About The Order
We are a fraternal organization of individuals who work in the insurance related industry.
We are home office executives, field claims reps, auditors, underwriters, general adjusters, agents, brokers, investigators, contractors, regulators, appraisers, salvors, attorneys, engineers, and a host of others.
We meet socially, and not as a part of any insurance or industry group. Our mutual link is the career experience we have in our chosen field.
Our formal name is the Honorable Order of The Blue Goose, International. We have local groups, called Ponds, throughout the United States and Canada.
We are called Ganders. Our officers have titles such as Wielder of the Goose Quill, Guardian of the Pond, and Keeper of the Golden Goose Egg. We have a secret initiation ceremony.
Blue Goose offers much to do.
Every Pond has its own unique blend of members and of activities. Some Ponds meet in the evenings, some meet at lunch time, and some mix it up. There are fund raisers to generate money for charity. There are dinner-dances golf outings, and Christmas parties. There are educational seminars, speakers from many backgrounds, and get-togethers with insurance commissioners and industry leaders. There are events involving multiple Ponds.
We hold an annual convention each Summer in a different city, each convention hosted by a Pond which competed for the privilege.
Our convention is a family affair. Ganders bring their spouses and children. Activities are planned for Ganders, for non-Gander Spouses, and for the children.
Why We Do What We Do
We have each found reasons to give our time to Blue Goose when we all have other demands on our time.
There is fellowship. We are a community of interest, experience, activity, and feeling. This community nature is something larger and yet more intimate than a business association or networking group. We are genuine friends.
There is education. Many of our Ponds have speakers on interesting and practical topics. Some have certified continuing education programs. Blue Goose promotes IIA, IIC, and CPCU programs. Blue Goose presents annual awards for academic excellence to individuals earning the highest grades in competitive IIA examinations. We continue to grow in our profession.
There is charity. The Ponds, each in its own way, provide needed support for a variety of charities. Some spread donations over several charities. We help those in need.
There is leadership. When we give ourselves in the work of Blue Goose, and when we are elected to office in Blue Goose, we gain experience in new areas, Poise and confidence is gained in the administration of activities and in the management of others. We acquire leadership skills.
Additional Benefits
These benefits provide you with an idea of what we’re about. Far better than any pamphlet or website is a visit to a Pond as a guest of one of our Ganders.
Most members of the insurance community are eligible for membership. The full spectrum of the field is represented in our Ganders. This is one of our strengths. In a relaxed atmosphere, the Ponds provide Ganders a place in which to take the pulse of their industry.
We want you to visit with us, to meet with the Ganders, and to find out for yourself about our organization, Blue Goose.
You will find character, charity, and fellowship in abundance.
You will find a welcoming group of friends.
You will find that a place has been saved for you.
Please join us.
The History of the Order
The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose was founded in 1906 at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Field Men’s Club held at the Oakwood Hotel in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Today, consisting of 4,000 members or “Ganders” in 43 groups or “Ponds” across the United States and Canada, the Blue Goose has a long and storied history of both charity and fellowship. Along with the first Bulletin published in 1908, annual publications have continued to this day with news and information about both the Blue Goose and the insurance industry in general.
For information on our rich history, we invite you to head over to the Blue Goose website!
Past Most Loyal Ganders
Past Most Loyal Grand Gander
1937 - H.B. Luety
1968 - Harry Cutler
2023 - Wendy Knizek
1917-1940
1917 – 18 A. McCreery
1918 – 19 Harry Howse
1919 – 20 Harry Howse
1920 – 21 H. B. Holland
1921 – 22 Fred A Burgess
1922 – 23 H B. Leuty
1923 – 24 J. L. Noble
1924 – 25 J. W. Wilson
1925 – 26 John Anderson
1926 – 27 A. Z. Delong
1927 – 28 W. A. Lawson
1928 – 29 Charles V. Wakely
1929 – 30 G. C. Hodge
1930 – 31 W. O. Banfield
1931 – 32 Reg Long
1932 – 33 H. J. Cave
1933 – 34 J. R. Stewart
1934 – 35 G. L. Schetky
1935 – 36 W. J. Johnston
1936 – 37 J. E. Rose
1937 – 38 J. L. Noble
1938 – 39 J. P. McBeath
1939 – 40 Hugh Kirkup
1940-1960
1940-1960
1940 – 41 F. T. Keeling
1941 – 42 F. T. Keeling
1942 – 43 F. M. Hann
1943 – 44 F. M. Hann
1944 – 45 R. E. Hortin
1945 – 46 R. E. Hortin
1946 – 47 J. F. Parrott
1947 – 48 J. S. Greer
1948 – 49 J. G. McBeath
1949 – 50 George M. Meredith
1950 – 51 Owen Westgate
1951 – 52 Harry Seabrook
1952 – 53 K. W. Nesbitt
1953 – 54 G. L. Craddock
1954 – 55 Ben S. Whitaker
1955 – 56 Wm G. Stott
1956 – 57 Norman G. Pimm
1957 – 58 Geoffrey Clarkson
1958 – 59 Peter Sloman
1959 – 60 Harry Cutler
1960-1980
1960-1980
1940-1960
1960 – 61 A. D. Webb
1961 – 62 John Bell
1962 – 63 L. A. Stephens
1963 – 64 W. G. Partridge
1964 – 65 Sam Badger
1965 – 66 A. H. B. Wotherspoon
1966 – 67 Angus MacDonald
1967 – 68 Barry Jackson
1968 – 69 Jacob Brouwer
1969 – 70 A. E. (Barney) Nunns
1970 – 71 John Ross
1971 – 72 Arden Brown
1972 – 73 Charles Lane
1973 – 74 Ralph P. Talbot
1974 – 75 Douglas James
1975 – 76 Art Pruden
1976 – 77 A. E. (Barry) Cole
1977 – 78 Harold Duggan
1978 – 79 Murray J. Mandley
1979 – 80 Thomas Woods
1980-2000
1960-1980
1980-2000
1980 – 81 Bordan Klimko
1981 – 82 Eric J. Laity
1982 – 83 Errol Fraser
1983 – 84 Ronald E. Newcomb
1984 – 85 Gerald T. Black
1985 – 86 Terry Newman
1986 – 87 Herb T. Kirk
1987 – 88 Gordon Allan
1988 – 89 Donald W. Day
1989 – 90 Ernest C. Beaudin
1990 – 91 Gary Smallwood
1991 – 92 Edward G. Chisham
1992 – 93 John Walton
1993 – 94 Robb Donay
1994 – 95 Eric J. Laity
1995 – 96 Jack Bennett
1996 – 97 Keith Klimko
1997 – 98 Bryan Fitzpatrick
1998 – 99 Duncan McPhie
1999 – 00 Terry McCarthy
2000-2020
1960-1980
1980-2000
2000 – 01 Allen Booth
2001 – 02 Carmen Place
2002 – 03 John Pump
2003 - 04
2004 - 05
2005 - 06
2006 – 07 William Cook
2007 – 08 K.R. Byrne
2008 – 09 Larry Gauvreau
2009 – 10 Bryan Fitzpatrick
2010 – 11 Mike Sully
2011 – 12 Angela Shears
2012 – 13 Angela Shears
2013 – 14 Ian Thompson
2014 – 15 Ian Thompson
2015 – 16 Martin Moran
2016 – 17 Martin Moran
2017 – 18 Wendy Knizek
2018 - 19 Wendy Knizek
2019 - 20 Mayank Anand
2020-2040
2020-2040
2020-2040
2020 - 21 Mayank Anand
2021 - 22 Kerry Diehl
2022 - 23 Kerry Diehl
2023 - 24 Kerry Diehl
2024 - 25 Kerry Diehl
The History of the A.Z. DeLong Golf Tournament
There has been a long running two-stage golf tournament played between the Seattle and BC Ponds. Trying not to lose the histories of our ponds and our great organization to the mists of time, The Seattle Honk published the following article about the history of the A. Z. Delong trophy, which has been contested since 1930.
THE A.Z. DELONG TROPHY FROM THE SEATTLE HONK MAY 1975
Issue no. 1 of the Honk in May 1937 pointed out that the seventh annual tournament of the A.Z. Delong Memorial Trophy was to be played against a team of twelve men from British Columbia Pond. That same issue gave information in answer to “Who was A.Z. Delong?”
“Archie” as he was affectionately known by all Ganders who knew him, was a charter member of British Columbia Pond and assisted in the inauguration of the original Pacific Northwest Pond at Indian River, BC on July 14th, 1923. The early records of the Seattle Pond indicate that he was a frequent visitor to Seattle and at their Annual Meeting on July 18th, 1927 at Des Moines, installed their new officers of their pond.
Archie was Manager of the British Columbia Board of Underwriters. He was an extremely active member of the Blue Goose, a sportsman of the highest type and was loved by all who knew him. He took his last long flight in Portland, OR in 1928.
At the award dinner following a golf game it was suggested that some sort of annual match between the two Ponds be arranged, it being felt that this, having an international flavor, would go a long way in cementing the friendship of the two ponds.
After a thorough discussion, it was agreed by those present that a suitable trophy would be purchased by the two ponds to be played for on a home-and-home match basis. It was further unanimously agreed that a cup should be secured as the trophy and be known as “The A.Z. DeLong Memorial Cup” in memory of one of our Ganders who was a true Blue Goose.
The first match was played in 1930 but it was not until about 1933 or 1934 that the money was raised by the two Ponds to purchase the trophy. Except for the war years 1941-45, every match has been played […]
RULES GOVERNING THE A.Z. DeLONG TROPHY MATCH
The following rules have been adopted and govern all of the matches:
Competition for this trophy shall consist of two matches a year between golf teams from the respective Ponds, one match to be held in Seattle or vicinity and one in Vancouver or vicinity. The home team shall select the course on which the match is to be played, the dates to be selected by mutual agreement.
The teams shall consist of, at least, 12 members of each Pond and if more players are available, each team shall consist of the same number. Scoring will be on Match Play with ¾ difference in handicap, each player scoring 1 point for the first nine, 1 point for the second nine and 1 point for match. Total points for the yearly competition shall be a minimum of 72. In the event a team is unable to field 12 players, then they shall forfeit to the other team three (3) points for each player short. In the event both teams are short the required 12 players, then the team having the least number of men shall forfeit to the other team three (3) points for each player short the difference in team numbers.
The Pond team having the greatest number of points in one year shall have possession of the trophy until the cup is won by the team from the other Pond.
Eligible players shall be members in good standing of either the Seattle or British Columbia Ponds or members of either Pond holding dual memberships in the other Pond.
Ground rules at the course on which matches are played are to prevail. Stymies are not played. All questions of handicaps, eligibility or special rules are to be settled by joint meeting of the golf committees of the respective Ponds.
Expense of preserving the cup and engraving names shall be borne by the winning Pond.