ImpactLITE

F O R M O D E R N W O O D M E N V O L U N T E E R L E A D E R S

J U N E 1 7 , 2 0 2 0

Great news! Your chapter, Summit chapter or youth service club can host all activity categories beginning July 1. However, there are some key modifications to help keep members safe. Here’s a quick cheat sheet.

Phase III highlights

• Chapters and youth service clubs can host virtual (online) events for all activity categories.

• Social and educational events must be held online only.

• Hometown Hero events don’t have to include a virtual component, but there should be zero contact between members, leaders, heroes, etc. Additionally, you’ll receive a flat funding amount – up to $100 total for chapters and Summit chapters and $50 for youth service clubs.

• Service projects should continue to have no contact between members and only limited contact between members and the fraternal leader.

• Matching Fund projects should continue to have no to minimal contact. Funds can be raised through crowdsourcing, electronic payments or pickup/drop-off methods.

• Postcards are required for all chapter and Summit chapter activities, except service projects. That means activity requests must be submitted at least 28 days in advance of the event. Youth service clubs must use postcards for Matching Fund events.

• Premier status requirements have been revised for 2020.

Learn moreGet specific guidelines for each activity category, activity ideas and more on the COVID-19 page of imakeanimpact.org.

Quick links: • Educational event• Social Activities/Community Day• Service projects• Matching Fund• Hometown Hero • Premier status changes for 2020• Virtual tools training

Even better! Use the interactive training module to learn more about the new guidelines … all in one place! It includes the highlights of phase III, updated activity guidelines with activity ideas, 2020 premier requirements, and information about the approved virtual tools. You can find the Fraternal Guidelines for Phase III Training Module on the COVID-19 page.

Introducing Modern Woodmen’s phase III fraternal response to COVID-19

Activity UPDATE

How long will phase III last?

Phase III starts July 1, but there is no end date yet. The Fraternal Department will continue to monitor the situation and reintroduce activities with more contact when appropriate.

FRATERNAL DEPARTMENT STAFFAbigail BerntgenHelene DeVineCynthia FloresHannah GlaubMelissa GottwaltAnn HeldBritney HolstMelissa MayersTammy MielkeKaren MiznerMartha NelsonAmber NicholsKristen Roberts

IMPACT LITEFocused tips and ideas from Modern Woodmen’s Fraternal Department1701 1st Avenue PO Box 2005Rock Island, IL 61204-2005

800-322-9805imakeanimpact.org

CHIEF FRATERNAL OFFICERJill Lain Weaver

c o n n e c t w i t h S T A F F

Virtual or in person, we can make fraternal lemonade!You know the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That saying is perhaps even more relevant today.

With the announcement of the phase III fraternal response to COVID-19, we’re asking you to connect with local members virtually. We realize getting members to your events just got a little harder to do. But just think, your members are doing the same thing – figuring out how to stay connected to their family and friends during this pandemic. And they’re doing it for one reason – to protect each other from COVID-19, because life is precious.

There’s one thing I know for sure: You know how to make the best of a situation. Whether it’s last-minute changes to an outdoor service project because of rain or more members showing up at a social event than the venue holds, you turn lemons into lemonade. You’re creative. You’re resourceful. You care about our members.

As a life insurance organization, we know how precious life is. And as a fraternal organization, it’s our mission to enhance our members’ quality of life. At this time, the best way to bring members together and to protect their health is through virtual activities.

Like you, all of us in the Fraternal Department eagerly look forward to the day we can lift restrictions and members can attend chapter and club activities like they did before. Until then, thanks for helping us make lemonade for our members.

Get to know …

Ann HeldHow are you adjusting to the changes caused by COVID-19? My loved ones and I have been healthy, and my life hasn’t been affected as others’ lives have been, so I cannot complain at all.

What keeps you motivated during this crazy time? I know I need to be a good steward of my time and “work hard, as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

Share a special quarantine memory.In May, my Summit chapter wrote nearly 500 “thinking of you” cards for nursing home residents. As a fellow fraternal leader, I was thrilled two members said this service project was good for their soul and has motivated them to continue writing encouraging notes.

Jill Lain WeaverChief Fraternal Officer

@ModernWoodmen1883

Find us on:

@ModernWoodmen

Modern Woodmen fraternal leaders (group)

@ModernWoodmen

@ModernWoodmen

a c t i v i t y I D E A S

Social activities … with a virtual twistInvite members to these events using Zoom or Facebook Chat in your chapter or youth service club’s private Facebook group.

1. Virtual breakfast, lunch or dinner party with members. Tip! Ask members to “bring” their meal of choice to the virtual event to enjoy while chatting with you and other members. Consider having conversation starters ready in case there is a lull in the discussion.

2. Virtual trivia night. Tip! Use the Trivia Contest project guide or participate in a virtual trivia event organized by another organization.

3. Virtual bingo event.

4. Virtual fitness class, such as yoga or Zumba.

5. Facebook Watch Party for members in your chapter or youth service club’s closed group.

Note: You must request a Zoom account through the Fraternal Department. Personal accounts are not allowed. See more informa-tion on the next page.

1 2 3

4 5

Get more fraternal activity ideas on the COVID-19 page of imakeanimpact.org. And be sure to check out the updated fraternal digital policy.

A: Members should still be involved in all activities, and attendance still needs to be captured. However, a sign-in sheet is not required. You can upload a typed or handwritten list of members who participated in the activity or use the attendance app.

Get answers to more frequently asked questions on the COVID-19 page of imakeanimpact.org.

How do we track and report attendance if members aren’t coming together?

t o o l s t o U S E

Get started on ZoomRequest an account today!

Want to use Zoom for upcoming activities? First you need a Modern Woodmen fraternal Zoom account.

1. Visit the COVID-19 page in the Training section of imakeanimpact.org.

2. Click the green link at the top of the page to request a Zoom account.

3. Complete the online form, entering: • Your name.

• The numbers of all chapters and youth service clubs you lead.

• Your region number (if known).

• An email address to associate with the Zoom account. - If you already have a Zoom account, use the email

address associated with your current account. It will be linked to the fraternal account. Please note, you may not have access to all features in your current account once it’s under the fraternal account set-tings. You can unlink your Zoom account from the fraternal account at any point.

- If you have a Zoom account but don’t want it associated with the fraternal account, enter a different email address that’s not associated with your current account.

- If you don’t already have a Zoom account, list whatever email address you’d like associated with your new account.

• Your phone number.

4. Submit the completed form.

Please allow up to one week for the Fraternal Department to process your Zoom account. Then look for an email sharing next steps and additional support materials.

Need help training members on digital tools?Send them step-by-step member instructions for Zoom and Facebook. You can find these documents on the COVID-19 page of imakeanimpact.org.

Did you know?Your members don’t need Zoom accounts to attend your virtual meeting. They can join your meeting for free by accessing a link from their computer, phone or tablet.

f o l l o w t h e L E A D E R SSteal these ideas and make them yours!

A chapter in Newnan, Georgia, raised funds for V2 National Asso-ciation of Foster Youth. The money will be used to provide duffle bags filled with personal hygiene items and other essentials for 200 foster youth. Thanks for the idea, Chris Marks!

Chapter 105 in Cartersville, Georgia, helped make graduating high school seniors feel special. The club purchased backpacks for the graduates and stuffed them with positive messages and goodies for their next adventure (books, candy, notepads, pens, etc). Thanks for the idea, Amy Bergman!

Class of 2020 send off

Chapter 7379 in Michigan recently did two projects that tie nicely to the Together for Good campaign!

Chapter members raised and matched funds through the GoFundMe crowdsourcing platform for a child born without an ear. The money will help fund the earicle surgery he will be having this summer.

Members also made 60 fleece blankets and donated them to the pediatric unit of a local hospital. “A great project members can do in their own homes,” says activities coordinator Julie Leighton.

Thanks for the ideas, Julie!

Helping those with disabilities

Youth Service Club 1066-1 in Coldwater, Michigan, showered love on teachers for helping kids grow and bloom. Club members made thank-you cards at home, and leader Amey Elkins-Little purchased flowers to deliver to the teachers. Thanks for the idea, Amey!

Service with a (masked) smile

Matching Fund for foster kids

Find more on Facebook! Join the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Leaders closed Facebook group. Exchange ideas (like those shared below), ask questions, get tips and more!