State President Message-October 2009

Remember that we also have pledged to never forget our veterans. Keep all of our vets(hospitalized and otherwise) in mind as we seek to go about the business of our lodges. Having an appreciation night with a meal would be a great way to show our veterans that we care and that we share.
 
We have a state meeting in October in Portland. Put it on your calendar so you will be able to get your room and attend the Sat. evening meal. Also remember that each lodge state trustee has calendars for sale and it is our duty, as Elks, to support the Maine Elks Association. By purchasing a calendar, you not only get a chance of making more than your money back, but you help support all of the work that our state association does. I challenge you to sell or buy one calendar each and keep in mind, they make great gifts.
 
Finally, keep in mind the work that we all do. We are not in this for personal gain but for the betterment of our communities and the charities that we all feel so dedicated to as Maine Elks. Remember that there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.
 
Michael W. Powers
MEA State President

News from the Old Town Elks Lodge 

The Old Town Elks Lodge held an auction for their charities including MCCP on September 19th.  Over $3000 was raised thanks to the donations of products and gift certificates from businesses and individuals. There was a wide range of items auctioned off. The Elks Lodge is hoping to make this an annual event.

The Old Town Elks Lodge held its annual Family Outing on September 13th.  This event is held to gather Elk families for a day of fun and camaraderie.  The festivities included food, bounce tents, a dunk tank, family oriented games, door prizes and drawings for 2 children's bicycles.  Pictured above is Tim McGovern, Chef for the day.

Membership: By the numbers 
Wayne Cotterly, 1st Vice-President

Here are some interesting statistics for the Maine Elks Association over the past few years:

Membership in 2005: 12,414 members

Membership in 2009: 11,804 members

Membership Change: -610 members

Change Percentage: -4.92%

Over the past 5 years

Total members initiated: 3584 members

Total members reinstated: 671

Total members dropped non-payment: 3486 members

Total members that died: 992

Based on the numbers above, it is clear that we excel in bringing in new members to join the Order, but we do not do as well in keeping them.

One may think that our aging membership is dying off, and we're losing members for that reason, but on average, we lose only 198 per year to death. Our average loss for members for non-payment of dues averages 697 per year.

One sobering statistic shows that for the past three years, the association has lost members at an increasing rate, to as much as 3% of our membership during the past year.

So what can we do to stem the tide of membership loss?  Simple...keep the members interested and active enough to continue paying their dues!

A successful Lodge is one that has enough activities and programs to meet the variety of interests and needs of its members. Let's help keep our Lodge's successful...engage your members, find out what they want or need, and develop a plan to meet those wants and needs.

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.

If you would like to create newsletters like this, and begin an e-mail marketing program for your business or organization, please click on this referral link to receive a $30 dollar credit.