MEA State President Message-April 2010

As April is now upon us, we are installing our new officers for the Fraternal year 2010-2011. Let each of us, in our individual lodges,  make a renewed effort to become actively involved in helping our lodge move forward in a positive manner. At the beginning of the new lodge year we are given a chance to become a positive influence and to help the core of officers to get the job of Elkdom done.
 

Who are we as Elks? What is the job of Elkdom? I feel certain that the vast majority of Maine Elks know the answers to these questions. However, knowing what our function is and doing it are two very different things. Each of Maine's twenty-two lodges could become more effective within their communities if more of the membership became involved in the activities in an active and positive way. My message to the officers of the lodges would be to ask for and expect help from your membership. Trying to do everything by yourself will just end up burning you out and will eventually lead to much frustration. Most folks will help when asked. Please ask them to be on your team.
 

Set goals for ENF, Maine Children's Cancer Program, Veterans Programs, Youth Activities, Membership, Public Relations, Scholarships, and the many other charitable events we support. Try to get ritual going from memory as it is required by our order. Remember, when we are seen as a positive influence in our community, more doors open up to us do more wonderful things.
 

This is the time we also look forward to our State Convention. This year it is in Sugarloaf and is just one month away. Take the time to attend and encourage your membership to do so also. This when we showcase the good works we do. What a great opportunity for our members to witness what a great organization we are all part of.
 

In closing, it has been my privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as your President. Freddy and I have become true believers in the good work of Elkdom as we have seen it up close and personal all over this wonderful State.

Fraternally,

Michael W. Powers
President, MEA

MEA Announces Scholarship Winners 

I am pleased to announce the Official Results for the Most Valuable Student Scholarship Contest, The Legacy Award Scholarship Contest and the Maine

Elks Association Scholarship Winners. Through the hard work of many individuals

including Students, Parents, School Guidance Counselors,Lodge Scholarship

Committees, and District Scholarship Committees each of the 22 Lodges in the
State have participated in the program and over 250 Most Valuable Student

Applications were received.

Most Valuable Student

The Elks National Foundation officially announced the following student on April 1^st as 2^nd  place winner nationally and she will be awarded $10,000 per year over 4 years:
 
 

The Elks National Foundation officially announced the following students as

8th place winners nationally and they will be awarded $1,000 per year over 4 years:
 

Legacy Awards

The Elks National Foundation officially announced the winners of the Legacy

Award Scholarship Contest on April 1st and the following students will be
awarded $1,000 per year over 4 years.
 

Maine Elks Association Scholarship

The following students as District Winners have been awarded $2,000 each through the Maine Elks
Association.  Each student has received official notification and terms of payment.
 

The following students as Local Lodge Winners have been awarded $900 each through
the Maine Elks Association.  Each student has received official notification and terms of payment.
 

Summary

This totals $111,800 in scholarships.  Local Lodge programs are expected to donate approximately
an additional $75,000 in scholarships for a grand total of approximately $186,800 in scholarships
donated in the state of Maine through Maine Elks.

The Scholarship Committee is looking forward to another successful year assisting our youth
in providing for their futures.

Fraternally,

Donald A. Dow III
Maine Elks Association
Scholarship Director

Togus VA Wish List-April 2010 

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.      Drivers for Volunteer Transportation Network (Sanford and Portland Areas)
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
8.      Primary Care Customer Service Assistant 

 
ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.      Calling cards (60 minutes or more per card)
2.      Coffee funds (provides coffee in waiting areas/wards/clinics)
3.      Afghans (for a twin bed)
4.      Comfort Items, i.e., shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, disposable razors etc. (No alcohol based products)
5.      Diabetic snacks funds
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
5.      Community Based Mental Health Activities (Sponsorship of bowling, pool and other various activities) 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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. 

Lewiston Elks Install Officers for 2010-2011 

On March 20, 2010, the Lewiston Elks Lodge #371 installed its slate of officers for the 2010-2011 fraternal year. The event was held at the Lewiston Elks Lodge located on Lisbon Street, and was attended by approximately 50 members and guests. Installed as Exalted Ruler was Larry Ashworth of Lewiston. Serving as Installing officers were members of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531, led by their Exalted Ruler Susan Horsman.  

Installed as officers for the Lewiston Elks were: Exalted Ruler-Larry Ashworth, Esteemed Leading Knight-Douglas Stone, Esteemed Lecturing Knight-Walter Cyr, Secretary-Wayne Cotterly, Treasurer-Belinda Ashworth, Esquire-Francis Surrette, Tiler-Edward McClure, 5-Year Trustee-Michael Aube, and Chaplain-Kathleen Cotterly. Also continuing to serve as Trustee's are Cheryl Pelletier, Jerry Plourde, James Glusker, and Daniel Long.  

Following the installation of officers, newly installed Exalted Ruler Larry Ashworth thanked the members who stepped forward to help the Lodge to help fill its officer and committee positions. Ashworth then presented Outgoing Exalted Ruler Michael Aube with two special citations from the Grand Lodge. The first citation was to recognize the Lewiston Elks Lodge for participating in the Grand Lodge programs, and the second to Michael Aube as Exalted Ruler for assuring that the Lodge had participated in the programs.  

In addition, Aube was presented with a Past Exalted Ruler's ring by the officers of the Lodge as a thank you for his dedicated service to the Lodge. This was the second time Aube had served in the Lodge's top position. Aube thanked all of the officers and members who helped make it a successful year. Past Exalted Ruler Aube then awarded the Life Time Volunteer Award to long time member Joseph McCarthy for his service to the Lodge and the Order.  

The Lewiston Lodge of Elks #371 is one of twenty-two Lodges in the State of Maine as part of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. The Order sponsors programs that support Charities, Americanism, Drug Awareness, Scholarships, our Youth, and our veterans. For more information on the Elks or to become a member, visit www.elks.org, maineelks.org, or call the Lewiston Elks Lodge at 784-4801.   

Pictured above are (Left to Right): (Front) Belinda Ashworth, Douglas Stone, Larry Ashworth, Walter Cyr, Kathleen Cotterly (Rear): Wayne Cotterly, Jerry Plourde, Edward McClure, Michael Aube, Francis Surrette.

Houlton Elks Install Officers 

The Houlton Elks Lodge recently held their annual officer installation. Pictured above are:

Left to Right: Joe Bergan Lecturing Knight, Brady Henderson Loyal Knight, Russell Fitzpatrick Esquire, Brian McGuire Exalted Ruler, Craig Lackey Leading Knight, Robert Fournier Tiler.

Convention Registration Deadline 

The deadline for registering for the MEA State Convention is on April 9, 2010. Those registering late will pay an additional late fee of $10 per meal. Save some money and register today. Visit the Maine Elks Association Website at www.maineelks.org or click the link above for the MEA Home page.

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.