4/10/2023 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

“Going away party for Reynalda McKinney”

Longtime members and Past Deputy Grand Regent, Reynalda McKinney will be moving out of State.

Montpelier Lodge #312 will be hosting a “Going away Party” for Reynalda.  See details below.

All are invited to attend!

When: April 30 2023

Where: Montpelier Lodge #312

115 N. Airport Road

Montpelier, OH 43543

Time:     2 – 5 PM

Fraternally,

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

2/21/2023 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To: All Ohio Lodges

This email is a reminder that beginning with the quarter ending 1-31-2023, OSMA Association dues will be emailed to all lodges.

At this time…it will still be necessary to issue a check for payment of Association Dues.

I am currently working to set up an account to receive both credit card payments as well as ACH payments.

This will be communicated to the lodges when this becomes available.

Fraternally,

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

1/24/2023 - OSMA Official Communication from State Treasurer, Bill Hesselschwardt 

Brothers and Sisters

As you know, our Ohio State Moose Association Secretary, John R. Sipes will become Chairman of the Board of Moose International this year. This is quite an honor for all Moose lodges in the state of Ohio. Along with this honor comes the responsibility to fund Brother John’s expenses as he performs the duties of this prestigious office. 

To raise funds, the Executive Board of the OSMA has approved the sale of cases of authentic casino-played playing cards at the Mid-year Conference on February 9th through February 12th. Look for the display table at the conference. Used by all the best Nevada casinos, these are the finest playing cards made, and the cost is only $1.39 per deck for Ohio State Moose Association member lodges when purchased in a box of 18 decks for just $25. This is a win-win opportunity for each lodge in our association. The very same deck of cards sells for $6.00 or more per deck on Amazon.com so, as you can clearly see, delivering inexpensive quality playing cards to your lodge’s social quarters and providing the needed funding for our Chairman of the Board truly is a win-win situation.

There will be just 100 boxes available for purchase at the Conference at the price of $25. If these boxes sell out, boxes may be ordered at the $25 cost plus an additional shipping charge of $5 per box. As an incentive to purchase on site (and for a little fun), you will have the opportunity to cut the deck against the dealer for an added savings of $2.00 per box purchased. If you come with a pre-written check, we will pay your winnings in cash. Make checks out to “OSMA” and earmark “John R. Sipes COB”.

If you plan to purchase more than three 18-deck boxes of the playing cards at the Conference, or if you want more information on the project, please phone or text me at (419) 783-7833 or reach out by email at <wjhessetc@gmail.com>.

Thanks, and I hope to see you at the Ohio State Moose Association Mid-Year Conference,

Bill Hesselschwardt, OSMA Treasurer

wjhessetc@gmail.com

1/5/2023 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To all Districts and State Board Members,

The Mid Year Conference will soon be upon us being held February 8 – 12, 2023.

If you have not registered for the Conference…please go to the Conferences & Conventions page to find the registration information.

One of the high lights of the Mid Year Conference is the “Friendliest District in Town” competition for our District Hospitality rooms.

This is great fun and our Districts always come up with fun and entertaining ideas for this event!

Please CLICK HERE for the theme of this year’s contest!

Which District will be able to claim the “Friendliest District in Town” plaque for the Mid Year Conference?

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Ohio State Moose Association 2023 Mid Year Conference!!

Fraternally,

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

12/21/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

All Lodges and Chapters,

Greg Muter, Int’l Heart of the Community Chairman along with Mike Day and Jack Davis, O.S.M.A. Heart of the Community Chairmen have announced the project for our Mid-Year Convention.

Please see the Committee’s announcement below:

Good Afternoon Ohio Moose Members

This year for our HOC project we will be doing Children’s Hunger Alliance again since the response was so great.  Your donations have helped lower the ratio of children in food-insecure households.  I believe if we do this again it will help even more then in last August.  This is something that means a lot to me as well as so many others.  So often I am hearing about kids being hungry and not knowing if or when they will eat.  Here is the HOC project for our convention:

Donation to Children Hunger Alliance.  Children’s Hunger Alliance - Ohio (childrenshungeralliance.org)

Over 400,000 Children across Ohio live in Food-Insecure households.  That means 1 in 5 children are unsure of where their next meal is coming from.  This is down from last Aug when I announced 700,000 kids which was 1 in 4 children.

Children’s Hunger Alliance partners with family child care providers, daycare centers, school districts and afterschool and summer nutrition programs to help provide healthy meals and snacks for children in their care, as well as nutrition and physical education to children and their families.

Children’s Hunger Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and equal opportunity provider. 

Checks should be made out to:

Children’s Hunger Alliance

Greg Muter, Chairman, Moose International Heart of the Community

Please have all donation checks brought to the Mid Year Conference.

If you prefer to donate directly to the charity…please submit to:

Children’s Hunger Alliance

c/o Cindi Marshall

1205 Schrock Rd. Suite 505

Columbus, OH 43229

Thanks!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

11/15/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State President, Dan Prouty

Subject: Check Washing

A Moose Legion Jurisdiction in Ohio was the victim of the “Check Washing Scam” for over $15,000.00.  Please click on the link below for more information on how to reduce your risk from being a victim.

Check Washing: What is it? :: Financial Literature | Iron Bank

10/31/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Technical Advisor, Jon Kunze

Greetings OSMA State Board Members,

We've noticed another round of Spam messages being sent posing as our OSMA State Board Members, so I wanted to once again remind all members to examine emails you receive closely before taking any action that is requested.

Many of you received the email shown. I too received this email, but luckily my spam filter caught it before it reached my inbox. As you can see, the email appears to come from our State President Dan Prouty. However, if you look closer you'll see that the email address that sent the email doesn't match any email address I've ever known Dan to use, confirming that it is indeed fraudulent.

As a reminder, the best way to ensure that an email is legit is to contact the person who appeared to send it by telephone and ask them about it.

Stay vigilant against scams/spam, and I hope to see everyone at our next State Board Meeting and Christmas Party!

Jon Kunze

President - Bellefontaine Moose Lodge 2563

President - Miami Valley Moose Legion 103

Chaplain - Ohio State Moose Association - District 3

Technical Advisor - Ohio State Moose Association

10/27/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

ALL STATE BOARD MEMBERS:

The Moose International Membership Department will be sponsoring 2 Fall Membership Workshops.  There will be a workshop in each of the Territories in Ohio.  Both of these workshops will take place on November 19, 2022.  All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Please see the details of each Workshop below:

Territory 14

                November 19, 2022    (10:00 A.M.)

                Indian Lake Moose Lodge 1533

                                11044 Lake Street

                                Lakeview, OH 43331

If attending the Territory 14 workshop…please RSVP to Territory Manager Steve Hummel

                                shummel@mooseintl.org or 937-304-7109

Territory 12

                November 19, 2022   (1:00 P.M.)

                Cuyahoga Falls Moose Lodge 918

                                14444 State Road

                                Peninsula, OH 44264     

If attending the Territory 12 workshop…please RSVP to Territory Manager Bill Rader

                                brader@mooseintl.org or 330-983-6145

This would be an excellent opportunity to have any questions you have to be answered!

Thanks!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

10/24/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To All State Board members:

State President, Dan Prouty,  just spoke with Denise White from the Licensing department of the Ohio Attorney General.  He asked her if the “Instant Bingo Fundraising Contract with Veteran’s, Fraternal, or Sporting Organizations” will be changed for 2023.  She replied that “she was not aware of any changes but they are requiring all contracts to be no longer than one year.”

Thanks!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

10/19/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To All:

The Higher Degree Banquet for the Ohio State Moose Association has been cancelled.

This cancellation is the result of “lack of participation” in this event.

Should you have any questions about this cancellation…please contact John Pickens or Mike Humble.

Thanks!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

09/26/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

Attention all Lodges:

Greg Muter, Chairman of the International Heart of the Community Committee has requested the following information.

If any lodge sponsors a Boy Scout Troop and holds a Charter for the Boy Scouts of America…please contact Greg Muter to let him know.

Please email Greg at gmuter87@yahoo.com

Thank you for your cooperation in this request!!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

09/21/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Jim Witker, OSMA Lifetime Achievement Chairman

Deadline for the Lifetime Achievement Award is Oct 15, 2022

Please complete the attached forms and return to me:

legion30@mooseunits.org

Jim Witker

2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Submission Guidelines

2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form

State Board members & OSMA Lodges,

 OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

Founder’s Day Activities at Mooseheart will take place on October 21 – 23, 2022.

This event is Co-sponsored by the Ohio State Moose Association and the Michigan Moose Association.

There will be pizza party on Friday evening…Founder’s Day Service in the House of God on Saturday morning as well as campus tours.

If you have never been to Mooseheart (our Child City)…this would be a perfect time to visit the campus with your fellow members from Ohio.

We have made arrangements for special pricing at the following hotel:

Holiday Inn Aurora North

2424 W. Sullivan Rd.

Aurora, IL 60506

Room types available:

One king bed                     $99.00 (plus tax)

Two Queen beds             $99.00 (plus tax)

Handicap-King                   $99.00 (plus tax)

Handicap-Queen              $99.00 (plus tax)

The above rates are “per night” rates.

Please make your reservations by September 30, 2022.

Hope to see you at Mooseheart!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

08/31/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Jim Monroe, OSMA Membership Chairman, Click Here

08/01/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To All Convention Attendees:

The 94th Annual Convention of the Ohio State Moose Association is right around the corner!

I want to thank all of those who have pre-registered on line for the convention!  We have had a great “On Line” registration effort!

The “On Line” “Pre-Registration” will need to be shut off on Friday, August 5th, 2022 at 9:00 PM to allow the Convention Registration Committee sufficient time to compile all the registrations.

For anyone who has not Pre-registered on line and will not be able to do so…there will be “On Site” registration available when you arrive in Independence.  The “On Site” registration will have a $35.00 fee.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our 94th Annual Convention!

Wishing you safe travels!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

07/20/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Territory 12 Manager, Bill Rader, PSP 

First Electronic Instant Bingo Quarterly Reports Due August 31, 2022. Notice by Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General

07/15/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP, Annual Convention Agenda

Good morning everyone!

Please find attached the “Agenda” for our upcoming 94th Annual Convention of the Ohio State Moose Association.

If your report involves a “Video” or a “Workshop”…and you need further information about either…please contact Association Liaison Steve Hummel.

If you are a District President and have any questions…please contact State Vice President Dan Prouty.

If you are a Chairman or program Coordinator…please contact State President Cliff Ranier or any member of the Executive Committee.

The contact information for anyone on the State Board or your Moose International Representative can be found on the Ohio State Moose Association website at:  www.ohiomoose.net.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Independence at the Holiday Inn Cleveland South on August 10 – 14, 2022!

Sincerely,

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Vice Chairman

Moose International Board of Directors

07/15/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP, Annual Convention Heart of the Community Project

07/13/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

State Board of the Ohio State Moose Association Meeting Scheduled by State President Cliff Ranier, Read Notice

07/06/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To Lodges of the Ohio State Moose Association,

 The 94th Annual Convention of the Ohio State Moose Association is getting closer by the day!

As we are still anticipating updated information from Moose International for finalizing our agenda…we have decided to “go live” with our on-line pre-registration!

 The pre-registration form is available on the Ohio State Moose Association website at www.ohiomoose.net.

Once on the site…click on the left side of the screen on “Conferences & Conventions”…then click on the link for the registration.

We will be doing online registration only.  There will not be “mail in” registration.

The online registration will be $30.00 per attendee.  The cost for the additional food functions will be indicated on the registration form. 

The cut-off date for pre-registration will be announced as we get closer to the beginning of August.  Please watch the website!

Just because you do not pre-register does not mean that you can not attend the Convention…you will be able to register on-site for $35.00.

Our Annual Convention is promising to be a busy time with lots of information…and lots of fun!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Independence on August 10 – 14, 2022!!!

If you have any questions…please feel free to contact anyone on the O.S.M.A. Executive Committee.

Sincerely,

The Executive Committee of the Ohio State Moose Association

06/23/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To all Lodges,

Please see the attached.

This is a proposed change/addition to the “Policies of the Ohio State Moose Association”.

This item will be brought to the floor of the Annual Convention.

Should anyone dispute this change/addition…please bring it to the attention of the Executive Committee of the Ohio State Moose Association at your earliest convenience.

Thanks!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Director / Chaplain

Moose International Board of Directors

05/06/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Thomas Mann, PSP - OSMA Pilgrim and Who Club Chairman

03/29/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

Good morning District Presidents and District Secretaries,

It is the time that the Districts of the Ohio State Moose Association should have started their nomination process for the 2022/2023 year.

There are 2 items to bring to your attention:

1)      When your selection for District President has been made for your District…please forward this information to the State Secretary.  This information should contain the District number,  individuals name, MID number, mailing address, email address, home lodge name/number and contact phone number.  The State Secretary will present your recommendation to the Nominating Committee at the Annual Convention.  When approved by the Nominating Committee…the Incoming District President will be sworn in at the Saturday evening Banquet at the Annual Convention.  There will also be the District President/District Secretary training session at the Annual Convention.  You will be notified via a separate email concerning this training.

2)      District Secretaries….with the adoption of the updated By Laws and Policies of the Ohio State Moose Association which took place at the Annual Convention in 2021…this is the year that the Association Secretary and District Secretaries are up for election/reelection.  This was discussed at the Annual Convention in 2021.  The Association Secretary and District Secretaries are to be elected for a term of 4 years.  This is a change that occurred with the adoption of the new By Laws and Policies in 2021.

Should you have any question/concerns….please feel free to contact myself or any Executive Committee member.

Thanks!!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Director / Chaplain

Moose International Board of Directors

06/16/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from State Secretary, John R. Sipes, PSP

To all Lodges, Chapters & Districts,

We are going to add a little “spice” to our meetings at our 94th Annual Convention of the Ohio State Moose Association.

During each session…we will draw for several “Mystery Grab Bag” prizes to add some fun to our meetings.

Tickets for the “grab bags” will sell for $5.00 for a chance to win a prize worth between $50.00 and $75.00!!!

We are “asking” for your Lodge, Chapter or District to donate a prize with a value of between $50.00 and $75.00 each.

The more prizes we get…the more FUN it will be!!

Hints….”money clip with gift card”….”purses”…”wallets”…”anything Moose related”….ect.

If you get a gift and someone would like to trade… why not?  Sounds like a lot of fun.

Please bring your “grab bag prize” to the Registration Area when you arrive at the convention.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Inn in Independence!!

John R. Sipes, PSP

Secretary

Ohio State Moose Association

Director / Chaplain

Moose International Board of Directors

05/06/2022 - OSMA Official Communication from Thomas Mann, PSP - OSMA Pilgrim and Who Club Chairman