Viking Magazine - January 2012 - 58

host, says planning committee
chair Carrol Juven.
Kringen 4-025 will play
host of the convention, with
help from nearby District
4 lodges Wergeland 247
(Jamestown), Hjemdahl 481
(Valley City), Ueland 480
(Cooperstown), Henrik Ibsen
565 (Wahpeton) and Balder
37 (Abercrombie), Juven says.
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The International Sons of
Norway Convention has
always been about delegates
and their guests taking care
of the business of the organization,
and also celebrating
the organization, says Lynne
Olson Rommesmo, a member
of the International Convention
committee and member
of Kringen 4-025.
What's new this year is the
Innovative Leadership Conference
Aug. 22-23, which is
open to all Sons of Norway
members whether or not
they are delegates. According
to Rommesmo, Fargo is
excited to host the premiere
event. " The
conference
is all about
leadership and
how we as an
organization
can encourage
and mentor strong
leaders at our local
lodge level and beyond, "
she says.
With Fargo in District
4 and District 1
just across the Red
River, the area
is fi lled with
lodges.
" There are many with
Norwegian and other Nordic
heritage here, as well as over
1,300 Sons of Norway members
in our local lodge alone, "
Rommesmo says. " We believe
this conference has the ability
to attract a lot of people. "
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The Leadership Conference
starts things off Aug. 22 and
runs through the following
afternoon. The next evening,
International Convention
delegates and their guests are
welcomed at the Opening
Ceremonies, which Rommesmo
says will showcase some
of what Kringen 4-25 has
to offer, including its Youth
Klubb dressed in bunads,
and music from the Kringen
Accordion Band and the
Kringen Kor (choir).
Following the Opening
Ceremony is the memorial
service, an event dedicated to
the members lost since the last
biennial convention, and the
President's Reception, hosted
by International President
Dan Rude. It promises lots of
food, entertainment and fellowship
among delegates.
Business sessions start
Aug. 24, and that evening is
the Recruiters' Reception,
followed by an optional
event at Kringen lodge.
Kringen plans to offer a torsk
and meatball dinner, plus a
cultural night with special
entertainment from Norway,
Juven says.
After the business
sessions wrap up Aug.
25, convention-goers
and their guests are
welcome to a closing banquet
with the installation of new
offi cers, an awards ceremony
and a dance.
In addition to the business
sessions, convention-goers
can join a walk-a-thon, see
cultural exhibits, participate
in arts and crafts competitions
and much more, Juven says.
Visitors might consider exploring
Kringen Klub, which
is fi lled with examples of Norwegian
art and infl uence. " We
are very proud of our lodge
home and its Norwegian
fl air, " Rommesmo says. " The
Troll Stua (Troll Lounge) is
unforgettable: Carved trolls
and a painted mural surround
the room. "
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Juven, who has attended at
least 10 International Conventions,
says the best part
of each event is socializing
with and learning from
other Sons of Norway members
and leaders. " Delegates
will receive a better understanding
of Sons of Norway,
including the fraternal,
social, cultural, travel and
insurance benefi ts, along
with a better understanding
of the fi nancial soundness
of its products, " he says.
" They will be energized
to carry out the mission
of Sons of Norway. They
will leave [Fargo] as better
informed members. "
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Viking Magazine - January 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - January 2012