Waterville Elks Welcome Community for Christmas 

On Christmas Day, the Waterville Elks opened their doors and volunteered their time to once again host the Central Maine Family Christmas Dinner. The event was attended by close to 800 people, requiring over 200 volunteers to make the event a success.

This is the third year that the Lodge has held the event. "This event brings people out that would normally sit at home on Christmas Day...," said Randy Gerry, one of the events organizers. "they can't thank the volunteers enough when they leave," said Gerry pointing out that everyone who atteded had a great time, including the volunteers.

Already, the Lodge is planning for next year's event, and the volunteers look forward to providing this service to the community. No one should spend Christmas Day alone, and everyone is always welcome, regardless of their financial situation.

Pictured above are L-R: Kim Lawrence, Norman Lawrence, Randy Gerry, and Barbara Gerry. These four are the original team that started the event three years ago.
 

Maine Elks 2010 Convention Info Now Online 

Information for the 2010 Maine Elks Association State Convention is now available online at

http://www.maineelks.org/convention.html

The event will take place on April 30, 2010 to May 2, 2010 at Sugarloaf USA in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. By selecting the link above, you will find a page containing a link to hotel information, as well as information on meal packages that will be available for Friday and Saturday.

One new feature this year will be online registration forms. Just fill in the information on the form, click on print to print out a copy, and click on submit. When you click on submit, your registration will be e-mailed to the Registration Chairman for the event. Following this, all you need to do is submit your printed copy along with your payment to the address on the form. If you prefer, PDF files of the forms are also available for download.

In addition to member and guest registration, if your Lodge has a Contest winner that will be appearing at the convention to receive an award, a registration link is also available to fill in a form for the student and family.

The deadline for all convention registration submissions will be on April 9, 2010. The hotel will only hold the special MEA rates until April 2, 2010, so contact them as soon as possible to get the room you would like.
 

Don't Put It Off Any Longer  

Please do yourself and your Lodge a favor - complete the 2009 - 2010 Elks Training Program Test - NOW! All answer sheets must be completed and in the hands of the State Association Elk Training Chairperson for grading no later than March 15, 2010.  All Elks who complete the test with a score of 85% or better will receive a Grand Exalted Ruler's Special Citation.
 

Participation in the program is an ideal way to familiarize you with the Planning Manual, Auditing, Accounting & Management Manual, Manual on Protocol and the regular Ritual Manual, where all answers to the test can be found.
 

Your participation can also help your State Association win an Award. The State Association with the highest percentage of membership participating and the State Association with the highest percentage of Lodges participating will receive awards and recognition at the Grand Lodge Convention in Phoenix, AZ.
 

State Associations compete in Groups based on the number of Lodges in the State Association. (Group I - 14 or less, Group II - 15 to 22, Group III - 23 to 32, Group IV - 33 to 43, Group V - 44 to 74, Group VI - 75 or more Lodges)
 

Please participate and join those who already have!
 

Larry N. Tomberlin, Member
Grand Lodge Activities/State association Committee

Gaming Law Changes Work Session

From Robert Drisko, MEA Government Relations Director 

The following summary is in regards to a proposed change in the Maine State Gaming Laws in L.D. 1437.

SUMMARY

This bill allows operation of video gaming terminals by nonprofit organizations that are eligible for games of chance licenses and that are exempt from federal tax under Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10) or 501(c)(19). These sections of the tax code refer to charitable organizations, civic leagues, fraternal benefit societies, domestic fraternal societies and associations and veterans' organizations. Organizations that currently have licenses for electronic video machines but do not qualify under one of those code sections may apply for an initial license while they seek the required federal tax status. The organization applying for the license must own or lease the premises on which the terminals will be placed and must use the premises for its charitable or nonprofit purpose.

Video gaming terminal manufacturers, wholesalers and operators must be licensed by the Chief of the State Police, following background investigations of the applicants and their major business partners. Local approval is required for a license to operate video gaming terminals.

The license specifies the number of terminals allowed on the premises, and the maximum number of terminals allowed is 5 per licensee. Terminals must be licensed by the Chief of the State Police and must be connected to a computer system operated by the Director of the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. By the end of a 5-year phase-in period, this computer system must provide continuous online monitoring of video gaming terminal activity. Persons under 21 years of age are not allowed to use the machines. Only members of the organization and their guests are allowed to play. The maximum dollar amount for each play is $5 and the maximum payout is $1,250. Each game on each machine must return at least 80% of wagers to players, calculated on an annual basis.

Net terminal income, which is income after payback to players, is divided as follows: 8% to the State for payment into the Video Gaming Fund for administrative expenses, municipal revenue sharing and Public Education Fund revenue; 2% to the Compulsive Gambler Rehabilitation Fund; and 90% to the licensee.

Licenses are issued for one year. Applicants for an initial license must pay the actual costs of processing the application and performing the background investigation.
 

Play Golf this Winter

Enjoy the warmth of "indoor golf" at Maine's newest facility; The Augusta Elks Lodge. There are 27 courses to choose from, and contests, such as a closest to the pin contest, and a driving range, and moon shot. Cost is $25 per hour, but watch for specials.

Elks members and guests are welcome to play. Call for advanced reservations at (207) 623-9623 or call Bob Drisko at (207) 582-6659 or (207)458-2697
 

Togus Wish List for January 2010

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.     Drivers for Volunteer Transportation Network (Bangor, Rockland, Rumford, Bath/Brunswick)

2.     Mealtime companions for long term care patients (any lunch and dinner during the week)

3.     73 Patriot Place and Dialysis - 1-on-1 visitation/reading and talking with patient

4.     Parking Lot Shuttle driver

5.     Information Desk

6.     Escort Volunteers

7.     Supply, Process and Distribution Center

ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.     Calling cards (60 minutes or more per card)

2.     Afghans (for a twin bed)

3.     Comfort Items, i.e., shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, disposable razors etc. (No alcohol based products)

4.     Diabetic snacks funds

5.     Coffee funds (provides coffee in waiting areas/wards/clinics)

6.     Newspaper funds (provides newspapers in waiting areas/wards/clinics)

7.     General Patient Comfort Fund including Memorial Donations

8.     Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings - Recreation Therapy

9.     National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )
 

SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:

1.     Unit 4 South activity sponsorship (approx $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream social)

2.     Organizations to sponsor entertainment on 73 Patriot Place

3.     Parking Lot Shuttle Vehicle Project

4.     Electric Razors
 

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NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME!  Books; Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn;Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Magazines over three months old; Dental Floss; After-Shave; Hand Lotion; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes.  Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.
 

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs' General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable.  The announcement reflects the tax law provision, which makes those donations deductible as "donations to the United States".  Donations to support any of the Department's programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be used.  Donated funds made by check should be made out to "VAVS" and sent to the address above.

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

If you would like to create newsletters like this, and begin an e-mail marketing program for your business or organization, please click on this referral link to receive a $30 dollar credit.