31, 2022, but it would greatly help me and Sherry Gorse at headquarters if you can send the names in earlier. It is always wise to double-check the exact spelling and numbers in lodge members’ addresses, emails, and phone numbers prior to completing the form. After you have submitted your form, I will receive a copy from Sons of Norway and that is what I will use to make the annual Third District Directory in January 2023. More information on the directory orders will be coming in the future.
Lodge Officers Must Be in Good Standing
According to Sons of Norway, all lodge officers must pay their current membership dues in order to continue being officers. Check your membership list found on your profile page at the Sons of Norway website.
Paper Lodge Membership Applications Need Correction
On printed paper lodge membership applications there is a section requesting a credit card number. Cross that section out on your forms if your lodge still has some paper applications. It is no longer to be used. The only way that new members can pay their membership dues by credit card is by going to the Sons of Norway website and registering online. This change is being done for credit card security reasons. If a new member or renewing member wants to use a paper application, they must write a check payable to “Sons of Norway”.
More on New membership forms
Please remind members to provide their member number to those they invite to join, so that Sons of Norway can recognize this accomplishment with a certificate and limited-edition 2021 Recruiter Pin. Enrollment forms are available from Sons of Norway headquarters and online. For online form access, first login at sofn.com, then go to Lodge Leadership Resources and continue to Membership Forms. New members of nonvoting lodges may also sign up directly at sofn.com.
Tubfrim
The program continues, but there will be no prize travel vouchers as in the past. The Third District’s Tubfrim Chairperson is Kjell Kittilsen. You can reach him by mail at 871 70th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228 or by phone at 718-680-4684. The Sons of Norway website, www.sofn.com , has information about Tubfrim.
I wish you the best as your Lodges return from the summer break and as we learn to live with Covid.
Fraternally,
Karen Olsen-Helmold
District 3 Secretary.
183 Evergreen Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714
District No. 3 Fraternal Funds Program
Funds are received from the International Lodge Fraternal Program each year and are intended to be used to support cultural, youth, sports programs and Leadership seminars. TO REQUEST THESE FUNDS, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION.
DATE SUBMITTED: EVENT DATE:
NAME LODGE OR ZONE AFFILIATE TELEPHONE/E-MAIL
PURPOSE OF REQUEST
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE EVENT:
EVENT INCOME (sources, if applicable) $
$
$
TOTAL INCOME $
EVENT EXPENSES (i.e.: hall rental, postage, photocopying, etc. Please provide receipts.)
$
$
$
$
TOTAL EXPENSES $
CONTACT PERSON Telephone:
E-MAIL:
If approved: Check payable to: Address: Mail completed form to:
Karen Olsen-Helmold
183 Evergreen Ave
Bethpage, NY 11714
DATE REC’D FORM FF#
Revised 8/22