Council President: Winnie Weitkamp; Vice-President: Tom White; Secretary: Angie Easley; Chaplain: Kevin Long;
Council Past President: Linda Kozlowski; Higher Degree Coordinator: Brenda Heitmann

Official Logo

The official logo of the Council of Higher Degrees is the standing Moose overlaid on six (6) interlocking rings representing the degrees of the Order. The color of the rings denote the degrees: Pilgrim is gold; Fellowship is French blue, Moose Legion is purple, College of Regents is black, Academy of Friendship is blue and the Star Recorder is green. 

Composition Of Higher Degrees

The Council of Higher Degrees consists of:
Members of the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, the Fellowship Degree of Honor, the Moose Legion Degree of Service, the College of Regents, the Academy of Friendship and the Star Recorders.

Purpose

Council is a separate and autonomous unit of the Order. The purpose of the Council of Higher Degrees is:

• To be actively involved in the retention of Lodge, Chapter and Moose Legion members.

• To promote and support the programs of Moose Charities.

• To honor all newly elevated members of the higher degrees.

• To honor the memories of deceased members of the Council of Higher Degrees.

• To promote the programs of The Moose and Women of The Moose.

• To encourage fraternal and social unity, benevolence and charity among all members of the Order.

Moose Legion - The Degree of Service

The second degree of our order is the Moose Legion degree. The Moose Legion was first created in 1913 and is open to any member of the order that has been a member for longer than six months or sponsored one member into the fraternity. The Moose Legion's ultimate goal is to provide an outlet for Moose members who aspire to provide greater support and service to the fraternity. It is no wonder that this degree of service is known for being the leaders of our fraternity. When the need is great, the Moose Legion members roll up their sleeves and make things happen. The majority of dues collected by the Moose Legion go to support health care at Moosehaven and Camp Ross for Mooseheart. Lodges with active Moose Legion committees have much more vibrant lodge activities.

Academy of Friendship

The Academy of Friendship is the first accomplishment as a member of the Women of the Moose. Individuals who earn the Academy of Friendship Degree are instrumental in the success and the future of the Chapter. They demonstrate leadership qualities and have been crucial to membership growth in the Women of the Moose. The symbol of the Academy of Friendship is a gold ring, which symbolizes our unity within the circle of friendship.

Fellowship Degree of Honor

A Fellow is someone who has been a leader and is now often an all-important mentor to newer members helping to guide them along a fraternal leadership path towards enhancing our existing programs. They continue to serve in various ways to keep their fraternal units strong, often through positive efforts in membership recruitment and retention.

Star 

The Star Degree is awarded only to Treasurers who have demonstrated exceptional administrative and organizational skills while serving their Chapter for one or more years.  A Star Recorder has been instrumental in keeping accurate membership and financial records and has helped guide the Chapter to earn the Award of Achievement. The high honor of Star Recorder is a star, which symbolizes proficiency and excellence in service. 

Pilgrim Degree of Merit

It is a great honor to be recognized as a Pilgrim of the Order. Only Fellows who have served their lodge, Moose Legion, District, or Association over a long period of time are considered for this degree. Generally it is attained only by devoted members who have given many years of service to and for our program. They have volunteered to cook, clean, serve as an officer, mentored others, and been fraternal leaders along the way.

College of Regents

The College of Regents Degree, the most prestigious personal honor, rewards Past Regents for their outstanding accomplishments and services rendered on behalf of our children and seniors. Collegians are the builders of our chapters, our organization and our future. College of Regents degree holders convey a feeling of great pride and rededicate themselves to continued service to our causes, their Chapter, Lodge, and Community.

The traditional robe and mortarboard reminds Collegians that they are united on a solid foundation of knowledge. They wear the cap and gown to symbolize the past efforts and future intentions of our Chapters’ leaders. 

RETENTION

If you want to keep your members

R is for: Realizing that members need to be Reminded of their worth.
E is for The extra effort make members feel welcome.
T is for: Thinking about and listening to members concerns and ideas.
E is for: The Elemental Enjoyment and understand of the moose family.
N is for: The nucellus part of the moose in each lodge to grow solid ( in this case the officers need to reach out to all of their co-workers.
T is for: Tapping the talent in each lodge, to make the Moose Home more welcoming.
I is for:  Including each member  in each function and meeting.
O is for: Overcoming Obstacles so you may work and plat together.
N is for: Nuking the needless negativity floating around the lodge home.

I know you all love the moose as I do so lets start working together and get  our members back.

Remember: Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart.