BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• You are welcome to participate in all Sons of Norway activities, including lodge meetings throughout the United States, Canada, and Norway.
  
• Viking magazine is Sons of Norway's official publication and contains a wide variety of topics, including Norwegian culture, travel, and history as well as promotional information on Sons of Norway programs.
  
• Heritage Membership is for children from birth through age 15. Members will receive the quarterly newsletter Heritage Highlights. This newsletter features articles, recipes, puzzles, and language lessons.
  
• Sons of Norway youth members, age 16-23, receive the newsletter News of Norway. This offer comes to the members through a cooperative arrangement between Sons of Norway and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
  
• Financial benefits of membership are provided through a wide array of products and services including life insurance, tax-deferred annuities, and qualified retirement plans. Health, auto, and homeowner's insurance are also available through approved carriers.
  
• The Sons of Norway Foundation provides U.S. members tax-exemption on donations to approved Nordic causes. Scholarships and grants are awarded to support educational, cultural, and humanitarian endeavors.
  
• Sports and recreational activities for youth and adults encourage healthful lifestyles. These include cycling, walking, skiing, and general sports. In addition, the Sports Medal program recognizes achievements in many individual recreational activities.
  
• Cultural education activities for children and adults are encouraged through classes, seminars, and exhibits. Activities include rosemaling, cooking, folk dancing, Norwegian language, and more. An award program recognizes achievement.
  
• Heritage Books, videos, and music cassettes are available at member discounts through catalog and bookstore sources.
  
• Social events such as Syttende Mai and Leif Erikson Day celebrations, banquets, dances, picnics, and much more are held throughout the Sons of Norway lodges.
  
• Community outreach programs are sponsored by local, district, and international lodges. Examples of these programs include Ski for Light, Sons of Norway Walk-a-thons, and many other individual lodge efforts.
  
• The Heritage Information Service offers answers to your questions about Norway and Norwegian-American happenings.
  
• Map Service. Sons of Norway, through a partnership with the Norwegian Mapping Authority, offers four types of maps of Norway. Sons of Norway members receive their maps at a discounted price. Nonmembers have been joining Sons of Norway when they discover the map service benefit.
  
• Travel to and from Norway (and other exciting places) is sponsored throughout the year by Sons of Norway districts and lodges at special member prices. Heritage Tours offer specially tailored tours to help you explore your Norwegian connection beyond the tourist trails.
  
• Member Discounts including the following: 
  • You are eligible for our member discount (up to 15 percent) at any of Best Western's 3,400 hotels in the United States, Canada, and abroad including Scandinavia! Visit Best Western's Web site for specific hotel locations and information at www.bestwestern.com.
  • Save money as you travel with Sons of Norway's member discount with Avis (up to 20 percent in the United States and Canada) and on time and mileage rates internationally at all participating Avis locations. For more information on Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD), visit their website at www.avis.com.

Start enjoying the financial and fraternal benefits offered by Sons of Norway, while learning more about Norwegian heritage and culture.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER:

Do you need to be Norwegian to join?  No.  The requirements of membership are simple:

• You need to be at least 16 years of age or older to join as a regular Sons of Norway member; gender is not a factor.
• Any applicant, who shows a great interest in the objectives and purposes of Sons of Norway, regardless of nationality, may be accepted into membership.
• Children under 15 years of age can join as a Heritage member free of charge if a parent or grandparent belongs to Sons of Norway.

You can become a member in one of the following ways:

• If you wish to join the Anchorage lodge, you may contact us by calling 907-349-1613. Annual dues are $55 for new members and $45/year thereafter.
  
• If you wish to join one of the lodges in your area, please contact the Fraternal Department, either by sending an email or calling 1-800-945-8851 or 612-827-3611. We will be able to refer you to the proper contact person in that lodge. (If you send an E-mail, be sure to include the city and state/province in which you are looking for a lodge, as well as your postal address.) 

Once you become a member, you'll receive our New Member Welcome Package which includes your first Viking magazine, a membership pin, information on our programs, a map of Norway, and a travel supplement. You will also become eligible to take advantage of our insurance programs.