Countdown to Convention: 6 Days Left

In less than a week delegates from all eight districts in the U.S., Canada and Norway will gather together in San Diego California for Sons of Norway's 60th Biennial International Convention. It will be a time for Sons of Norway members to come together and help chart the future of our beloved organization. That's a pretty weighty thing to be tasked with, but we know the delegates are up to the challenge!

Because delegates are charged with the duty of making decisions that will help chart a course for Sons of Norway over the next two years (and sometimes beyond). With that kind of responsibility there are some important things to keep in mind as you prepare for the convention.

1. Come with an open mind. There will be a lot of different issues being discussed by different people and its good to be open to ideas other than your own.
   
   
2. Be a "Change Agent." Change, while sometimes scary, can be a good a thing. As a delegate, think about things we, as an organization, can do together to change for the better.
   
   
3. Be an effective communicator. During the general sessions, delegates will be expected to take up discussions on the issues at hand. The most efficient way to do this is to effectively communicate your point of view. However, its more than just saying what you think. Effective communication is a two way street that requires strong listening skills as well. Also, a big part of being an effective communicator is being able to back up your argument with strong supporting information.
   
   
4. Maintain a positive, upbeat attitude. This is probably the most important element, which is why it was saved until last. Having a positive attitude is the one thing that will make the difference between your convention experience being a good one or a bad one. There's going to be a lot of fun and exciting stuff happening at this year's convention and with a positive attitude it will be more fun than ever!
   

Well, that's all for now. Be sure to check back later for updates about the convention. Don't forget that beginning on Monday night the blog will be posting information from the convention site in San Diego!