The GEA Membership Committee has tabulated all the responses for the Membership Blitz program and I am pleased to report the following:
First, we had 18 Lodges respond with an application for the Blitz. While this is not stellar, it is certainly encouraging to know that so many Lodges are interested and willing to work with their fellow lodges and our state association to promote membership. So thank you to all those Lodges who submitted their applications. To those who did not submit their application, I can say with confidence that there will be other opportunities in the future to leverage the power of all the Lodges to build membership for your Lodge.
The Lodges in each district who will host a Membership Blitz are as follow:
Northwest District (2160) – Marietta Lodge No. 1657
Northeast District (2120) - Gainesville Lodge No. 1126
Southern District (2200) – Tifton Lodge No. 1114
While this is exciting news for our Association, we must proceed with caution as to the planning and execution of the Blitzes. In counsel with the Membership Committee, I see no point in setting dates, making local arrangements, and spending funds until such time as we have some indication from state and national leaders that the pandemic is abating. Originally, we had planned to start with the first Blitz in January. I am taking this off the table insofar as all public reports are that the pandemic is continuing if not resurging and we don’t want to create a scenario for anything other than success nor do we want to put our Lodges or Association in the position of being criticized for urging assembly when it is counter to the goals of public health in these times.
I am discussing this matter with President-Elect Bob Colie and the Georgia Lodges can be assured that each district will have a Blitz even if we are forced by circumstances to hold them later in the spring and into summer, and Bob’s term as G.E.A. President.
Steve Petrie is the secretary of our lodge and provides a message each month in our newsletter. I would like to paraphrase from his December message as follows:
This year, we have Individually and severally experienced loss, hardship and curtailment of the activities and programs that we love and that serve to complete us as people and neighbors and Elks.
I see nothing in the future that cannot be overcome by a positive outlook, careful consideration, and selfless effort. I am proud to be an Elk and stand for Charity, Fidelity, Loyalty and Brotherly Love. To say that we will rise again would be to suggest we have been laid low. And this is not the case.
We can protect in the moment, plan for a resumption of our calendar, and project the tenets of Elkdom. And I, for one, look forward to all of it.
Fraternally, Bill Lewis