Hello, my fellow Elks brothers and sisters,
It is getting hot out there!
It was very hot in Atlanta at the ELKS National Convention as well. GER
T. Keith Mills congratulated everyone on stepping up and meeting his
goals. The Elks had the largest membership
gain in the last 30 years and far exceeded the ENF per capita goal by more than
double with the average nationwide of over $10 per member. Our very own S.E. District VP Michael G.
Carroll was 20th in the nation for top recruiter’s bring in 43 new
members to our order. Great job
Michael! Also, there were 13,401 hides
donated for the Elks leather program last year with Missouri taking first place
with 4,598 hides, Iowa in second place with 3,835 hides, and Arkansas in third
place with 2,996 hides. Great job Iowa
and the Fairfield lodge.
We have a new Grand Exalted Ruler, Bruce A. Hidley from New
York Lodge #1500. GER Hidley’s goals
will be to grow membership and he will keep the same per capita ENF goal of
$4.80 per member.
The convention went well with over 6,000 attendees and there
were 11 resolutions proposed and all passed in a very rare voting outcome. For
a list of the resolutions online visit https://www.elks.org/convention/files/Atlanta2022/2022BallotResults.pdf
or join us for lodge on August 4th and I will read each
resolution. That would be a great lodge
to attend as we are initiating several new members. Please join us in welcoming these new members
and think of friends and family that would enjoy giving back to the community
that you can invite to become an ELK.
Let’s keep this membership drive going to ensure a strong future and a
great lodge!
Due to extreme cost increases in producing the Elks Magazine
Grand Lodge is encouraging everyone to subscribe to the online edition to save
costs. Paper costs have skyrocketed and
postage costs will increase 50% over the next 5 years. Simply go to https://www.elks.org/elksmag/online/default.cfm
and opt-in on the online addition.
The 2nd annual poker run was a success and everyone had
fun. The two winners were Sue Ann Hock
for second place and Rob Bailey for first place. Both winners graciously donated their
winnings back to the ELKS for the Veterans fund and Shop with a Hero. Both are excellent causes that are so rewarding
to be a part of.
Some upcoming events to keep an eye out for are the Iowa
Cubs game and picnic on September 17th, the Elks picnic on September
24th, the golf tournament on September 25th, and I am happy
to announce the return of the dueling pianos on January 21st, so
mark your calendars in advance.
Fraternally
yours,
Ryan Ford, Exalted Ruler