Big Dipper Board 2019-2021

President
Theresa Koontz                      [email protected]

Vice President ProTem
Tina Moses
[email protected]

Recording Secretary
Liz Coyle
[email protected]

Financial Secretary

Kathryn Veneble Pro Tem
[email protected]

Treasurer
Donna Vickery
[email protected]

Sgt at Arms
Tina Moses
[email protected]

Historian
Cheryl Masters
[email protected]

Parliamentarian
Brenda Ternullo
[email protected]

Chaplain
Barb Cook
[email protected]

Patriotic Instructor
Sunny Senft
[email protected]

Past President
Kade Rutherford
[email protected]

Past President
Lori Thueme
[email protected]

Past President
Linda Bayer
[email protected]

Michigan BD President

Patty Alexander
PO Box 150254
Grand Rapids, MI 48515
[email protected]

Ohio BD President
Shawanna Lewis
PO Box 482
Geneva, OH 44041
[email protected]

 2018 Denim & Diamonds FunD Night, Arlington, VA

2019 A league of our own FunD Night, Bloomingotn, MN

The “Big Dipper” Organization

The Big Dipper is an auxiliary of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., that came into being in Milwaukee, Wisconsin November 7 at the 1951 National Convention. The objectives of the organization are threefold: 1) honoring outstanding members of the Blue Star Mothers, 2) sponsoring a “FunD Night” at conventions and 3) providing educational assistance. In the beginning membership was very exclusive. To be a member of Big Dipper a Blue Star Mother (BSMA) had to be an active member of her local chapter for at least one year, preferably an officer. The local Chapter had to nominate potential candidates, then vote, indicating their chapter’s choice for membership. It was a great honor to be chosen as a member of Big Dipper.

The educational assistance fund was dedicated to the memory of Josephine Calenda of PA 22 at the National BSMA Convention held in Lansing, Michigan in 1989. Josephine, after many years of active service in BSMA, died that year while holding the office of National Big Dipper President.

Today all BSMA members in good standing are encouraged to become a member of Big Dipper. Membership is easily accomplished. You submit your name, address, application form (found on the National Website) and $10.00 in dues through your BSMA Chapter’s Financial Secretary to your State’s (or National) Big Dipper Financial Secretary. One half of the dues stay with the State’s Big Dipper. The other half of the dues goes to National Big Dipper. If there is no State Department Big Dipper, then all the dues go to National Big Dipper Financial Secretary.

 The second objective is to sponsor a FunD Night which is held, traditionally on Friday evening of Convention for both the National and Department. This event is held at the request or permission of the Big Dipper President and the President of the parent organization. This is a time to promote harmony, goodwill, cooperation and fellowship, not just among Big Dipper members, but among all BSMA. This event is also a way to raise more money for the educational assistance fund, which comes from the dues of Big Dipper members and any possible donations.

Mardi Gras Decorations 

Each FunD Night event has a theme.  At the 2007 National Convention it was “Heroes of WWII”, in 2008 it was “Pajama Party”, at the Michigan Department Convention in 2009, it was a “Costume Party”, and at the 2017 National convention it was “70’s Disco Night” and in 2018 National Convention in Arlington, VA it was “Denim & Diamonds Night”.  Among the many activities held on Fun Night the last few years has been a silent auction.  Chapters and individuals are encouraged to collect items and donate them to be sold.  The bidding goes on throughout the evening during the other activities and then about 30 minutes before the evening ends, the bidding is closed and the winners are announced. 

The last objective is to provide educational assistance to a worthy veteran (Active duty, Reservists, or National Guard) or a child(ren) or grandchild(ren) of a veteran or BSMA .  At National Convention 2007, The Big Dipper governing body, consisting of the entire membership in attendance, voted to extend this educational assistance to the BSMAs themselves.

 Michigan Big Dipper FunD Night 

Big Dipper Handbook

Big Dipper 1951 Constitution

Big Dipper Standing Rules

Big Dipper Pamphlet

Big Dipper History

Big Dipper Highlights from the Past

Big Dipper Questions and Answers 

Big Dipper Donation Form

Big Dipper Guard Pin Order Form

Big Dipper Order Form 

Big Dipper Membership Form

Big Dipper Dues Remittance Form Membership

Send membership/orders to:

Big DIpper Financial Secretary
℅ Kathryn Venable
P. O. Box 6011
Pocatello, ID 83205

BIG DIPPER MEMBERSHIP

DUES ARE $10.00

Josephine Calenda 
Education Assistance 
Guidelines

Josephine Calenda 
Education Assistance
 National Application

Josephine Calenda 
Education Assistance
 Press & Photo Release

Mail EA Application to:

Theresa Koontz
National Big Dipper President
503 East Fairway Drive

Litchfield Park, AZ. 85340

Michigan Big Dipper 
Membership Application

Mail MI Membership Application to:
BSMA Michigan Big Dipper Auxiliary 
℅ Mary Reed, Financial Secretary 
PO Box 150254 
Grand Rapids MI 49515

Josephine Calenda 
Education Assistance for 
Michigan Application
 

Mail EA Application to:

Patty Alexander

Michigan Big Dipper President
2363 Jamestown Dr
Kentwood, MI 49508

616-204-4456

Ohio Big Dipper 
Membership Application

Mail OH Membership Application to:

Dept. of Ohio Big Dipper Auxiliary 
℅ Amy Hutchinson Financial Secretary 
P. O. Box 482 
Geneva, OH 44041

Josephine Calenda 
Education Assistance for Ohio

Mail EA Application to:

Shawanna Lewis

Ohio Big Dipper President
2938 Barclay Square North
Columbus:OH 43209

Michigan Big Dipper

2017 70's Disco FunD Night, New York, NY