Maine Elks
Association
Public Relations Committee
Newsbriefs -11/21/07
Maine
Elks Association Newsbriefs
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
New Membership Program
Update
This is a follow up report on CLMS
(Chicago Lodge Membership System), our soon to be national membership tracking
program.
Our staff in Chicago has been working diligently over the past several months on CLMS. We are rapidly approaching the "beta' test stage of the project. All Lodges in Alaska and Washington will take part in the test, which is scheduled for the middle of November 2007. The results of the "beta" test will advance our goal towards final implementation of CLMS by April 1, 2008.
Once again, for those Lodges wishing to get a head start in using CLMS you may purchase Yuma 6 at this time and start the conversion process with support from Yuma. NOTE: This support is forecast to end on December 31, 2007.
The use of CLMS is not mandatory at this time, unless your State Sponsor requires it. The Advisory Committee does anticipate that all Lodges will be on CLMS within a year.
The CLMS program will be a provided service from Chicago when it becomes operational. We do not foresee a conversion service being available for the other membership programs after CLMS is implemented. Lodges using programs other than Yuma 6 at the time CLMS becomes operational will have to enter their information into CLMS from scratch.
We will continue to keep you updated with our progress as we move forward in this exciting new program for all the Lodges. Lodge Secretaries may contact me at trueelk@msn.com should they have any questions.
Fraternally,
Roger R. True, PGER
Chairman,
Information Technology Subcommittee
Get Set to Name
PER Association
From
the GL Newsletter
Exalted rulers for
2008-09 should be aware that they will be asked for the name and contact
information of the presiding officer of your lodge Past Exalted Rulers
Association/Committee. ER’s are to provide the information on the forms your
district deputy will give you in January. The PER Association is mandatory per
Section 13.190 of the Grand Lodge statutes. If your PER Association is a little
disorganized, drop the members a hint to shape up by April 1, 2008, because
their talents will definitely be utilized during the year.
Time to Start
Picking the Elk/Officer of the Year
John
G. Holt, GL State Associations/Lodge Activities
Member
Exalted rulers: Now is
the time, if you have not already done so, to select an anonymous committee to
select Elk of the year. The committee recommendation should be based on loyalty,
dedication and willingness to work for the lodge and should exemplify
“ Share – Care.”
The selection should
be completed no later than March 31, 2008. The award enables the lodge to
recognize one of its own for outstanding service. A special event to honor the
person selected is appropriate (dinner, etc.) and if promoted properly can
become an annual event that all members will enjoy.
Two rules must be followed in selecting Elk of the year: 1) CANNOT be a lodge officer. 2) Only ONE ELK can be chosen.
The full name of the
individual (no nicknames) should be submitted to the Grand Secretary in writing
so that an inscribed citation may be issued. Postmark by March 31,
2008.
Officer
of the Year Award — The exalted ruler
shall direct the lodge’s Past Exalted Rulers Association to select officer of
the year. Past exalted rulers should keep in mind that the recipient must be a
lodge officer, and only one officer can be chosen.
Officer of the Year Award is a way for the lodge to recognize a current officer who has contributed above and beyond their normal duties. This person must have shown leadership and contributed voluntarily to services and committees. The qualification should be stringent as it would be better not to designate an officer of the year than to select an officer less than worthy of the honor.
The officer’s full name (no nicknames) and title should be submitted to the Grand Secretary in writing so that an inscribed citation may be issued to the officer of the year. Must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.
All-American
Lodge Selection Begins With Submitting Entry
John
G. Holt, GL State Associations/Lodge Activities
Member
What does it take to win the 2007-08 All American Lodge Award, one of the most coveted honors of Elkdom? First, you must submit an entry.
The competition (Contest “A”) will be stiff because there are a lot of superb Elks lodges, and yours can be one of them. Here are some helpful hints:
1. Get a copy of last year’s single-page entry form, an excellent tool with which to fine tune your goals for the 2007-2008 lodge year. But use it as a guideline only. We created a new application that will simplify the process but will not affect your goals and programs. Your entry for the year ending in 2008 must be submitted on the new form, which was presented to you in a packet at the Grand Lodge Session, and another copy will be sent to your lodge in January. If you are not sure that you have the new form, contact your G/L Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee member.
2. Read the instructions and activity descriptions very carefully. Start working on these Elks programs right away. If there are programs or contests you do not thoroughly understand, contact your district deputy or your G/L Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee member from your area for clarification.
3. Create an All American Lodge Committee in your lodge to meet and assess progress on maximizing the point counts for the various activities.
4. Note the DEADLINES carefully, and gather necessary information well in advance. Bear in mind that your entry must be sent to your DISTRICT DEPUTY, postmarked no later than March 15. The DDGER must REVIEW and SIGN it before forwarding it to your STATE LODGE ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN, postmarked no later than April 1. The SLAC must REVIEW and SIGN it before forwarding it to the G/L LODGE ACTIVITES/STATE ASSOCIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER in charge of Contest “A” – All American Lodge Contest, postmarked no later than April 15.
5. The activities listed on the entry form are nothing more than the basics needed for a successful lodge year.
By entering the contest you will have the opportunity to keep an accurate record of the strong programs your lodge carries out and the programs that need more work in the future. You just might be surprised to find out how successful your lodge truly is. I wish you all the best and encourage you to enter the All American Lodge Contest “A” this year.
Public Relations
is not just Publicity
By
Dennis Garrels, GL Public Relations
When you hear the
words “public relations,” what comes to your mind? Most of us think about the
media, i.e. articles in the newspapers or magazines and radio or TV spots. But,
public relations is more than that.
How crisp is the flag that flies
above your building? Is it a symbol of pride in our nation or is it tattered and
torn, an emblem that our neighbors remind us to replace? How about your
indoctrination and initiation ceremonies? Are they designed and given to impress
our candidates, “…. as the impressions produced on the mind of the candidate are
likely to be lasting…”, or do they leave questions as to why anyone should
belong or work in your organization? And, what about your lodge facilities? Are
they inviting, clean and attractive with members extending their hand in
friendship? Or, do they reek of odors and wastes from past events with members
sitting in their familiar circles unwilling to get up and welcome guests? What
do these examples and numerous others tell the public about who we are?
Public relations is
the art of promoting a favorable relationship with the public. For Elks, this
means putting forth and maintaining a positive image and sustaining a
relationship with local residents and all others who come in contact with our
organization. Yes, the media is certainly a part. But, every Elks member has a
public relations role in their lodge. Remember, you are the organization. The
image of cooperation you establish in your lodge, your internal and external
communication and your attitude are also integral parts.
An
organization is the people, not the product, the profit, the furniture or the
fancy brochures. You are the ambassador for the organization. What you do, what
you say and how you act have a significant impact. Never underestimate the power
that you have as a member in the total picture of public
relations.
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