A call to all Marmot members

I haven’t forgotten about the Marmot Lodge.

Last June, The Slice first proposed the formation of a vibrant new fraternal organization. That was followed by the appearance of a clip-out application form.

About 300 readers signed up to be charter members of the International Order of Friendly Sons and Daughters of the Marmots. I still have all the filled-out enrollment coupons.

Since then, well, there hasn’t been much to report.

I still hear from lodge members who cheerfully identify themselves by their self- selected Marmot nicknames. And I’ve printed a few “stay tuned” teases since last summer.

In all honesty, though, the Marmot Lodge’s only accomplishment in its first year of existence was the fact that we held no time-wasting meetings. No dues were assessed and no funny hats were worn.

So was it all just a joke?

No, not really. I always had in the back of my mind the idea that the lodge could evolve into something real. And a couple of bright guys here at the newspaper have even conceived of an approach for making that happen.

But before we get too far down the road with one idea or another, I want to commemorate the lodge’s first anniversary by asking readers what they think the group ought to be all about, should it emerge from its burrow.

Here’s a baker’s dozen of choices. Vote by mail, phone or e-mail. If none of these options sounds good, feel free to offer your own suggestion.

1. A socially responsible beer-drinking society.

2. Doers of good deeds.

3. An online social network.

4. An organization focused on marching in a parade.

5. A lodge that meets once a year for a picnic.

6. A group that funds and administers a scholarship.

7. A political action committee.

8. A social movement dedicated to comity and fellowship.

9. A group dedicated to producing a new Marmot Lodge T-shirt every year.

10. A local think tank committed to writing charming, lucid letters to the editor.

11. Practitioners of peace who become role models by the power of their example.

12. A literary/arts salon with a secret handshake.

13. A paramilitary all-you-can-eat faction.

E Pluribus Marmot.

“Warm-up question: What Inland Northwest county has the lowest percentage of people with tattoos?

“Today’s Slice question: Where do you not want to go on vacation?