ARE YOU 18" AWAY FROM BEING A GOOD ELK ?
>
> A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS IN A DISCUSSION WITH A PERSON WHO
> STATED THAT HE WAS "AN ELK IN GOOD STANDING " . BUT IS HE 18"
> SHORT OF BEING A GOOD ELK ?
>
> THE STATUTES ARE SPECIFIC AS TO WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE "AN
> ELK IN GOOD STANDING " THEREBY MAKING WHAT HE HAD SAID A TRUE
> STATEMENT.
>
> YOU ARE IN GOOD STANDING IF YOU PAY YOUR DUES, SPEAK NO
> WRONG ABOUT THE ORDER OR IT'S MEMBERSHIP AND BREAK NO LAWS.
> BUT DOES THIS MAKE THEM A GOOD ELK OR ARE THEY STILL 18" AWAY ?
>
> EXCEPT FOR INITIATION AN ELK IN GOOD STANDING NEVER HAS TO
> ATTEND A MEETING. THEY NEED NOT SERVE AS AN OFFICER OR BE ON A
> COMMITTEE OF THE LODGE. NEVER CONTRIBUTE TO ANY ELK'S CHARITY,
> NEVER VOLUNTEER A MOMENT OF TIME NOR ONE IOTA OF TALENT FOR
> THE BETTERMENT OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
>
> THIS MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING , NEVER HAS TO ENTER THE SOCIAL
> QUARTERS FOR A MEAL, A DANCE OR A SPECIAL EVENT . NEVER HAS TO
> PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM THE BAR., NOR ONCE HEAR THE TOLLING OF
> ELEVEN STROKES. STILL 18" SHORT OF BEING A GOOD ELK.
>
> THEY CAN JUST CARRY THEIR MEMBERSHIP CARD AND ASSUME THAT
> SOMEONE ELSE WILL DO ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS AND AS A MEMBER
> IN GOOD STANDING YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO THANK THEM .
>
> ONLY AFTER YOU MOVE THE REAL MEANING OF ELKDOM 18"- WHICH IS
> THE DISTANCE FROM YOUR BRAIN TO YOUR HEART CAN YOU TRULY
> SAY "I AM A GOOD ELK" .
>
> THE REAL TEST OF ANY PERSON IS NOT WHAT IS IN THEIR HEAD BUT
> WHAT IS TRULY IN THEIR HEART.
>
> MORE HANDS - LIGHTEN THE LOAD.
> WON'T YOU PLEASE GET INVOLVED !!
>
> RICK G. PHELPS
> LEADING KNIGHT