BPO Does convention here Oct. 5-7

Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Cathy Schilling

CONNIE JO DISCOE

Regional Editor

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Drove of the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does will welcome the Does’ Supreme President during the Nebraska Central District convention in McCook Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5, 6 and 7.

The convention is expected to bring 45 Does from droves in McCook, Ainsworth, Broken Bow, Hastings, York, Grand Island and Kearney.

Supreme President (national president) Cathy Schilling of Rochester, Minn., will join the Does for a meet-and-greet and grilled hamburgers and hotdogs at the home of Monica Conroy, who is the McCook Does’ secretary-treasurer, on the opening evening.

In four years, Monica is slated to become the Does’ Supreme President.

Throughout the day Friday, Does will participate in meetings and a banquet at Cobblestone Inn and Suites. The opening event and “Flag Day Ceremony” is scheduled at 7 p.m., and is open to the public. Monica predicts “a very moving flag ceremony,” promising tears and goosebumps.

Saturday’s schedule for the Does includes a school of instruction and a luncheon.

The banquet and luncheon will be catered by Marlene’s Catering.

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The Grand Lodge of the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does was chartered, in Nebraska, on February 12, 1921, and the McCook Does Drove in 1923. The Does’ missions are to exemplify the principles of patriotism, charity, loyalty and love, and to promote charitable works.

There are 78 droves and 3,800 members in the United States, and 10 Does in the McCook Drove.

Nationally, the Does help fund specially-trained dogs for the deaf, for the autistic and for wounded veterans.

Locally, the McCook Does support the Christmas-time “Adopt-A-Chaplain” efforts coordinated throughout Southwest Nebraska by Ann Trail of McCook. Last year, the Does donated $300 for postage or supplies.

The Does’ “Coin March” during the convention is also earmarked for “Grannie Annie’s” Adopt-a-Chaplain “we care” boxes shipped to U.S. service members stationed overseas.

The Does conduct a national-level “Grand Lodge” convention each year. The 2018 Grand Lodge will be in Reno, Nev., where Monica will serve as a “Supreme Conductor.”

Monica was initiated into the McCook Does Drove in March 1989, and served then as a color bearer. “I love carrying the flag,” she said. In four years, Monica will be the Does’ national president.

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Since becoming a Doe in 1989, Cathy Schilling has held every position in her Drove except treasurer and musician. She has served as Minnesota State President, as Grand Lodge convention chairman in 2008 and 2017 and as Supreme Chaplain and Supreme Color Bearer to the Supreme President on the Grand Lodge Floor.

Her color for her Supreme Presidency is red, representative of her symbol, the cardinal, and of unfaltering loyalty. Her song and theme is “Always Stay Humble and Kind.”

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