Maine Elks Association

Maine Elks Association
Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -08/21/2008

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

MEA State President Message

Where did our summer go? As of this writing, August is half gone, we have had our first State Meeting, September is well on its way, and First Lady Myra is already shopping for winter clothes. On a more serious note, most of you have learned that it will be mandatory for all lodges to convert to CLMS by October 31, 2008. Roger Sicard is the Grand Lodge coordinator for the State of Maine and is available to answer questions or assist those lodges that are in the process of converting to CLMS. I have been asked to serve as the Central District Coordinator for the CLMS conversion and I will be please to assist the Central District Lodges with regard to this process.

The Grand Lodge CLMS team has put a great deal of effort in providing us with a soft ware product that will be of great benefit to all lodges with regard to membership maintenance and Grand Lodge reporting. Lodges that are currently using ELMS for membership management, will soon be offered a one-time conversion package to facilitate the conversion to CLMS. I strongly urge all ELMS users to take advantage of this offer as soon as it becomes available. Please do not hesitate to contact your CLMS coordinator if you require assistance in this process.

Remember always: “The Future Belongs to Those Who Care”.

Bob Drisko

State President

Quarters for Cures

The Maine Elks Association along with the Maine State Golf Association have teamed up to help raise money for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. The new "Quarter's for Cures" program will be implemented at every golf course in the State of Maine, according to Don Richard, MEA's MCCP Director. The program can possibly raise anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 for children with cancer.

What is Quarter's for Cures? As many who play golf know, golfers are permitted to pick up their golf ball when on the green, but first it's position must be marked. Many use a good luck token, but many others use a quarter. The Maine State Golf Association will be encouraging Golfers to use a quarter during their round of golf, and then place it into a can at the club house or pro shop. According to the Maine Golf Association, Golfers play 4 Million rounds of golf each year. If just one in ten golfers participates in this program, the association's can raise $100,000. If one person in each foursome donates, the association's could raise as much as $250,000 dollars. If this happens, the Maine Elks Association could reach the $3 Million Dollar mark in less than 3 years, according to Richard.

Maine Elks Youthfest to be held this Weekend

The Maine Elks Association will be holding its annual Youthfest event for disabled and disadvantaged children on August 23rd at the Waterville Elks Lodge. Also attending will be children of military families who are either currently serving overseas, or have just recently served. Don’t forget, that all children and grandchildren of Elks and Emblem members are welcome to join in the fun. The event is free of charge

The event will run from 11 AM until 3 PM (rain or shine) and will feature carnival type games, craft tables, pony rides, a dunk tank, bounce houses, field games, hoop shoot, soccer shoot, as well as emergency vehicles. Food and Music will also be provided free of charge. Several other animated characters will make an appearance; including the Maine Elks own “Elliott the Elk.” Feature entertainment will include a magic show by one of New England's top magical performers the "Steelgraves," and a visit from “Slugger the Seadog” of the Portland Seadogs baseball team. For more information on the event, contact Anthony Gause at anthony.gause@cmpco.com , Marge York at jimandmarge@adelphia.net or Steve Washington at mrstevew@verizon.net

Facts to Success

Here are some tips to help improve your Lodge's success:

· Find the kind of activities your members really like

· Consider New Activities

· Plan events that will be financially self-sustaining

· Select events in which your members can participate, not as spectators, but as involved workers--be creative

· Don't just stay with the old tried and true activities--try new ones

· Encourage new ideas

· Use your imagination and ingenuity

· Communication is extremely important

Lodge activities have a tremendous effect on Lapsation. Lapsation usually results from some form of disenchantment and non-participation in Lodge Activities by members of the Lodge, probably because the member was never asked to participate.

Allow members the freedom to choose their level of involvement, and keep them positive and enthusiastic, whereby growth will be achieved within your Lodge.

Subordinate Lodge Website Awards Program

The Grand Lodge State Association's/Lodge Activities Committee will award Subordinate Lodges who keep their members informed and active in Grand Lodge Programs and State and Local projects through a Subordinate Lodge Website.

How does it work? Just have your Lodge Secretary or Exalted Ruler send an e-mail with your intention to enter the Subordinate Lodge Contest to MEA Lodge Activities Director Wayne Cotterly by September 1, 2008. The e-mail should contain the web address of your Lodge's website you wish to enter. Send to: meapr@fairpoint.net. Websites will be judged for Content, Design, News, Virtual Home Page, and Promotion.

Sites can earn a rating of One to Five-Stars. Five-Star winners will receive their awards at the Grand Lodge Convention in Portland, Oregon in 2009.

The computer is the most important instrument to happen since newspapers and television; more people can be reached than ever before. The web site is where it is happening. People are constantly surfing the internet for information. This is the place to show what Elkdom is all about. This is an instrument to "Grow Elkdom--and Strengthen America."

Augusta Elks Care—Share

The following is a letter received from the family of Jared Rodrige, who had recently undergone brain surgery:

To the Augusta Elks & Members,

My family & I would like to express its sincere gratitude for your generosity in our time of need. As most of you know our son Jared has recently had brain surgery and we've struggled to make ends meet due to missing work, bills, and travel expenses. The support we have received from the Elks, it's members, and our friends has been unbelievable. We are truly fortunate to have so many friends and supporters. Jared has bounced back nicely since his return home in mid June and though his initial medical problem hasn't changed much he is doing very well and is preparing for his Junior year at Cony High School.

Jared witnessed firsthand what a powerful tool "friends" can be, as well as realizing what being a part of an organization like the Elks means. We would like to extend a Special Thank you to Steve Gilbert & Michelle Frasier, Ralph & Tammy Colfer , and all their volunteers for their hard work putting together the benefit for us and also say we will always be grateful to you and the Augusta Elks Lodge for all you've done for us. No truer words have ever been spoken, " ELKS CARE, ELKS SHARE", I'm once again proud as always to say I'm a member of the Augusta Elks # 964, what a Great Organization to be a part of. Thanks to all of you that helped, contributed, and supported us as you all have made these last few months easier to handle.

Sincerely,
Tim & Vicki Rodrigue

Waterville Elks Support Veterans at Car Show
From Randy Gerry, Waterville Elks Lodge

Waterville Elks 905 Classic Car was at Togus Veterans Hospital for the Rusty Nuts Car and Motorcycle show on Sunday 17th. What a great show of support for our Veterans with all these car and motorcycle enthusiast showing up for no reason except to do it for the Veterans. There was a great ceremony held with key speakers and several moments of silence for our fallen veterans and those still fighting for our country. There were 100's of cars and bikes, Patriot Guard, current service members and supporters of all ages. Waterville Elks present were Mike Leighton, Dave and Sandi Anderson and Randy Gerry to witness this wonderful outing for the Veterans. We also donated to the Veterans Recreation Fund $270.00 from our car sales that day. Please remember this event and come next year you will be amazed at the amount of people of all walks of life that come for one reason to show support to our Veterans and all they have been through.

Sanford Elks to Hold Chili-Chowder Contest
From Steve Horne, Sanford Elks Lodge

The Sanford Elks Lodge, Maine Children’s Cancer Program Committee wishes to announce our Annual Chili and Chowda Contest and Live/Silent Auction

This year’s event will be held Friday, September 5, 2008 at The Sanford Elks Lodge, 13 Elm Street, Sanford, Maine. The itinerary is as follows:

4:00pm to 7:15pm – Silent Auction

5:00pm to 7:00pm – Chili & Chowda Contest

7:30pm (ish) Chili & Chowda awards

8:00pm (ish) Live Auction Begins

The event is usually over by 10:00pm.

This is our 11^th annual Chili & Chowda Contest held in conjunction with our 14^th annual Silent and Live auctions.

This year a $5.00 “Admission Donation” is requested and appreciated. The $5.00 donation will give you access to all the Vendors products and a “People’s Choice Ballot” The public is welcome to join us and vote for their favorites in the categories of “People’s Choice Best Chile” and “People’s Choice Best Chowda”. The Vendors will also be judged by our distinguished panel of Sequestered Judges.

Area restaurants that have ALREADY COMMITTED to dish out their best recipes include:

* Bon-Ami Catering * The Backstreet Grill *

* Varney Crossing Nursing Care Facility *

* The “G” Eatery * Northern Shores Seafood Restaurant *

* Above and Beyond Catering * Palmerosa Pines Catering *

And more have been invited …..!

Shop and bid the Silent Auction Items as you sample all the great recipes!

All items for the auctions have been very generously donated by area businesses and include: Installation of a Home Security System from CU Securities, Hardwood Flooring provided by Sanford Flooring, Antiques from Mavericks, Quality Autumn Scene, matted and framed by Pendexter Studios, Quality Wool Area Rugs provided by Southern Maine Hardwood Flooring, Original Oil and Water Color Paintings, Handcrafted Wooden Furniture, Quality Hand Made Quilts, Light House novelties provided by The Lighthouse Depot, Many Arts and Crafts, Golf Equipment, Golf packages, including cart and greens fees, many gift certificates to area restaurants including Bonanza, Fi-Wood, Backstreet Grille, Cock-Pit Café, Ted’s Fried Clams, Christo’s Place, Dairy Queen, Home Plate, and many more…. Computer components, Hair Care products and services to Magnolias, Detailz, Reflections, Sundarya, Hair Designs Unlimited, San Diego’s and more, Handmade Quilts and blankets, Springvale Flowers, and many, many more surprises!....the list is way too long to print here!

Cash, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted, checks will be accepted with proper ID, ie; drivers license. All items are to be paid for and removed from premises at the conclusion of the event. All sales are final. All items will be sold at auction unless the minimum bid has not been met. In that case, the item will be returned to the donator.

Last years event raised over $18,000.00 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and we hope to do as well this year!

For more information concerning this event, you may contact Steven Horne, Chairman, at P.O. Box 1544, Sanford, Maine 04073, tel 207-651-1149, email address Shorne@gwi.net . For more information regarding other events our committee sponsors contact Rick and Nancy Drouin, tel 207-324-8055 or email address nrdrouin@metrocast.net. Or visit our new website

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzesur31/sanfordelksmccpcommittee/

As we receive auction items and more vendors, or other information we will update this webpage, so check back often.

This event pre-empts the Sanford Elks Lodge 15^th Annual Maine Children’s Cancer Program Golf Tournament to be held the very next day, Saturday, Sept. 6.

The Sanford Elks Lodge, Maine Children’s Cancer Program Committee will meet each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm at the Elks Lodge and then again on September 3 at the Sanford Country Club at 6:00. The press is invited to attend any (or all) of these meetings as well as the events for photo opportunities or interviews.

At the conclusion of the Golf Tournament we will be announcing the winners of our $500 Wish Club Raffle. Also we will announce this year’s total amount raised through our other activities which included: Bottle Drive, Comedy Night, Bachelor Auction, Garden Tour, Caddies For Kids Campaign, Poker Run, Cut-a-Thon and other donations.

As we receive auction items and more vendors, or other information we will update this webpage, so check back often.

This event pre-empts the Sanford Elks Lodge 15^th Annual Maine Children’s Cancer Program Golf Tournament to be held the very next day, Saturday, Sept. 6.

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.