Leadership Seminar – Descriptions and Presenters

Marketing Presentation—Vegas Viking Lodge 6-152 Panel Discussion

Faced with the challenges of an aging, dwindling membership that brings with it reduced income and rising expenses, the Vegas Vikings Lodge took on the challenge by developing an aggressive Marketing campaign using social media and direct fundraising techniques. While the jury is still out on its success to its long term objectives, initial results seem promising.

Panel Members

Roger Buehrer

Roger has helped establish the first marketing committee for the Vegas Viking Lodge 6-152 for the Sons of Norway.  Under the Committee’s guidance, there has been growth in the use of social media by the Las Vegas lodge, the creation of a new website, and enhanced the monthly newsletter. This has led to growth in lodge membership and community exposure on line and the number of community events. He has more than 40 years of experience in newspaper editing, public utility public relations, and service to a large number of volunteer agencies including the United Way, American Red Cross, the Exchange Club, and boards fostering a commitment to providing service to youth. He has degrees in journalism, public relations and communications from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and American University (Washington, DC).

Sons of Norway Updates for the Financial, Fraternal and Foundation presented by Connie O’Brien

Connie, Vice President of Fraternal & Foundation Development, will review what is happening at headquarters and she will also review the Sons of Norway website and features.

Connie is responsible for managing the marketing and growth of the Sons of Norway Fraternal and Foundation efforts. She brings over twenty years of experience working in the insurance industry with over eight of those years dedicated to fraternal organizations like Sons of Norway. The past four years she has been leading the Fraternal department and intimately involved in supporting the mission of the Sons of Norway Foundation. Serving as a scholarship judge is one of her favorite ways to support the mission of the Foundation.

Connie graduated with honors from Cornell College with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. She also holds her masters in Orgainzational Leadership from St. Ambrose University.

When not at work, you can find her running the hills near her home in Burnsville, MN or in her art studio creating abstract art for friends and family. Connie and her husband Bill have three adult daughters who all enjoy traditional Norwegian foods served at holiday gatherings.

Marketing to younger generations presented by Lynn Skrukrud

Through her work, Lynn has presented to dozens of service clubs. Everywhere she went, she was always asked the same thing, “How do we get more young people involved?” Today, she will present ideas to help district lodges reach more young people. As one of the youngest President in District 6 and as a marketing professional, she has a unique perspective on how to reach younger generations.

Lynn serves as the President of Gulldalen Lodge in Grass Valley, California and is on the board for Camp Norge. She has extensive experience in community development and working with youth. At the age of 18, Lynn co-founded a nonprofit youth center which she co-directed for 13 years. In that time, the organization served thousands of youth and young adults.  She now serves as the Events and Marketing Manager for the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce.

Lynn has a degree in Entrepreneurship and Management Studies from Sierra Nevada University in Lake Tahoe. Lynn is a certified trainer in Youth Development, a graduate of the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s Executive Director Academy.