Happy Birthday to our great Order! On February 16, 2010, we celebrate 142 years of service to America. The Preamble of our first Constitution lays our our purpose, stating that the Founding Members had organized "an Order to promote, protect and enhance the welfare and happiness of each other."

Let us not lose sight of our purpose as a charitable organization! Grand Exalted Ruler James L. Nichelson put it best in his acceptance speech in Portland, when he said, "I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Elks everywhere are daily making a huge difference in the lives of others. I will be extolling that good work, as Elks are fleet of foot to relieve the unfortunate. I also know we can always do more. It is my fondest wish that, as I serve you this year. I can encourage and embolden you to put smiles on children's faces, to befriend a veteran, to discourage drug use, or to expand a state or local service project. Thus, I will also be saying to you _ Elks, get out there and make a difference!"

A subject that I hope will speak enthusiasm is how we may better promote our local Elks Lodge. As I'm sure you've heard often, we do much good for our communities, yet many citizens don't know what we are about. The Elks have never been known to promote themselves or focus on membership drives. We are past due on doing something about this. Many of these citizens cold turn into Elks members if we'd only appropriately maket ourselves. The more people hear of what we accomplish, the more they will be inspired to learn more and possibly become a Member and part of our good work.

We as an Order must remember that in most cases, Mom and Dad both work and both want to spend what available time they have with their family. Add to that concerns about the economy, and you can see why young families may be hesitant about becoming active in their local Elks Lodge. So much of what we do as Elks can be viewed as community and Family oriented: Hoop-Shoot, Drug Awareness activites, Americanism Essay Contest, Soccer Shoot, Mother's Day observances, Antlers and much, much more. We have youth and family programs in place that are high quality and nationally recognized. Key to which are the following:

Scholarships Each year the Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.65 million in college scholarships to graduating seniors.
Hoop Shoot The yearly Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program is open to all boys and girls ages 8 through 13. The contest starts at the lodge level and advances through district, state and regional contests before the national finals in the spring.

Drug Awareness The Elks Drug Awareness Program distributes literature and organizes events to make kids and their parents aware of the dangers posed by alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.

Youth Activities Other youth-oriented activities sponsored by the Elks include the Soccer Shoot, the Antlers program, the yearly Americanism essay contest and more.

Veterans Programs Since the early days of Elkdom, the Veterans Service Commission has patriotically served those Elks who have fought for our great nation.
Robert Prosser
Exalted Ruler

1968 - HAPPY 142ND BIRTHDAY ELKDOM - 2010

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