Rockland Elks Donate To Togus VA 

Officers of Rockland Lodge #1008 recently presented a check to Steve Hurd, Director of Voluntary Services at Togus, VA. The money was raised during the Lodge's Super Bowl party last month and will go toward the Trolley Bus.  In addition to the money raised through the 50/50 raffle, the winner donated almost all of his winnings back.

Pictured
Above are front row, l-r: Tom Elliot, MEA Veterans Chairman, Steve Hurd, Craig Davis, Rockland Exalted Ruler and Dwayne Guy, Rockland Veterans Chairman.  Back row l-r:  Tom Wenckus, Trustee, Chipper Widdecombe, Trustee, Scott Hall, Leading Knight and Artie Anderson, Loyal Knight

Massachusetts Elks Welcome Home Maine President 

Members of the Massachusetts Elks Association traveled to the far northern town of Houlton to welcome home the Maine Elks Association State President Michael Powers and First Lady Freddy.

Massachsetts Elks Association President James Strojny presented a check for $1000 dollars to the Maine Elks Association for the Major Project, the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

Other members of the Massachusetts delegation included Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Michael Zellon, Past State President Fred Cohen, and District Deputy Designate Tim Avelino.

The Maine Elks Association thanks the Massachusetts Elks Association for their generous gift to help children with Cancer.

Pictured above are MA Elks President James Strojny (Left) and ME Elks President Michael Powers (Right)

Bring Em Back
The Art of Bringing Former Members Back to the Lodge
By Charles W. Lester, GL Membership Committee  

Bring them back - As with any business, to accomplish the task, the Chief Executive Officer (Exalted Ruler) should appoint a Department Head (Committee Chairperson) to lead. They should carefully select the Committee Members. Next, the Committee should set a goal as to how many former Members they want or need to reinstate. Next is to develop an action plan. Finally, and most critically, is execute the plan.

The Lodge Secretary can provide a list of Members eligible for reinstatement. Personally contact each prospect. Go to their home, if necessary, and talk to them. Be enthusiastic in explaining that the Lodge needs and wants them back. Give them a reason to want to come back by explaining the activities in which the Lodge is involved. Have a list of projects available to discuss what might be of interest. Give them a handout, a Drug Awareness bumper sticker, a luggage tag or flag decal. Invite them to the Lodge to see the good things going on. If you can convince them they are truly appreciated you have a good chance to bring them back.

Remember that reinstatement should be year-round. The longer a Member has been away, the more difficult it may be to get him or her to back. Take advantage of the 30-day window for a dropped Member to be reinstated and also the reduced reinstatement fee of $1 as provided by Section 14.180 of the Statutes of the Order.

Keep them back - Make the Members feel welcome when they walk through the door.

Encourage the reinstated Members to become involved. Make it easy for them to participate in Lodge programs. By making them feel wanted, needed and appreciated you will create a lasting bond that makes them proud to be an Elk. Active Elks are proud Elks; proud Elks stay Elks.

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.