District 1

 

2026 District 1 Sons of Norway Convention  

• June 25 – 27, 2026

  • Registration is open through noon on June 5th; using the link below.  Planning to attend for the whole convention, or just for the Thursday or Friday banquet?  Hurry and register! https://sonsofnorwaydistrict1.regfox.com/sons-of-norway-district-1-convention

  • All registrations close at noon on June 5th 

  • Convention at the Conference Center in Willmar, MN and at the Best Western Plus, connected to the Conference Center:  

    • Use this link to get the discounted rates of  $134.99 plus tax for single rooms and $144.99 plus tax for double rooms. These rates were good through May 25th. Call the hotel to see if any rooms are still available. Note that there may be rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, next door.
      

       https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.24139.html?groupId=I47ZC7W3

• Convention Theme:   Roots &  Future:  Bridging Generations

The 2026 convention is being hosted by the lodges of District 1.   We are planning a variety of cultural activities for our delegates and guests.  We have also timed the convention to tie into the Willmar Fest, to make this a family activity for all ages. We invite you to join us in learning more about our cultural connections, to have your voice heard at the District convention / business meeting, and then take the opportunity to attend the variety of activities that Willmar will be hosting in the area.  We strongly encourage you to elect lodge delegates, even if you may not be attending the convention.  This is the only way to guarantee that your lodge has a voice in the decision making and allows you an invitation to the area caucuses in March and April.

Lodge Deadlines:

September 2025

Lodges should start gathering folk art items for the District Convention Folk Art exhibit

October 2025

Lodges can start looking for delegates and alternates to represent them at the 2026 District 1 Convention. Each lodge is allowed 2 delegates and an additional delegate for each 100 lodge members, or greater portion thereof. Each lodge should have an equal number of alternates.

Lodges should discuss any changes to the District By Laws, that they want to make. Information about how to write and submit a By Law change will be sent to lodges in October.

by January 31, 2026

Lodges will have received their official count of how may delegates and alternates they are allowed to the 2026 District Convention.

End of February 2026

Lodges will receive an email with detailed information about the 2026 Convention, along with hotel costs, and how to register. Lodges should elect delegates and alternates at their January or February lodge meeting. Delegates may be chosen earlier, but not later than February.

March 2026

March 1st, the delegate and non delegate registration website will be posted.

Zone area caucuses will be held in March or April. Contact your Zone Director for more information.

April 2026

By April 1st, names and requested information must be sent to the District Secretary for verification of credentials.

By April 15th, delegates registered online will receive a discounted cost.. Web link will be available and posted by March 1st.

Between April 15 – May 1, send any resolutions from your lodge to the District Secretary, to be included for vote at the convention.

By April 15, send in your application to be a Zone Director or District Officer. We can’t do this without you!

Putting on a District Convention is a lot of work, but it also is a great deal of fun.  Consider it! The application form can be found above and should be returned to the District 1 Secretary by April 20, 2026. It is ok to use the 2024 form to bid to host the 2028 convention!

May 2026

May 1st, all delegates and non delegates attending the convention should be registered.

May 25th Hotel rooms must be booked to guarantee getting a room at the convention price. Any changes in lodge delegates must be confirmed with the District Secretary, before they will be admitted into the convention as a delegate.

June 5th ALL REGISTRATIONS CLOSE at noon ON JUNE 5TH.  
The convention officially begins at 11 am on Thursday June 25, 2026.  We will gather in the Convention Hall (Gallery 7) for opening remarks and introductions.  This will be followed by your Zone caucuses, which is when some critical decisions and votes will be made.  Following is lunch and then cultural workshops and tours.   The Old Log church tour will leave at 12:45 from the Best Western Lobby and costs $30.  If you did not sign up for this, or havent yet paid, but want to attend, let us know as soon as possible.  Additional convention opportunities will be offered after the workshops, such as a session for new delegates and a chance to meet the candidates for office. The evening concludes with the President’s reception, awards and entertainment.
Friday is our District Lodge business day and includes our banquet, new officer installation and some special awards.  Bunads and dress attire is encouraged for the banquet.  Saturday morning is similar to Thursday with more cultural workshops and an optional tour to the Endreson cabin, which figured prominently in the immigrant and Native American history of Minnesota.  If you signed up for the Hardanger class, please bring $10 (exact change) to pay for the necesarry materials.  (Thank you!) The Hardanger class is the only session that will not accept additional attendees on the day of.
Saturday ends with a Grab and Go lunch, however, you are welcome to sit and relax and talk to the new friends you have made.  District 1 Officers and Directors, going off the Board, or newly elected to it, are expected to eat lunch together on Saturday in the main eating area before departing for home.  
Some additional reminders for you:

1. Anyone still wishing to register for the convention, or to day trip or attend the banquets must register ASAP.  All registrations close on June 5th.
2. Delegates will receive the report book in pdf format in early June.  A print copy will be available in your Delegate bag when you check in.
3. Please bring Folk Art items from your lodge members to be judged, or simply displayed.
4. Dont forget your lodge’s Silent Auction item!
5. Plan on joining Susie for the Scholarship Walk on Friday Morning.
6. Bring your lodge banner to display in the convention hall, it must be free standing, and we ask that each lodge set up and take down their own banners along the walls in Gallery 7, or in the hallway leading up to it.  
7. We are looking for candidates to run for office.  We still need a candidate for Publicity Director, but all offices are up for election,   We also still need some area Zone Directors!
8. Talk to your lodge about hosting the 2028 or 2030 conventions.  The District depends on You!

Questions?  Let me know! Carolyn Townsend. District 1 Secretary. cjtownsen@comcast.net