Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -12/13/07

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

A Message from the State President

I hope all Elks and families had a nice Thanksgiving and that everyone is looking forward to a wonderful Christmas Holiday.  Lisa and I have been to almost half of the Maine Lodges and have had a great time at each and every one.  This month we visited Waterville and Ellsworth so far.  Millinocket will be our last one for this year so we can stay home for a couple weekends to visit with our family for Christmas.  Our first visit in the New Year will be to Farmington.  That is the place of the next State meeting, so I hope to see most of you on Saturday evening.  We’re saving the far north for the dead of winter.  Houlton February 16th and 17th and Presque Isle two weeks later.

Recently all of the lodges held a memorial service for our departed members and as always, we attended the service in Sanford.  At our home lodge we lost many members this year and a few of them were known by many of you.  Past State President and Honorary Life Member, Eric Elliott Jr. was one and Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and Life Member, Yvon Bourque another.  In addition to these men we lost two other life members, a past officer and some very hard working Elks.  15 friends in all left us.  They will be sadly missed.  The officers did an elegant job performing the ceremony and our choir was harmonious.  Past Exalted Ruler Sharon Pray recited the 11 o’clock toast and MEA 2nd Vice President Roger Normandeau gave a beautiful eulogy. 

We do not have any control when our friends leave us because the Lord has called them home, but we can work on ways to keep our members from leaving our lodge because they are not paying their dues.  This is one of our Grand Exalted Rulers goals for this year.  It is also one of mine.  I believe that the best way to keep a member is to get them involved in something.  Do not wait for them to ask if there is something they can do, give them a job.  The best time is the night they are initiated.  Chances are there is something going on at your lodge every month.  It could be the members or children’s Christmas Party, a winter ball, St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Flag Day, horseshoe tournament or a lobster bake.  Here is where I would like you to think outside the box.  You probably already have the committees in place to run these events and they may not need any help.  That’s ok, put a few new members on the committee anyway.  They can help decorate or set up tables and chairs.  It doesn’t matter what the job is, it matters that they are involved and working as a member of their lodge.  People need to be asked face to face, one on one.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Early in November, Maine had the honor of hosting our Grand Exalted Ruler Louis Saulsburger and his wife Beth.  Lisa and I along with Amos and Barbara McCallum, Andy Constatine, James Ferland, Claris and Roberta Ranger and Wayne and Kathleen Cotterly, took the GER and his lady to see many interesting places in Maine.  A quick itinerary: Sunday pick up at the Airport in Portland, check into the hotel on the Portland waterfront, dinner in the Old Port.  Monday, The Maine Museum in Augusta, meet with Gov. Baldachi, lunch at the Augusta Elks, Portland Headlight, dinner at the Roma.  Tuesday, Longfellow house, lunch at Joe’s Boathouse, Maine Children’s Cancer Program in Scarborough, banquet in Sanford.  Wednesday, tour of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (shopping at the Kittery outlets for the ladies), Lunch at Warrens in Kittery, driving tour of Nubble light, Wedding Cake house, church Amos & Barbara were married in, Bush compound at Walkers Point and a few other points of interest on the way back to Portland then Dinner at Dimillo’s.  Thursday, Brunch and back to the airport.  What a week!  It seemed we were on the go all the time but it was very relaxing with very few time schedules to push us.  Louis and Beth are wonderful people and Lisa and I feel so very fortunate to have been able to get to know them.  Lisa said when we left the airport “I feel like I just said goodbye to our friends”. 

Well, the snow is piling up outside and I need to go out and move some of it. So keep warm and enjoy the coming winter. 

I’ll see you all very soon.

Fraternally,

Bruce

Togus Wish List for December 2007

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.    Drivers for statewide Volunteer Transportation Network – Rumford, Bangor,
2.       Parking Lot Shuttle drivers at Togus
3.       Veterans History Project- recording personal histories
4.       Mealtime companions for long term care patients - individuals and small groups needed
5.       Nuclear Medicine –Office help & procedure buddies
6.       Primary Care – Computer instruction- My HealtheVet & MOVE Program
7.       Hospice Volunteers – Training provided
8.       NHCU – assistance with clothing/writing letters/reading/visitation
9.       NHCU – 1 on 1 visitation to play board games/cribbage/dominos/etc.
10.   Telehealth Support – Learn to provide support in your community to patients using home telehealth devices (Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Oxford, York, and Cumberland counties)
11.   CBOC Volunteer needed in Rumford and Bangor to assist team with general office help
12.   The Information Desk is looking for volunteers that will be able to escort patients and visitors throughout the facility

ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.       Electric razors – triple head type. ($49-$69 ea.)
2.       Comfort Item Program (travel size toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.)
3.       Diabetic snacks for clinic patients
4.       Coffee & Newspaper funds – provides coffee/newspapers at waiting areas/wards/clinics
5.       General Patient Comfort Fund including Memorial Donations
6.       Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings – Recreation Therapy
7.       National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )
 

SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:

1.     Unit 4 South activity sponsorship. (approx. $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream Social)
2.       Televisions for patient rooms (approx. $285 ea.)
3.       TV/VCR/DVD combo & cart for Bangor, CBOC ( $500-$700)
4.       Kenmore sewing machine for Recreation activities (approx. $250 ea.)

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The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable.  The announcement reflects the tax law provision, which makes those donations deductible as “donations to the United States”.  Donations to support any of the Department’s programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be used.  Donated funds made by check should be made out to “VAVS” and sent to the address above.

NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME!  Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn; Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Hardcover Books; Romance Novels; Magazines Over Three Months Old; Disposable Razors; Soap; After-Shave; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes.  Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.

State President Visit’s the Waterville Elks Lodge
From Randy Gerry, Exalted Ruler

On December 1st we had the privilege of our Maine State President Bruce and First Lady Lisa Brunelle visiting Waterville Elks Lodge 905.  We spent some time socializing, went out to dinner and then back to the Lodge for raffle and live auction to benefit ENF.  We raised $1773.00 for ENF and with the kindness of Bruce and Lisa they purchased several items and won the 50/50 which they donated back to ENF.  The rest of the evening was music and dancing with an eleventh hour toast by Bruce in one of the old renditions.  This was a very special time for myself and Barb, Bruce and Lisa are very nice people and a compliment to the Maine State Elks Association.  Thank both of you for such a memorable weekend in such hectic times that we all live in.

ENF Celebrates Planned Giving Awareness Month

To familiarize Elks with planned giving methods and to promote the benefits of the John F. Malley Society, the Elks National Foundation will celebrate Planned Giving Awareness Month in January. Through planned gifts, friends of the ENF can leave behind a positive legacy while ensuring the Foundation’s future.

Last year, the Foundation launched their planned giving website. The site features donor stories, finance news and personalized presentations and gift calculators to show members the income and tax benefits they’ll receive from various planned giving vehicles. Site visitors can also direct their financial advisors to a section designed especially for their profession. Visit http://elks.giftiegacy.com to explore the benefits of making a planned gift.

In 2001, the ENF established the John F. Malley Society, named for the GER who first championed the idea of the Elks National Foundation, to recognize individuals who include the Foundation in their estate plans. Today the society boasts 32 members who have named the Foundation as a beneficiary of their estate, or who have made lifetime gifts of stock, property or insurance.

“Planned giving is a simple and effective way to make the most of your retirement assets while supporting the Foundation for years to come,” says Chairman of the ENF Board and society member, PGER Frank Garland of Centralia, Wash. “Knowing my gift will be invested in a permanent trust fund that will never stop working to benefit children, veterans and Elks communities, gives me a peace of mind.”

Benefits of joining the John F. Malley Society include a pin and an exclusive medallion. The Foundatidh% Annual Report, Heartbeat, a donor newsletter, list the society member’s names during the year they join, and their name is also placed in our online honor roll.

If you would like more information on planned giving, the John F. Malley Society, or to inform the Foundation that you have made a planned gift, please contact Meghan Morgan at 773/755-4866, meghanm@eiks.org or Anne Reardon at 773/755-4864, annerelks.org.

Lodge Bulletin - Contest 'D'

Lodge Bulletins should serve as a vital link of communications in keeping your members informed and active. Your bulletin should contain timely information from the officers, committees along with interesting pictures of events. Among the many contests sponsored by the GL Lodge Activities / State Association is Contest "D" - Lodge Bulletin. This contest provides each Lodge of the Order an opportunity to compete and recognize the efforts of your Lodge Bulletin Chairperson and time spent monthly in gathering and compiling useful information. Why not share their efforts, and possibly win a Grand Lodge award? You can do this by entering the Lodge Bulletin Contest. The Bulletin should:

The GL Lodge Activities / State Associations encourages all Lodges to participate. Communicating your fraternal and charitable activities in your Lodge bulletin, demonstrates that "Elks Care - Elks Share". To enter the Lodge Bulletin Contest:

Albert A. Ingraham PER
77 Thadeus Street
South Portland, ME
04106

The contest will first be judged at the State Level, and then forwarded on to the Grand Lodge for further judging.

Judging is based on design, timeliness, quality of articles, and overall message portrayed. Awards will be presented to the First place winners at the Grand Lodge Convention. Second - and - Third place awards will be mailed to the appropriate State Associations for presentations.

At the State level. awards will be issued for First, Second, and Third Place overall, and not by membership division. These awards will be presented at the Maine Elks State Convention in May.
For more information on this contest, please contact Maine Elks Association Lodge Bulletin Contest Chairman Albert Ingraham at 207-799-5998.

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