Delegates say no to common dues date, once-monthly meetings at GA Convention

A motion to make all FOE membership dues payable on May 31 to coincide with the end of the FOE fiscal year was defeated by aerie delegates, past presidents and 10-year secretaries at the July Grand Aerie Convention in Orlando FL.

Also defeated was a motion to allow for once-monthly Local Aerie meetings instead of the current minimum requirement of two such meetings.

The common due date of May 31 was proposed by the Board of Grand Trustees and supported by the membership department. Membership Director Vince Kinman urged passage of the motion arguing that the Grand Aerie could then assist Local Aeries in encouraging renewals, but provided no specific examples.

Also assumed by delegates but not mentioned in debate was that a common dues payable date would more easily pave the way for future online dues payments through the foe.com website, as is now offered by the Loyal Order of Moose and American Legion central websites.

None of Ontario’s Local Aeries currently have dues payable on May 31. Annual dues are payable August 31 by London 4060 ($25), Sault Ste Marie 3991 ($30) and Heyden-Goulais River 4061 ($25). Annual dues are payable by February 28 by Webbwood 4269 ($20). Annual dues are payable by Toronto 2311 ($50) either on January 31 or July 31.

Also defeated was a motion proposed by several New York State Aeries to allow for general meetings as infrequently as once monthly instead of the current minimum twice monthly.

Proponents argued that it would make better use of member and volunteer time. Opponents argued that once-monthly meetings would not allow sufficient accountability of officers to members, and would not permit time to complete the many statutory requirements for work to be completed or approved in Local Aerie general meetings.

Current statutes require meetings at least twice monthly, but allow for a quorum of only seven members in good standing, at least two of whom must be Local Aerie officers.

Approved by delegates were several housekeeping motions intended to ensure that all internal units are covered by a common statute.

Previously Retired Eagles Activities Clubs (REACs), Past Presidents Clubs, Eagle Riders and Junior Order of Eagles Clubs (JOEs) were governed under separate statutes.

Delegates approved a motion allowing election for three-year terms for the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer instead of the previous one-year terms as remains the case for all other Grand Aerie elective offices.

Arguments in favour were generally about greater stability in Grand Aerie office management. The case was also made that while other Grand Aerie officers may continue to reside wherever they wished, the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer must have residences near the Grand Aerie headquarters in Grove City OH.

Also approved was a motion requiring that a stay or suspension of a Local Aerie Trial Committee rulings pending appeal must be approved by a majority of Grand Tribunal members. Previously a single Grand Tribunal Justice could issue such a stay or suspension.

Rejected was a constitutional change removing Grand Tribunal Justices from the list of Grand Aerie officers, since they are appointed rather than elected.

Delegates appeared to feel that further examination of the issue was required, especially to ensure an independent judiciary branch of Grand Aerie governance.