June 2020

• From the General Governor Michael Leuer

Previously, through MI Official Communications, the General Governor's office has communicated:1) no elections are to proceed due to the pandemic, state governmental mandates and federal Centers for Disease Control gathering restrictions, and 2)all officers elected for or appointed during the 2019-2020 lodge year will have their term extended.

Here are some questions that we anticipate you might have, along with their answers. Q: Who are the current lodge officers from May 1, 2020 until July 1, 2020? A:All officers elected for or appointed during the 2019-2020 lodge year will remain in office until July1,2020, OR until their successor is duly elected (if later).

Q: Our lodge held all our nominating meetings prior to the lodge shutting down, we held our elections and just need to install our officers. Is that allowed?
A: No. You will still need to follow proper election process (Reminder: All elections held this year before June1,2020 will be declared invalid.

Q: Can we just keep our same board and wait till next year to have an election?
A: NO. Every lodge is required by the Constitution and General Laws to hold an election of officers in April each year. (The timeline has shifted due to COVID-19restrictionsbut must still take place). Q: Can we just have a meeting when we re-open and vote? A: NO. A written report listing the nominees by office must be presented to the lodge at a regular/ general membership meeting. This report must be submitted at least two(2) weeks prior to the date of the general election. Q: We only have one (1) nominee running for each office. Do we still have to have an election by ballot? A:For those offices having only one (1) nominee, the lodge may (by Approval of the membership) dispense with the necessity of a paper ballot and conduct the election using the usual voting sign of the Order. This must be decided at a regular/general membership meeting prior to the election and should immediately follow the Nominating Committee's written report of the nominees selected. Typically , an election by the Voting sign of the Order will be held for all uncontested offices and an election by paper ballot for only contested offices. However, it is permissible to conduct an election by paper ballot for each nominee. Any "uncontested" nominee receiving one (1) "yes" vote is automatically elected, as "no" votes are not counted. The purpose of conducting an election by the voting sign of the Order is to streamline the election process and alleviate the unnecessary use of a paper ballot.

Q: My lodge was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we were under the "Shelter at Home" order of our Governor. No meetings were held due to gathering restrictions. When do we have our lodge elections?
A: Nomination Committee meetings may continue and elections may occur any time after June 1,2020.
* If the lodge has reopened by June 1, the lodge will have two(2) months from opening to nominate and elect their Board of Officers. All officers' terms may begin July 1, 2020, or the date of election if later, and shall run through April 30, 2021.
* If the lodge has not opened by June 1, the lodge will have two (2) months from opening to nominate and elect their Board of Officers. Officer terms shall begin on the date of election, and shall run through April 30, 2021

Q: Our lodge membership is older and they do not feel like they want to visit the lodge during our regular lodge meetings at this time and still want to vote, what can be done?
A: The General Governor's office will issue a blanket dispensation for the use of the Australian ballot to any lodge who chooses to implement it, without the necessity of a majority lodge vote for this year only. (There will be no dispensation for electronic voting at this time.)

 * Keep in mind that the General Governor's office expects you to familiarize yourself should you choose to implement the Australian Ballot (see definition below).
 * Remember that if the election is contested and declared void by the General Governor's office, the lodge will there after be prohibited from using the Australian ballot unless a special dispensation is granted from the General Governor.

An Australian ballot extends over a period of time (determined by the lodge, for example:3p.m.6:30p.m.) versus being conducted at a meeting. This can be useful with lodges that have many shift workers or for social distancing purposes during a pandemic. It shall be held on the same day as a regular general membership meeting. Location and hours of the balloting should be posted at the lodge where members can see it. If time allows, it should also be published to the active members of the lodge through a newsletter or postcard or Facebook. The election committee must maintain the ballot box at all times during the election process. If you feel that your lodge would benefit from its use then you may conduct your election using the Australian ballot. Regardless which method is used (Australian ballot or election during the regular/general membership meeting) the election must conclude in time for the Election Committee to count and tabulate the ballots and give the results to the presiding officer who announces the election results. This announcement maybe the last item of business before closing the meeting.

Q: What if there is a tie?
A: In the case of a tie vote, the nominees may elect to have the presiding officer flip a coin, cut cards, or choose to have another election for that office, with only the tied nominees being considered.

Q: I am a new officer. When is the deadline for my lodge/leadership training requirements?
A: Officer training requirements will be 60 days from the day lodge officers take office.

Q: We have read everything in the Election Handbook and cannot find an answer to a question we have. Who should we contact?
A:Your first contact for any questions that may arise is your Territory Manager. He/she is the most familiar with your lodge's operation and issues. If you still have questions after talking to your TM, you can contact the General Governor's office. 26th.

• NOTICE!

Due to the COVID-19/Corona Virus the event's, meetings, and activities in this newsletter are contingent on the Lodge being opened. If you plan to attend anything at the Lodge we recommend you call first.

• Moose Legion Celebration June 26th-28th Lodge 2414

  The Moose Legion is making plans now for this years celebration at Lodge 2414!

  If you aren't a Moose Legionnaire this is the time to learn more about the Higher Degrees. This is a great opportunity to meet other Moose Legionnaires from other Lodges and visit and ask questions of the MOKAN#4 Directors. Last years event was amazing with many raffles, new games, live music, dinners, golf, mini-golf and more.

• 26th Annual Moose Golf Tournament

26th Annual Moose Golf Tournament at Royal Meadows has been reschedule for July 10th. The Golf Committee has been hard at work making plans for this years event. It has been very difficult with the pandemic, but we are determined to make it happen. We have been signing up teams and hole sponsors, If you haven't signed up yet, give us a call now! Contact Gus at 816-716-5115 This is one of the Lodge's biggest fundraiser of the year. A large portion of the moneys raised go to fund our annual children's parties as well as Moose Legion and other local charities. Moose