Platinum 17 Indianapolis IN

Congratulatons Indy 17!!!

 INDIANA MOOSE               ASSOCIATION

LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE       

 STATE OFFICERS MEETING      

Aug. 8-9 2009                                                                                                  

 Re: Government Relations 

 Regional Manager, Mike Beery

Secretary,Arland E. Davis

State President, Mack Short

State Officers 

 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE MISSION AND PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of the Moose Government Relations Committee is to assist in preserving the First Amendment Freedoms of the Constitution of the United States. Our priority is to protect the right of private assembly and freedom of Association, guaranteed by the First Amendment. 

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEES

1 The Moose International Government Relations Committee is comprised of not less than three nor more than seven members, appointed by the Supreme Governor with the advice of the Supreme Council. 

2. All Moose Associations shall have a Government Relations Chairman named by the Director of Government Relations with the advice and consent of the Association Executive Board. 

3. Each State shall have a Women of the Moose Government Relations Chairman named by the Director of Government Relations with the advice and consent of the Grand Chancellor. 

4. Each District within the jurisdiction of a Moose Association shall have a Government Relations Chairman. 

5. The Governor of each Lodge and the Senior Regent of each Chapter shall appoint a Government Relations Chairman. 

LODGE AND CHAPTER CHAIRMAN

1. The duties and responsibilities of the Lodge and Chapter Chairman shall be as follows:      

  a. To become aware of all local issues that may have an impact on the Moose Fraternity.      

  b. To make reports to the Lodge and Chapter at regular meetings which shall include information received from the District, Association and State Government Relations Chairpersons.     

   c. To make reports to the District, Association and State Government Relations Chairpersons all litigation and legislative issues impacting the Moose Fraternity.     

   d. The Lodge and Chapter Government Relations Chairpersons need to work closely with the Community Service and Publications Chairmen.     

   e. To foster a favorable relationship with local legislators and local officials. 

       f. To file reports as required to the Association and State Chairpersons.

 DISTRICT CHAIRMEN

2. The duties and responsibilities of the District Chairman shall be as follows:   

     a. To become aware of all litigation and legislative issues that may have an impact on the Moose Fraternity, and to report such issues to the Association Chairman.     

   b. To confirm to the Association Chairman that all Lodges in his District have appointed a Government Relations Chairman.       

 c. To maintain an open line of communication between the Lodge Chairman and the Association Chairman.      

  d. To make reports at regularly scheduled District meetings.       

e. To file reports as required by the Association Chairman. 

ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN

3. The duties and responsibilities of the Association Chairman shall be as follows:       

 a. To supervise the duties and responsibilities of the Lodge and District Government Relations Chairman.      

  b. To maintain an open line of communication between the Chapter, Lodges, Districts and members.       

 c. To make a report and/or conduct a seminar at the Annual Convention and Mid-Year Conferences.     

   d. To maintain an open line of communication between other fraternal, sororal and veterans organizations.    

    e. To monitor all grass root efforts to support or defeat an issue that would have an impact on the Moose Fraternity.      

  f.  To file monthly reports, via e-mail, to the International Government Relations Committee member. Negative reports  are required.      

  g. To coordinate all activities with the Regional Regional Manager and the Association Secretary.

 ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE MOOSE FRATERNITY

1. Constitution - First and Fourteenth Amendments

2. Taxation - sales, property, etc

3. Zoning - business, residential, etc

4. Licensing - gaming, liquor, food services, etc

5. Permits - building, health, etc

6. Ordinances - smoking, driving, etc

7. Discrimination - gender, ADA, etc

8. Utilities 

ADDITIONAL FORMS OF LEGISLATIVE/LITIGATION AWARENESS

1. Television

2. Radio

3. Newspapers

4. Legislation Reports/Updates

5. Local Governing Bodies

 FORMS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH LEGISLATORS/LOCAL OFFICIALS

1. Letter writing

2. Telephone

3. Telegram

4. Fax

5. E-mail

6. Bulletins and Newsletters

7. Follow-up responses LODGE OFFICERS RESPONSIBILITIESIf you feel Government Relations has no meaning or bearing on your job as a Lodge Officer, you are wrong. As a Lodge Officer you are personally and financially responsible for your Lodge. If your Lodge goes under and has financial obligations, which it cannot meet, you as an officer are responsible. Many Lodge Officers have had liens placed on their personal property and wages garnished, because of taxes and other financial obligations the Lodge owed. It is your responsibility, that you see the Lodge is financially solvent, and meets all of it's financial obligations.

 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

Introduced Bills:

OTHER ISSUES

1. A new list of Officers does not need to be sent to Charity Gaming, only when renewing license.

2.Need to have all taxes paid to receive license renewal from Charity Gaming. ( may be in next General Assembly Session).      

 3. Local tax exemptions, current law, nonprofit corporations must file their property tax exemptions every two years. A property tax exemption does not need to be refilled. The bill would eliminate the refilling requirements for property owned, occupied, and used for charitable purposes. The elimination of periodic filing would reduce the administrative burden on each county auditor’s office in the state. It eliminate situations where organizations temporarily lose their exemption because they fail to make a timely filing.

   INDIANA ALCOHOL & TOBACCO COMMISSIONNot-For-Profits not using the one day per month permit for serving alcohol.   Any questions, problems or information that you may have concerning Government Relations and how it effects our day to day operations, please do not hesitate to e-mail, telephone or write.       

Jim Hudson8209 S. Burlington Dr.Muncie, IN 47302

e-mail: jrhudson@jayco.net

765-774-3347 

 260-726-0668 - cell

765-774-3747 - fax. 

Thank you.

 It is a pleasure to serve this Fraternity concerning Government Relations.

 Fraternally,    

Jim Hudson, State Government Relations Chairman   

                        Report Date: 08/14/2009