Sons of Norway has about 80,000 members across the Unites States, Canada and Norway.  Nearly 400 lodges make up eight geographic districts.  Through local elections, these districts elect an international board of directors. 

By attending local lodge meetings, members can celebrate their Norwegian culture and enrich their heritage with others.  From Norwegian banquet dinners to Folk Dancing, from Norwegian Language Classes to camp-outs and other social events, these lodge activities help to keep the Norwegian spirit alive. 

Sons of Norway was organized in Minnesota in 1895 and recently celebrated its centennial.  

Midnattsolen Lodge was founded February 1992 for residents  of the Southern part  
of Orange County.  The lodge recently had a beautiful dinner banquet celebrating its  
5th anniversary (complete with professional folk dance and folk music entertainment).  Midnattsolen is in district 6 (Western area) and is Lodge #154. 

Midnattsolen Lodge provides activities for its South Orange County members and guests from among the list below.  Some items are traditional while others include contemporary interests of current and recent members.  Most occur within the local Midnattsolen Lodge while some are  shared with other district lodges.  

Food & Social: 
• Lutefisk (fish) and Meatball Dinners
• Syttende Mai (Seventeenth of May) dinner 

and other activities celebrating Norway's Constitution day 
• Julefest and Julebord (Christmas party and dinner)
• Barnefest (children's Christmas party)
• Skorgrasbord
Cultural and Craft: 
• Folk Dancing & Folk Music
• Bunad (costume) making
• Rosemaling (traditional 'Rose' painting)
• Traditional cooking
• Norwegian Language Classes
• Genealogy - family roots
Charity and Community: 
• Public fairs for fundraising and publicity
• Charitable efforts (both here and in Norway) 

for handicapped, needy, ect. (i.e., "Ski for Light" for the blind) 
• Scholarships
• Special Olympics

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• Fellowship in the world's largest ethnic fraternal benefit society.
• Cultural enrichment in the Norwegian heritage.
• Attendance privileges and voting rights at all lodge meetings.

News & Communication: 
• Monthly national magazine, "The Viking."  it contains 

many interesting features about  Norway's culture.   
(The advertisements for authentic Norwegian products  
are a special benefit themselves.) 
• Monthly Nyheter (newsletter)
• Telephone Tree
• Our Sons of Norway Web Sites on the World Wide Web
• A broad portfolio of Sons of Norway insurance and financial products.
• Member discounts, especially on travel packages.
• Member discounts on heritage books, cassettes and videos.
• Participation in Sons of Norway sponsored activities.
• Youth activities.
So be a part of Sons of Norway . 
Contact: 
Vice-Presiodent/Membership Chairman 
E-mail: Runi Snelson 
Traditional Mail 

Reference Links:  

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THE NORWEGIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.,  
Southern California Chapter.  
Aurnie Sutliffe, Director. e-mail: aurnie@access1.net