From State Worthy President

Duane Ogden

Kenai Aerie #3525

Brothers,

I look forward to visiting each club in 2024 and will do my best in supporting all Alaska Eagles.

1. Mentor

"Mentor" is a person with experience, knowledge, and connections, who provides encouragement and guidance, "But Not Instructions".

I have been so lucky, because without my Mentors I would not be your new State Worthy President. 

My Mentors include Michael Merlo and Tim Navarre, who have almost 100 years between them,

Troy Rohde, always so calm, thinks things through, so much help,

Scott Sarchet, always will take time for your questions.

Thank you all.

2. Membership

Just to let everyone know that Michael Merlo is our 2024-25 State Membership Chairman and he will roll that out with you.  But, getting Potential Members to sign up is only the start......

Clubs should have's...

A)  Interview Committee with Form.  To be honest, the Kenai Auxiliary had the best form I have ever seen, so I stole it... ok, they let me use it, and I will be happy to share it with every club.  It really kicks you off on the right foot.

B)  Every Member should have, after the Initiatory Ceremony, a copy of the "New Member Training".  You can print it out from foe.com.  It answers so many questions.

C)  "Hand In Hand" maintaining our membership.  When I was in Nebraska at the Incoming State Presidents' Seminar, the one thing that hit hard with me... "We lose 85% of our membership due to in-house fighting /arguments".  No member wants to go to their club and hear this.  There is a place for discussions and the lounge is not the place.  It is clear that this has to stop!  Now, each and everyone here controls the harmony of the club, in fact, each Eagle Member has the responsibility to control this.  We all need to help each other.

3. The Ritual

Ok, we should all be done discussing this item.  Just to make it clear, it is the requirement of the Worthy President to follow the complete Ritual, and as the State Worthy President, I will assure everyone that it will be followed.  As a note, really read every word with meaning and take it to heart, it will make everything better.

Starting at "Let us have order.  Officers take your stations" to "My Brothers, what motto have we made our own, to heed at all times among ourselves and, whenever possible, to urge it on the world at large?"

"If I cannot speak well of an Eagle, I will not speak ill of him."

Thank you,

Duane Ogden, State Worthy President