The 114th Grand Nest Convention in Hartford, originally scheduled for July 2020, is now scheduled to take place July 23, 2021 through July 28, 2021.

Event registrations remains in place, and the price paid remains honored for next summer’s event.  The Hartford Marriott is also honoring the 2020 published room rates for July 2021.  Please know that we have added more rooms for this event as we expect a great turnout!  Convention updates will be posted here:  http://www.bluegoosehartfordpond.com/convention.html

We thank you all for your excitement to attend the Grand Nest Convention in Hartford, CT and we look forward to gathering again for fellowship and charity very soon! Stay safe until then!  

Fraternally yours,  

The Blue Goose Hartford Pond 202ONE Convention Committee!

Registration is open for the 114th annual convention of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International, from July 18-21 in Hartford, CT.  There’ll be Plenty in 2020 – plenty of:

• Blue Goose Tradition
• Connections
• Adventures
• Laughs
• Work to be Done
• Amazing Meals
• Friendly Faces
• Giving Back
• … and EVERYTHING!

Details and registration links may be found here.   Sign up by 4/15 and save!

CONVENTION AGENDA:

SATURDAY 7.18

• Grand Nest Officer’s Meeting
• Grand Nest Spouse Activity & Luncheon
• Optional Private Dinner for 20 @ V’s Trattoria
• Grand Nest Officers’ Reception & Dinner

SUNDAY 7.19

• Golf Outing at Tunxis Country Club
• Parents & Youth Meeting
• Optional Brignole Winery Tour
• Youth Welcome Party
• First Timer Meeting
• 1960’s Groovy Welcome Party

MONDAY 7.20

• Opening Ceremony and Memorial Service
• Model Initiation
• Youth Tour @ USA Ninja Challenge & Nomad’s Adventure
• Spouse/Guest Tour – Mark Twain’s Home & Capital Grille for lunch
• All Industry Luncheon
• Caribbean & Calypso Family Dinner Cruise
• Hospitality
  

TUESDAY 7.21

• Grand Nest Meeting & 2021 Convention Presentation
• Youth Tour @ Connecticut Science Center
• Spouse/Guest Ballroom Dancing & Mimosa Flights
• Convention Luncheon
• Youth Dinner Banquet (14 and under)
• Grand Nest Banquet

WEDNESDAY 7.22

• Grab & Go Muffin/Coffee & Departures
• Grand Nest Officers Post Convention Meeting

The following Grand Nest officers were elected and installed at the 113th annual Blue Goose convention held in Indianapolis, IN (L-R):  Most Loyal Grand Gander Dan Rick of the Hartford Pond; Grand Supervisor of the Flock Linda Meik of the Texas Pond; Grand Custodian of the Goslings Wendy Knizek of the British Columbia (BC) Pond; and Grand Guardian of the Nest Steve Carson II from the Michigan Pond Pond.

These officers graciously agreed to extend their term through 2021 when the 114th Grand Nest Convention in Hartford had to be postponed due to COVID.

Many thanks to PMLGG Kim Bilbrey of the Dayton Pond for her service in 2018/19 and for a wonderful convention!

Registration is open for the 113th annual convention of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International, from July 16-19 at the Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.  Lots of great activities are included in the registration fee (see agenda below).  Details and registration links may be found here.   Sign up early and save!

CONVENTION AGENDA:

TUESDAY 7.16

• Grand Nest Officer’s Meeting
• Grand Nest Spouse Activity & Luncheon
• Optional Golf Outing
• Pre-Con Water Park Activity
• St. Louis Pond Sponsored Hospitality
• Chef JJ’s Interactive Iron Chef Dinner Activity
• Grand Nest Officer’s Reception & Dinner

WEDNESDAY 7.17

• Optional Indy Motor Speedway Tour
• Volunteer Giveback Interactive Experience
• Parents & Youth Meeting
• Youth Welcome Party
• First Timer Meeting
• Race to Indy Welcome Party

THURSDAY 7.18

• Opening Ceremony and Memorial Service
• Model Initiation
• Youth Tour of Children’s Museum
• Spouse/Guest Local Brew Bus Tour
• All Industry Luncheon
• Punch Bowl Dinner
• Cincinnati Pond Sponsored Hospitality
  

FRIDAY 7.19

• Buffet Breakfast
• Grand Nest Meeting & 2020 Convention Presentation
• Youth Tour of the Zoo & Splash Pad Activity
• Spouse/Guest Axe Throwing Experience
• Convention Luncheon
• Youth Dinner Banquet (14 and under)
• Grand Nest Banquet

Meet the the 2018 Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International’s Grand Nest officers.  These individuals were elected and installed at the 112th annual Blue Goose convention held in July in Edmonton Canada (L-R):  Most Loyal Grand Gander Kim Bilbrey of the Dayton Pond; Grand Supervisor of the Flock Dan Rich of the Hartford Pond; Grand Custodian of the Goslings Michael Smith of the Florida Pond; Grand Guardian of the Nest Wendy Knizek of the BC (British Columbia) Pond.  We look forward to great things in the coming year!

It was pointed out at the 112th Grand Nest Convention that promoting our cardinal precept of charity is one of the best ways to attract new members to Blue Goose. We are proud to report that during the 2017/18 fiscal year, the Blue Goose International cumulatively contributed over $223,000 in financial contributions; 2000 volunteer hours; over $68,000 in collected goods; and over $10,000 in scholarships. And some of the ponds’ charity reports are still coming in!  A final total will be included in the Grand Nest’s annual bulletin.

It is always inspiring and energizing to mingle with ganders across the US and Canada at the annual convention and to learn about other ponds’ charitable and social activities.  Dana Cullen and Mary Kay Marchetti had the honor of representing the Virginia Pond in Edmonton this July.  We look forward to sharing more information from the convention at an upcoming Pond meeting.

Thanks to the Edmonton Pond for hosting this year and for organizing such fun activities for ganders, spouses and kids!  Next year’s convention will be held July 16-19 in Indianapolis, IN.  Mark your calendars and watch for details!

Virginia Pond annual dues will go up to $50 effective 7/1/2018. This is the first dues increase since 2012, when dues were increased at the Grand Nest level.

Ganders who pay dues for the 2018/19 Pond year prior to the 7/1 increase may do so at the old rate of $45.  Dues may be paid online via PayPal, or by check made payable to Blue Goose and mailed to: PO Box 74995, Richmond, VA  23236.

A large portion of ganders’ annual dues ($27) is passed through to the Grand Nest for operational expenses and reimbursement of travel for convention delegates.  A small portion of dues goes to the Southern Region’s convention fund.  The remainder is used for the local chapter’s operational expenses and welfare.

Feel free to contact an Executive Committee officer if there are any questions or about dues.

The Grand Nest Officers inducted at the 2017 Convention are: (front left to right)  Grand Guardian Michael Smith from the Florida Pond; Grand Supervisor Kim Bilbrey from the Dayton Pond; and Grand Custodian Dan Rich from the Hartford Pond; (on screen) Most Loyal Grand Gander Mark Robertson from the Edmonton Pond.  Unfortunately, Mark was unable to be at the convention at the last minute and had to Skype in for the business meetings.

Photo by Neil Miller, Edmonton Pond