The Frankfort Moose Lodge #7 made history on Saturday by installing the first female President of the Moose, an active member who grew up with the Frankfort Moose and all the members who helped lead the way to her installment.
On Saturday, April 20, history was created at the oldest continuous Moose Lodge in the world, the Frankfort Moose Lodge #7. During the installment of officers, Amy Melton was officially installed as the first female President of the Moose, an honor that became available for her to receive as the Moose Lodge combined with the Women of the Moose to create Moose One only a few years ago. As a long-time member and active participant in the Moose that spanned generations, Melton became the next appointed President to serve her 1-year term.
“I have been coming here my entire life,” Melton said. “My parents were very involved. Then, I remember coming in as a child and sitting in front of the water fountain and watching my parents enjoy the fellowship and the members here, and I knew that one day I would become a member.”
While the separate entities of the Moose have combined to create one Moose, Melton stated that the Moose still upholds its Legion, which is comprised of the men of the Moose, and the Chapter, which is comprised of the Women of the Moose. The distinctions allow for the Legion and the Chapter to act separately while still operating as a single Moose entity. The combination of the entities opened the door for the historic appointment and installment of Melton as the President of Moose Lodge #7.
“As I grew and came out here more and more and watched my parents volunteer and do things out here and instill that value into me that someone had instilled into them, I knew that was something I wanted to do eventually,” Melton said. “Never in my wildest dream would I have ever thought I would be the President, ever, because it was a fraternity. It was men only.”
Melton continued to state that while becoming the President was never a position she dreamed of obtaining while being an active member of the lodge, she reiterated that achieving the honor has surpassed any dream that she could have held growing up within the lodge.
“When we became one Moose, I still would never dream of being the President of this lodge, but to be the President of the oldest Moose Lodge in the world is pretty amazing,” Melton said. “I’m very nervous about this position. I think everything will go well. I have a good group of officers who have my back with anything.”
As President, Melton will be tasked with overseeing the meetings, ensuring that every officer performs and satisfies their duties, ensuring the financial transactions of the Moose are signed and proper in certain circumstances, stepping in for instances where a board member may not be able to complete their assigned duties and more.
“I didn’t set out to do so,” Melton said. “When we became one Moose, I knew it could happen eventually, but not necessarily for me, but I knew it could happen eventually. My father was a Governor here years ago. I adore my parents, so I just wanted to follow in their footsteps and do good.”
Melton stated that her main goals for her term are centered around increasing membership for the lodge and focusing heavily on continuing the legacy of the lodge through its support for Mooseheart and Moosehaven.
“Coming out here as a kid, it was so men-oriented at that point, and there were so many things going on and it all halted, and I want to bring all of that stuff back and just get more membership involved,” Melton said. “There was a lot more membership involvement. If you come here, you see they did parades and so much more. We need to bring all that back and get more involvement.”
Melton elaborated on the lodge’s impact with Mooseheart, describing some of the steps that members of the lodge take to support the children of Mooseheart throughout the year, including participating in Indiana Day. During Indiana Day, the lodge gathers supplies and gifts, visiting Mooseheart to deliver the goodies to every smiling face.
“Mooseheart is where our kids are,” Melton said. “If there are some unfortunate kids or even if a member has a family member where something happens in their family and they have no one to care for them, they can go live at Mooseheart. Then, we support them as far as we can, such as adopting a Sunshine Child and then we send them things every so often and for their birthday.”
Melton continued to describe Moosehaven, which is an area in Florida that focuses on supporting the seniors of the lodge. Residents of Moosehaven are required to have 25 years of membership within the Moose to join the community. Melton expressed that one of her main goals is to visit Moosehaven and tour the facility to truly see the beauty described by members who have joined the Moosehaven community firsthand.
“We know quite a few people who have gone down there to live, and they say it’s beautiful and wonderful,” Melton said. “They do nursing care 24/7, and it has the works there.”
Community members looking to get involved or join the membership of the Frankfort Moose Lodge #7 are encouraged to visit the lodge at 2880 E. Wabash St. in Frankfort and speak to any officer, bartender or member to begin their involvement. Community members may learn more about the Moose or become involved as well by calling 765-654-6423.
