Illinois Moose Association

06/08/2026

05/27/2026

Which Illinois lodges will be represented at this year’s graduation?

05/20/2026

A successful lodge starts with active members who are willing to show up, support the lodge, and participate in its growth. The foundation of every thriving lodge is member involvement — not just attending meetings, but actively engaging in lodge life, supporting events, and contributing to the welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

One of the most important parts of lodge success is the Social Quarters. The Social Quarters are the financial engine that helps support the lodge through affordable food, beverages, and fellowship. Members supporting the lodge “in earnest” by participating in activities and spending time together creates both sustainability and community.

Successful lodges are built around good people coming together to create a harmonious, kind, and enjoyable environment — a place where members can have fun while also supporting charitable causes and the core missions of Mooseheart and Moosehaven.

Strong leadership and organization also matter. A healthy lodge typically has:

* A functioning Activities Committee
* An active Membership Committee
* A trained and educated Social Quarters team
* Lodge officers who understand that membership growth is essential

Membership growth happens when members are willing to invite qualified guests into the lodge experience. Sponsorship and personal invitation are at the heart of successful lodges. When members bring in family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, they help others understand what the Moose truly represents:

* A not-for-profit fraternal organization
* A community-focused organization
* A place built on social connection
* A group committed to doing meaningful humanitarian work together

Ultimately, a successful lodge is one that connects these ingredients within its local community.

The key question every lodge should ask is:
How are we connecting to our community?

Community outreach is essential. That means building relationships with:

* Other nonprofit organizations
* Local schools
* Youth programs
* Community service initiatives

Programs such as Youth Awareness and support for local schools help demonstrate the Moose mission in action and strengthen the lodge’s visibility and impact within the community.

When members are engaged, leadership is organized, outreach is intentional, and the community feels welcomed, a lodge becomes more than just a building — it becomes a thriving center for fellowship, service, and belonging.

05/13/2026

Lodge Leadership Training!!!! RSVP deadline today. Required by Lodge officers, open to ALL members. 🫎❤️

05/13/2026

Growing Your Lodge Starts With One Thing: QUALIFIED GUESTS

If a lodge says they can’t grow, it begs the question:

Why aren’t current members inviting qualified guests?

One of the obligations of membership is helping grow the lodge by introducing family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to what the Moose is all about. Lodges do not grow by accident. They grow intentionally.

A qualified guest is someone brought in by a current active member who signs them into the lodge, takes responsibility for them, and introduces them to the Moose experience. Guests cannot participate in gaming, and members are responsible for their guests — that’s part of our General Laws and our IRS 501(c)(8) structure. But let’s be honest:

The real revenue, energy, and future of the lodge comes from engaged MEMBERS.

So how do we grow?

Create events specifically designed around bringing qualified guests.

Make them FUN.

Make them welcoming.

Make them educational.

Make them memorable.

Offer a perk or incentive when members bring a qualified guest. Host a real-time orientation. Explain what membership means. Share the mission. Talk about fellowship, community service, camaraderie, and why the Moose matters.

This should NOT feel boring, stale, or like process-tripping.

This is supposed to be dynamic, communal, educational, and exciting.

When lodges are not growing, the core issue is often this:

Current members are not enthusiastic enough to invite others into the experience.

That is a leadership challenge.

Leadership must intentionally create a culture people WANT to be part of. That means:

• Getting rid of the inner bickering

• Eliminating the “good old boys club” mentality

• Training social quarters staff to be pleasant, welcoming, and informative

• Creating a modern, inviting atmosphere

• Educating members on how important THEY are to growth

This is what a 21st-century Moose Lodge should look like:

Welcoming. Educated. Trained. Purposeful. Fun. Community-driven.

People join organizations where they feel invited, valued, and connected.

Qualified guests are the KEY to growing your lodge.

So here’s the challenge:

Invite someone new.

Bring them in.

Show them what the Moose is really about.

(Writtten by Dan Companion - Moose Intl. Membership Chairman)

05/05/2026

There’s something powerful about the roar of engines, the shine of chrome, and the unity of riders coming together for something bigger than themselves. 🏍️🔥

The Mooseheart Blessing of the Bikes isn’t just an event… it’s a tradition. It’s a moment where passion meets purpose, where every mile ridden carries meaning, and where you can truly feel the spirit of the Moose community.

For those who’ve been there—you already know. It’s electric. It’s humbling. It’s unforgettable.

For those who haven’t—this is your sign.

Come feel the energy. Come witness something that will stay with you long after the engines quiet down. Whether you ride or just come to experience it, you’ll leave inspired.

This is more than a gathering… it’s the Super Bowl of Moose Rider events. 💯
So who’s in?

Let’s hear it. Let’s feel it. Let’s ride together.

05/05/2026

Happy Moose New Year! We hope the first week in has been fantastic. What is your lodge doing to usher in the 26/27 year?

05/02/2026

Beginning today, the $20 application fee will be waived for new and re-enrolled members who sign up to join a lodge through the online application for two years. This promotion is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. Only individuals who are signed through the ONLINE application and commit to TWO years will have the application fee waived. All other applications will still incur the $20 fee.

The online application is available on www.beamoose.org or can be accessed through the Moose Membership Mobile App.

04/25/2026

Moose Legion Training at Lawrenceville Lodge 779. 10 lodges and 2 States in attendance!