Maine Elks Association
Public
Relations Committee Newsbriefs -06/11/09
Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs
Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee
Seminar
The
Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee will be holding a Seminar for all Public
Relations Chairmen, Exalted Rulers, and any others interested in promoting the
Order on July 5, 2009. The seminar will be held in the Oregon Convention Center
in room B117, and will run from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee Chairman Richard Goldner will open the
seminar with opening remarks, and introduce the Grand Lodge Public Relations
Program Directors. Topics to be discussed at the seminar include "Working
& Communicating with the media while building relationships,"
"Leveraging media resources to enhance Elks positive image,"
"Best practices of getting published & increasing public
awareness," and "Press Releases--Increasing the punch-power: Worth or
Worthless."
Two guest speakers will talk about Public
Relations. Jayne Carroll of "The Jayne Carroll Show," on KUIK Talk
Radio and Shaun O'L. Higgins, Senior Operating Executive of the Spokane-Review.
In
addition, there will be Public Relations Tips from Industry Experts,
information on PR Support initiatives & information access, a Public
Relations "toolkit" CD, and a Question, Answer, and Feedback segment
to wrap up the seminar.
Maine Elks to Celebrate Flag Day
On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed an Act to establish an official flag for the new nation. The resolution ordered that "the Flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Over One Hundred years later, a 19 year old, $40 a month school-teacher, stirred by a deep love of the American Flag, arranged for the students in a little country schoolhouse located near Fredonia, Wisconsin to conduct exercises that celebrated the "Flags Birthday." Bernard J. Cigrand, who later became a professor of dentistry and a college dean, began a lifelong crusade on June 14, 1885, to honor the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777
Thirty-one years later in 1916, his devotion to the Flag was rewarded when June 14th was declared as National Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson, who said, 'the Flag has vindicated its right to be honored by all nations of the world and feared by none who do righteousness. In 1949, long after Dr. Cigrand's death, President Truman signed an Act of Congress that proclaimed the Flag of the United States would be displayed on all government buildings on June 14th and asked that the American people join in the observance of the Flag's anniversary.
Flag Day was recently summed up by President Clinton in 1996, who wrote..."Today, America's Flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms, and churches, serving as a daily reminder of this Nation's past accomplishments and ongoing dedication to safeguarding individual rights. The brave members of our Armed Forces carry "Old Glory" with them as they fulfill their mission to defend the blessings of democracy and peace across the globe; our banner flies from public buildings as a sign of our national community; and its folds drape the tombs of our distinguished dead. The Flag is a badge of honor to all -- a sign of our citizens' common purpose."
Patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the
United States of America since the early days of the organization. Allegiance
to our country's flag is required of every member of our Order. In addition,
the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks was the first and
only Fraternal Organization in the United States to make the observance
of Flag Day mandatory; something that it has been doing this since
1911.
On June 13, 2009, the Maine Elks Association will be holding its annual Flag
Day services at the Togus V.A. Medical Center in Augusta. The event will begin
at 11 AM, and will be held in the Chapel. All State Officers will be wearing
White Dinner Jackets, and Lodge ER’s who will carry in the historic flags
should wear their Lodge blazer. Many Lodges across the state will also hold
their annual services on June 14, 2009.