Maine Elks Association
Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -7/30/2009

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Old Town Holds Project Graduation
From Kyle Smart, Old Town Elks Project Graduation Chair

Old Town Lodge #1287 held their Project Graduation on June 13, 2009. The card games, prize wheel and auction events were once again very popular.  All seniors who stayed through the night went home with at least one prize. Ninety five percent of this year’s graduating class attended the event. Grand prizes were given away at the end of the night with plenty of tired and excited seniors still in attendance.

This year’s Grand Prizes consisted of: LCD TV, Old Town Canoe kayak, digital video cameras, IPod Touch MP3 Player. Wii Game System, Garmin GPS & a $100 Wal-Mart Gift Card Dr. Bengali (hypnotist) was a big hit with all who attended.

Rockland Elks Serving Veterans
From Dwayne Guy, Coastal District Public Relations



Members of Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 presented a check on July 15, to Steve Hurd, Chief of Volunteer Services at Togus, Veteran’s Hospital.  The check was the result of several fundraising events during the summer and will go toward the purchase of a trolley bus at Togus.  This trolley will be used to transport patients and their families from the parking lots to the clinical buildings and will be most beneficial during inclement weather.  Making the presentation were Craig Davis, Exalted Ruler of Rockland Lodge #1008, John Young, Lodge ENF Chairman, Dwayne Guy, Lodge Veterans Chairman and Tom Elliot, Maine Elks Association Veterans’ Chairman. Several fraternal and non-profit organizations throughout the state of Maine have been raising funds to purchase the trolley.  If you wish to make a donation please send it to Rockland Elks #1008, P.O. Box 983, Rockland, ME 04841-0983 Attn: Dwayne Guy.  Please indicate that it is to go toward the trolley bus.

Passing of Past Grand Exalted Ruler the Honorable Kenneth Cantoli
From Jim Strojny, MA Elks 

Kenneth V. Cantoli, PGER, BPOE

It is my sad duty to report on the passing of the Honorable Kenneth V. Cantoli, of Wall Township, NJ who passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009. He was born in Hoboken and resided in Hasbrouck Heights for over 40 years until moving to the Jersey Shore in 1985.

While living in Hasbrouck Heights, he was a founding member of that town's Elks Lodge, BPO Elks 1962, subsequently becoming its Exalted Ruler. His involvement in the Elks expanded to the state level, where he was appointed State President and ultimately to the national organization where his work with the Grand Lodge culminated in his appointment in 1983 as Grand Exalted Ruler. At the end of his term in 1984, Ken continued to work on Grand Lodge committees until his health deteriorated.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.  Kenneth was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ruth, and his son Michael. He is survived by his son Dennis Cantoli and his wife Kathleen; his daughter Susan Herring and her hus band Donald; his grandchildren Kevin Cantoli and his wife Kimberly, Sharon Jelleme and her husband David, Michael Cantoli, and Gregory Herring; and by his great-grandchildren Emily and Matthew Jelleme and Isabel Cantoli.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Cantoli's name can be made to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Rd., Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.

GER Class: On Track to Succeed?
By G. Stephen Clarke, GL Membership Committee

As we enter the last half of the Lodge year, it is critical that the Lodge is on track to achieve the membership goal established at the beginning of the year. The Grand Exalted Ruler’s Class is an incentive to assist in meeting the membership goal. The GER Class is comprised of new Members initiated during September and October. The number of GER Class members plus Members added by initiation and reinstatement since April 1, should approximately equal 50 percent of the Lodge goal for the fraternal year.

If the Lodge is not on track to achieve the membership goal, now is the time to make the changes needed to get back on the path to success.

Lodges can receive recognition for participating in the GER Class by requesting a Grand Exalted Ruler’s Membership Commendation. To request the award simply enter the number of new Members initiated during September and October on line 21 of the mid-year report submitted to the Grand Lodge via CLMS. It is also advisable to notify your Grand Lodge Committeeman and State Membership Chairman to assist them in assuring the Lodge is properly recognized.

The mid-year report is due by November 1. Area Committeemen are listed in the Grand Lodge and State Associations Directory (Code 553800) and on the back of the Grand Lodge Membership brochure. A copy of the brochure was included in the Exalted Rulers, Secretaries and District Deputy Designates materials distributed at the Grand Lodge Session in Portland.

For information on implementing the membership program using a team approach, contact your State Membership Chairman or the Grand Lodge Membership Committeeman assigned to your area.

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