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

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To qualify:

• Your chapter/club must earn premier status in 2020.

• The chapter/club must hold at least two activities in support of Together for Good.

• The activities must be from two different activity categories (one service project and one social activity, for example).

• The activity requests must clearly indicate the projects are part of the Together for Good campaign.

Once you meet the qualifications, complete the online request form. The Fraternal Department will send the form in the fall, once the premier-earning period has ended. The first 200 leaders who submit the request are guaranteed to receive the reward.

Note: You can only request/receive one shirt, regardless of how many chapters/clubs you lead. Review the campaign details and access available resources at imakeanimpact.org > Training

Materials. (Click on the Together for Good logo.) Refer to the COVID-19 page to review guidelines for activities you can do at this time.

Activity update

Rules expanded for Together for Good campaign

HOW WILL YOU COME TOGETHER FOR GOOD?

Even though we’re physically separating ourselves, we can still come together for good to support people with disabilities in our communi-ties. And now the Fraternal Department has expanded this yearlong campaign to also include people impacted by COVID-19.

Maybe you and your members want to focus on supporting people with disabilities. Maybe you’d rather help those affected by COVID-19. Or maybe the two causes come together for one project. It’s your choice.

Your reward Yes, there’s more than just the great feeling that comes from helping others! You could also receive a Modern Woodmen apparel item when you support the Together for Good campaign. Or, choose to make a monetary donation of equal value to a local cause.

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

Find us on:

@ModernWoodmen

Modern Woodmen fraternal leaders

@ModernWoodmen

@ModernWoodmen

@ModernWoodmen1883

Take careThese days, conversations with fraternal leaders about service projects sometimes lead to this question: “Why can’t my chapter (or club) do if we promise to do ?”

It’s a good question to ask, but a tough ques-tion to answer. What I can tell you is this: The

health and safety of you and all of our members comes first in every decision we make in the Fraternal Department and at Modern Woodmen. At the end of the day, I believe if we take care of people first, the rest will take care of itself.

As you plan a service project to help someone in your community or a local organization hurting because of COVID-19, continue to take care of your people first – your family, your members and your community. But most importantly, take care of you. That’s what we want for you.

Embrace social distancing as you organize ser-vice projects and invite members to participate. Who would have thought that a parade of cars driving past a house to wish someone “happy birthday” or “congratulations, graduate” would become a trend?

Even with social distancing, you can make a huge impact!

Take care,

Get to know …Britney HolstHow are you managing working from home?I thought it would be a lot easier than it actually is! I’ve never been too much of a homebody, and now I have two additional “jobs” to do during the day: teacher and mom! My husband is a restaurant manager. My girls, 2 and 6, are getting a little stir-crazy, so we get outside in the evenings as much as we can!

What keeps you motivated?Good music and podcasts. I listen to all music genres, from Elvis and Queen to Broadway musicals and movie soundtracks. I like that I can freely sing along at home and not bother anyone! My favorite podcast is “Office Ladies,” which breaks down episodes of my favorite show, “The Office.”

Share something that’s touched your heart.My 6-year-old and I have been sharing our “sweet and sours” during the week. She says her sweets are always about spending more time with us. (How is she not tired of that already?!) She never has any sours. She’s teach-ing me to be more positive.

Jill Lain WeaverChief Fraternal Officer

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

Quick tips: • Make it easy for members to participate by providing written or video instructions. Consider

doing a Facebook Live event to demonstrate how to create the items. (See instructions at right.)

• Ask members to sign up to make the needed items. The chapter or youth service club could purchase some of the supplies, if needed.

• Use curbside pickup if the recipient offers that or identify a drop-off location for members to use. If appropriate, use Modern Woodmen “donated by” stickers. You can order them in the Supplies area of imakeanimpact.org.

3 ways to come together for good while social distancing

Facebook Live how-to guide

1. Promote your Facebook Live event before and after you go live.

2. Look at your “Insights” tool to find out when most of your members are engaged with your closed group page. Plan to go live sometime during that time slot.

3. Go to your closed group page.

4. Click the “Live” icon (located under the “Write something …” text box).

5. Make your video engaging!

• Find a good spot to go live – maybe outside or in an inviting spot in your home.

• Consider having props to help explain things you’ll be talking about (photos, sample items, etc.).

• Be sure to face a window so viewers can easily see you.

• Use horizontal view; it looks better.

6. Be spontaneous, but have a plan. Be respectful of members’ time, and don’t ramble aimlessly.

• Make a list of your talking points. Have it in hand just in case you draw a blank while you’re live.

• Don’t be afraid to do a practice run if you think you need one.

7. Encourage members to respond during the live video with comments, questions and emojis.

8. Don’t just hit the “Finish” button when you’re done speaking. Be sure to:

• Thank viewers for watching.

• End with a call to action (something you’d like them to do as a result of watching the live video), a word of encouragement or another memorable takeaway.

• Then say goodbye!

Get more tips for your closed Facebook group by visiting the COVID-19 page on imakeanimpact.org.

1. Make face coverings for nursing home residents, a center for people with disabilities, front-line workers, etc. (Or collect materials needed to make face coverings and donate them.)

3. Make decorative picture frames and donate them to a local high school to distribute to graduating seniors. Use school colors and write “Class of 2020 memories” or another message on the frame.

2. Make weighted blankets or sensory bins for children with autism and sensory sensitivities. Donate to a local organization that serves children with emotional or mental disabilities.

f o l l o w t h e L E A D E R S

Members of Youth Service Club 9033-1 in Janesville, Wisconsin, are making cards and hearts for nursing home residents to brighten their day. Maurine Braun, the youth club leader, is mailing postcards to spread the word about the activity. She will then deliver packets to participating members with instructions and a pickup date.

Tip! You can order postcards in the Supplies area of imakeanimpact.org. Or use the fillable activity flyer, which you can download from the COVID-19 page in the Training section.

Cards for the elderlyYouth service club 9033-1Janesville, Wisconsin

Steal these ideas and make them yours!

Members of Chapter 4625, led by Janet Kuper in Malden, Missouri, made care bags for students at St. Joseph School for the Deaf. Members gathered items for the students on their own and then delivered them to Janet to send to the school.

Tip! Reach out to a local organization to see if members can help with a challenge they’re currently facing – maybe through a donation drive.

Care bags for deaf studentsChapter 4625Malden, Missouri

Chapter 15063 and Summit Chapter 18116, led by Randy Miller in La Quinta, California, donated funds for the COVID-19 Relief Program to CREATE Center for Arts. The art center is using their talents to create masks for front-line workers.

Tip! Check with your local art centers to see if they’re doing anything similar, and ask how you and your members could help from a distance. You could also hold a Matching Fund project to raise money for local organizations making face coverings and other personal protective equipment for medical personnel.

Funds for face coveringsChapter 15063 and Summit Chapter 18116La Quinta, California

Get Crowdsourcing Tips & Tools for your Matching Fund project and learn more about the fraternal activities you and members could be doing right now. Visit the COVID-19 page in the Training section of imakeanimpact.org. You’ll find many helpful resources, including the COVID-19 & Fraternal Activities Training Module.

LEARN MORE

Photos courtesy of the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Leaders closed Facebook group.

F a c e b o o k S P O T L I G H T

In case you missed itHighlights from the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Leaders closed Facebook group

A: Yes, store/grocery pickup is OK during this time. Safety is the top priority. While we normally encourage you to shop together with your members, that’s not allowed under our current guidelines. We encourage you to do what allows you to meet these guidelines and any additional policies currently in place in your state/community.

Can we shop via pickup rather than in person?