State President Michael Powers
Acceptance Speech
May 3, 2009

First, I would like to congratulate and thank Bob and Myra Drisko on a job well done representing the Maine Elks Association this past year as President and First Lady. Your efforts on our behalf are greatly appreciated.

I would also like to thank Jim Lincoln, PER of the Houlton Lodge and PDDGER for his efforts on my behalf and for installing me here today. Your guidance and friendship have helped me gain the confidence needed to reach this day.

I would now like to introduce some of my family who are here with me today.  First, our oldest son, Michael Jr. And his fiancee, Holly Smith. Next, our baby boy, Matthew and his wife Abby. Thank you all for being here today. I especially want to introduce to you the First Lady of the Maine Elks Association without whom I could not ever think of being here today. My wife and Love of my life for the last 34 years, Freddy Powers.

There are so many people who helped make this day a reality and memorable. I would be remiss if I did not mention some by name. I also know the danger in doing that as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, I will undoubtedly forget someone. But, here goes: PGER Amos A. McCallum and his very lovely wife Barbara have been incredibly supportive and helpful to both of us and it is greatly appreciated. All Grand Lodge Committeemen and their spouses have gone out of their way to be there for us whenever we need them and we appreciate your efforts. The Past State Presidents have shown a keen interest in helping us and answering our questions as we have gone through this journey. We appreciate you for those efforts on our behalf. Andy Constantine and Freddy have a secret signal worked out to keep us on track. I think that gives Freddy the peace of mind to continue on. To the Augusta Elks officers and members... how can I thank you enough? This whole weekend has been a first class act that Freddy and I have totally enjoyed. Friday night dinner and awards presentations were top-notch

Saturday's Champagne toast was extraordinaily classy and we could not have asked for more. Last night's dinner and awards were extraordinary.Thank you one and all. To all committee chairs and their helpers... Thank you for all your dedication to our order. Together we will move forward and prosper. Bruce and Lisa Brunelle, we have appreciated all of your guidance in the past several years, thank you. To Don and Joyce Richard for the countless hours spent doing so much behind the scenes... Thank you.

A very special Thank you goes out to all of the officers, members and wives/significant others of the Houlton Lodge as without your encouragement I would not be here today.

I would like to thank all of the members of the Maine Elks Association for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President. It is indeed an honor and priviledge to do so. I would like to introduce some of the officers who will be serving the MEA this year. My Chaplin is Anthony Gause, Past Exalted Ruler from Augusta Lodge. My Seargent -At-Arms is Nason Graham, Past Exalted Ruler from the Houlton Lodge. My Tiler is David Van Dine, Past Exalted Ruler from the Millinocket Lodge. My Administrative Assistant is Claris Ranger, Past Exalted Ruler of the Farmington Lodge and PDDGER, PSP. President-elect, Roger Normandeau PER, PDDGER from the Sanford Lodge, First Vice- President Wayne Cotterly, PER, PDDGER from the Lewiston Lodge and second vice-President John Nicholson, PER, PDDGER from the Millinocket Lodge. Thanks to each of you for agreeing to work with me in the coming year.

My motto for this year is a very simple one with a powerful message. It is this: “ There is never a wrong time to do the right thing.” Think about that for a minute. If we all took every opportunity to do the right thing then I believe we would spend a great deal of time becomming better Elks and better people.

People are defined by their ability to handle adversity. When troubling times come our way, some find crutches. I challenge you to instead of finding a crutch, to grow wings and become a beacon of hope to your fellow Elks. When we lead by example we set the course for others to follow.

We are all part of a great Fraternity and have made Elks Care- Elks Share a motto to live by. Let's each take that motto and have it be part of who we are every single day.

The benevolent and protective order of Elks is an organization to be proud of and its accomplishments are legendary. If we could take a lesson from this organization and apply it to all aspects of our lives, what great things we could accomplish. As Freddy and I travel around this great state and meet with Elks and their spouses / significant others, we hope to bring a message of kindness and compassion for each other. Our Great Order teaches us that Charity is the greatest of all the virtues.  To me, that does not mean giving away all that we have and put ourselves in the poor house. Rather, I believe it means we should work together to make our Lodge prosper so we can, through our local Lodge, contribute to our local communities, the State Association's Major Charities and the Elks National Foundation. Please work hard to make your Lodge stronger and more vibrant within your community.

As past state president, Jim Ferland reminded us “ a good deed is its own reward.” When we take this approach to life, we find ourselves becoming kinder and more compassionate because we do not do things for personal recognition, but to make life better for others.

Each of us adds to the great link of Elkdom and we need to work to add more links so more can experience our wonderful order. At the same time, we need to remember, that, when proposing someone for membership, that person needs to have the qualities to become a good and loyal Elk. If we keep this in mind, we will stregthen our order with dedicated members, males and females, who are willing to work side by side to promote our great order. Please make membership a priority within your lodge and show others the joy of giving and sharing in this organization.   To do that, put aside the old ways of thinking and try to live by the idea that there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

Michael Powers
President