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We are not a secret society but a private club. You must be invited and sponsored by a current member in good standing to join the Loyal Order of Moose. Downers Grove Lodge 1535. First years dues are $65 and application fee is $20.

Only new or re-enrolled applicants for the Loyal Order of Moose or the Women of the Moose may be processed through the electronic application at this time. The Moose Legion application may be added at a future date, but is not available now. Reinstatements may not be made electronically.

General Laws: Chapter 28 – Membership
Sec. 28.1 – Qualifications of Membership – Members of The Moose shall be a member of a Lodge.
To qualify for membership in a Lodge, an applicant must:

1. Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.
2. Not be a member of a terrorist group or recognized subversive organization.
3. Not be a registered sex offender or convicted felon, unless the conviction has been expunged, the conviction has been vacated by an unconditional pardon or a dispensation waiving this requirement has been obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer.
4. Be of good moral character and capable of understanding the obligation of membership.
5. Profess a belief in a Supreme Being.
6. Have not been expelled from any Lodge, unless a special dispensation has been granted in accordance with the laws of the Order.
7. Not currently suspended from membership in any Lodge.
8. Not having had an original application for membership rejected in any Lodge.
   Sec. 28.2 – Application for Lodge Membership – Each person applying for membership in a Lodge must be sponsored by another active member. An active member of the Lodge to which the applicant is making application must also endorse the applicant. An applicant must properly complete and sign an official membership application on the form provided by Moose International, as authorized by the Moose International, Inc. Board of Directors.
   Both the sponsor and endorser must sign the application. The completed application will be a part of the condition of membership between the member and the Lodge.
   The answers within the application shall be warranties, and if any answer is materially false, incomplete or incorrect, it may cause forfeiture of all rights and privileges as a member of The Moose, unless a special dispensation is granted by the Chief Compliance Officer (i.e., prior felony conviction or registered sex offender). If any applicant is elected or enrolled into any Lodge in violation of this section, they shall be dropped from the rolls of the Lodge, subject to the right of appeal as set out in Section 60.1. Convicted felons and registered sex offenders not receiving a special dispensation to retain their membership shall be expelled.

Chapter 32 – Transfers
Sec. 32.1 – Issuance of a Request for Transfer – Requests for transfers will be completed by the Administrator of the receiving Lodge. The Administrator must receive a completed application and the transfer fee of $20.00. This amount will be deposited by the Administrator of the receiving Lodge. There shall be no transfer fees for members transferring out of General Assembly into any Lodge. The transferring member’s current Lodge shall be notified and have fourteen (14) calendar days to object to the transfer for the following reasons:

1. The member’s dues expired prior to the date of application for transfer.
2. The member has disciplinary charges pending.
3. The member has fines, lawful obligations or other charges due to the Lodge.
   At the end of the fourteen (14) calendar days, if no objection has been expressed and the receiving Lodge’s Application Review Committee has approved the applicant, the Lodge shall vote on the transfer at the next regular Lodge meeting. If found favorable, the member shall immediately become a member of the receiving Lodge. The Administrator shall notify the former Lodge of the acceptance. The former Lodge will forward all membership records and pertinent documents and retain a copy for their files. The receiving Administrator shall notify Moose International of the transfer to maintain the member’s original enrollment date.

During the 132nd Meeting of the Supreme Lodge, delegates voted favorably to pass a set of General Law Amendments that would essentially create a new and unified Moose membership where all members, male and female, would have equal opportunities, rights and privileges within the Lodge. Nearly, 77% of the delegates voted in favor of moving to a unified Moose membership, easily surpassing the 67% majority necessary for adoption.

For a brief rundown, check out the FAQ below.

The changes are scheduled to go into effect on May 1, 2021 and will impact the membership in the following ways:

For the Supreme Lodge:

• The “Supreme Lodge” and any references to “the Order” will now be referred to as “The Moose.”
• There will be individual title changes for what was previously referred to as the “Supreme Council;” now the Board of Directors. Women will be allowed to serve on the Board beginning May 1, 2021, however, no terminology change will be necessary to make this happen.
• The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than nine (9) or more than thirteen (13) members, including the following five (5) officers, who shall serve on the Moose International, Inc. Board of Directors during the terms of their respective offices: The Chief Executive Officer (Director General); the Junior Past Chairman of the Board of Directors (Jr. Past Supreme Governor); the Chairman of the Board of Directors (Supreme Governor); the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors (Supreme Jr. Governor); and a Director/Chaplain (Prelate).
• “The Moose” shall be composed of Past Chairmen of the Board of Directors; members of the Moose International, Inc. Board of Directors; officers of The Moose; committeemen of The Moose; Past Lodge Presidents; Past Senior Regents (having received the honor prior to May 1, 2021); and representatives of the member Lodges. Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote, and except as otherwise defined herein, the majority shall rule.
• No changes at this time to the men’s or women’s higher degrees.

For Associations:

• The ability to incorporate chapters into an Association is no longer applicable as this function is no longer needed in the “One Moose” Lodge structure. All Moose Lodges (as well as the entirety of their membership) will automatically be members of their local Associations.

For the Lodge:

• Women will become members of the Lodge automatically on May 1, 2021.  Women may become elected to the Board of Officers beginning May 1, 2022; however, qualified women may be eligible or appointed to open positions on the Board or to committees beginning May 1, 2021.
• Individual title changes will occur for the lodge officers, including “President” for Governor; “Vice President” for Junior Governor; “Chaplain” for Prelate and “Past Lodge President” for Past Lodge Governor.  Any member, man or woman, may serve in the new positions as long as they are a member of either the Moose Legion or the newly structured Women of the Moose, or join within 60 days,
• All previous honors will transition seamlessly to the new integrated Moose. i.e. Any member receiving the honor of Past Lodge Governor shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of any Past Lodge President of The Moose.
• The revised Laws for Moose Social Quarters and Homes (Section IV) eliminates the House Committee; those duties will now be performed by the Lodge’s Board of Officers.
• An Executive Session has been added to every Board of Officer’s meeting, if necessary, to discuss confidential topics (i.e. personnel matters, legal matters, etc.), including issues previously handled by the House Committee.
• The minimum proposed dues amount for the Lodge will be $38, although Lodges have the option to set higher dues amounts.

For the Chapter:

• The Women of the Moose will be structured similarly as the Moose Legion; as an affiliated unit of the new Moose lodge.
• The WOTM will maintain all honors, charitable focus, lower dues and influence.
• Chapters will retain their current assets, without turning monies over to the Lodge.
• The minimum proposed dues amount for the chapter is $15, although Chapter dues are waived for the first three years of the transition to the One Moose lodge structure.
• Stand Alone Chapters will need to be chartered as a new Moose Lodge although the current WOTM Chapter will still exist.
• Similar to the Moose Legion, women have the option of joining the Lodge without having to join the Chapter.

1. What is the One Moose concept?
   With full support of the Loyal Order of Moose Supreme Council and the Women of the Moose Grand Council, we have created a new and unified Moose membership. In this new “One Moose” Lodge, women and men have equal membership rights, privileges, opportunities and a vote in Lodge business and activities. All active Loyal Order of Moose and Women of the Moose members will become members in the new Moose Lodge, governed by a new set of General Laws, on May 1, 2021.
2. When was the General Law Amendment Vote taken and where can I find the approved changes? The proposed Amendments were approved during the 132nd Virtual International Moose Convention on Friday, June 26, 2020 by 77% of the registered delegates. The General Laws Amendments are posted on http://www.mooseintl.org and will take effect on May 1, 2021.
3. What will happen with the Higher Degrees (i.e. Moose Legion, Fellowship, Pilgrim, Academy of Friendship, Star Recorder and College of Regents)? We may adjust requirement criteria for advancing to the Moose Legion, however, for the Fellowship Degree and Pilgrim Degree there are no changes being recommended. Academy of Friendship, Star Recorder and College of Regents degree also remain essentially the same, with the potential for change as determined by the Grand Council of the WOTM. To attain or maintain a higher degree membership will be contingent upon maintaining current basic memberships in active status. For the men that means both an active lodge and Moose Legion membership. For the women that means both an active lodge and chapter membership.
4. Why don’t we create a whole new Higher Degree structure? Our first priority was to unify the men and women into a new Moose membership. As we begin to experience growth and success in carrying out our mission together as One Moose, with the help of our members, we can definitely create new honors and recognition awards.
5. Will the Lodge Board of Officers change?
   Lodge Officer Titles will change, but the responsibilities and duties of the Board of Officers remains the same. For instance the Lodge Governor will be retitled Lodge President and the Lodge Junior Governor will be retitled Lodge Vice President.
   Quorums for meetings remain the same – 5 officers for Lodges with 9 Officers on the Board (3 Trustees) and a quorum of 4 officers for Lodges receiving dispensation to operate with 7 Officers on the Board (1 Trustee)

6. Who can be officers in the new One Moose Lodge?
   Beginning May 1, 2021 any vacant Lodge Officer positions can be filled by a qualified male or female member through a Special Election during a Lodge Membership Meeting. All Lodge Officers must be an active member in a WOTM Chapter or Moose Legion. Any officer vacancy other than the Administrator or President (Governor) on or after November 1st shall be filled by appointment by the President. Again, any active member of the WOTM Chapter or Moose Legion is eligible for appointment to a Lodge Office, but must meet the membership length of service requirement for that specific office (i.e. eligibility for Lodge President requires one year of service in another Officer position).
7. As a Lodge Administrator, what happens to my position on May 1, 2021?
   You will now carry the duties and responsibilities of Lodge Corporate Secretary (i.e. document and retain Lodge Meeting Minutes). Your term as Administrator is defined in Sec. 36.1 of the General Laws as a term of satisfactory service determined by the Board of Officers and lodge, subject to approval by the General Governor. This remains true on May 1, 2021 and going forward.
8. What advantage is there for the Lodge now that the General Law Amendments were passed? Your Lodge automatically gains talented and capable leadership candidates by unifying with the women. Boards of Officers and Committee Chair positions should be filled in every Lodge. Lodge membership increases overnight (i.e. Princeton, IL Lodge No 1339 with 301 members unifies with Princeton, IL Chapter No 1973 with 192 members and on May 1, 2021 now has an active membership of 493 members). Continuing to use Princeton, IL as an example, going forward, those 493 members (excludes Life Members) will all pay the $60 annual dues fee, as will all new or re-enrolled members, male and female, moving forward. Men and women will be working together to meet and exceed annual membership goals for the Lodge. This expands the Lodge reach and influence out into the community and secures the future for Mooseheart and Moosehaven.
9. As a member of the Women of the Moose, on May 1, 2021 will I automatically become a member of my Lodge? Yes, all members, both men and women will become members in the new “One Moose” Lodge. All members (does not apply to members holding a Life Membership in that Lodge) will pay the annual Lodge dues amount on their member anniversary date/month. You will also continue to remain a member of your Chapter.
10. As a woman and now a member of the Lodge on May 1, 2021, what are my Lodge and Chapter dues going to be? For women not holding a Life Membership in a WOTM Chapter prior to May 1, 2021, your dues payment will now be the annual Lodge dues amount and be payable on your membership anniversary date/month. You can find your payment month in the “Paid to” information in the bottom right-hand corner of your current Moose membership card. For all WOTM Chapter members not holding a Life Membership, your Chapter dues are being waived for three years (with paid Lodge membership). The three years start following May 1, 2021 and are again based on the “Paid to” information on your membership card (i.e. Your “Paid to” date is 12/31/2021, so your Chapter dues will need to be paid next by 12/31/2024). The WOTM Grand Council has set the minimum Chapter dues to be $15.00 effective with implementation of the “One Moose” lodge / May 1, 2021 Chapters may increase their dues amount any time following May 1, 2021 by following the WOTM General Laws.
11. What impact does unifying our fraternity have on Life Memberships?
    All WOTM Chapter members holding a Life Membership on or before April 30, 2021 will on and following May 1, 2021 continue as a Life Member in that same Chapter and be granted Life Membership in the new One Moose Lodge. To qualify for this one-time conversion, all WOTM Life Membership payments must be postmarked by April 1, 2021 when mailing to the Moose International Dues Processing Center. All Loyal Order of Moose members holding a Life Membership on or before April 30, 2021 will on and following May 1, 2021 continue as a Life Member in the same Lodge. Moose Legion Life Membership status does not change.
12. What if I paid my WOTM Chapter dues beyond May 1, 2021?
    WOTM Chapter annual dues payments only apply to WOTM Chapter membership. Lodge dues will be billed at the first normal renewal month following May 1, 2021 (i.e. WOTM dues paid to September 30, 2026, then Lodge dues will be billed in September of 2021). Reminder that for three (3) years, beginning May 1, 2021, all Chapter members not holding a Life Membership will receive an additional three (3) years of free WOTM Chapter dues (must maintain an active Lodge membership). In looking at the scenario given above, your WOTM Chapter dues would now expire on September 30, 2029.
13. Are any of the application fees changing or going away?
    The Lodge Application Fee of $20 will remain. Beginning May 1, 2021, there would not be an application fee for new WOTM Chapter members or new Moose Legionnaires.
14. Our Chapter has $5,000 in our bank account, will that money stay with the Chapter or have to be turned over to the Lodge? All Chapter funds on May 1, 2021 and going forward remain with the Chapter. Those funds will not be deposited into the Lodge account.
15. Does our Lodge number change? What about Chapter numbers? All active Lodge numbers as of April 30, 2021 will remain the same on May 1, 2021 and going forward. All active Chapter numbers as of April 30, 2021 will remain the same on May 1, 2021. Stand Alone Chapters will also be assigned a new Lodge number in addition to their current Chapter number.
16. Will our Lodge have to refile our Incorporation paperwork with the State?
    There is no need to refile Incorporation paperwork (i.e. Batavia, IL Lodge No. 682 will continue to do business as Batavia, IL Lodge No. 682).
17. How will becoming One Moose impact our Lodge’s liquor license? There is no impact to your Lodge liquor license.
18. Is the Private Policy going away? No. The Private Pollicy remains in effect and provides for the protection of our tax free status and our Constitutional Rights to Privacy.
19. Can a woman serve on the Supreme Council beginning May 1, 2021?
    Yes, the Supreme Council will be retitled the Moose International Board of Directors and the first female member of this board would be able to be nominated, elected and installed into office during the 2021 International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.
20. Will Chapters operate similarly to Moose Legion jurisdictions? Remember, we are creating a new Moose organizational structure. WOTM Chapters will operate as an associated entity of the Moose Lodge beginning May 1, 2021. The WOTM Chapter is not to be considered an Activity Group of the Lodge or a regular standing committee of the Lodge. The Chapter will continue to promote and celebrate the Higher Degrees of the WOTM, organize Chapter activities and fundraise for Mooseheart, Moosehaven and local community charities.
    All information provided above is subject to change

Comments welcomed. All members and activity groups are invited to send pictures, info, and article’s they would like to see posted to lodge1535@mooseunits.org

The Loyal Order of Moose is a private organization. All activities and events referred to on this Web site and in the Moose newsletter are available to members in good standing and their qualified guests only. This Web site is for informational purposes with proprietary information intended for members only. General information is available to the public at large, but should not be construed to be a solicitation for membership. This Web site is an initiative of Downers Grove, IL. Moose Lodge No. 1535 and is not sanctioned by the Loyal Order of Moose, Moose International or any subsidiary thereof. All logos, trademarks and service marks pertaining to the Loyal Order of Moose and/or its programs or degrees are copyrighted © by Moose International, Inc., Mooseheart, IL.