OVERVIEW OF CONVENTIONS
The Daughters of Norway holds a biennial convention in even numbered years. The location is decided by the subordinate lodge hosting the event. Each lodge sends voting delegates to the meeting, based on the number of members in the lodge, but many non-delegate members and visitors attend this fun-filled and enriching event.
DAY ONE – Thursday
The first day is Cultural Day. Each lodge is invited to have a table in the exhibit hall to display their lodge's customs, crafts, or other memorabilia. There are many great traditional Norwegian craft items offered for sale or as prizes for drawings during Cultural Day. In addition to the fundraising, many demonstrations of traditional crafts and cooking take place. Also, the host lodge arranges workshops and classes for the convention attendees ranging from memoir writing, genealogy and traveling in Scandinavia to culinary and traditional crafts and music. The day ends with a special reception held by the hosting lodge. This features wonderful Scandinavian products, foods and crafts. Cultural Day is a time when members mingle, catch up with old friends and make new friends from other lodges!
BUSINESS MEETINGS – Friday and Saturday
Opening of Convention 2006
The Grand Lodge President presides over the two days of business meetings on Friday and Saturday. The Grand Lodge officers and Committee Chairs report on the business of the two years prior to convention, and proposed Constitutional changes are debated and voted on. New officers are elected and installed for the following two years. During breaks in the business of convention, attendees enjoy music, songs, jokes and skits presented by various lodges. These performances are always entertaining and fun!
There are also several traditional ceremonies and events during the Business Meetings. At the opening session, there is a Banner and Bunad parade. This colorful procession showcases individual lodges' banners and the Norwegian and other Scandinavian national costumes worn by many of our members. These various costumes reflect the diversity of regions members trace their heritage to in Norway and other Scandinavian countries. The sanctioned national Norwegian costume is called a bunad. Each region in Norway has its own unique bunad with women's outfits being more diverse than men's.
During Saturday's Business Meeting there is a special memorial ceremony for honoring the members who have passed away since the last convention; it is conducted by the Grand Lodge Chaplain. The outgoing President is also honored at Saturday's session. Finally, installation of officers, with music and an escort team takes place Saturday afternoon at the close of the business meetings.
Everyone looks forward to the Banquet on Saturday evening. The feasting is accompanied by remarks from the new Grand Lodge President and a great program!
Members attending convention always depart happy, with new ideas and new friends, anticipating the next convention! Come join us at our next convention and get your Norwegian fix!
UPCOMING AND PAST CONVENTIONS
The upcoming convention in 2012 will be held in July in Bellingham, WA. Nellie Gerdrum Lodge #41 will be hosting the event. Save these dates on your calendar: July 19-21. The convention will be held at the Lakeway Inn/Convention Center in Bellingham. Check out the updated invitation and basic information for conventio 2012 now! More information will be available in 2011 so check back.
Information on the 2010 and 2008 Convention are available. Click on link below to get to the information you seek on these. More bunad pictures will be available from the 2010 convention in a short time.
