And last, Convention impressions Part Six

In his installation ceremony speech, incoming New York State President Robert G T Yager asked his fellow Eagles to focus in the coming year on "being a little kinder (to fellow aerie and auxiliary members), a little friendlier (especially to new members) and a little more charitable (in support of Eagles charities)."

My own impression of my visit to Johnstown is that New York State Eagles already set a very high standard on all three counts.

Grand Aerie Representative Robert P Wahls (Honorary Past Grand Worthy President and past Grand Aerie Secretary) spoke to us about the importance of attracting, keeping and cultivating volunteers in all we do.

"Once you turn down their offer to help they won't come back," Brother Wahls warned. "Whenever someone asks if they can help say yes. If there's nothing else that comes to mind right away, give them your job and find something else to do.

"Not many volunteer on their own, but very few say no when they're asked."

I was made more welcome than I had any right to expect, including receiving a rare special invitation to the Past New York State Presidents Luncheon. The Ontario Provincial Aerie was formed in 1995 from Ontario Aeries once part of New York and Michigan State Aeries. In our enthusiasm at the time, none of us consulted or even warned the New York and Michigan executives. Nor did we even consult our own Auxiliaries.

The Award of Merit plaque I received as an organizer at the OPA inaugural convention doesn't mention that particular detail. I did hear it more than once in Johnstown, however, but always in friendship.

Because my own Toronto Aerie 2311 has had such membership turnover since 1995, I also welcomed several opportunities to swap stories about my own Aerie 2311 heroes of the past -  Frank Stokes, Don Rettinger, Ian Carry and Mary Dunn (all Grand Hall of Fame members) and my original sponsor Tom Philpott, all of them now gone but fondly remembered in New York.

My visit to Johnstown was the first in a series to gather information about Ontario's renewed relationships through Michigan in the Great Lakes Region and through New York in the Eastern Region. Next is the Grand Aerie Convention itself in Orlando, Florida July 15 to 18. I will visit (perhaps the last) Eastern Canada Regional Convention in Sault Ste Marie Aerie 3991 September 19 and 20, and the Ontario Provincial Aerie Fall Conference in London 4060 October 3 to 5, followed by the Eastern Regional Conference in Clearfield Pennsylvania Aerie 812 October 10 and 11.