History

The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International (HOBGI) was founded in 1906 by a group of insurance field men who were trapped by cold rainy weather at an annual Fieldmen’s club meeting in Green Lake, WI.

As an idea to pass the time, the designated a fraternal lodge complete with special titles for officers.  The name of the Order was selected in commemoration of a tavern frequented by the make student body of the University of Wisconsin.

From these inauspicious beginnings sprang an international organization.  Blue Goose members represent all aspects of the insurance industry and strive to maintain a strong sense of fellowship.

The Virginia Pond was initiated in May 1907, one year after the origination of the Blue Goose.

Objectives

The primary goal of the Order so to promote character, charity and fellowship among its members.  These objectives are manifest in a number of ways.  Each chapter is called a Pond and helps to support local charities of its choice.  Some Ponds have groups in remote locations, called Puddles.  The international organization is called the Grand Nest and can provide matching funds for worthwhile projects.

In installing the objective qualities in the membership, the Order emulates the attributes observed in the Canadian Blue Goose –  compassion, loyalty and bravery.

Membership

Our Honorable Order is open to members of the insurance industry, including property, casualty and life companies, their agents adn service providers.  This is one of the strengths of the Blue Goose.  It is the only fraternal organization comprised of members from a broad spectrum of the insurance industry.  We meet regularly for fellowship in a friendly, enjoyable and relaxed social setting.  Members of the Order are called Ganders, regardless of their gender.  Goslings (applicants) are initiated into the ways of the Order through a ceremony penned by our founding fathers in 1906.  A Gander becomes a ‘life member’ with 25 years of continuous paid membership, at which time he/she no longer pays dues.

Please contact one of our Officers to find out more about the organization, or to join us for one of our meetings or events.

Organization

Each Pond has six (6) elected officers:

  • The Most Loyal Gander functions as the President.
  • The Supervisor of the Flock functions as the Vice President and stands in for the Most Loyal Gander.
  • The Custodian of the Goslings acts like a second Vice President in charge of membership.
  • The Guardian of the Pond functions as the Sergeant of Arms .
  • The Keeper of the Golden Goose Egg functions as the Treasurer.
  • The Wielder of the Goose Quill functions as the Secretary.

Puddle officers bear similar titles as those in the Pond: Loyal Gander, Puddle Supervisor, Puddle Wielder, Puddle Guardian.

Grand Nest, or International, Officers bear the same titles as those in the Pond, except that the prefix “Grand” is used to distinguish the high degree of achievement.

VA Pond Most Loyal Ganders

2024-present – Pete Schurig
2023-2024 – Kevin Streit
2021-2023 – Jet Thomas
2018-2021 – James Porter
2016-2018 – Andras Koppanyi
2015-2016 – Keith H. Strohecker
2013-2015 – Mark Jakobowski
2012-2013 – Rick Bulifant
2011-2012 – Chuck Finley
2010-2011 – Richard Cunningham
2009-2010 – Doug Zahniser/Richard Cunningham (co-MLG’s)
2008-2009 – Doug Zahniser
2006-2008 – Mattie Worrix
2004-2006 – Mary Kay Marchetti
2003-2004 – Leslie W. Robson
1998-2003 – Joseph E. Bishop
1997-1998 – D. Eugene Atkinson
1996-1997 – Robert Muse
1995-1996 – Robert T. Ross
1993-1995 – Keith H. Strohecker
1992-1993 – Ross R. Lamotte
1990-1992 – Alan R. Konkle
1989-1990 – Jerry Vance
1988-1989 – David L. Cushing
1987-1988 – Douglas M. Holt
1986-1987 – Olen C. Stewart, Jr.
1984-1986 – Arthur D. Henderson
1983-1984 – Randoplh L. Payne
1982-1983 – S.W. Clarke, Jr.
1981-1982 – Robert L. Tate, Jr
1979-1981 – Lawrence H. Fay
1978-1979 – Garnet H. Schnell
1977-1978 – Steven Edwards
1976-1977 – C. Benton Evans
1975-1976 – C. Clifton Dyche, Jr.
1974-1975 – Billy H. Johson
1973-1974 – Lebron E. McIvor, Jr.
1972-1973 – George P. Ewing
1971-1972 – D. Eugene Atkinson
1970-1971 – Fred L. Bowers
1969-1970 – Charles M. Hanson
1968-1969 – A.W. Roberts
1967-1968 – Julian M. Stancell
1966-1967 – Edward D. Summers
1965-1966 – William P. Pitts, Jr.
1963-1964 – Randolph P. Candler
1962-1963 – William P. Hundley
1961-1962 – Barnwell S. Dunlap
1960-1961 – James R. Callan
1959-1960 – Towsend S. Parsons
1958-1959 – E. Stanley Broach
1958-1959 – Clyde B. Marshall
1957-1958 – Vaughn M. Bradshaw
1956-1957 – Sheldon L. Lucas
1956-1957 – Edward J. English
1955-1956 – E. Bruce Fralye
1954-1955 – John E. Howards, Jr.
1953-1954 – L.O. Freeman
1952-1953 – Coleman Rice
1951-1952 – James W. Holbrook