It is January at the Elk’s. Many activities will be happening. All of these need our support. We start with Spaghetti Dinner on the 8th. The local Hoopshoot happens on January 11th. The DD clinic for Northeast district rolls around on January 12th, Coloring contest and poster art judging at the lodge on the 18th. We wrap it all up with the pancake breakfast on the 25th.
Even with all this, the most important thing that happens at the lodge in January is not on any calendar , will not be seen on any posted placard, it is the filling out of a new set of officers for the upcoming year. The PER Association works very hard to recruit leadership for the lodge. In the Bartlesville lodge this is very difficult. It shouldn’t be, Bartlesville lodge is filled with great people who possess leadership talents. We now need "the special few" to step forward. Self-respect and satisfaction (the only reward for each year's efforts) is a commodity which cannot be found on any store's shelf, learn how it feels to have served and served well. One thing I can tell you is each member whether newly initiated or 40 year alumnus can and needs to make a contribution. We all reach crossroads in our lives, points where we make a decision. When you joined the Elk’s, you were excited. Lately though maybe you‘ve become discouraged or frustrated or pulled in other directions. I’m going to ask you to put all that aside and do a little soul searching about what you think and want the Bartlesville lodge to be. I believe in my heart that 2002 will go down as a critical year for Lodge #1060. It will be remembered as the year we turned the corner and started the rise back to our former greatness. Unfortunately, it took everything I had to give. I am
burned out!! I would not be a good ER in 2003. Hence I will be stepping down, but I will find a slot in the officer core where I can continue to help. The next ER will have one more loyal ELK he can rely on than I did, and the next one after that one more and gradually
the work will be distributed over a greater number of people and we will all benefit. Lastly, I am making an appeal to members with numbers >5499, we need you to become involved. You will get more out of your membership than you ever dreamed of. I speak from experience. While I don’t recommend learn as you go ER’ing. It is not
impossible and the other jobs are much easier. Start now to live “THE OBLIGATION” and you can be a great future ER.