Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -11/29/07

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Wells Elks Hold Hoop Shoot

The Wells Elks Lodge recently held their annual Hoop Shoot contest as part of the Elks National Free Throw Contest. The Local winners of this years Hoop Shoot were:

Amber B. 10 year old girls

Nathan B. 10 year old boys

Mindy A. 9 year old girls

Although the turn out was smaller this year then in the past, all had a great time. Helping to run this year’s program were Al Ingraham, Hoop Shoot Lodge Director, Jim Bryant, Wells Elks lodge #2738 Exalted Ruler, Dick Libby PDDGER, Jim Kilbride and Melinda Libby. Pictured above are from L to R (Front): Nathan B., Amber B., & Mindy A. Back Row L-R: ER Jim Bryant, Dick Libby, Al Ingraham, Melinda Libby

ENF Announces Impact Grant Recipients

Chicago, III. —With some help from a new Elks National Foundation grant program, Elks across the country are doing amazing things!

Providing-material support andho1idayfeastsrforthe-familiesof reservists and- guardsmen called to active duty. Creating after-school programs that promote healthy living, leadership, and community service. Building ramps and maintaining homes to provide veterans and seniors with continued independence. Providing new job opportunities for people with disabilities. These are just a few of the activities that the Elks National Foundation’s Impact Grant recipients will be involved with this year.

Impact Grants are the newest addition to the Elks National Foundation’s Community Investments Program. They are competitive grants designed to help Elks address an unmet need in their community. Last April, the ENF asked Lodges to identify a need and create a program that would allow them to aid their community in a visible and meaningful way. In this pilot year, the Elks National Foundation is very excited about the response it received. In total, 112 applications were received and considered for funding.

The ENF is excited to announce the 25 recipients of 2007-08 Impact Grants. Grant awards range from $3,000 to $10,000, and total $200,000. The recipients represent communities across the United States. The Elks National Foundation is excited to help these Lodges build communities.

2007-08 Impact Grant Recipients

 “We’re so excited to be funding these great projects,” said ENF Director Jim O’KelIey. “And these 25 are just the start. In future years we hope to increase the size of the grant pool, which will allow us to fund even more projects!”

For more information about Impact Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit our website at www.elks.org/en f/community or contact the Programs Department at ENFPrograms@elks.org  or 773-755-4954

Mailing Rules for Lodge Bulletin’s Changing
From the GL Newsletter

Mailing requirements are changing for lodge bulletins using Nonprofit Standard Mail. How important is your lodge bulletin to members? Very important is your likely reply. So important, you want to stay current with the best practices of delivering the news and events of your lodge in a cost effective manner.

In 2004 the Postal Service handled 9.7 billion pieces of undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail at a cost of $1.979 billion. To address this ongoing problem, lodges are being asked to mail “smarter” when they post at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rate. Beginning November 2008, newsletters (or bulletins) must demonstrate to the Postal Service their mailing list is updated for accuracy at least every 95 days. The best way to do this is to add a “CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED” endorsement near the address label. Each correction returned costs 50¢. (But is it not worth it?)

Without the endorsement, your lodge may not be in compliance with this new “move-update” requirement. As a result, you may be forced to mail at the First Class single-piece rate. For a lodge of 500 that could be an extra $1,500 per year!

Several “ancillary service endorsement” options are available, including “ADDRESS,” “RETURN,” or “CHANGE” Service Requested. (Note that “Forwarding Service Requested” does not qualify.) You are encouraged to review the options and fees by searching online for US Postal Service Quick Service Guide 507d or request a copy from Phil Claiborne, Elks Magazine Circulation Department, 425 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614-6196; email: philc@elks.org; phone: (773) 755-4910.

Note Early Mailing Deadline For Sending Gifts to Troops
From the Government Relations Report  

If your lodge is planning to send Christmas presents to service members deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or other overseas posts, those packages should be in the mail by November 13. That’s the word from the U.S. Postal Service. More expensive options are available—parcel airlift mail can be sent as late as Dec. 4, and priority mail and first class letters should get Christmas delivery if mailed by Dec. 11.

The Pentagon this month alerts at least seven National Guard units to be ready for overseas deployment next year. The news gives lodges new incentives to expand their “Army of Hope” program to provide support for their families. There are currently 170,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 26,000 in Afghanistan.

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