MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s Order of the Eastern Star (OES) chapter will welcome fellow members from across North America this April as it hosts a major conference that could see the international leader also attend.
“Kindness Becomes You” is the theme for the OES’s 108th annual grand chapter session, which occurs from Thursday, April 24 to Saturday, April 26, at the exhibition grounds’ convention centre. Members from chapters in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the United States will be attending.
The goal of the Order of the Eastern Star is to “make a positive difference in the world with charitable works, lasting friendships and loving-kindness to all mankind.”
The last time Moose Jaw’s Mizpah Chapter 1 hosted a grand chapter session was in 2011, which is not surprising since Regina and Saskatoon usually host these conferences, explained Lynne Moffatt, the local chapter’s worthy grand matron. However, Moose Jaw should host more often since “it’s a neat little place.”
Billie Bradfield, the OES’s most worthy grand matron, who oversees the Washington, D.C.-based international organization, is expected to attend if her health holds up, Moffatt continued. The most worthy grand matron usually attends grand chapter sessions every three years; her attendance is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
Every year, the worthy grand matron chooses a theme for the conference, so Moffatt said she focused on kindness because she wants people to treat each other better. Moreover, she thought that kindness would be returned more often if society showed those positive actions.
The Mizpah Chapter 1 matron added that the other themes she is promoting this year include integrity and laughter.
During the conference, there will be a grand representative luncheon so members can meet their counterparts, a raffle, a silent auction, executive elections and entertainment, Moffatt said.
Since Tourism Moose Jaw’s trolley won’t be running at that time, Moffatt will give attendees gift bags containing photos of businesses — such as Emerald Glass, My Addictions and the Western Development Museum — and tourist attractions. Organizers will then take attendees to those places if they want.
Furthermore, there will be a “treasure chest” with gently used clothing — typically the formal gowns that members wore — that people can take, a table for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides charity and a presenter who will discuss the help she received from the foundation.
The Mizpah Chapter 1’s worthy grand matron said she chose that charity because she is visually impaired and knows how beneficial it can be to possess a service animal.
“I don’t have a dog because I do see too well to have one,” Moffatt chuckled.
“But to be able to walk outside alone, I don’t do that (because) I’m scared to walk alone because I can’t see the ups and downs (of the path),” she continued. “Like, I’ve fallen into gopher holes and almost run into poles, things like that.
“So I know what a change your life would be just having a dog.”
Guide dogs can help more than just visually impaired people, as they can also support individuals with autism, hearing impairments or diabetes, said Moffatt. Donors used to dictate who they wanted the dog to support, but the foundation now provides an animal to whoever is next in line, regardless of their challenge.
The Order of the Eastern Star donated $12,000 last year to the Lions Foundation to help someone in Saskatchewan receive a guide dog.
In general, the OES raises money for charities in Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan, with the group supporting the Alzheimer’s Society last year and cancer-related groups in previous years, Moffatt added. There will be tables at the conference featuring information about the other charities the organization supports.
