MEA State President Message
September 2009 

Please be proactive in recruiting new members and work to get those in arrears back into the fold. It does not happen by itself, it takes effort on the part of caring Elks. Remember our State major projects and do all that you can to see that the ENF goal of $ 4.50 per member becomes a reality.

We are working hard to do our best to fund all our programs. One way to be certain that we reach our goals is to be sure we all sell our calendars as this is vital to our good works. Yes, it takes effort. However, anything that is worth doing, takes effort and dedication on the part of all of us. 

Finally, enjoy being an Maine Elk and be proud of the accomplishments of all. Together we will make a difference in the lives of many.
 
Fraternally,
Michael W. Powers
MEA President

ENF Scholarships Now Available 

2010 Most Valuable Student and Legacy Award applications are now available! MVS applications, available to all high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, are due on November 2, 2009, to the Lodge nearest the applicant's home. Click here for all the details and to download an application:

http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm

Legacy Award applications, now online only, are due on January 8, 2010. If you are the child or grandchild of an active Elk member, click here to apply:

http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/legacy.cfm

Soccer Shoot Preparations Underway 
By Herbert Dennis, GL Youth Activities Committee 

Summer vacations are over and the kids are back in school. It's time for the Elks Soccer Shoot to get under way. Your Exalted Rulers and District, State and Lodge Chairmen should already have a plan under way for competing in your local Soccer Shoots that are held in August, September and October with a final plan to take your winners to the state competition in November. All those results should be in to the Grand Lodge Soccer Representative as soon after that as possible.

I encourage every Lodge to host a Soccer Shoot and also prepare a Soccer Shoot Brochure for the National Soccer Shoot Brochure contest. This is an excellent way for your Lodge to gain national recognition for your program. The rules governing this brochure are the same as the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committee Junior Golf brochure contest, which are outlined on page 23 of the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Manual (Code 512100). Make sure you include a cover sheet with your Lodge name and number. The due date is May 1st of the Grand Lodge year
 
Soccer is the fastest growing youth sport in the United States. We, as Elks, need to take advantage of the growing interest in this sport. What better opportunity do we have to
be active with the youth of our community and their parents? Just think of the impact we could have on the youth of our communities if every Lodge in the nation held a Soccer Shoot. Look at the impact Hoop Shoot has had, and it started with just one Lodge and has blossomed into a nationally recognized event by the public.

I will follow Otto G. Sayles who has done an outstanding job as Grand Lodge Soccer Shoot Chairman. All correspondence and questions concerning the program should be directed to me: Herbert S. Dennis, 739 Roswell Dr. Bremerton, WA. 98310: phone 360-479-2343; email: hsdennis@comcast.net

Remember, the youth of today are our future.

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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