Viking Magazine - August 2022 - 44

SONS OF NORWAY NEWS
THREE QUESTIONS
NEWS
Ken Johnson has been
representing District 3 as
International Director for the
past six years. He has belonged
to Henrik Ibsen Lodge 3-393
since 1990.
Q What is your favorite
part of being in Sons of
Norway?
A Being involved in the
organization and serving in
leadership roles. I have been
lodge president, district
vice president and am now
serving on the international
board.
Q What are some special
Norwegian traditions you
and your family do?
A We celebrate Christmas and
Sankthans (midsummer)
with Norwegian traditions.
Some of my favorite
Norwegian foods are
krumkake, lapskaus and
aquavit.
Q Do you have a favorite
place in Norway?
A Lillesand is such a beautiful
area. I can't wait to go back!
Changes to Membership Benefi ts
At the 2022 district conventions, Sons of Norway staff received feedback
on changes to membership benefi ts. Here is a look at the rationale and
economics behind these decisions, keeping in mind that our goal is to
achieve the highest member engagement possible, and benefi t the most
members, while being thoughtful stewards of our resources:
CULTURAL SKILLS PINS AND SPORTS MEDALS
* The medal programs are utilized by about 5% of our 66,000
membership
* We have found a vendor that suits the complexity of our needs,
allowing us to better use staff talent
* Pins and medals may now be purchased through the Lodge Leader
Supply Store-this both streamlines the process and frees up staff
to support other cultural eff orts, some noted below.
PUBLICATIONS AND VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES
* We are able to serve a higher percentage of members through
self-produced publications and virtual cultural experiences, many of
which harness the talent of our staff and members:
* Viking for Kids-our quarterly online publication targeting Heritage
members
* Instructional video: Learn to make Kvæfj ordkake with Connie Aiello
* The Way North and The Blinding Sea fi lms
* Interviews with fi lmmakers and screenwriters for a unique behindthe-scenes
look at development
* Sons of Norway Book Club-virtual group in two sessions to cover
multiple time zones
* These programs are off ered to all our members free of charge or
at a member discount to further the promotion of our Nordic
heritage and culture
UPDATES TO VIKING
2021 Redesign
* A refresh to the magazine's design was part of our publishing
contract that we had not leveraged
* Goals for redesign: maximum readability and a fresh Nordic look
* Easier to read fonts-black on white
Happenings Section
* Happenings knits all of our districts together so members recognize
the creativity that we have across the whole organization
* This allows us to expand the variety of photos and encourage
submissions from people or lodges who have not been featured in
the past
* It is a challenge to get print-quality photos showing a variety of
members each month
* It is important to our membership that we showcase all the
philanthropic eff orts of the organization while ensuring accuracy of
the information
44
August 2022
sonsofnorway.com
PHOTO BY CESAR ASENSIO MARCO / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - August 2022
