Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -05/15/08

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

MEA State President Message


 

 

 

My first message as State President Membership addresses—Membership Retention!

Since 1981, our organization has lost over 600,000 members and over the recent past few years the Elks have lost an average of 20,000 members per year.

I would ask that each Lodge renew its effort to retain members. Lodge Officers, Secretaries, Governing Body and /or House Committee members can play a big part in this effort. I would encourage each Lodge to establish an "Active Membership Retention Committee" whose goal would be to work with new members (keep their interest up) and to make contact with delinquent members and members that have been dropped for non-pay - the results will be rewarding and worth the effort.

Remember always: "The Future Belongs to Those Who Care"

Bob Drisko
State President

ENF Announces Legacy Scholarship Increase

The 2009 contest will kick off September 1, 2008, with exciting changes! Starting with the class of 2009, the Elks National Foundation will award up to 250 four-year, $4,000 awards! Applications will be available online September 1 at www.elks.org/enf , at local Lodges, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. The contest deadline is January 9, 2009. Applications and FAQ sheets will be mailed to Lodge Secretaries in late August.

Mother of the Year Awarded by Skowhegan-Madison Elks

SKOWHEGAN – When Debora Tanner’s husband, Rev. Mark K.  Tanner, concluded his services at the Skowhegan Federated Church Sunday morning, he notified the congregation that he had something very important to do immediately afterwards.

Tanner told his wife that he had been asked by the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge to offer a prayer at their annual Mother’s Day ceremony. But she was puzzled why he insisted that she accompany him, along with three of their children.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the well-kept family secret was out: Debora Tanner was honored as Mother of the Year by the 741-member fraternal organization.

“Debora has devoted her entire life to helping others, whether it’s at school, at church or at home,” said Exalted Ruler or lodge president Julie A. Washburn. “We are very proud to recognize her for her kindness and dedication.”

Mrs. Tanner was presented with a bouquet of roses, sash and an engraved vase from Washburn and a tiara from 2007 Elks Mother of the Year Leslie O. Korhonen of Madison.

The new Mother of the Year has taught at Skowhegan Area Middle School for the past 23 years. In addition she’s the director of the music program and Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Skowhegan Federated Church.

She decided to step down as president of the Skowhegan Area High School Girls Softball Boosters Club, only to accept the same position in the school’s basketball boosters club. “It was a short vacation,” she said with a laugh.

Mrs. Tanner said that she was “surprised and overwhelmed by the honor. I know Mark has received many awards in the past, but I never expected this.”

The couple has five children: Kaley, 17; Alyson, 23; Joshua, 19; James, 11; and Luke, 11. Kaley, Alyson and Joshua also attended the May 11 observance.

Debora Tanner of Skowhegan (left) was honored as Mother of the Year May 11 by the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge. Also pictured are Exalted Ruler Julie A. Washburn (center) and 2007 Mother of the Year Leslie O. Korhonen. (Contributed photo)

How is the Elks National Foundation Helping 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 your state.

During the 2007-08 Lodge year, the Elks of Maine donated $88,324.02 to the Elks National Foundation. This year, the Foundation will give back the following:

State Charities Grant           $49,190
Special Projects Grant        $30,460
Bonus Grant                         $14,100

These grants help fund the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and Diabetes-Hypertension Van, as well as other philanthropic projects. Portions of these grants will also support the state association’s Drug Awareness, Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, and educational programs.

Most Valuable Student Scholarships      $28,000
Legacy Student Scholarships                   $16,000

The State will receive a total of 7 “Most Valuable Student” scholarships for high school seniors. We will also receive up to 4 Legacy Scholarships for children, grandchildren, and stepchildren of Elks.

Veterans/National Service             $1,980

These funds help hospitalized Veterans at the Togus VA hospital in Augusta.

Grand Total of $139,730

That's a ratio of 1.582 for every dollar the Foundation received from your state last year.

Since inception in 1928 through March 31, 2008, the Foundation has granted a total of $2,808,155.00 to Maine, compared with your Maine’s total donations of $2,470,272.83. That's a ratio of 1.137 for every dollar the Foundation has received from your state.

The Foundation's past support includes:

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.

Veterans Requested For Interviews

The Veterans History Project (VHP) was signed into law by Congress on October 27, 2000, as a project of the American Folklife Center, a division of the Library of Congress, in order to document and preserve Veterans’ recollections of World War I , World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars, and other conflicts for the following reasons:

The preservation of not only Veterans’ stories but also of artifacts including photographs, maps, videos, letters, and equipment is vital for the better understanding of Veterans’ service to the nation by current and future generations.

To honor our Veterans, Volunteers will conduct interviews during the month of May for preservation by the Veterans History Project.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, call Voluntary Services at 207-621-4886

Visit the Veterans History Project at www.loc.gov/vets

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, Newsbriefs, and/or Website. Also, if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net. In addition, if you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them forward their e-mail address to the same address. All information provided has been read and approved by the MEA State President