A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler Paul D. Helsel

Time to get down to growing Elkdom

To All district deputies, exalted rulers, officers and members:

Thank you one and all for electing me as your Grand Exalted Ruler. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you and our Order in this high capacity, and I pledge that Jane and I will do our utmost to promote the great works of our Order wherever our travels take us.

As I spelled out in Anaheim, my theme for the year is “Elks – Growing Elkdom and Strengthening America.” Well, the National Convention is over now and it is time to get to the work at hand. Hopefully, you are as enthusiastic as I am after that most inspiring week in Anaheim, and are already busy “Growing Elkdom.” Looking at the calendar, only eight months remain in this lodge year to "get 'er done"!

Where does your lodge stand relative to membership growth and/or retention? Are you attracting new members? Do you have an action plan in place to build and improve the relationship between the members and the lodge? Is it working and making them feel welcome, wanted and needed? If you can answer yes to the last three questions, you are well on your way to showing a gain in membership and Growing Your Lodge and Elkdom. If any answer is "no" you have some work to do and need to "get to it."

By now your work with our programs should be well under way. You should be close or even past the $4.50 per capita goal for ENF donations. The Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot dates should be set and plans in motion, as should be the case with all the other youth programs. Your service work with the veterans and others in your community should be occurring routinely. You should be well on your way to a very successful lodge year with many positive things to report with each passing day. Best wishes to you and your lodge for the remainder of this lodge year. Jane and I look forward to visiting each of your states and learning firsthand how you are working to grow Elkdom and demonstrate that "Elks Care – Elks Share."

Submitted by: Grand Lodge Newsletter