What are the benefits of belonging to VASA Monitor Lodge #218 in Sacramento, California?
What is “MEMBERSHIP”? Membership is often defined as “the state of belonging to a group or organization for reasons of happiness.” This may be interpreted in many ways and in the VASA Order of America lodges we like to think that persons belong for their enjoyment. One joins because of the camaraderie of persons having the same interests, same heritage and desire to learn. This is certainly the philosophy of the members of Monitor Lodge and the principal reason why people have joined.. If you are interested in joining, please refer to our membership page for details and application form.
There are additional benefits of membership in VASA, many listed below:
Financial assistance for education:
- At the local lodge level, Monitor Lodge, like many lodges, offers an additional opportunity for scholarships.
- At the district level Golden Gate District #12 provides its own scholarship program.
- At the Grand Lodge (national) level, the members of the VASA Order of America are very proud to be able to offer assistance in the form of scholarships and student loan services to qualified students in quest of continued education. The education fund provides annual VASA Scholarships to worthy students, enrolled or accepted for enrollment, in accredited institutions for higher learning. In addition, the education fund provides monetary support to the cultural committee for promotion of Scandinavian culture, Children’s and Youth Clubs for understanding their Scandinavian heritage and enhancing cultural work, VASA Youth camp activities in Sweden, to applicants for Swedish Language Village participation across the United States as well as non-interest bearing loans to VASA members in need of financial assistance to complete their education.
Small groups for focused activities (all open to entire membership):
- Nål och Tråd (Nordic handicrafts activities)
- Children’s Club (mostly involving our annual St. Lucia celebration in December)
- Scandinavian Festival (annual cultural festival held jointly with other Sacramento Nordic lodges)
Genealogical archives:
- The Grand Lodge maintains a national archival operation at Bishop Hill, Illinois which includes providing members with access to genealogical information contained a myriad of membership records, newsletters and periodicals, minutes of lodge activities, donated special collections and the like.
Last update: 02/08/2022
