2024-11-15T18:08:00-05:00 2023-12-31 341602442 H & J CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS INC 7555 FREDLE DR STE 110 CONCORD OH 44077 990 2023-01-01 046050224 VASA ORDER OF AMERICA THE GRAND LODGE VASA 4082687250 38 VASA DRIVE HACKETTSTOWN NJ 07840 KEVIN DEFEO GRAND TREASURER 4082687250 2024-11-15 true true ROLLAND B STANDISH P00169705 4409512997 2024-11-15 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z KEVIN DEFEO 38 VASA DRIVE HACKETTSTOWN NJ 07840 122434 false X WWW.VASAORDER.COM X 1899 CT THE MISSION OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA IS TO TO RENDER AID AND ASSISTANCE TO SICK MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION, WHETHER SUCH SICKNESS BE TEMPORARY OR INCURABLE, AND TO RENDER PECUNIARY AID TOWARD DEFRAYING THE FUNERAL EXPENSES OF MEMBERS, AND TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG ITS MEMBERS. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING: 1. TO PERPETUATE THE NOBLE HERITAGE OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND TO FOSTER NORDIC CULTURAL ACTIVITIES BY ENCOURAGEMENT AND EXAMPLE TO ITS MEMBERS. 2. WITH OUR MOTTO GENEROSITY, TRUTH AND UNITY AS A FOUNDATION, ENDEAVOR TO PERPETUATE THE MORAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS OF ITS MEMBERS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE HIGH IDEALS AND REPUTATION OF ITS PEOPLE. 3. TO INTEREST AND ASSIST THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS IN THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE ORDER BY SUPPORTING THE INSTITUTION AND PROGRESS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLUBS WITHIN THE ORDER. 4. TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF TO ITS MEMBERS IN NEED OF S 10 10 0 15 0 151560 113406 0 88776 0 4886 9028 245222 122434 124017 81163 32677 42815 3300 18700 0 0 177674 94502 337668 237180 -92446 -114746 8887542 9979683 0 8887542 9979683 X THE MISSION OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA IS TO TO RENDER AID AND ASSISTANCE TO SICK MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION, WHETHER SUCH SICKNESS BE TEMPORARY OR INCURABLE, AND TO RENDER PECUNIARY AID TOWARD DEFRAYING THE FUNERAL EXPENSES OF MEMBERS, AND TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG ITS MEMBERS. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING: 1. TO PERPETUATE THE NOBLE HERITAGE OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND TO FOSTER NORDIC CULTURAL ACTIVITIES BY ENCOURAGEMENT AND EXAMPLE TO ITS MEMBERS. 2. WITH OUR MOTTO GENEROSITY, TRUTH AND UNITY AS A FOUNDATION, ENDEAVOR TO PERPETUATE THE MORAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS OF ITS MEMBERS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE HIGH IDEALS AND REPUTATION OF ITS PEOPLE. 3. TO INTEREST AND ASSIST THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS IN THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE ORDER BY SUPPORTING THE INSTITUTION AND PROGRESS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLUBS WITHIN THE ORDER. 4. TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF TO ITS MEMBERS IN NEED OF S false false 68768 OLD AGE AND NEEDY BENEFIT FUND PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS IN NEED. BENEFITS WERE PAID TO 20 SICK AND NEEDY MEMBERS OF THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA IN THE PAST FISCAL YEAR. IN JULY 2022, VASA MEMBERS FROM SWEDEN, CANADA,AND THE UNITED STATES GATHERED IN PHILADELPHIA TO ATTEND THE 40TH QUADRENNIAL CONVENTION OF THE GRAND LODGE - VASA ORDER OF AMERICA. THE GRAND LODGE DELEGATES SPENT MANY HOURS IN COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND THEN, GATHERING WITH ALL THE VOTING MEMBERS - MAKING DECISIONS THAT WILL AFFECT THE FUTURE OF THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA. 30000 30000 SUPPORTS THE VASA NATIONAL ARCHIVES INC. THE VASA NATIONAL ARCHIVES IS THE REPOSITORY FOR THE FOLLOWING: -VASA HISTORICAL RECORDS FOR ALL LODGE LEVELS -SCANDINAVIAN IMMIGRANT HISTORICAL RECORDS AND ARTIFACTS -MEMBER FAMILY HISTORIES AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS -A LIBRARY OF OLD SWEDISH BOOKS AND SWEDISH-AMERICAN BOOKS PUBLISHED IN SWEDISH -A COLLECTION OF NOTABLE SWEDISH-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA. 35723 PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEMBER MAGAZINE, VASA STAR. THE VASA STAR FOCUSES UPON SHARING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND NEWS FROM DISTRICT AND LOCAL LODGES AND GRAND LODGE REPORTS AND NEWS. THE VASA STAR REACHES OVER 7,500 MEMBERS. 55838 51163 THE EDUCATIONAL FUND PROVIDES COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS ENROLLED OR ACCEPTED FOR ENROLLMENT, IN ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS FOR HIGHER LEARNING - 19 SCHOLARSHIPS OF APPROX. 1,500 EACH WERE AWARDED IN 2022. THE FUND ALSO PROVIDES SWEDISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOLARSHIPS AT CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES (A PROGRAM OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE) IN MINNESOTA. THE FUND ALSO PAYS FOR REASONABLE STUDENT TRAVEL EXPENSES TO MINNESOTA. 55838 51163 190329 false false false false false false false false true false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 true 0 false true SW false false false false false false false false false false X 10 10 false false false false false true false true true false false false true true true true true false false false CA X KEVIN DEFEO 4082687250 38 VASA DRIVE HACKETTSTOWN NJ 07840 JOHN HANRIGHT GRAND MASTER 20.00 X X 0 0 0 TOM CLEVELAND VICE GRAND M 20.00 X X 0 0 0 MARLENE PATIENT GRAND SECRET 30.00 X X 8450 0 0 KEVIN DEFEO GRAND TREASU 20.00 X X 8450 0 0 LILLIAN MOORE VICE GRAND S 4.00 X X 1800 0 0 DEBORAH LARSSON TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 ANTONIO SPARGO TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN ERICKSON TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA ENGLUND TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 OLLIE WICKSTROM TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 18700 false false false 110871 2535 113406 OTHER INCOME 900099 9028 9028 9028 122434 9028 30000 30000 51163 51163 42815 42815 18700 4675 14025 1599 1599 8874 8874 16000 16000 3697 3261 436 25213 22692 2521 3396 3396 VASA STAR EXPENSES 33601 33601 MERCHANDISE 2122 2122 237180 190329 46851 0 57311 124756 16192 8814039 9854927 8887542 9979683 0 0 X 7833092 8733610 1054450 1246073 8887542 9979683 8887542 9979683 -114746 1190887 16000 X false true X true false 8549009 306578 -192185 8663402 10032091 -1412405 -70677 8549009 9305969 849372 -123250 10032091 8243307 1135112 -72459 9305960 7022233 101000 1186224 -66150 8243307 0.89000 0.11000 true false X 1428321 1190887 115000 1305887 122434 122434 336180 115000 115000 221180 16000 16000 237180 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 (1) SCHOLARSHIPS AND (2) OLD AGE & BENEFIT PAYMENTS. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE LODGE IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(8) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (THE "CODE") AS A FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETY WHEREBY ONLY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME, AS DEFINED BY SECTION 509(A)(1) OF THE CODE, IS SUBJECT LODGE TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX. THE LODGE CURRENTLY HAS NO UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN RECORDED. true VASA ORDER OF AMER NAT'L ARCHIVES 109 S BISHOP HILL ST BISHOP HILL IL 61419 521244441 501C3 30000 OPERATING SUPPORT 1 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS 28 45000 DIR. TO SCHOOL LANGUAGE SCHOL - TRAVEL 1 663 LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP 1 2600 DIR. TO SCHOOL CHILDRENS CLUB 10 2900 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP AND LANGUAGE FUNDS ARE AWARDED BASED ON WRITTEN CRITERIA AND ARE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE THIRD PARTY SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. - QUALIFICATIONS FOR OLD AGE AND BENEFITS: 1.MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA WHO ARE PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF A DISTRICT LODGE FUNERAL BENEFIT OR LOCAL LODGE SICK BENEFIT FUND ARE ELIGIBLE. 2.MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, WHO DO NOT QUALIFY UNDER PARAGRAPH 1, ARE ELIGIBLE AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP FROM THE LAST DATE OF INITIATION OR REINSTATEMENT. - MAXIMUM BENEFIT PAID TO QUALIFIED MEMBER SHALL BE AN AGGREGATE TOTAL OF 3,000. - DISTRICT LODGES SHALL CONSIDER THE MEMBERS' SITUATION AND DETERMINE THE NEED FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT. ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VASA NATIONAL ARCHIVES TO BE USED TOWARD THE COST OF ITS OPERATION AND GENEALOGICAL PRESERVATION AS WELL AS THE PRESERVATION OF NORDIC AND VASA ORDER OF AMERICA ARTIFACTS. SCHEDULE I, PAGE 4, PART IV YOUTH AND CHILDRENS CLUBS: THROUGH OUR YOUTH AND CHILDRENS CLUBS OUR YOUNGER MEMBERS LEARN OF THEIR SWEDISH HERITAGE WITH SUCH ACTIVITIES AS FOLK DANCING, SINGING, LANGUAGE CLASSES, AND CRAFTS. SUMMER CHILDRENS AND FAMILY CAMPS PROVIDE A SETTING WHERE PEOPLE GATHER FOR FUN AND LEARNING YOUTH EXCHANGES ARE PLANNED FOR EACH SUMMER BETWEEN MEMBERS FAMILIES IN SWEDEN AND NORTH AMERICA. SCHOLARSHIPS: THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA IS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS IN QUEST OF CONTINUED EDUCATION. MANY SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT LOANS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND FOR A SWEDISH LANGUAGE CAMP. A FELLOWSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATE STUDY. GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ELDERHOSTEL STUDIES. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE MISSION OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA IS TO TO RENDER AID AND ASSISTANCE TO SICK MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION, WHETHER SUCH SICKNESS BE TEMPORARY OR INCURABLE, AND TO RENDER PECUNIARY AID TOWARD DEFRAYING THE FUNERAL EXPENSES OF MEMBERS, AND TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG ITS MEMBERS. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GRAND LODGE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING: 1. TO PERPETUATE THE NOBLE HERITAGE OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND TO FOSTER NORDIC CULTURAL ACTIVITIES BY ENCOURAGEMENT AND EXAMPLE TO ITS MEMBERS. 2. WITH OUR MOTTO GENEROSITY, TRUTH AND UNITY AS A FOUNDATION, ENDEAVOR TO PERPETUATE THE MORAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS OF ITS MEMBERS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE HIGH IDEALS AND REPUTATION OF ITS PEOPLE. 3. TO INTEREST AND ASSIST THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS IN THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE ORDER BY SUPPORTING THE INSTITUTION AND PROGRESS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLUBS WITHIN THE ORDER. 4. TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF TO ITS MEMBERS IN NEED OF SUCH ASSISTANCE. 5. TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ITS MEMBERS WHO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THE PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 6. TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO A WORTHWHILE CAUSE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HUMAN LIFE AND EXISTENCE. 7. THAT THE GRAND LODGE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL AND DISTRICT LODGES IN REGIONAL COMMUNITY CULTURAL AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D THE EDUCATIONAL FUND PROVIDES COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS ENROLLED OR ACCEPTED FOR ENROLLMENT, IN ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS FOR HIGHER LEARNING - 19 SCHOLARSHIPS OF APPROX. 1,500 EACH WERE AWARDED IN 2022. THE FUND ALSO PROVIDES SWEDISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOLARSHIPS AT CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES (A PROGRAM OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE) IN MINNESOTA. THE FUND ALSO PAYS FOR REASONABLE STUDENT TRAVEL EXPENSES TO MINNESOTA. FORM 990, PART V, LINE 4B SWEDEN FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A THE GRAND LODGE OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE ELECTED FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM BY NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD REVIEW THE FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C EACH YEAR, THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO REVIEW THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE POLICY MAKES CLEAR THAT ALL DECISIONS OF THE BOARD, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE MADE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF A DESIRE TO PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PUBLIC GOOD. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT REQUESTS BOARD MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE AFFILIATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY BE POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE FINANCIALS OR OTHER SUBSTANTIVE OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THEY ARE ALSO ASKED TO IDENTIFY CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING EITHER THEMSELVES, OR A MEMBER OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY, THAT MAY BE CONSTRUED AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. AT THE STAFF LEVEL, THE ORGANIZATION'S PERSONNEL ALSO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WHEN CONSIDERING THE ENGAGEMENT OF A NEW VENDOR. IF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS IDENTIFIED, APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO BOTH ASSESS THE NATURE OF THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, TO ENSURE THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACTUAL CONFLICT IS MITIGATED. SUCH MITIGATION IS MANAGED AND THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE CONFLICTS POLICY ARE UPHELD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UPON REQUEST AND ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE.