Millinocket Elks Pay Tribute to Fallen Servicemen

Members of Millinocket Lodge of Elks #1521 placed Elk's Flags on 335 lots in 4 communities, including Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, and Brownville in preparation for Memorial Day. Pictured is Past Exalted Ruler Joe Lyons.

Membership: Using a Team Approach

by John F. Kirkconnell, GL Membership Committee

At the beginning of his term, the Exalted Ruler should set a realistic membership goal and start to build the Membership Team within the Lodge. The Exalted Ruler should assign the Membership Program to a Chair Officer, or other qualified Member, with input from the rest of the Officers and the Past Exalted Rulers of the Lodge. The initial responsibility of the Membership Committee is to maintain a steady, healthy membership growth.

Form the team with the Membership Chairperson as Captain. Next, select Group Leaders who are responsible for selecting four to six Lodge Members for each group comprising the Membership Committee. The groups include the Investigating Committee, the Indoctrination/Orientation Committee and the Lapsation Committee. The team also consists of the Lodge Secretary, Lodge Activities Chairperson and Public Relations Chairperson as Liaison Members.

The Investigating Committee's responsibility is to interview candidates who have been proposed for membership into the Lodge. They must determine if the candidate meets the qualifications and understands the obligations required to become a Member of our Order.

The Indoctrination/Orientation Committee is responsible for acquainting candidates with the history of our Order, our activities and projects and to provide them information and motivation to become active Members in the Lodge. Understanding the principles of the Order and our service to the community is vital to getting new Members involved in the activities of the Lodge. Active Elks remain Elks.

The Lapsation Committee is responsible for carrying out a year-round program of contact and counseling to avoid losing delinquent Members. Effective use of the Stray Elks program is also important in preventing loss of Members due to job transfer or relocation.

The whole team should be provided with a vision of the budget and membership materials. The Exalted Ruler, Membership Chairperson, Group Leaders and Liaison Members should be charged with developing a membership program that establishes a +1 goal and an Action Plan with milestones, deadlines, measurable results and incentives.

For additional information on developing your Lodge Membership Team, visit the Membership Page of the Grand Lodge Web site or contact your State Association or Grand Lodge Membership Team.

PER Association Raffle Winners

The winners of the Maine Elks PER Association Raffle are announced. The winner of the Motorola wireless speakerphone was Wayne Cotterly. The winner of the wireless headset was Michael Aube.

Roy Bolton thanks all who participated in the raffle.

Elks Recognized for 4-Star Websites

As reported in the Elks Magazine, the Houlton Elks Lodge #835 received a four-star out of five rating by the Grand Lodge Lodge Activities & State Associations Committee. Their website can be found Here: http://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodge=835

The Maine Elks Association also received a four-star rating for their website.

Togus VA Wish List-June 2010

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.     Drivers for Volunteer Transportation Network (Belfast, Bucksport, Rockland, 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.     Out-to-Lunch Buddy (serves as escort, waiter, busboy, etc. - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

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.     Sponsorship of 72/73 Resident/family/staff BBQ's (6/22, 9/2 = $250 ea)

6.     Community Based Mental Health Activities (Sponsorship of bowling, pool and other various activities)

7.     DVD Player for showing movies on closed circuit TV ($100)

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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.

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