153rd session reno, nevada grand lodge convention news · 7/18/2017 · grand lodge convention...

153rd Session Reno, Nevada

Grand Lodge

Convention NewsTUESDAY, JULY 18, 2017

USA

Revelers celebrate the election of Malcolm McPherson as Grand Exalted Ruler, and his predecessor Michael F. Zellen offers his congratulations. First Lady Patricia offers her approval too.

McPhersonelected GERwith familyin towDaughter Mallorynominates, secondedby wife PatriciaBy TOM SCUDDERConvention News Reporter

The leadership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks got down to business with the first business session of the 153rd Grand Lodge Session and elected Malcolm J. McPherson, Jr., of the Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Lodge as Grand Exalted Ruler for 2017-18.

McPherson has been an Elk since 1981, when his father-in-law-to-be convinced him to join the Order. He was elected president of the New Jersey State Elks Association in 1999. At the Grand Lodge level, he served on the Ritualistic Committee and the Committee on Judiciary, and served a full five-year term as a Justice of the Grand Forum from 2005 to 2010, including as Chief Justice in his final year. He has been a special deputy for the state of New Jersey since 2009.

McPherson’s nomination was a family affair. The nominating speech was given by his daughter, Lyndhurst Lodge Secy. Mallory McPherson, and seconded by his wife, Patricia, and his other daughter, Lyndhurst Lodge PER and ER Meghan. The announcement of McPherson’s election was followed by an exuberant celebration. As red, white, and blue balloons and beach balls cascaded from the ceiling, supporters from McPherson’s Area 2, including a proud and extremely loud contingent from New Jersey, streamed into the hall led by a bagpiper.

Once order was restored, the newly elected Grand Exalted Ruler spoke about his vision for the Order, which is encompassed in his theme of “Strengthening Elkdom Through Community Awareness.” McPherson

emphasized the importance of lodges using ENF grants to enhance their service to the community and of reminding their members and their communities of the ways in which they are serving them.

McPherson announced that his per capita goal for 2017–2018 would be $4.75 per member, up ten cents from the previous year’s goal. He expressed his hope that this would be the year that the Order would finally once again achieve membership growth and encouraged everyone present to work their hardest to achieve this.

Finally, he mentioned his hope that the order as a whole could adopt the New Jersey Elks’ Peer Leadership and Pathway to Leadership program, which provide high school and middle school students, respectively, with training and encouragement to become leaders for positive change in their communities. He invited every Elk to tune in to the live broadcast of next year’s conferences in February.

Prior to the election of the Grand Exalted Ruler, a number of reports were heard, prizes

Please see McPHERSON Page 8

Grand Lodge Convention News • Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Now, Whereas, the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will conclude this 153rd Grand Lodge Session in Reno, NV on the 18th day of July, 2017;

And, Whereas, it is appropriate that due note be made, and appreciation expressed, to the many individuals who have contributed their time and effort to the success of this Grand Lodge Session;

Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Delegates here assembled extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation as follows:

To all Elks, Spouses and Families of the State of Nevada, for their wonderful hospitality and for giving so unselfishly of their time and talents;

To the Grand Exalted Ruler, Michael F. Zellen, for the excellent and timely manner in which he conducted the Business Sessions, and for his untiring efforts on behalf of our Order during his term as our Leader.

To our First Lady Donna M. Zellen for the elegant grace with which she endeared herself to all during her tour as First Lady with our Grand Exalted Ruler throughout Elkdom;

To the Aide to the Grand Exalted Ruler, Anthony Piccolo, for the efficiency with which he handled the many support functions required of that position;

To the Elks National Convention Commission: PGER Roger R. True, Chairman, PGER James L. Nichelson, PGER Michael F. Smith, PGER Arthur H. Frost, III and PGER Millard C. Pickering whose planning and efforts began many months prior to this Convention, and for their attention and supervision during this Session, ensuring its success;

To the Local Support Committee Honorary Chairman, Past Grand Exalted Ruler Louis J Grillo for his guidance in the planning and execution of this Convention;

To the 2017 Local Support Committee, Chairman Dietrich “Dee” L. Boskie and Alan J. Squailia, and the many Elks of the State of Nevada, who worked tirelessly on the various committees and subcommittees to make this Convention truly outstanding;

To Grand Secretary Bryan R. Klatt and his capable Headquarters staff, for their cooperation and knowledge without which no Grand Lodge Convention would be successful;

To Tina M. Haran, Convention and Meetings Director, and her Associate, Jessica M. Ruiz, Meetings Coordinator for their

efforts and dedication in carrying out their many responsibilities and logistical functions at this Convention;

To the Exhibits & Sessions Coordinators, Edgar Manwaring, Roland L. Siebert, James Rice, William Gebhardt, and Scott Kirstein who provide and prepare the exhibits, the sound and visual equipment, the timing, the lighting, and other Convention requirements;

To Phil Claiborne, Chairman of Registration, Rudy R. Wicht, Director of the National Information Services Department, and their team of skilled credentials personnel, for the efficient and pleasant manner with which they welcomed and registered, for another successful year, the thousands of Elks and Guests attending our Convention;

To Chairman Andrew W. Milwid of the Grand Lodge Auditing and Accounting Committee, and Johnetta Tyler, Grand Lodge Controller, for their prompt and capable handling of the financial commitments of this Session; to Past Grand Exalted Ruler Millard C. Pickering for serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Opening Session of this Convention;

To Reverend Father Stephen McNally, Grand Chaplain, for his spiritual guidance and prayers of Elks and Elkdom during the past year; and for invoking the Divine Blessing of Almighty God on these proceedings; and sending us forth from this Session to do the good works of Elkdom with his Benediction;

To Robert K. Bjornaas, Organist, of Sun City, Arizona Lodge No. 2559, for providing such fine musical renditions;

To Ronda Shen, of Reno, Nevada, for her wonderful and stirring vocal performances during the opening Ceremony and Memorial Service;

To the North Valley High School Air Force ROTC Color Guard, for their dignified and impressive presentation of the Colors on Sunday;

To Past Grand Exalted Ruler Ronald L. Hicks, Grand Lodge Memorial Service Coordinator, for his meticulous planning of our moving Memorial Service;

To Roger D. Lund from Reno, Nevada Lodge No. 597, for his special musical presentation during our Memorial Service and for leading us in song each morning;

To Roger Sicard Past Inner Guard, from Biddeford-Saco, Maine Lodge No. 1597, Lester C. Hess, Jr. Past Grand Exalter Ruler from Wheeling, West Virginia Lodge No. 28

and Michael F. Zellen, Grand Exalted Ruler from Saugus-Everett, Massachusetts Lodge No 642, who rendered the Eulogies;

To Richard F. Gathen, Manager of the Grand Lodge Membership, Public Relations & Marketing Committee from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey Lodge No. 782 for his commitment to render a beautiful Eleven O’clock Toast at our Memorial Service;

To the First Place Female and Male Winners of this year’s “Most Valuable Student” Scholarship Awards: Zoi Urban, sponsored by Santa Maria California, Lodge No 1538 and Colin Norick, sponsored by Kalispell, Montana, Lodge No 725. In the hands of such immensely talented young people, our American legacy of freedom is guaranteed;

To the Getty Powell Award winners for the highest scoring girl and boy in the 2017 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals contest: Sophie Phillips sponsored by Greenwich, NY Lodge No 2223 and Donavan Seamster, Sponsored by Shreveport Louisiana Lodge No 122, who stood fast and displayed unbelievable grit under the pressure of intense National competition and emerged victorious.

Finally, our deepest appreciation to all the Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, who, with their spouses and families, have pledged allegiance under God to the Flag of the United States, the Emblem of our Order and this great country and the symbol of freedom and liberty throughout the world.

Respectfully submitted by the Grand Lodge Resolutions Committee:

Todd E. Deal, Chairman, Virginia, Minnesota Lodge No. 1003 (Area 5)Geoffrey B. Dobson, from St. Augustine, Florida Lodge No. 829 (Area 3)Thomas M. Zisa, from Hackensack, New Jersey Lodge No. 658 (Area 2)

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All AmericAn lodge division 6

By VAL BIANCHINISun City Lodge Public Relations Chairman

For the seven-time All American lodge, Sun City, AZ 2559, dedication, hard work, quality chair people, love of the Elks and respect of its members are the keys to winning the BPOE’s highest lodge distinction.

The Lodge strictly follows the dictates and programs of the Grand Lodge and exceeds and excels at each.

While the majority of Elks members join for social reasons, they can become the future workers in the lodge. They just have to be convinced that it is in their best interest to be more involved, find a program they like and enjoy being a part of it.

It would behoove any Lodge interested in competing in the All American Lodge Contest “A”, to address each the 40 categories listed in the contest application. (The 2017-18 application is available in the Fraternal Committee downloads page at Elks.org and also on the thumb drive handed out to exalted rulers at the Grand Lodge Session in Reno.)

Sun City Lodge, which serves an adult community, has to reach out to schools in surrounding communities to serve youth.

Beginning with intermediate schools, the lodge puts on Americanism essay contests and Drug Awareness poster and essay contests, in which certificates and $50 gift cards are given to the winners.

Since 2002, the Lodge has also had an

active dictionary program, where each area third-grader is presented a personalized dictionary and taught its uses and benefits. The lodge has annually presented an average

of 1,800 dictionaries to schools. Graduating students often say they still use the dictionary they received in third grade.

The lodge sponsors student of the month programs in three high schools. Twenty-four students are awarded certificates and a $100 gift

card for their scholastic achievement. Teenager of the year awards also are

given to a girl and boy with each receiving a certificate and gift card.

The Sun City Lodge Scholarship Committee annually honors 20 of its graduating seniors with a $1,500 college scholarship. Four recent honorees who were judged “Best of the Best” by the Arizonia were awarded an additional $1,500 each. That is $30,000 in scholarships alone, plus thousands more for other youth activities.

The Lodge supports a Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop and one Cub Scout den. These scouts are utilized during patriotic events such as Veterans Day, Flag Day and dinners for veterans. The scouts are allowed to use the lodge for meetings and fundraisers.

Each Christmas, 50 needy children are taken on a shopping spree, and given a S100 gift card to use as they and their guardians wish except no toys or school supplies. Those items are provided later when the children return to the Lodge for a hot meal and a visit from Santa.

The kids go wild for Santa. Many of children would never see Santa were it not for the Sun City Elks.

A week after the Christmas shopping spree, the Lodge distributes a week’s worth of food to 25 needy families, along with wishes for “Happy Holidays.”

Each October, Sun City Lodge honors area police, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and

Please see SUN CITY, Page 4

Love of Elks propels Sun City Lodge to victory

But due diligence helps too!


emergency medical technicians with a dinner. The departments’ best are recognized, along with their families and superior officers, and awarded a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.

Not to forget their geriatric neighbors. Sun City Lodge has a Meet and Greet Committee, which visits five to six memory care facilities monthly except during the hotter summer. Members provide music and sing-alongs, and socialize with the patients.

Two service dogs provide comfort. American flags and more importantly, stuffed animals, are given to patients, many of whom hug these stuffed animals as if they were real. Many a dry eye becomes very wet when seeing the reaction of residents, demonstrating that a little tender loving care goes a very long way.

But the “crown jewel” of Sun City Lodge is its veterans program, the cornerstone of which is the Honor Flight. Thus far, the lodge has paid to fly 36 lodge members who are World War II veterans to the nation’s capital to see the WWII memorial. The lodge picked up the $900 per veteran cost totaling $32,400.

Finally running out of WWII veterans, the lodge reached out to its Korean War veterans,

Sun City From Page 3

and as of mid-May, 21 were to have made that trip with many more awaiting their turn.

When all of the lodge Korean War veterans have made the trip – at a total cost of $19,900 – the many lodge Vietnam veterans will be next.

For the less able-bodied veterans, Sun City Veterans Committee members are a familiar face at the Arizona State Veterans Home. They throw monthly bingo parties for 30-40 residents, with magic shows, a 23-piece orchestra and Italian ice socials.

And for the more ambulatory veterans at the home, the committee takes them to two professional baseball games each year, plus professional hockey and Disney on lce events.

A highlight for all veterans is “all you can eat” spaghetti and hamburger nights at the lodge. Spaghetti night during Veterans Day week includes a 70-piece choral group that sings patriotic songs. When the group performs the anthems of individual branches of the service, eyes of many of the veterans fill with tears.

The lodge donates dozens of electric scooters to veterans in need each year, unleashing unbounded gratitude from the appreciative veterans.

Sun City Elks not only care for their own veterans, but also those in other lodges.

Tempe, AZ Lodge 2251, for example, had plans to honor its Veteran of the Year, Marine Staff Sgt. Ronnie Jimenez, with a “trac chair” for more mobility. Jimenez had been hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan and lost the use of one leg and badly damaged the other. He had been a marathon runner before his injuries.

The manufacturer fronted the $12,640 chair to Tempe Lodge, which planned to raise funds for the chair, and also got two military organizations to assist. One ultimately backed out, and the other only came up with $500, leaving Tempe Lodge more than $7,000 short.

Sun City Elks joined three other Elks lodges to raise more than $8,500 in fewer than five days to pay off the chair. The $1,200 left over was given to Jimenez and his family. Ronnie was beside himself with gratitude to all who helped him and his family.

Similar stories abound at Sun City Lodge. Each fiscal year, lodge members, friends

and neighbors collect furniture for various veteran facilities supplying enough furniture, appliances, bedding, clothes and hygiene products to equip an entire apartment.

The personal motto of Gary Drumheller, Elks Arizona State Veterans chairman, is “As long as there is a vet, he will never sleep on the floor or eat on the floor.” He is a man of his word.

This past fiscal year, Sun City Lodge donated more than $325,000 in non-perishable goods, its average annual donation.

None of the charitable activities could be accomplished without the dedication of the various lodge committees ... and the love and generosity of the Sun City Elks.


By JIM MARTSFIELDGovernment Relations Chairman

The Government Relations Fall Conference was held in Chicago, Illinois in October of 2016. We had 43 State Chairman out of 48 states in attendance. In addition we had 8 Grand Lodge Committeeman, 1 past Committeeman as our featured speaker, 1

Grand Lodge Secretary and our Advisor, Honorable James Damon, Past Grand Exalted Ruler, for a total of 53 attendees.

Presentations included; A review of guidelines for IRS audits, Overview of Committee Objectives, Review of the New Grand Lodge Government

Relations Manual, Charity Reporting , How to setup a State Legislative Day program, Unrelated Business Income Tax and one of the most important issues. Social Media, which is becoming a growing problem in our Lodges. Some Lodges are putting confidential information on their Facebook page which is open to the public. There are pictures of new members and children downloaded without written permission to do so. We ask that all

Government relations Committee

Charitable survey reveals Elks’ clout nationwideof you remember your obligation, which is “I will never reveal any of the confidential matters of this Order”.

I feel that our committee accomplished its goal for the seminar making it a big success. The Critiques that followed this seminar indicated it was very rewarding and a very good learning experience.

Working closely together with all of our Lodges we are making progress in the gathering and reporting of the charitable statistics of this great Order. We are becoming more knowledgeable in the ways and means of getting this information to all layers of government. I’m happy to report that 1,895 of 1,927 Lodges (98 percent) and all 48 State Associations submitted their report.

The Survey of Volunteering, Youth, Charitable and Community Services Programs for the fraternal year April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017, shows results of which you can be proud. The total number of Elks and Helpers who worked during this period was 2,722,863.

The total number of those who participated in our programs was 13,029,824. Each year the contributions of time and money and travel for Elks and their Helpers are compiled from page 2 of all Lodge and

State Associations Annual Reports. This information allows us to show others that “Elks Care – Elks Share.”

In the category of noncash value, hours, and mileage are reported with these results:

The total hours donated by Elks and their helpers were 9,068,210 valued at $218,906,589 based on $24.14 per hour, which the federal government says is the average rate used by social care and government agencies.

The total miles reported for Elks and their helpers were 27,958,334, valued at $15,377,084 based on 55 cents per mile.

I’m pleased to report that the grand total in cash and noncash values totals $334,292,982 for an increase of nearly 19 percent from the $281,235,548 total in 2015-16. Our hats are off to all of the Local Lodges, Districts and State Associations who did their part in making this wonderful thing happen and reporting their statistics to the Grand Lodge Secretary.

But, our job and yours is not done! We must all make sure that every Member of this great Order knows what you have accomplished. This report must be printed in

Please see CHARITY, Page 6


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your Lodge bulletins and State Associations newsletters showing what you have accomplished, and informing your elected City, County, State and Federal officials what you did in your communities. If you go home and do nothing then we have failed in our efforts to tell our story.

Another way to tell your story is to hold a Legislative Day in your Capital. This is being done in Oregon, Idaho and New York with great success. We not only get the news out on what we do and stand for, we also have initiated some new members. If you would like more information see your Grand Lodge Government Relations Committeeman.

The Grand Lodge Government Relations Committee at this time has a unique opportunity to accomplish something of great value to our Lodges…and our nation…by

launching and leading a very practical effort to reform the outdated and unfair federal Unrelated Business Income Tax.

As it stands today you have an exemption for the first $1000 of your Unrelated Income. The rest is taxable. That $1000 was set by Congress in 1986, that’s almost 30 years ago. Our mission is simple: convince Congress to increase that exemption. To accomplish this, the Grand Lodge Advisory Committee has approved the hiring of Shawn Bullard with the Duetto Group in Washington DC to lobby for us regarding the this issue. One important tool we need to take to Congress is an impressive charity report. That is why it is so important that all Lodges and State associations submit their reports.

The success of the past year serves as a testament to the importance of the Government Relations program, in protecting our Lodges from intrusions by various governmental agencies.

Charity From Page 5

were awarded, and other officers were elected and appointed. The business of the session began with the report of Grand Exalted Ruler Michael F. Zellen. Zellen reported that the total donations and bequests for the 2016–2017 year were $8,358,510.12. He also, with the approval of the assembled delegates, appointed Gregory P. Beacom of the Westminster, Colorado, Lodge, as a Justice of the Grand Forum.

The Grand Exalted Ruler’s report was followed by the report of Past Grand Exalted Ruler Roger True, chairman of the Elks National Convention Commission. True noted that next year’s convention in San Antonio, Texas, would mark the 150th anniversary of the Order and promised that plans for a Texas-sized celebration were under way.

Next up were the preliminary report of the Board of Grand Trustees, which was given by Chairman Hugh H. Scanlon, who presented the preliminary 2017–2018 budget, and the report of the National Memorial and Publications Commission and the Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust, which was given by Chairman and PGER F. Louis Sulsberger. PGER Sulsberger announced that The Elks

Magazine Publisher Anna Idol would be retiring in the coming year and thanked her for her decades of service to the magazine in a variety of roles.

Following Sulsberger’s report, Grand Lodge Activities Committee Chairman Steven Davis took to the stage. During his presentation, Davis congratulated the winners of the committee’s Community Activity Contest, which is now in its second year and growing rapidly. The first-place winners were Raton, New Mexico; Frostburg, Maryland; Sebring, Florida; Apache Junction, Arizona; Suffolk, New Jersey; and Closter, New Jersey.

Douglas Schiefer, chairman of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee, announced the winners of the All American Lodge contest. The first-place winners received their awards at the front of the hall. He also congratulated the first-place national winners of the Americanism Essay Contest.

The winner of the fifth- and sixth-grade division was Ava Francis, who was sponsored by the Santa Clarita, California, Lodge, and the winner of the seventh- and eighth-grade division was Taylor Bessent, who was sponsored by the El Dorado, Kansas, Lodge.

McPherson From Page 1





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Convention schedule for TuesdayRevised: 5/24/17 TUESDAY

08:00 Call to Order ........................................................................... Michael F. Zellen, GER

Invocation ........................................ Rev. Father Stephen McNally, Grand Chaplain

08:05 Pledge of Allegiance ................................................................................................ All

08:10 GL Resolution ..................................................................Todd E. Deal, Chairman

08:15 Registration (Final Report) .........................................Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

08:20 Grand Forum / Pardon Commission ........................ James R. Deamud, Chief Justice

08:30 Board of Grand Trustees – Final Report ............................. Hugh Scanlon, Chairman

08:45 Disaster Relief Fund ..................................................Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

08:50 Auditing and Accounting Report .................................... Andrew W. Milwid, Chairman

08:55 Government Relations Report…................................. James W. Martsfield, Chairman

09:00 Legislative Session (voting)….......................... Francis X. Olivieri, Judiciary Chairman

09:40 GER Elect Program Remarks ............................... Malcolm J. McPherson, GER Elect

09:50 Chicago Headquarters 2017-2018 Program ..............Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

10:05 Public Relations & Marketing 2017-2018 …............................. Rick Gathen, Manager

10:15 GL Activities Committee – 2017-2018 ..................... David B. Lake, Committeeman

10:25 GL Fraternal Committee – 2017-2018 ............... Douglas A. Schiefer, Committeeman

10:40 Announcements ........................................................... Ted Balash, Grand Esquire

10:45 Non-Members Admitted

10:55 ENVSC Report .................................James L. Nichelson, PGER, Chairman of ENVSC

11:05 Drug Awareness............................................................Kent D. Gade, National Director

11:35 Ritual (Final Report) ...............................................................Allen H. Lenort, Member

12:00 Legislative Results…........................................ Francis X. Olivieri, Judiciary Chairman

12:10 Announcements .........................................................Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

12:15 Benediction ...................................... Rev. Father Stephen McNally, Grand Chaplain

12:20 Grand Lodge Session Recessed

01:00 Workshops / Seminars

02:00 State Housing Chairmen

05:00 State Association Dinners (opt)

05:00 Grand Trustee Dinner 5:00 PM

07:00 Exalted Rulers Ball

08:00 GER, GER-Elect, & Chair Advisory intro at ball 8:00 PM / PGER’s (opt) WEDNESDAY

08:00 Call to Order ........................................................................... Michael F. Zellen, GER

Invocation ........................................ Rev. Father Stephen McNally, Grand Chaplain

Pledge of Allegiance ................................................................................................ All

08:10 Memorial Service……………………………………………… Ronald R. Hicks, PGER

09:00 GL Membership………………….. ............................................ Rick Gathen, Manager

09:15 150th Anniversary & Video ………………………….…………………Mike Smith, PGER


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Winners of the Marvin M. Lewis Award for 2016-17 will be recognized at an awards ceremony schedule at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Room D9 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

All members and guests are invited to attend.

“They have put in many hours of service in helping to guide our future leaders of our great country,” Dale E. Nielson of the Grand Lodge Activities Committee said. “We only hope that Elks and Scouting can continue for many years as our principles have so much in common.”

The honorees are:n Northeast Region, Russell C. Larsen Sr.,

Lockport NY Lodge 41 Lockport, NYn Central Region, Robert Britton, North

Platte, NE Lodge 985, North Platte, NEn Western Region, Morris Brown, El Paso,

TX Lodge 187, El Paso TX, n Southern Region, Robert C. Bloberger,

Dallas TX Lodge 71, Dallas, TX

Lewis Awards today

The Elks National Drug Awareness Program announced the recipients of a number of national awards and contests during the annual training for the State Chairpersons, which is held on the Saturday and Sunday before Grand Lodge.

Each year the outstanding State Drug Awareness Chairperson is chosen as Chairperson of the Year and another is named Rookie of the Year – this year we had co-recipients of the Chairperson of the Year – Samuel Len Wenzel of Florida and Suehaye Marquez-Fraley of New Mexico. Rookie of the Year was awarded to Deborah Raible of Pennsylvania.

The National Enrique Camarena Award winner, Officer Jermaine Galloway, sponsored by the Idaho Elks Association has worked in Law Enforcement since 1977, and attended the Drug Awareness training session where he received the National Enrique Camarena Award.

Annually the Elks hold Poster contests for 3rd through 5th graders, Essay contests for 6th through 8th graders, and a video contest for three groups, pre-high school, high school and post graduate.

This year’s winners were:n Poster Contest – Olivia Warfield sponsored by

Lewisburg, WV Lodge 1758n Essay Contest – Lucia Pardo-Rea sponsored

by Weehawken, NJ Lodge 1456n Video Contest – Pre-HS – Kayln Koob,

Karley Koob and Sidney Koob sponsored by Sioux City, IA Lodge 112n Video Contest – HS - Donavyn Suffel

sponsored by Orange, CA Lodge 1475The winning Videos, and Essay will be featured

on the Elks Kids Zone website. The Posters are utilized to produce future coloring books.

Please join us in congratulating all of our winners. The theme for next year’s Poster, Essay and Video contests was announced as “What Heroes DO”, which is also the name of the Drug Awareness Program’s latest Comic Book. For information on all of these programs stop by the training booth or the special Drug Awareness breakout session on Tuesday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room C-1 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Want an easier way to give to the Elks National Foundation? The Fidelity Club is your answer! The Fidelity Club is the ENF’s monthly giving program. This program recognizes giving via automatic and regularly scheduled donations. As a Fidelity Club member, you no longer have to worry about writing checks or mailing coupons.

Active Fidelity Club members receive a Fidelity Club sticker with their year-end statement. Additional benefits include the Fidelity Club pin and attachments. To learn more, stop by the ENF Booth and we’ll be happy to show you how easy it is to join the Fidelity Club. For more information, visit enf.elks.org/fidelityclub.

Monthly givingmade easier

elks national Foundation druG awareness ProGram

Award winners announced today in C1

Grand Exalted Ruler Michael F. Zellen has issued a reminder that if you are recognized during the business session for making or seconding a motion, please come forward at the end of the session to speak to the court reporter.

“She will need your name, lodge name and lodge number so that they can be correctly entered in the permanent record of the session,” Zellen said.

Speakers’ names needed!

Page, AZ Lodge 2498 has the distinction of being the nation’s first Navajo woman serving as an exalted ruler of an Elks lodge. Marie Justice has served in every Lodge officer chair and is currently serving as ER for 2017-18. Her husband, Bill Justice, is also active

AnotherElkdom first

in Page Lodge having served as ER in 2014-15 and 2015-16.


Resolutions honoring Deamud, Scanlon, Shaver Resolution honoring James R. Deamud, Outgoing Chief Justice of Grand Forum,

Proposed by Senior Justice Jerome C. Shapiro

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud is completing his term as Chief Justice of the Grand Forum; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry; received a Master of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Wayne State University; and, was awarded a Juris Doctor Degree from Wayne State University Law, and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud served as both Assistant Prosecutor and Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Roscommon County, Michigan; served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan from 2008 to 2011; served as the Probate and Family Court Administrator for Roscommon County, Michigan from 2012 to 2014; has practiced law for over forty-four years; and, has active law licenses in both the State of Michigan and the State of Florida; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud has served his community in numerous positions, among them being Chairman of the Houghton Lake Improvement Board; Chairman of the Houghton Lake Educational Foundation; President of the Houghton Lake County Bar Association; and, was a charter member of the Houghton Lake Rotary Club; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud joined Houghton-Higgins Lake Lodge No. 1982 in 1978; served in the chairs of his Lodge, becoming Exalted Ruler in 1987-88; served his Lodge as Secretary; has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and House Board on two separate occasions; is currently serving as Treasurer; was named Lodge Officer of the Year in 1990; and, was elected to Life Membership in 1990; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud served the Michigan Elks Association as Vice Chairman of the East Central District in 1999-2001 and as Vice President of the East Central District in 2000-2001; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable James R. Deamud has rendered dedicated service to the Grand Lodge, serving as District Deputy for the East Central District of Michigan from 2001 to 2002; and, as a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary from 2007 to 2012; and,

WHEREAS, in July 2012, the Honorable James R. Deamud was appointed and confirmed to serve a five year term of the Grand Forum; and,

WHEREAS, in July, 2016, the Honorable James R. Deamud was appointed to serve as Chief Justice of the Grand Forum for the year July 2016 to July 2017.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this 153rd Session of the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, in convention duly convened this 18th day of July, 2017 does hereby congratulate and commend the Honorable James R. Deamud for his exemplary dedication; and directs that he be presented with an appropriate honorarium in keeping with one retiring after many years of worthy service to the Order, along with an engrossed copy of this Resolution, and the admiration, respect, and best wishes of his fellow Justices, colleagues, and entire membership of the Benevolent and entire membership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Resolution honoring Hugh H. Scanlon, Outgoing Chairman, Board of Grand Trustees, Proposed by Grand Trustee

Robert W. Hansen Jr. Whereas, Hugh H. Scanlon of Glendale,

California Lodge No. 1289 is retiring from the Board of Grand Trustees upon the completion of four years of distinguished and dedicated service; and

Whereas, he has served capably as Building Applications West Member,

Approving Member, Secretary, and Chairman of the Board; and

Whereas, he has been a member of our Order for 45 years being initiated into the Glendale Lodge in 1972 and has served as a member of many committees, progressed through all chairs to serve as Exalted Ruler

in 1979 and again in 1991, an Honorary Life member since 1980, and twenty-five years on the Board of Trustees, Chairman twenty-three of those years. And

Whereas, he served his Lodge as Chairman of the Building Committee and successfully rebuilt the Glendale Lodge after it had been destroyed by fire; and

Whereas, he has dedicated his life to his community and public service: and

Whereas, he joined the marshal’s department in 1969 and transferred to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, working in various assignments and was division commander for offices in Glendale

and Burbank, completing a thirty-six year in law enforcement; and

Whereas, received a Certificate of Merit from the Los Angeles County board of Supervisors for saving the life of a fellow deputy; and

Whereas, he served two years as Post Commander of American Legion Hollywood Post 43, a Board member of the local Red Cross, United Way, Campfire Boys and Girls, and his church as a lector and Eucharistic minister: and

Whereas, he served his country proudly as veteran of Vietnam as a member of the United States Army’s elite Green Berets where he received several decorations: and

Whereas, he served the California-Hawaii State Association in many capacities which included Vice-President of the Metropolitan District, Vice Chairman of the State Lapsation Committee, State Americanism Chairman, State Chaplain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for two years, three years as State Secretary, fifteen years as a District Leader, and President in 2010-2011; and

Whereas, the distinguished and dedicated service of Brother Scanlon in his community, professional and fraternal life has reflected favorably on him as well as the Order; and

Whereas, his accomplishments and dedication have been with the total and loving support of his gracious and charming wife of 51 years Dale and their three children and four grandchildren; and

Whereas, Brother Scanlon has carried out the objectives and goals of his Lodge, State Association, and the Grand Lodge by giving unselfishly of his time and knowledge; and

Whereas, his record of leadership and devotion to Elkdom has earned the respect and admiration of all Elks and particularly the Board of Grand Trustees

Now, Therefore, be it resolved, that in grateful recognition of his valued service to our Order, the Board of Grand Trustees be hereby authorized by this Grand Lodge Session, to procure and present to Hugh H. Scanlon a suitable testimonial for his service, together with an engrossed copy of this Resolution, thus expressing the high esteem and respect in which he is held by his fellow members of the Board of Grand Trustees and the entire membership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.

Resolution honoring Larry S. Shaver,Outgoing Vice Chairman, Board of Grand

Trustees, Proposed by Grand Trustee Winston M. Needham

Whereas, Larry S. Shaver of Bloomington Indiana Lodge No. 446 whose untimely and

DEAMUD

SCANLON

Please see SHAVER, Page 11


Dispensations GrantedLodges receiving dispensation and the effective dates are: Corpus Christi, TX Lodge 2879, Aug. 1, 2016; Johnson County, IL Lodge 2880, Sept. 26, 2016; Hewitt, TX Lodge 2881, June 8, 2017

Charters grantedBibb County, AL Lodge 2878, July 17, 2016; Corpus Christi, TX Lodge 2879, Oct. 27, 2016; Johnson County, IL Lodge 2880, Nov. 1, 2016

Charters suspendedn Walla Walla, WA Lodge No. 287 (RESCINDED EO #16-102, 12/9/2016) 9/19/16n Danville, PA Lodge No. 754 (RESCINDED EO #16-170, 4/25/2017) 10/12/16n Cape Coral, FL Lodge No. 2596 (RESCINDED EO #16-144, 3/13/2017) 10/20/16n Miami, FL Lodge No. 948 6/12/17n Oakland Park, FL Lodge No. 2407 (RESCINDED EO #16-269, 7/10/2017) 6/13/17

Charters surrenderedn Safford/Clifton, AZ Lodge No. 1607 10/11/16n Walworth-Lakeland, WI Lodge No. 2201 1/4/17n Pendleton, OR Lodge No. 288 3/30/17n Elkton, MD Lodge NO. 2618 3/30/17

n Two Rivers, WI Lodge No. 1380 3/28/17n Burlington, NC Lodge No. 1633 4/25/17

Charters revokedn Brazosport, TX Lodge No. 2200 8/31/16n Hartford, VT Lodge No. 1541 9/2/16n Bethlehem, PA Lodge No. 191 9/20/16n Fond du Lac, WI Lodge No. 57 10/21/16n Tipton County, TN Lodge No. 27 1/5/17n Williamson, WV Lodge No. 1408 3/21/17

Mergersn Bridgeport, CT Lodge No. 36 & Fairfield, CT Lodge No. 2220, Effective Date 12/20/16. To Be Known As Bridgeport, CT Lodge No. 36. (Executive Order #16-104)n Manchester, CT Lodge No. 1893 And Windsor, CT Lodge No. 2060, Effective 1/6/17. To Be Known As Manchester, CT Lodge No. 1893. (Executive Order #16-114)n Punxsutawney, PA Lodge No. 301 & Reynoldsville, PA Lodge No. 519, Effective Date 4/7/2017. To Be Known As Reynoldsville, PA Lodge No. 519. (Executive Order #16-159)n Woburn, MA Lodge No. 908 And Stoneham, MA Lodge No. 2211, Effective Date 5/24/2017. To Be Known As Woburn, Ma Lodge No. 908. (Executive Order #16-191)n Fredericksburg, VA Lodge No. 875 And Northern Neck, VA Lodge No. 2666,

Effective Date 7/6/2017. To Be Known As Fredericksburg, VA Lodge No. 875. (Executive Order #16-268)

Lodge Name/Number Changesn Toledo, Ohio Lodge No. 53 To Be Known As Toledo-Sylvania, Ohio Lodge No. 53, Effective July 5, 2016 – Convention In Houston, Tx (Executive Order No. 16-003)n Florham Park-Fairfield, New Jersey Lodge No. 815 To Be Known As East Hanover, New Jersey Lodge No. 815, Effective July 5, 2016 – Convention In Houston, TX (Executive Order No. 16-004)n Fontana, California Lodge No. 2013 To Be Known As Fontana-Rialto, California Lodge No. 2013, Effective July 5, 2016 – Convention In Houston, TX (Executive Order No. 16-005)n Memphis, Tennessee Lodge No. 27 To Be Known As Tipton County, Tennessee Lodge No. 27, Effective July 5, 2016 – Convention In Houston, Tx (Executive Order No. 16-006)n Plano-Richardson, Texas Lodge No. 2485 To Be Known As Plano, Texas Lodge No. 2485, Effective July 19, 2017 – Convention In Reno, Nevada (Executive Order No. 17-Xxx)

–––––(Article Iii, Section 9, Opinion 03 –

Changes Confirmed By Executive Order.)

LOCAL LODGE ACTIVITYGrand Exalted Ruler Michael F. Zellen, Fraternal Year 2016-17

sudden death on May 29, 2017, would be retiring from the Board of Grand Trustees after four years of distinguished service. The members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America wish to acknowledge this achievement and express sincere appreciation for his leadership and service, and

Whereas, Larry S. Shaver served his country as a member of the United States Air Force 1962-1966 including Foreign Service in Japan. He was a life member of Gillen post #33 of the American Legion, where he served two terms as commander and was a life member and past president of Stone City Lodge #94 of the Fraternal Order of Police, and

Whereas, Larry S. Shaver retired from the Bedford Police Department in 1987 after a 21 year career where he served as patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, detective captain, assistant to the police chief and chief of detectives. He retired in 2013 following a 25 year career with Indiana University

where he served as associate director of risk management, and

Whereas, His career in Elkdom started in 1967 upon his initiation into the Bedford, Indiana Elks Lodge #826 and has completed over 50 years of Elks Membership, and

Whereas, He has served the Indiana State Elks Association where he was elected State President in 2004, where he worked to strengthen the fraternal bonds of all Indiana Lodges, and

Whereas, He served the Grand Lodge with

distinction as District Deputy and on the Grand Lodge Lodge Activities/State Association Committee, and

Whereas, He was elected to the Board of Grand Trustees in 2013, serving as Building Applications—East Member, Investment Member, Home Member and most recently Vice Chairman of the Board, and

Whereas, He has always been an upright and loyal Elk with strong ties to his family

and community, and Whereas, He has accomplished all of the

foregoing with the help and support of his loving wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Diane and her husband, Randy; son, Steve Adams and David Sipes, and

Whereas, His dedication and passion for Elkdom, and his dedication to our Order have earned him the respect of all Elks, and

Whereas, Larry S. Shaver represented the epitome of a true Elk and American gentleman, one who loved and served his fellow man.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, that in grateful recognition of his valued service to Elkdom and in tribute to his character, leadership and dedication to our Order, the Board of Grand Trustees is hereby authorized and directed by the Grand Lodge in Session to procure and present a suitable testimonial for his service, together with a copy of this Resolution, thus expressing the high esteem and respect in which he was held by his fellow members of the Board of Grand Trustees and the entire membership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.

Shaver From Page 10

SHAVER


Get a Free Gift1

at the 2017 Annual ElksConvention!

How to get your free gift:1. Spend $25 on your U.S. Bank Elks Visa® Card in Reno, Nevada during the convention in July.

2. Bring your Elks Visa® Card, along with your spending receipts totaling $25 or more, to the U.S. Bank booth at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

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1 You must be present with your Elks Visa® Card and card receipts totaling $25 at the U.S. Bank booth at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, NV, in order to claim your free gift. Non-cardmembers must �ll out a complete application at the U.S. Bank booth at the Reno-Spark Convention Center in order to claim a free gift. Limit one free gift per cardmember or applicant, while supplies last. O�er expires on 7/17/17. 2 $10 paid to lodge only once per approved application. 3 Accounts must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and bene�ts. Upon approval, please refer to your Rewards Program Rules for additional information. Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns. Not all transactions are eligible to earn rewards, such as Advances, Balance Transfers, and Convenience Checks. See Cardmember Agreement for details. 4 Cash back is redeemed in the form of a statement credit. 5 A one-time 1,000 points �rst-use bonus will be awarded after you activate and make an eligible net purchase with your Elks Visa® Card within 90 days of account open date. This o�er is subject to credit approval and you account must be open and current to receive the bonus. The bonus will be credited to your account 6-8 weeks after the qualifying purchase is made.

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Celebrating...

11 Years

In Support Of The Elks Insurance Programs:

Master Liability ProgramProperty Plus Program

Directors & Officers ProgramWorkers Compensation Program

Facility Rental Program

Stop By Our Booth And Meet Your Elks Insurance Program Team!

Receive A FREE Aon Pin! (While Supplies Last)

Complete An Entry For Our

GoPro® Camera Raffle Drawing!

To Be Held Tuesday, July 18th

The resolutions that are scheduled for a vote on Tuesday morning at the Grand Lodge Session in Hall 4 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center are as follows:

2017-01 – To remove the option of the shortened initiation from the Grand Lodge Statutes.

2017-02 – To allow Lodges the option to amend their By-Laws to provide for only one regularly scheduled Lodge meeting per month.

2017-03 – To require all Lodges of the Order to incorporate under the laws of the

state or territory where they are located.2017-04 – To allow a Lodge through a

By-Law amendment to keep its Home, Club, Club Rooms and Social Parlors open during Lodge meetings without bar service or sale of liquor.

2017-05 – To require the current Officers of the Lodge to perform the long form of the Initiation Ritual during the official visit of the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.

2017-06 – To recognize that the Antlers Program is under the jurisdiction of a Lodge’s Activities Committee.

2017-07 – To clarify a Club suspension by a Member’s home Lodge shall apply to all Lodges of the Order.

2017-08 – To clarify the authority of the appointed Trustees to take all necessary actions with regard to the property of a defunct Lodge.

2017-09 – To allow a Lodge to waive the dues, initiation fees or reinstatement fees of any Applicant or Member who is serving on active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States under any circumstances, or who has separated from active duty within the preceding twenty-four months.

2017-10 – To allow Lodges to vote on those matters covered by Section 16.050 at a properly noticed special Lodge meeting.

2017-11 – To allow a Lodge to reschedule a regular Lodge meeting upon receiving dispensation from the Grand Exalted Ruler or the District Deputy, and upon proper notice to all Lodge members.

2017-12 – To remove the requirement of a Lodge to keep a visitors’ register. A Lodge may still keep a visitors’ register if they so choose or if required by law.

2017-13 – To codify the requirement that the Lodge Treasurer notify the governing body of the Lodge of an excess of unappropriated cash in his/her possession.

2017-14 – To allow the Lodge Treasurer to pay bills via electronic fund transfer or by debit card, and to increase the amount of funds the Treasurer can maintain in a Club checking account.

2017-15 – To potentially extend the reach of Local Forum subpoenas to Members residing outside the jurisdiction of the Lodge.

2017-16 – To clarify that the provisions of this Section only apply to organizations defined in paragraph three of Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of the Order. (For reference purposes, paragraph three of Article III, Section 18 refers to groups such as recreational vehicle groups or motorcycle groups).

2017-17 – To require a Lodge to give advance notice to the Grand Secretary of the intent to send an Alternate Representative to the Grand Lodge Session.

2017-18 – To prohibit the possession or consumption of alcohol at any Lodge meeting.

2017-19 – To revise or delete certain sections of the Laws of the Order necessary and required as a result of the sale of the Elks National Home in 2014.

Here’s the lineup for today’s vote on resolutions

153rd session reno, nevada grand lodge convention news · 7/18/2017 · grand lodge convention...

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