Maine Elks Honor Lodges; Members at Convention 

The Maine Elks Association (MEA) held its 81st Annual State Convention at Sugarloaf USA on April 30-May 2, 2010. The convention was attended by over 300 members and guests, who honored Lodges and individual members at their awards banquets. Opening the convention this year was State President Michael Powers of the Houlton Elks Lodge #835, who thanked all of the members for their hard work and dedication throughout the past year.
 
First, the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Committee presented its awards for work in support of the charitable arm of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. The Awards were presented by Director Albert Ingraham of the Wells Lodge. The most Improved Lodge went to the Millinocket Elks Lodge and Most Consistent went to the Houlton Elks Lodge. The Walter Morrison "Give Me A Dollar" Award for the highest amount of money donated to the Elks National Foundation went to the Waterville Elks Lodge. The ENF Chairman of the Year award was presented to David Vandine of the Millinocket Elks Lodge.

Next, the Elks Veterans/National Service Committee awards were presented by Director Thomas Elliott of the Brunswick Elks Lodge. The awards were presented to the Millinocket, Brunswick, and Augusta Elks Lodges for their support of our nation's veterans in each of the three districts..

Youth Activity Awards for best Youth Program in each district went to the Presque Isle Elks Lodge, Lewiston Elks Lodge, and the Sanford Elks Lodge. These were presented by Youth Activities Director Alfred Widdecombe of the Rockland Elks Lodge.

The Elks Drug Awareness Awards were presented by Director Frank Ricker of the Sanford Elks Lodge. The Awards for Best Drug Awareness Program went to the: York Elks Lodge #2788 (<300 Members), Rumford Elks Lodge #862 (301-500 members), Millinocket Elks Lodge #1521 (501-700 members), Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531 (701-1000 members).
 
Public Relations Awards were presented by State Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly of the Lewiston Lodge. The awards for Best Public Relations Program went to: Central District: Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, Northern District: Millinocket Elks Lodge, Coastal District: Rockland Elks Lodge. The Public Relations "Chairman of the Year" went to Michael Lange of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531.
Next, Cotterly, announced the Lodge Activity Awards. The Community Service & Image Contest ,the Lodge Bulletin Contest, and the Elks Memorial Service Contest were all won by the Lewiston Elks Lodge #371.

Cotterly also presented the best all around Lodge. This award is called the All-American Lodge Award. These awards were presented to the Lodges that demonstrated outstanding achievement all of the programs of the Elks. These awards were presented to: Lewiston Elks Lodge (301-500)  and Augusta Elks Lodge (701-1100).
 
The Ritual Coach of the Year Award was presented by State Ritualistic Director Bruce Brunelle of Sanford to James Lincoln of the Houlton Elks Lodge #835 for his commitment and dedication toward promoting excellence in the Elks ritual.

Awards were also presented to recognize work performed during the past year for the Maine Children's Cancer Program (MCCP), one of the State Association's two major projects. These awards were presented by MCCP Committee Director Donald Richard of the Rumford Elks Lodge. The most consistent contributor award was presented to the Portland Elks Lodge #188, the Outstanding Contributor Award for the highest amount of money raised during the past year went to the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470 The MCCP committee for this Lodge had raised over $96,000 Dollars for the program, and consistently raises in excess of $85,000 each year. In addition, service awards were presented to the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge, and the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge for their fundraising efforts in the private sector. Awards were also presented to the Houlton, York, and Augusta Elks Lodge for their support of the "Elliott and Friends" Fundraising program.
 
Awards for best Americanism Program were presented by State Director Richie Philbrick of the Rumford Elks Lodge. First place went to the Rumford Elks Lodge, second to the Lewiston Elks Lodge, and third place went to the Sanford Elks Lodge.
 
Exalted Ruler (Lodge President) of the Year Awards were presented by the association Vice-Presidents for their respective districts. The Coastal District Exalted Ruler (ER) of the Year was presented to Rodney Bauer of the Brunswick Elks Lodge by President-Elect Roger Normandeau, The Northern District "ER of the Year" was presented to Kyle Smart of the Old Town Elks Lodge by Vice-President John Nicholson, and the Central District "ER of the Year" award was given to Susan Horsman of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge by Vice-President Wayne Cotterly.
 
Several special awards were also presented at the convention. The "Outstanding Chairman" Award was presented to Wayne Cotterly of the Lewiston Elks Lodge for his work in the area of Public Relations. The "Officer of the Year" Award was presented to John Nicholson of the Millinocket Elks Lodge for his hard work in raising money in the association's major fundraising project. The Elizabeth J. Sicard Memorial "Spouse of the Year" Award was presented to Tina May Nicholson of the Millinocket Elks Lodge for her support of the Elks and their programs.
 
Receiving the President's special recognition was Donald & Joyce Richard for their hard work on behalf of the Maine Children's Cancer Program and State Convention Committee. The President's Extra-Mile Award went to Melissa Butters of the Ellsworth Elks Lodge. MEA First Lady Alfreda "Freddy" Powers presented Past Grand Lodge Inner Guard Andy Constantine with an appreciation award for his assistance during the visit of the Elks National President, the Grand Exalted Ruler.
 
The "Elk of the Year" Award for the State of Maine was presented to Dwayne Guy of the Rockland Elks Lodge for his outstanding service and dedication to the programs of the association and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Guy serves as a member of the State Convention Committee, Maine Children's Cancer Program Committee, Elks National Home Committee, and Elks Memorial Service Coordinator.
 
The Maine Elks Association is a non-profit organization consisting of 22 Lodges and nearly 12,000 members in the State of Maine. The association provides programs in areas such as Americanism, Scholarships, Drug Awareness, and Veterans/National Service. For more information on the Elks, visit maineelks.org, or visit your local Elks Lodge.

Maine Elks Install New Officers 

CARRABASSETT VALLEY--On April 30- May 2, 2010, the Maine Elks Association elected and installed its slate of officers for the 2010-2011 association year at their 81st  Annual State Convention held at Sugarloaf USA in Carrabassett Valley. Installed as State President was Roger Normandeau of the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470. Normandeau, in his opening remarks, congratulated outgoing President Michael Powers of the Houlton Elks Lodge #835 for a successful year. He also thanked the members for their support, and encouraged each Lodge to give 100% support to the Elk programs.

Installed as officers of the association for the 2010-2011 year were: State President: Roger Normandeau (Sanford), President Elect: Wayne Cotterly (Lewiston), 1st Vice-President: John Nicholson (Millinocket), 2^nd Vice-President: Dwayne Guy (Rockland), Secretary: Philip O'Brion (Farmington), Treasurer: Elizabeth Butler (York), Chaplain: Andrew Bolz (Sanford), Tiler: Glenn McCallum (Biddeford-Saco), Administrative Assistant: Claris Ranger (Farmington), and Sergeant-at Arms: Irvin Pillsbury (Sanford). Serving as installing officer was Past State President Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470

The Maine Elks Association is a non-profit organization consisting of 22 Lodges and over 11,400 members in the State of Maine. The association provides support programs in areas such as Americanism, Scholarships, Drug Awareness, and Veterans/National Service. For more information on the Elks, visit maineelks.org, or visit your local Elks Lodge.

Pictured above are:

Front (L-R): Dwayne Guy, Wayne Cotterly, Roger Normandeau, John Nicholson, Elizabeth Butler
Back (L-R):, Philip O'Brion, Claris Ranger, Glenn McCallum, Irvin Pillsbury, and Andrew Bolz

How the Elks National Foundation Helps Maine 

When you give to the Elks National Foundation, you're doing more than funding the Elks National Drug Awareness and "Hoop Shoot" programs. You're doing more than supporting the Community Investments Program and providing Emergency Educational Grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. You're doing more than maintaining the Elks Veterans Memorial. You're doing all that, and you're supporting Elkdom in Maine.

During the 2009-10 Lodge year, the Elks of Maine donated $86,149.78 to the Elks National Foundation. This year, the Foundation will give back the following:

• State Charities Grant: $48,390.00
• Special Projects Grant:$32,630.00
• Bonus Grant: $12,920.00

Plus money for the Maine Children's Cancer Program, and the Diabetes-Hypertension Van, as well as other philanthropic projects. Portions of these grants will also support Maine's Drug Awareness Program, Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot and educational programs.

• Most Valuable Student: $28,000.00
• Legacy Award: $16,000.00

The Elks National Foundation will award a total of 7 "Most Valuable Student" scholarships to high school seniors from your state. In addition, we will award up to 4 Legacy scholarships to children, grandchildren and stepchildren of Elks.

• National Veterans Service Commission: $1,980.00

These funds will help them provide aid and comfort to hospitalized veterans.

Grand Total: $139,920.00     

That's a ratio of $1.624 for every dollar the Foundation received from Maine last year.

Since inception in 1928 through March 31, 2010, the Foundation has granted a total of $3,062,445.00 to Maine, compared with the state's total donations of $2,641,497.45. That's a ratio of $1.159 for every dollar the Foundation has received from your state. The Foundation's past support includes:

• $1,499,457.00 in State Charities Grants
• $415,872.00 in Special Projects Grants
• $587,470.00 in "Most Valuable Student" Scholarships
• $208,014.00 in Emergency Educational Grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks
• $73,500.00 in Legacy Award scholarships to the children and grandchildren of Maine Elks.

For more information about the Elks National Foundation, contact your local chairman or write us at Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, enf@elks.org

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.

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