NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 3

THE NEVADA ELKS NEWSThe Official Publication of

The Nevada State Elks AssociationA FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION

GRAND LODGE OFFIERS - AREA 7Donald D. Dapelo Past Grand Exalted RulerKenneth L. Moore Past Grand Exalted RulerLouis J. Grillo Past Grand Exalted RulerJoseph H. Riley, Jr. Member, Grand TrusteesCharles F. Serventi Grand Esteemed Leading KnightBrad Sikes District Deputy Nevada NorthLee Butts District Deputy Nevada South

Nevada State Elks Association2008 - 2009 Officers

PRESIDENTKen Curto (Teresa) PDDGER36 Connors Court, Ely, NV 89301

PRESIDENT-ELECTLarry Rackley (Barbara) PDDGER4089 Capitol View, Carson City, NV 89701

VICE-PRESIDENTGary Ferguson (Jackie) PDDGERP.O. Box 36177, Las Vegas, NV 89133-6177

SECRETARYLouis Martin (Judy) PER1224 Madrigal Dr., Mesquite, NV 89027

TREASURERGarth Phillips (Carol) PDDGER, PSP115 N. Bailey St., Fallon, NV 89406-2720

CHAPLAINRoger Lund (Jenny) PER2660 Keystone Ave., Reno, NV 89503

TILERJohn Vore (Tella) PER1830 W. Irons Ave., Pahrump, NV 89048

SERGEANT AT ARMSBob Waits (Pam) PER271 W. Longacres, Henderson, NV 89015-7849

STATE COORDINATORWilliam Wiseman (Mela) PER9801 Biscayne Ln., Las Vegas, NV 89117-3546

HISTORIANGeorge Montgomery (Adele) PER5648 Bolton Valley Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89122

ORGANISTRoger Brotherton (Doris) PER, PDDGER7750 W. 4th St., #105, Reno, NV 89523

ONE-YEAR TRUSTEEWayne LeRoy (Nancy) PER3140 Mountain Spring Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89146-6934

TWO-YEAR TRUSTEEKenneth Catlin, Jr. (Sue) PER6045 Westwind Way, Fallon, NV 89406

THREE-YEAR TRUSTEEJack Hennigan (Terri) PERP.O. Box 5319, Pahrump, NV 89041

FOUR-YEAR TRUSTEEAlbert Bye (Sabina) PER1525 W. High Pointe Cir., Minden, NV 89423

TRUSTEE-AT-LARGEEugene Presnell (Bernie) PDDGER, PSPP.O. Box 2049, Hawthorne, NV 89415

350 Years of Elkdom

On the State President’s visit to Ely, this photo was taken and represents 350 yearsof Elks membership. Pictured from left to right are Leo Curto (64 yrs.), Stan SopherPER (50 yrs.), PSP Larry O’Laughlin (35 yrs.), Ken Curto PDDGER (33 yrs.), RomoloDiCianno PER (45 yrs.), Barney Murdock PER (56 yrs.), Rich Minnier (2 yrs.), and PSPJack Smith (63 yrs.).

To All District Deputies, ExaltedRulers, Officers and Members:

Well folks, March has finallyarrived, the last month of this2008-2009 Lodge year.Hopefully the records will showthat this has been a good, per-haps even great, year for each ofyou, your Lodge and our Order.Hopefully you and your Lodgehave made your goals and youcan hold your head high andboast of the many accomplish-ments, as well as how youhelped and/or fulfilled yourresponsibilities.

On the other hand, if youhaven’t quite reached your goalsyet, use the days remaining untilMarch 31st to “get ‘er done”!Install that last class of waitingcandidates, contact every delin-quent member and convincethem that they are important toyour Lodge and our Order. Gettheir dues, canvass the member-ship, hold that last fundraiser,collect those dollars and sendthat final check for the year tothe Elks National Foundation.

As a member of the Army ofHope, do another good deed forthe family of a currently activemember of the military, help aVeteran in a VA facility or inyour community, and/or distrib-ute Drug Awareness materials toyouth in your community. Dowhatever is needed to reach yourgoals and end your Lodge yearon a positive and successfulnote!

For those of you who are mov-

ing on to new positions ofresponsibility, March should bea time for preparation. For thenewly elected and soon-to-beinstalled Officers, it is a time tolearn your Ritual parts. Be readyto stand with pride before yourMembers on that first meetingnight of 2009-2010 and conductthe opening and closing withdignity and from memory. Beready to do the same with theRitual of Initiation soon there-after. It is time for the Officers tobecome a team working togeth-er.

Also for the soon-to-beOfficers of 2009-2010, it is thetime to finalize your programs,set your goals, determine yourcommittees and get everythingin place to hit the ground run-ning in April. It is time to famil-iarize yourself with the require-ments of our Order and yourstate and your local governmentas they relate to the proper andcompliant operations of yourLodge. It is time to review andenhance your leadership skills,because the success of your pro-grams, your Lodge and ourOrder will greatly depend onyour abilities to lead and involveyour membership in the manytasks at hand.

Thank you one and all foryour dedicated efforts during2008-2009 and best wishes tothe Officers, Members andLodges for the 2009-2010 Lodgeyear.

Lodge #2397), and AllistaWood (Pahrump Lodge #2796)will represent the State ofNevada, in the National Contest.The Second Place winners areMolly Black (Fallon Lodge#2239) and T.J. Milk (PahrumpLodge #2297). The Third Placewinners are Christine Beebe

(Sparks Lodge #2397) and MeganArckabi (N. Las Vegas Lodge#2353). We are proud of all thestudents who participated. Wehope that the other Lodge winnersreceive recognition by the indi-vidual lodges that representedthem.

Congratulations and thanks toall members who have worked sohard to make our Americanismprograms a success.

Americanism…Cont. from Page 2

Lodge Goals Still Attainable Before Year Ends

Hon. Paul D. Helsel

Page 4 • March 2009 • NEVADA ELKS NEWS

The Nevada State Elks Association Annual Convention will behere soon and the crew at the Reno Elks Lodge has been doingtheir usual very competent work in planning this event. They haveput together what will turn out to be a memorable event for all ofus. If you have never been to an annual convention, have not beento one for awhile or if you attend each and every one of them, youwill enjoy the event and bring back home with you memories andexperiences that will last forever. This will be one of those eventsso please plan to attend.

It will be time to say thank you to our outgoing President KenCurto and his First Lady Terri for the time and effort they havecontributed in representing our association. They have done asuperb job. Although Ken will be out of the job and become a PSPI know he will keep involved and lend his experience to us all. Heis just that kind of guy.

For the coming year, Barb and I have been busy planning thecoming events and look forward to visiting each and every Lodgeas well as the other states is Area 7. The month of May will be avery busy month traveling to Utah, Arizona, and California toattend their conventions and we are looking forward to that expe-rience. A non-Elk friend who is kind of aware of what is going onasked me what all was involved in being the President. “Is it just alocal thing where you have a meeting once in a while or what?”When my answer was that we have 19 planned visitation in theentire state of Nevada as well as neighboring states and will haveadditional activities throughout the year, he was very impressed. Itwill be a fun and rewarding year.

The committee assignments are done and we will have a greatteam to coordinate and report all of our activities throughout theyear. I’m sure you will enjoy working with the team and I knowthey will enjoy working with us as well. Working together makesthe process work smoothly. It will be a great year in Elkdom in ourstate and yes our members all fit the description that Elks do Careand Elks do Share.

Larry Rackley PDDGERPresident-Elect

NSEA

Message From ThePresident-Elect

This proclamation must be readat the first lodge session after itsreceipt and then posted on theLodge bulletin board.

To All Subordinate Lodges andMembers of the Grand Lodge ofthe Benevolent and ProtectiveOrder of Elks of the United Statesof America.

GREETINGS:The Grand Exalted Ruler, by and

with the approval of the Board ofGrand Trustees of the Benevolentand Protective Order of Elks of theUnited States of America, actingupon authority given him underArticle 3, Section 6, Grand LodgeConstitution, does hereby proclaimthat the next session of the mem-bership of the Grand Lodge of theBenevolent and Protective Order ofElks will convene in Portland,Oregon, with the opening cere-monies and public meetings held atthe Oregon Convention Center,777 NE Martin Luther King Jr.Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97232 onSunday, July 5, 2009 at 8:00 pm.

The opening business sessionwill convene in the OregonConvention Center at 8:30 Mondaymorning, July 6, 2009 at which ses-sion the election of Officers for theensuing year will be held. Businesssessions will continue thereafter at8:30 am on July 7, 8, 9, 2009, untilthe business to come before thesessions is finished.

The Hilton Portland &Executive Tower Hotel on 291S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204,has been selected as the headquar-ters hotel for the 145th GrandLodge Session. A room reservationform with a letter outlining the pro-cedure will be sent to Past GrandExalted Rulers, Grand LodgeOfficers and Committeemen fromthe Grand Lodge ConventionOffice in Chicago, 2750 N.Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL60614-1889. District Deputies-Designate need to make their roomreservation through their StateAssociation Coordinators. AllGrand Lodge Officers,

Committeemen, and DistrictDeputies-Designate need to makeall travel arrangements through theGrand Lodge Convention office.

Room reservations not outlinedin the preceding paragraph must bemade through each StateAssociation Coordinator. Thoseplanning to attend the Grand LodgeConvention are urged to make thatfact known to their StateAssociation Coordinators immedi-ately. Neither the Grand LodgeConvention Office nor the officialPortland hotels will accept reserva-tions directly from Lodges, indi-vidual Elks, or travel agencies.

Registration will be required by allMembers and their guests attendingthe Convention. This includes theSunday Night Opening Session, theLadies Entertainment Program, andthe Business Sessions for Members.State Ritualistic Teams are required toregister before competing in theGrand Lodge contest.

Paul D. HelselGrand Exalted Ruler

Proclamation

The Lodge officers for the 2009-2010 fraternal year have been elect-ed. Now is the time for the incomingExalted Ruler and Lodge VeteransChairperson to plan together to fundactivities for the Lodge’s Veteranprograms for the upcoming year.

I could take this opportunity toexpound for pages on all the wonder-ful programs that our Order hasdeveloped to honor our Veterans andour active military personnel, but Iknow that I would be preaching tothe choir. Therefore, it is very impor-

tant that we take this time to plan andbudget appropriate funding that willallow us to outwardly show ourVeterans and military personnel thatwe honor and respect them and theirfamilies for the sacrifices they made.

Programs such as the “Army ofHope,” “Comfort Care Kits,”“Adopt-A-Vet,” and“Student/Veteran VolunteerProgram,” have been developed astools to allow our members to paytribute to those Veterans and militarypersonnel who have given so much

to allow us to live free.I encourage you to plan your pro-

grams, prepare your budget, and putthe appropriate teams in place toallow your Lodge and its members toshow your Veterans that you care.Give a little bit of your time now andit will go a long way as you provethroughout the year that Elks neverforget.

Fraternally,Roger R. True, PGER

Past Chairman

March 2009 Newsletter

Lodge Budget For Veterans

“Chapter One” These words print-ed on the opening page of a brand-new novel always promise an actionpacked adventure. Sadly, this eye-opening chapter does not exist formany young children whose fami-lies cannot afford books.

Kyle Baldwin of Fairfield, CA, a2008 Most Valuable StudentScholar, has always had a passionfor reading. In fact, Baldwin wouldrather read than play video games.Through participating in a 4-H proj-ect to build local library book-shelves, Baldwin realized that manychildren never have the opportunityto read.

“In the process of organizing thisproject, I realized literacy was anissue in our community,” heexplains. “When I was told somekids grow up never owning a book,

I was shocked.”In 2006, determined to spread the

joy of reading to less fortunate chil-dren, Baldwin and his youngerbrother, Brady, opened the firstchapter of My Own Book, a non-profit organization designed to givenew books to children who other-wise would not experience theexcitement of owning a book. TheMy Own Book team collect brand-new books through drives or dona-tions. They then take these books toschools where they read the childrena story and let them select their veryown book, personalized with a nameplate.

Since found My Own Book, theBaldwins have used their nonprofitorganization to distribute more than16,600 books. Through their web-site, www.myownbook.net, they

have established new chapters inmultiple states, and are hoping tospread My Own Book nationwide.

Today, with the help of his ENFscholarship, Kyle is halfwaythrough his freshman year at BryantUniversity in Rhode Island.

“I am impressed with the Elks’generosity and true desire to helpothers,” says Kyle. “They inspireme to get an education and becomea contributing member of society.”

Kyle, a business major, is openingyet another chapter of My OwnBook near Bryant University.

When not in class or managing hisnonprofit, Kyle can be found learn-ing about law in the Bryant LegalStudies Society, or organizingevents for Bryant alumni as a mem-ber of the Student AlumniAssociation.

A New Chapter: Spreading The Joy Of ReadingBy Dennis C. ClarkeCommittee Chairperson

February marks the beginning ofthe leadership transition for the2009-2010 Subordinate LodgeYear.

Making wise use of the timebetween now and assuming themantel of leadership, April 1st iscritical to ensuring success duringyour year.

Successful leaders oftenacknowledge that much of whatthey achieved resulted from anaction plan to guide their enter-prise toward attaining an estab-lished goal. They also acknowl-edge that implementing the planby team leaders and their workgroups required providing every-one with three key elements:•A vision of where the organiza-tion was going.•The tools/resources needed toaccomplish the task.•Motivation to take action.

A template for developing aLodge membership plan that con-tains the elements is outlined inthe +1 Membership Programbrochure developed by the Grand

Lodge Membership Committee inpartnership with a focus group thatcontained representatives fromLodges, State Associations andother Grand Lodge Committees.The program is designed to “GrowElkdom” and continue the Order’sunparalleled 140-year record ofservice by each Lodge initiating amembership program that:•Instills pride in membership.•Builds a positive Member/Lodgerelationship•Develops a Lodge-State-GrandLodge partnership.•Focuses all Lodge activities onsupporting membership recruit-ment, activation and retention.•Results in at least a +1 member-ship gain in each Lodge.

ER’s-elect are encouraged todevelop a Lodge membership planusing the team approach outlinedin the +1 Program brochure beforeApril 1st. For assistance withdeveloping the plan, contact aMember of the State Associationor Grand Lodge Membershipteams. Contact information is list-ed on the back panel of the +1Program brochure.

To ER’s-Elect: Time To Set2009-10 Membership Goal

NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 5

Annually, the Elks Lodge#1704 spearheads the communi-ty food and gift drive for theHawthorne area. Local andregional businesses, fraternaland civic organizations, theschools and numerous volun-teers help collect and purchasefood and gifts and stage them atthe lodge for Charity Basketpreparation. Then the eveningbefore delivery the gifts arewrapped and the baskets filledwith canned and packaged foodsincluding onions, potatoes andstuffing mix along with the gifts.

Then on the Saturday prior toChristmas the turkeys, butter,milk, eggs, and celery are addedand the basket delivered to theneedy family. Seniors andneedy singles are given a giftcard for the local grocery. Thisyear 75 needy families were therecipients of the Charity Basketsand/or gift card to help brightentheir Holiday Season. Over$5500 in donations and volun-teer time contributed to thisproject.

ELKS CARE – ELKS SHARE

Hawthorne Elks Help75 Needy Families To All Lodges:This year Nevada has sworn in an unprece-

dented number of new citizens. To day (Feb.2009), we have given out more than 14,000American Flags. This has been an enormousburden on our State Budget. Unfortunately, weare now in desperate need for funds to purchasemore flags in the coming months. At this time, Iam asking all Nevada Lodges to contribute$150.00 to provide these much needed funds. Aswe are approaching the end of our fiscal year,the need for the money to buy new flags isbecoming more urgent. Please forward checksto Garth Phillips, NVSEA Treasurer as soon aspossible.

On another note, the State AmericanismEssay Contest winners are as follows:

Seventh and Eighth Grade Division1st Thomas Jackson, Sparks, Legacy Christian

2nd Molly Black, Fallon, Churchill County High School

3rd Christine Beebe, Sparks, Legacy ChristianFifth and Sixth Grade Division

1st Allista Ward, Pahrump, J.G. Johnson2nd T.J. Milk, Pahrump, J.G. Johnson3rd Megan Arakabi,

N. Las Vegas, Gaynes ElementaryThe essays of the first place winners have

been sent on to our National Organization fortheir consideration. This year only eight out ofNevada’s fifteen Lodges participated in thecompetition. Hopefully, next year all fifteenLodges will participate. This is an excellent wayto demonstrate Elk participation in our commu-nities.

Fraternally yours,Al Closi

NVSEA Americanism Chairman

Unprecedented Number of New Citizens

On February 12, 2009, at itsmeeting in Savannah, Ga., theElks National Foundation Boardof Trustees approved appropria-tions and distributions for the2009-2010 fiscal year totalingmore than $17 million.

“In a difficult economic cli-mate, our neighbors need ourhelp more than ever,” saysPGER Frank O. Garland, theChairman of the ENF Board ofTrustees. “I’m thrilled that theENF is able to not only maintain,but increase our charitablespending to help those strug-gling most right now. It showsthat ‘Elks Care, Elks Share’ ismore than just a motto.”

The ENF will distribute arecord $17.4 million, throughthe following programs:

State Elks AssociationGrants - $7,222,560

These grants help fund thestate Elks association’s majorcharitable and philanthropicprojects, including state DrugAwareness, Hoop Shoot, SoccerShoot and scholarship programs.

Scholarship Programs -$3,646,000

The ENF provides collegescholarships each year throughthree distinct programs:

•The Most Valuable Studentscholarship contest is open tograduating high school seniors.The Foundation awards 500MVS scholarships every year,ranging from $4,000 to $60,000over four years.

•Legacy Awards are availableto children and grandchildren ofElks. The Foundation will award

scholarships to 250 students at$4,000 over four years.

•The Emergency EducationGrant program provides finan-cial assistance to children ofdeceased or totally disabledElks. Awards range up to $4,000for one year; however, eligiblestudents may submit up to threeannual renewal applications.

Community InvestmentsProgram - $1,375,000

Through direct investments inLodge communities, the ENFCommunity InvestmentsProgram helps Elks make a dif-ference in their hometowns.

•In 2009-10, a grant pool up to$500,000 will be available forImpact Grants, competitivegrants of up to $10,000 thatallow Lodges to take on majorcommunity projects.

•Lodges that reach the GrandExalted Ruler’s per-capita goalfor contributions to the ENF areeligible to receive GratitudeGrants of $500 each.

•The first 250 Lodges thatpledge to host events that buildthe character and competence oflocal youth will be eligible toreceive Promise Grants of $500each.

Elks National VeteransService Program - Approx.

$900,000

The ENF funds the work ofthe Elks National VeteransService Commission, which pro-vides aid and comfort forAmerican’s veterans.

Elks Hoop Shoot Free ThrowContest - Approx. $778,000

This nationally sanctionedprogram encourages youth tolead healthy and activelifestyles. It offers an opportuni-ty for youth to engage in spiritedcompetition, build relationshipswith their peers, and travelstatewide, regionally and nation-ally at minimal expense to par-ents or schools.

Elks Soccer Shoot Program- $10,000

The ENF allocates funds tohelp the Grand Lodge YouthActivities Committee promoteits Soccer Shoot Program at agrassroots level.

Elks Drug AwarenessProgram - $748,200

The ENF completely fundsthe Elks Drug AwarenessProgram, which promotes con-structive and cooperative solu-tions to youth substance abusethrough education and activities.

Elks Memorial BuildingMaintenance - Approx.

$430,000Built in 1926, the Elks

National Veterans MemorialBuilding is located in Chicago,IL and honors veterans who sac-rificed for our country.

For more information aboutthe appropriations and distribu-tions of the Elks NationalFoundation, visitwww.elks.org/enf/ourgrants.cfm

ENF Gives More Than Ever

Page 6 • March 2009 • NEVADA ELKS NEWS

My Friends,I’m sure most of you have

noticed the numbers of new res-idents who are moving to theState of Nevada; seeking, inmany cases, a better way of life,perhaps warmer winters or aslower and more pleasing lifestyle. Whatever the reason, moreand more people have decidedthat this is the life for them. Forthose of us who have lived herein the West for most of our livesthis is easy to understand and wewelcome them to our midst.Many of these are what we call“Stray Elks.” This could be fer-tile ground for establishing anew lodge or gaining membersin the lodges we have.

We still need more Elks in theState of Nevada and there are anumber of things we can do tomake membership in our Lodgesmore attractive. When we initi-ate new members we should“bring them into the circle” andmake them feel more comfort-able as part of the group. Wecould be more friendly to visi-tors to our lodges; that includesgoing up to them, introducingyourself and making them feelwelcome. Ask them to be part ofthe conversation. Finally, wemust decide the bickering anddissension among membersmust stop for the sake of ourlodges, our Order and for thesuccess of our State ElksAssociation. It’s up to all of us toremember the cardinal principlesof our Order …Charity, Justice,Brotherly Love and fidelity.Let’s make it work!

Very soon we will be holdingour Convention in Reno. I amsure it will be another enjoyableaffair. Reno #597 is famous for

its gracious hospitality and fabu-lous entertainment. Those of youhave been there before knowwhat I mean. Our Order is cer-tainly being well representedagain this year.

I truly believe we all owe asincere debt to gratitude to ourPresident his year, Ken, and tohis First Lady Teresa. TheNevada State Elks Associationcan be very proud of the waythey have been represented thispast year, my compliments andthanks to them and to all of theOfficers and Chairpersons of theNSEA as well. As I have saidmany times before, I amimmensely proud to be theSponsor of the NSEA.

As this Lodge year draws to aclose I pray all of you havemany pleasant thoughts of allyou have accomplished this yearand a firm commitment to thosegoals you intend to attain in thenext and I hope one of them is todo “just a little more” in supportof our beloved Order and itsmany benevolent programs.

With warm fraternal regards,Don Dapelo, PGER

NSEA Sponsor

A Message from Don

Don Dapelo, PGERNSEA Sponsor

In 1948, the Elks ofCalifornia donated 25,000 hidesto our Order for the benefit ofVeterans. This was the begin-ning of the Elks NationalVeterans Leather Program.

Today, Elks in twenty statesparticipate in this program. Lastyear, over 15,000 hides werecollected, prepared, andshipped to tanneries for pro-cessing. The finished hidesbecame craft kits, fingerlessgloves for wheelchair boundVeterans, or craft leather forVeterans hospital therapy andrecreational programs.

In 2001, the Elks began apartnership with HelpHospitalized Veterans (HHV).In 2008, this non-profit organi-zation produced 40,000 craftkits for Veterans in hospitalsfrom leather we supplied, at noadditional cost to the Elks. Thekits come in various styles andassemble with relative ease inmoccasins, pouches, handbags,and wallets.

To those hospitals with theproper leatherworking equip-ment, the Elks supplied over

6,000 square feet of leather in2008. Skilled veterans turn thisraw material into various items,some approaching the level ofart. The National Creative ArtsFestival, sponsored by theDepartment of Veterans Affairs,exhibits many items createdfrom leather.

Our National LeatherProgram Chairman, DennisMcAleese (Mountain Home,AR Lodge #1714), last year dis-tributed nearly 3,000 pairs offingerless gloves for use bywheelchair bound Veterans.These are made of high qualityleather, embossed with the Elkslogo, and greatly prized by theirowners. Elks Veterans AffairsVoluntary ServiceRepresentatives order thegloves for distribution at thefacilities they serve, and there iso cost. Brother McAleese alsotravels to special events spon-sored by the Department ofVeterans Affairs and distributesthe gloves personally toVeterans in wheelchairs.

Under the able leadership ofChairman McAleese, the

Leather Program is growingevery year. If your Lodge orstate would like more informa-tion on participating in this pro-gram, please contact DennisMcAleese. Brochures about theprogram are available, at nocost, from our office inChicago.

If you are already collectinghides, please do not ship themto a tannery before first consult-ing with Chairman McAleese.Over the last couple of years,there have been several changesin the tanneries we employ, andDennis is the one to consultbefore shipping. Dennis is alsothe expert on collecting andpreparing the hides, so do nothesitate to call him for advice.

Dennis McAleese, ChairmanElks National Veterans

Leather Program384 County Road 852

Elizabeth, AR 72531-9603870-488-5786

Email: kdmc@mtnhome.com

Fraternally,Robert M. Hennings,

Director

February 2009 Newsletter

Veterans Leather Program

To inculcate the principles ofCharity, Justice, Brotherly Love andFidelity; to recognize a belief inGod; to promote the welfare andenhance the happiness of its

Members; to quicken the spirit of American partiotism; tocultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternalorganization, and to provide for its government, theBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United Statesof America will serve the people and communities throughbenevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks

MissionStatement

Dear Exalted Ruler, and Youth Activities Chairperson,

Each year the State and Grand Lodge pres-ent awards to lodges for participation in theBest Youth Program Contest, and the Statealso provides an award for the Best YouthActivities Program.

These contest are designed to recognize alodge for efforts put forth to foster the YouthActivities in your community. This year Isincerely hope you will make the effort toenter these contests.

The Grand Lodge Youth Program Contestrequires that you provide a brochure to me byMarch 23, 2009 so I can grade each brochure,endorse the State winners in each category,and forward those winners to Grand Lodgefor grading. DO NOT SEND A BROCHUREDIRECTLY TO GRAND LODGE! I mustcontact the Grand Lodge Youth ActivitiesCommittee and report the name and numberof the Lodges participating or they will notbe graded. The criteria for Grand Lodgegrading is outlined in the Youth ActivitiesManual.

Participation in both the Grand Lodge andState Contest requires that you prepare twobrochures, one is submitted to me by March23, 2009, and the other taken to the State

Convention at Reno in April. The brochurefor the State Contest must be on the brochuretable for grading by 9 a.m. April 17, 2009.The brochures are graded by the out of Statevisiting presidents. The criteria for the awardof the State Best Youth Activities Program isbased on an evaluation of your reports to meconcerning your program and your participa-tion in the brochure contests. The gradingwill be based on your participation in eachYouth program and the extent of that partici-pation. You can include evidence of that par-ticipation with report or enter the State orGrand Lodge Brochure Contest, and I willevaluate it there. A point grading system islisted on the reporting format. If you enterthe Grand Lodge Youth Program Contest, Iwill inform you if your brochure will be for-ward to Grand Lodge.

Please document your Youth ActivitiesProgram, gather your photos, clippings, andother evidence, organize a brochure thatmeets the Grand Lodge criteria, and enterthese contests. Your Lodge deserves recogni-tion for the wonderful job it does for theyouth of your community.

Fraternally,Barbara Kathrein Per

State Youth Activities Chairperson

Best Youth Program Contest

NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 7

Mesquite Elks Lodge # 2811 reached a milestone in 2008 withtheir Veterans assistance program. Elk volunteers drove 39,827miles delivering 700 vets to their VA clinics appointments spreadout over the Las Vegas valley. Impressive since Mesquite is 80miles NE of Las Vegas.

These volunteer drivers gave 2381 hours of their personaltime to make life a little bit easier for our Mesquite area Vets. Thedrivers are PER Howie Koontz-driver co-ordinator, JimLochner,Jim Lynch,Brian Holecheck, Roger Gessell, Bill Inman,Dick Booth, Jim Schearer, Susan Barr, Richard Charleston andOmar Gonzales.

A new program established by PER Howie Koontz and the VAhas had a great trial run with the help of local Hospital MesaView. Blood is now drawn locally and delivered on thursdays fortesting at VA facilities in Las Vegas saving extra trips for ourVets. The vans are supplied by the DAV.

These dedicated ELKS are just a few of the thousands of silentheros who give of themselves to prove" that as long as there is aVet in need, an Elk will be there to make their life easier" prov-ing again that' Elks Care and ELKs Share" Lou Martin PublicRelations Mesquite Elks Lodge # 2811

Significant Event ForMesquite Elks

Pictured after a trip to Las Vegas are Vets, David Vliet,Mark Walsh, Jim Lynch, driver Dick Booth andCoordinator Howie Koontz.)

The Elks State MajorProject is called Safe Havenand was initiated in 1990. Itssole purpose is to provide thefunding for a statewide emer-gency shelter care program forabused and neglected children.The money that we donate isused to support the care thatthese abused and neglectedkids need when they areremoved from harms way andplaced into the Safe Havenfoster care homes. Not onepenny is used for salaries oradministration. All of the SafeHaven Emergency ShelterCare Homes are nonprofit fos-ter homes and are required tobe licensed by NevadaRevised Statue and that meansthey undergo very stringent

inspections and investigationsbefore being licensed. Oftenthe Safe Haven Homes arecalled upon in the middle ofthe night, weekend, and holi-days to provide a nurturingand supportive home for chil-dren who are traumatized as aresult of abuse and neglect.

The Nevada ChildProtection Services agenciesnow annually receive inexcess of 22,000 reports ofchild abuse and neglect thatthey must investigate.Fortunately about 40% ofthese turn out to be unsubstan-tiated, but you do the math --some 60% of the cases report-ed are substantiated. There areno counties that have a zerocase rate although Eureka

County certainly has the low-est case rate.

The Elks ongoing commit-ment to this project has beenvital to the State of NevadaChild and Family ServicesDivision efforts to serveabused and neglected childrenin Nevada. The financial sup-port for the program has beenoutstanding; however, it is thespirit of the Elks commitmentthat has made the programsuccessful. The same spirit ofdedication and commitment iscontinued in those familieswho serve as Safe HavenHomes. Together we have theopportunity to make a differ-ence in the lives of theyoungest and most vulnerablemembers of our community.

Safe Haven - Elks State Major Project

For All Photos:No matter what technology you use, 35mm

or digital, a photo is only as good as the pho-tographer makes it. Before you submit aphoto to The Elks Magazine, ask yourself thefollowing questions: Does the subject matterfit the magazine’s guidelines? Is the lightingadequate? Is the focus sharp and clear? If theanswers to these questions are “yes”, thenyou can rest assured hat the magazine willprobably use the photos you submit.

Digital Photos:Use at least a 3 megabyte camera, set for

higher-quality photographs. Digital photosmust have a minimum resolution of 1,500 x900 pixels per image (the equivalent of a 3”x 5” 35mm print). Photos submitted at lowerresolutions cannot be accepted.

Send photographs in .jpg file format. Ifyour camera produces a file format otherthan .jpg, you can use the software that came

with your camera to convert our photos to.jpg format. Select only the best photo ofeach event, or a maximum of two or three.

To submit digital photos, attach them to ane-mail message with a write up describingthe event, a list of who is pictured from leftto right, your telephone number or the bestway to contact you, and send it to: mag-news@elks.org.

Print Photos:Glossy prints from 35mm cameras are still

very welcome, and those Lodges that havebeen successful in having photos acceptedmay want to stick with what works for them.

To submit print photos, send a glossy printfrom a 35mm camera, a list of who is pic-tured from left to right, a write up describingthe event, and your phone number or the bestway to reach you to: Editorial/The ElksMagazine, 425 W. Diversey Parkway,Chicago, IL 60614.

Submitting Photos to The Elks Magazine

The following is an accountwhich I have called ExaltedRuler. The events describedare an actual account whichmy father and I witnessedwhen we were hunting deer inIdaho many years ago. I hopethat you will find it worthy ofprint in our newsletter.

EXALTED RULERThere is no more majestic

animal than the bull elk. He istruly a regal animal with his

full rack of antlers resemblinga crown.

It is a thrill to hear himbugle during the rut, callinghis harem of cows. But, ayoung bull answers thatbugle, challenging hissupremacy.

Antlers clashing, thenclashing again and again.Finally the young bull with-draws having thoroughly beendefeated. His reign will come

at another time.But, at this time, the

Exalted Ruler has proved hissupremacy and his claim tohis harem.

It’s truly a wonderful expe-rience to witness this -- anexperience that I doubt that Iwill ever have again.

Respectfully submitted,Glen J. Gillette LM5120

BPOE Lodge #1468Las Vegas, NV

Exalted Ruler

By Glen CastleburyCommittee Member

Americanism means patriotism,and vice versa. Both are more thanwords in Elkdom. They are our wayof life, the foundation of our Order.Both Americanism and patriotismare symbolized by our Americanflag. Our commitment to that flag isbeautifully stated in our ritual whenthe Esquire reminds us, “AsAmericans and patriots we firstplace it beside our Altar.”

Americanism is so second naturein our Lodges that perhaps we rarelytake stock of all the patriotic actsinvolved in our myriad programs.That is unfortunate, becauseAmericanism and patriotism aretruly the glue that binds our fraternalorder from sea to shining sea.

Taking inventory of our patrioticprograms and Americanism activities, is the purpose of the GrandLodge American Brochure contest.Unfortunately, Lodge participationhas lagged in recent years. PerhapsLodge Americanism chairs haven’trealized all the activities that can be

included in the brochure, includingFlag Day, community Law andOrder programs, get out the voteefforts, flag retirements andVeterans service projects.

Those programs, plus more thanthree dozen others, are listed on thejudging criteria for the BrochureContest programs that Lodgesnationwide perform all the time.That criteria are published in theAmericanism Manual and can bedownloaded from the AmericanismCommittee section at Elks.org.

There is still stime to put abrochure together. The mailingdeadline is March 31, 2009. Winnerswill be recognized in six membership divisions at the Grand LodgeSession in Portland.

Mail entries to Ronald A.Hawkins, GL AmericanismCommittee, 993 Flatwoods Rd.,Vanderbilt PA 15486 1203.

The contest is a wonderful way toproudly display those greatAmericanism programs that yourLodge already does so well so often!

Showcase Your Program And Win

Page 10 • March 2009 • NEVADA ELKS NEWS

RENO #597Gerald O. BattyErvin A. MayElmo PecettiBen “Red” WaldronCol. (Ret.) Alex Woods, Jr.John T. BoydHarold M. Warren

LAS VEGAS #1468Jack L. HigginsJames R. CantrellRichard SteenJohn F. RyanBill FoxLeonard P. Ryan

BOULDER CITY #1682Dean VonWolffradtJames E. GillisRheo OliverRobert P. Loncar PER LMRaymond J. Mendel LMJerome J. KentzHAWTHORNE #1704Richard E. Davis PER

FALLON #2239Michael McGarrahFrank Alegre

M I N D E N - D O U G L A S#2670James Tilman

PAHRUMP #2796Mark BondHoward Watson CM

HENDERSON-GREEN VALLEY #2802Eldon E. StumpGary NarvesonPhyllis Mathews

MESQUITE #2811Craig Rudi

RED ROCK #2835Alice Horrel

ELY #1469O.P. Forman

In Vain We Call

Now is the hour when Elkdom’s toweris darkened by the shroud of night,and Father time on his silver chimeToll off each moment’s flight.

In Cloistered halls each Elk recallsHis Brothers where’er they be,And traces their faces to well-known placesIn the annals of memory.

Whether they stand on a foreign landOr lie in an earthen bed,Whether they be on the boundless seaWith the breakers of death ahead.

What’er their plight on this eerie nightWhat’er their fate may beWhere ever they are be it near or farThey are thinking of you and me.

So drink from the fountain of fellowshipTo the Brother who clasped your handAnd wrote your worth in the rock of EarthAnd your faults upon the sand.

“TO OUR ABSENT BROTHERS”

The Original Jolly Corks Toast

We shall meet, but we shall miss him.There will be the vacant chair,

But though we no more possess him,Still our hearts his memory bear.

But a while ago we gathered,Friendship beaming in each eye,Now the golden cord is severed,

He has passed to realms on high…And so we say, speaking for the surviving members in

their Lodges: “Good-bye, good-bye until the hour of elevenshall regularly return, to set the bells of memory a-chiming.Thou art I and I am thou for thy name we have as a talismanupon our hearts.” Good-bye, Brothers… we will miss youand never forget you. Rest in peace, your work is done.

The Vacant Chair

You are welcome here! Visit a Lodge or activity oryour choice!RENO LODGE #597597 Kumle Lane - Reno, NV(775) 825-0597Lodge Meetings on 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 8:00 pm

TONOPAH LODGE #1062241 Central St. - Tonopah, NV(775) 482-6850Lodge Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:30 pmLAS VEGAS LODGE #14684100 W. Charleston Blvd. - Las Vegas, NV(702) 258-3557Lodge Meetings 1st, 2nd, 4th Thursdays at 7:30 pm

ELY LODGE #1469694 Campton St. - Ely, NV(775) 289-4904Lodge Meetings 2nd, 4th & 5th Thursdays at 7:00 pmSocial Nights 1st & 3rd Thursdays

BOULDER CITY LODGE #16821217 Nevada Way - Boulder City, NV(702) 293-2457Lodge Meetings 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

HAWTHORNE LODGE #1704595 W. 5th St. - Hawthorne, NV(775) 945-1704Lodge Meetings 1st, 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:00 pm

CARSON CITY LODGE #2177515 N. Nevada St. - Carson City, NV(775) 882-2177Lodge Meetings 1st, 3rd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm

FALLON LODGE #223993 W. Center St. - Fallon, NV(775) 423-2239Lodge Meetings 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:30 pm

NORTH LAS VEGAS LODGE #23532339 Van Der Meer St. - N. Las Vegas, NV(702) 642-9431Lodge Meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

SPARKS LODGE #2397517 S. Rock Blvd. - Sparks, NV(775) 358-2397Lodge Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

MINDEN-DOUGLAS LODGE #26701276 Pit Road #1 - Gardnerville, NV(775) 264-4523Lodge Meetings 1st four Wednesdays except July& August 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 8:00 pm

PAHRUMP LODGE #27962220 East Basin Ave. - Pahrump, NV(775) 751-2796Lodge Meetings 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:300 pm

HENDERSON GREEN VALLEY LODGE #2802631 E. Lake Mead Pkwy. - Henderson, NV(702) 565-9959Lodge Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7:30 pmexcept July & August 1st Tuesday only

MESQUITE LODGE #2811545 Riverside Rd. - Mesquite, NV(702) 345-2811Lodge Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 pm,No 2nd Meeting July, No 1st Meeting August

RED ROCK LODGE #2835Bowling Alley meeting rooms2nd Floor Suncoast Casino9090 Alta Dr. - Las Vegas, NV(702) 254-7075Lodge Meetings 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 pm,except July & August 4th Tuesday

Stray Elks in Nevada

The essays of the firstplace winners have beensent on to our NationalOrganization for their consideration. This year onlyeight out of Nevada’s fifteen Lodges participated inthe competition. Hopefully,next year all fifteen Lodgeswill participate. This is anexcellent way to demonstrate Elk participation inour communities.

Fraternally yours,Al Closi

NVSEA AmericanismChairman

Essays

NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 11

Did you spend the holidaysalone? Wouldn’t you haveenjoyed the companionship andcheerful atmosphere of ourretirement community? Learnhow you can make the ElksNational Home your home.

Residents of the Elks NationalHome enjoyed numerous parties,visitors, and other activitiesthroughout December. Althoughthings will slow down somewhatinto the first of the year, theywill continue to take part inmany activities, such as shop-ping trips, sightseeing trips,birthday parties, plays, visitingentertainment, golfing, cardgames, and much more. Add thatto enjoying the company offriends at mealtimes and onother occasions and you can seewhy our residents are happy andenjoy life.

Don’t let another year go by

without at least checking intothis excellent retirement option.Call 1-800-552-4140 to getdetailed information or to makea reservation for a visit. AnyElks may visit here for up to fivedays in any month for only$55.00 per night, includingroom, meals, and tax. You canalso get information on our web-site at www.elkshome.org.

The residents and staff at theElks National Home look for-ward to hearing from you.

NOW is a good time to visitthe Elks National Home inBedford, Virginia. Every seasonin Virginia has its beauty andadvantages. You do not have tobe an Elk member to visit for atour and/or meals. You do haveto be a member to stay overnightat the Home.

SPRING is a time of new life

with dogwood and cherry blos-soms, and with daffodils andtulips showing their colorfulheads. The air becomes balmyand songbirds are plentiful.Everyone feels a lift in spirits aswe leave winter behind.

SUMMER brings the greentrees, bright summer flowers, andwarm sunshine. Days can bespent in the shade of a tree or vis-iting some of the many historicand scenic attractions nearby.(See our website for links to localareas of interest and informationon the Bedford community,www.elkshome.org). The warmevenings are perfect for taking awalk or sitting outside enjoyingthe summer sky and sounds.

FALL attracts many visitors toour area as they travel the BlueRidge Parkway to see the colorfuldisplay of autumn leaves. Thecolor peak is usually in mid-

October. Even though we knowwinter is on the way, the beautifulfoliage display and smell of fallin the air are invigorating.

WINTER has a charm of itsown. Residents of the Home canenjoy this season from the com-fort of the enclosed heated porch-es, and there is always somethingto do here. Christmas is one ofthe highlights of the year withthe Home’s splendid lighting dis-play and the many visitors whocome to bring treats and sing car-ols. If you haven’t see our light-ing display, you owe it to your-self to make a visit during thattime. Winters in Virginia are fair-ly short and before you know it,spring is on the way!

So make your plans for a visitto see for yourself what we haveto offer. Any Elk in good stand-ing may stay at the Home for upto five days in any one month fora charge of only $40.00 per dayplus tax, room and meals includ-ed ($60.00 for a couple). Or ifyou prefer, there are two excel-lent motels nearby where youmay stay and make day visits tothe Home and nearby attractions.For more information on a visitor residency call us at 1-800-552-4140 or write to ElksNational Home, 931 AshlandAve., Bedford, VA 24523. Youcan ask for Nellie Martin, SharonJones, or Linda Zimmerman. Welook forward to seeing you.

Retired? This Message Is For You

Elks National Home andRetirement Center residentsare all proud members of ElksNational Home Lodge #8081.They actively support manycharitable, youth, veteransand other community pro-grams including theDictionary Project.

The Elks National Homewas first established in 1903and has since undergonemany renovations. Today, inorder to comply with newregulations, there is need torenovate several units.Presently there are severalrooms that cannot be usedbecause they do not meettoday’s standards. The onlyfinancial support the ElksNational Home receives is a$1.00 Elks membershipassessment and voluntarygifts from lodges, membersand friends. With the existingeconomic conditions, adecline in Elks memberships,rising operating costs, and theongoing need for renovations,the Elks National Home hasinitiated a “Buy-A-Brick”program to raise badly need-ed funds. We hope you willjoin us in this effort to makethe Elks National Home self-sustaining.

BUY-A-BRICK. Any indi-vidual or organization, Elks

members, Lodges, Districts,State Associations, etc. cannow purchase 4” x 8” laser-engraved bricks at $100.00each. Each brick includesthree lines of print with twen-ty characters per line (letters,spaces, periods, etc., all countas characters).

Elks may wish to includetheir title in abbreviation nextto their name on the first line,the year served in office onthe next line, and the name,state, initials and number oftheir lodge on the third line.

8” x 8” laser-engravedbricks are also available at$200.00 each. Each brickincludes up to six lines ofprint with twenty charactersper line.

Lodges and members cannow purchase bricks in orderto memorialize loved onesand departed members in thismagnificent Elks setting.

For additional information,please contact Dr. RonaldPlamondon, Executive Director,Elks National Home, 931Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA24523-1399. Office (540) 586-8232, Email: enhome@elk-shome.org.

Christmas at the Home

The National D-Day Memorial.

Year Annual Meeting Mid-Term Meeting2008 Henderson/GV #2802 Carson City #21772009 Reno #597 N. Las Vegas #23532010 Boulder City #1682 Hawthorne #17042011 Fallon #2239 Mesquite #28112012 Las Vegas #1468 Minden/Douglas #26702013 Carson City #2177 Ely #14692014 Mesquite #2811 Sparks #23972015 Hawthorne #1704 Tonopah #10622016 N. Las Vegas #2353 Reno #5972017 Minden/Douglas #2670 Pahrump #27962018 Red Rock #2835 Fallon #22392019 Sparks #2397 Henderson/GV #28022020 Tonopah #1062 Carson City #21772021 Reno #597 Red Rock #28352022 Ely #1469 Hawthorne #17042023 Fallon #2239 Boulder City #1682

Schedule Rotation of Meetings

The Oregon State Elks Association, sponsor PGER James W. Damonand local Chairman Lowell E. Hootman, extend to all Elks, their spous-es and families an invitation to attend the 145th Grand LodgeConvention being held in Portland, Oregon, from July 6 to 10, 2009. Itwill be an adventure you’ll want to be present for!

We will convene in the heart of the City of Roses at the downtownPortland Hilton Hotel and across the river at the Portland ConventionCenter.

Set against the backdrop of majestic Mount Hood, Portland combinesa sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere with refreshingly friendly,small-town warmth that makes it a natural for tours of all types. Whetherin groups or individually, Elks and their families can cruise our scenicrivers, stroll through gardens and parks, shop tax-free in our temptingarray of stores and boutiques, then wrap up the day with world-class din-ing and entertainment. Do you need any better reason to add the 145thGrand Lodge Convention being held in Portland, Oregon, to your trav-el plans?

The host Committee of the Oregon Elks has been and will be work-ing to make the 145th National Convention an adventure you will neverforget. Twenty surrounding Elk Lodges in the Portland area will ensurethat fun and fellowship will be had by all.

To make your time in Portland unforgettable, see the many toursavailable on the Elks National website, http://www.elks.org startingNovember 1 under Conventions.

See you at the convention!

You’re Invited

North Las Vegas Elks Lodge #2353 had a pretty busy end of theyear. We started delivering dictionaries in September of 2008 and fin-ished in January 2009, a total of 28 schools. All third grade studentsreceived a dictionary for a total of 3,828.

Again this year we took part in Safe Halloween Night sponsoredby the North Las Vegas Police Department, North Las VegasChamber of Commerce, and Hope Depot. Approximately 4,000 kidscame through our line. They received Drug Awareness ColoringBooks and Book Marks and lots of candy. Drug Awareness literaturewas given to many adults. Helping out was Jeanette Thompson,Nancy P. Rogowski, Caroyle O’Laughlin, Larry O’Laughlin, ArtMiller, Wayne Leroy, Marc Lancaster, and of course Elroy the Elk.The Lodge also held a party at the Lodge for the children.

Our Hoop Shoot was held on December 6th with 7 children par-ticipating.

The Food Baskets drive was a huge success again. We supplied 32families this year including 11 to Nellis A.F.B. A big THANK YOUto Ed Cruz, “Uncle Bill” Cruz, Bob Shirey, and North Las VegasMayor Montandon for their generous cash donations. Without thefood donations from our members, this would not happen.

Fraternally,Tella Vore PER #2353

N. Las Vegas BusyDelivering Dictionaries

Left to right bottom row: Jeanette Thompson, Nancy PeirceRogovoski, Caroyle O’Laughlin. Second row: Marc Lancaster,Wayne Leroy, Art Miller, Larry O’Laughlin and of course Elroy theElk, John Vore.

A few of the students receiving their dictionaries.

The Medal of Valor programcommenced in February, 2007,and was promoted by your ElksNational Veterans ServiceCommission. The purpose of theprogram is to give our Lodges theopportunity to honor individualswho served in our military andmade the supreme sacrificedefending our country and ourfreedoms. The Medal of Valor isto be presented to the deservingfamily of the fallen hero who gaveup his/her life in the ongoing Iraqiand Afghanistan conflicts.

The medals are made in theUnited States and come with apresentation case. The front of the

medal is engraved with“Operation Enduring Freedom”on top and “Operation IraqiFreedom” on the bottom. Theback of the medal is suitable forengraving the name of thedeceased Veteran and also states“Presented by the Grand Lodge ofthe B.P.O. Elks to the family of(Name)” in recognition of theirsupreme sacrifice. The cost is$8.00 per medal which includesshipping fees.

If you know of a family or fam-ilies in your community who havelost a loved one in Iraq orAfghanistan, it would be a won-derful gesture to honor that person

by presenting a Medal of Valor tothe family. It could be presented ata function at your Lodge or atsome other appropriate venue.

To order the Medal of Valor,contact the Elks National VeteransService Commission at 2750 N.Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL60614-1889 or by email tovets@elks.org and the medal willbe promptly shipped to you.

Thank you for doing what youcan to honor our deceasedVeterans!

Fraternally,Amos McCallum, PGER

Chairman

April 2009 Grand Lodge Newsletter

Medal Of Valor

This is my last article as StatePublic Relations Chair. To supportLarry I am taking on the job of theState’s First Lady. I want to thankall the Lodges and PR Chairs overthe last 3 years for the effortsmade to get me their MONTHLYreports on time. I am sure that toachieve my monthly goal report-ing I have stepped on toes, bruised

feelings, and bugged you to deathfor those infamous REQUIREDmonthly reports. I will make noapology it goes with the territoryof accepting the position I haveenjoyed in spite of it. There havebeen more articles submitted toand accepted by the National mag-azine this year than I have seenbefore, good job! Public Relations

is the TOOL to get word out therethat Elks Care and Elks Share.Please show and give your supportto the new State PR Chair SabinaBye, I will give her my successesand yours to assist her in the hairand teeth pulling task of monthlyreporting.

Barbara Rackley PERNSEA Public Relations Chair

Last Report from Public Relations Chair

As your State Activities chair-person there is a few reports youneed to do. Two Youth Brochures.One brochure to me by March 23,2009 and the other to RenoConvention in April.

The Grand Lodge YouthActivities has developed a newaward to recognize people whohave been very active workingwith youth within their communi-ty. I am asking for your coopera-tion to make this program success-ful.

As State Youth Activities

Chairperson, I am asking each ofthe YA Chairperson to send mename(s) of each person along witha resume outling of their activities.The resume should also have theperson’s name, address, phonenumber, e-mail and associatedLodge name and number. The per-son’s selected at the Lodge leveldoes not have to be on the lodgeYouth Activities Committee or anOffer of the lodge or might noteven be an Elk.

The deadline is May 10, 2009 inmy hands so I have enough time to

select a winner. And to send thename of the winner to Area 7GLYAC.

Sincerely,State Youth Activites

ChairpersonBarbara Kathrein Per

As for the Soccer Contest I willbe sending out information onwhen to start your soccer contestand the deadline. I am the SoccerChairperson for both North andSouth Lodges so you will be send-ing me your out come of your con-test. Thank you.

State Youth Activities

Page 12 • March 2009 • NEVADA ELKS NEWS

By Patrick G. WhittCommittee Member

As we come to the end of another Lodge year we need to sit downand go over our checklist of itemsand reports that need to be finished.

First, how have we done in compiling the charity donation information and placing it in the CharitableRecords Book or filing online during the year? Are there last minutethings that require entering? Therealways seem to be some leftovers.March and April are for the finalupdating before filing the AnnualReport by May 1st.

Secondly, how have we done to

cultivate our local and state governmental agencies by showing themwhat good we do in our communities? Did we send them all a copy ofwhat we, as Elks, locally andnationally, donated in money, milesand man hours last year?

Thirdly, have we, as outgoingLodge Officers, met with theincoming Officers and explained tothem the importance of maintainingour non profit status by fulfillingthese important tasks?

Fourthly, are we doing our bestto see that our Lodge adheres to theGrand Lodge Statutes by maintaining our facilities as Members, and

their guests, only, and not allowingthem to become public conveyances? In these poor economicand unstable political times, it isimportant that we give no government agency any excuse to try tomake up any of their shortfalls atour expense.

In closing, let me congratulate allof the incoming Lodge and StateAssociation Officers by wishingyou good luck in the coming year. Ialso wish to thank those of yougoing out of office for your serviceto Elkdom this past year.Remember, “Elks Care and ElksShare”!

Time to undergo review of charity gift information

NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 13

We all know it is important tohave a will to protect our assetsafter we’re gone. For many ofus, however, creating a willseems to fall by the wayside—work, family, Lodge activities,and the daily grind keep us busyenough! If you haven’t drafted awill yet, you’re not alone --approximately 70 percent ofAmericans do not have one.

It’s time to stop makingexcuses. Writing and updatingyour will is one of the most sig-nificant things you can do foryour family’s future, no matterwhat your age. Still not con-vinced? Here’s how not having awill could affect your family andyour estate:

1. The State, not you, willdecide how your assets are dis-tributed.

2. Most people think theirspouse will automatically inheriteverything. This is not true.

3. The courts, not your family,will be in control. Your moneyand your property (estate) willbe distributed according to firmstate laws, not your desires.

4. The courts can choose astranger or someone whom youwould not want to serve to han-dle the settlement of your estate,and it may be expensive.

5. If you have minor children,you may not have a say in whowill be granted custody of them,or how their inheritance will bedistributed to them.

6. You will not have theopportunity to leave a charitablebequest to your favorite chari-ties, like the ENF.

If anyone should have a say inhow your assets are distributed,it’s you! Creating a will opensmany opportunities, includingthe option to make a special giftto your favorite charity. PGERRoger True is one of a number ofdonors who’s included the ElksNational Foundation in his will.

“I encourage everyone toreview their financial status tosee if a planned gift to the ENFis possible for them,” he says.“Estate planning is a greatoption in this economy, becauseit doesn’t have an immediateeffect on personal finances, butit makes a big difference.”

If you’ve decided to includethe ENF in your will or estateplans, please let us know. Youwill be eligible for membershipin the John F. Malley Society,reserved for individuals who’vetaken the initiative to include agift to the ENF in their estateplans.

For additional informationabout planned giving and theENF, please visit www.enf-plannedgiving.org. To discussmaking a planned gift to the ElksNational Foundation, pleasecontact Kate Keating Edsey atKateE@elks.org or 773-775-4866.

Where There’s A Will…

By Milton L. Swantz Jr.Committee Member

The day has finally arrived. The goal that you worked so hardto attain -- election as Exalted Ruler. If you are anything like me,you worked very hard for several years to learn what you neededand gained the necessary experience so that your goal of directingan exceptional Lodge year is realized.

The first and most important item on your agenda should beselecting our Committee Chairmen. Your selections need to bewell thought out. These people will either make or potentiallydevastate our Lodge year. Make sure your selections are capableof following through in their position, work well with others andare able to stimulate and direct people. They need to have thedrive, time and ability to perform their tasks.

It is extremely important that you make good choices. YourLodge Members have entrusted you to lead the Lodge, strength-en it and develop it into the future, meeting the needs of yourMembers as well as the Community that your Lodge supports.

Finally, always remember that your year should be fun, excit-ing, enjoyable and most important, productive for you and yourfamily, your Offices, Members and Community.

Select the best to be incharge of committees

Members,Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Remember

the first time, as a child that you had the opportu-nity to put your first nickel, dime or quarter in abank or jar to learn the lesson of saving money? Iam sure that most of us, as children, had a PiggyBank of one type of another. Remember the excite-ment you felt as you continued to place money inthat bank? Continually checking it, as the fundsadded up and the value inside climbed? The moreyou got to add to its contents, the more excited youbecame. Soon your visions of what you would beable to do with that money became a major part ofyour life. Whether it was a model airplane, a dollor even a new bicycle that you really wanted. Theability to buy the item with your own money nowbecame a major priority in your life. We lookedforward to doing chores, a visit from our grand-parents, newspaper collecting or even cashing inCoke bottles to get that money and add it t ourbanks. As the bank filled, your excitement grewand one day it was time to spend that money.

To many of us, it was a good news, band newstime in our lives. The good news was that wecould finally get that long awaited, cherished item;the bad news was, our parents had given us a bankthat needed to be destroyed to get the money out.When you stop and think about it, saving moneyfor Safe Haven is similar to our childhood experi-ence with our piggy banks. Here is where some ofthe similarities end.

The state association and your lodge will supply

you with your very own “Blue Pig.” The pig canbe emptied at any time you like, but preferablywhen you have filled it. You don’t need to destroyit, just empty its’ contents and give the money toyour lodge “Blue Pig” chairman. How you raiseyour money is entirely up to you. Recycle youraluminum cans, put your occasional change inyour bank or just plain write a check and turn itover to your lodge chairman or state association.

Now, unlike your childhood experience, youdon’t your money to one of the most importantcharities you can ever support. All of you areaware of the outstanding results derived from yourdonations to Save Haven. If you are not, then youshould contact your lodge chairman or myself andwe will gladly enlighten you on the great benefitsprovided to the abused, neglected or exploitedchildren that Project Safe Haven assists. Elks’ areknown for the charitable work we do. Are youdoing your part? Believe me, its it painless andyou will get the satisfaction of knowing that youare helping a great bunch of children who need alittle kindness and caring in their lives. Please stepup to the plate and do your part. If you want to takethat extra step to contribute more then your BluePig will hold, try a fundraising activity. Help theNevada State Elks Association go over and beyondits’ goal this year.

Fraternally,L. Ted Lipka, PER

Nevada State Elks AssociationBlue Pig Chairman

Blue Pig

Author UnknownThe average age of the

infantryman is 19 years. He isshort-haired, tight-muscled kidwho, under normal circum-stances, is considered by societyas a half man, half boy. Not yetdry behind the ears, not oldenough to buy a beer, but oldenough to die for his country. Henever really cared much for workand he would rather wax his ownear than wash his father’s, but hehas never collected unemploy-ment either.

He’s a recent high school grad-uate: he was probably an averagestudent, pursued some form ofsport activities, drives a ten-year-old jalopy, and has a steady girl-friend that either broke up withhim when he left, or swears to bewaiting when he returns from halfa world away.

He listens to rock and roll, hiphop, or rap, or jazz, or swing and155mm howitzers. He is 10 or 15pounds lighter now than he was athome because he is working orfighting from dawn to well afterdusk.

He has trouble spelling, thusletter writing is a pain for him, but

he can field-strip a rifle in 20 sec-onds and reassembly it in less inthe dark. He can recite to you thenomenclature of a machine gun orgrenade launcher, and use eitherone effectively if he must. He digsfoxholes and latrines and canapply first aid like a professional.He can march until he is told tostop or stop until he is told tomarch. He obeys orders instantlyand with hesitation, but he is notwithout spirit or individual digni-ty.

He is self-sufficient. He hastwo sets of fatigues: he washesone and wears the other. He keepshis canteens full and his feet dry.He sometimes forgets to brush histeeth, but never to lean his rifle.He can cook his own meals, mendhis own clothes, and fix his ownhurts. If you’re thirty, he’ll sharehis water with you: if you are hun-gry, his food. He’ll even split hisammunition with you in the midstof battle when you run low. Hehas learned to use his hands likeweapons, and weapons like theywere his hands. He can save yourlife -- or take it, because that is hisjob.

He will often do twice the work

of a civilian, draw half the pay,and still find ironic humor in it all.He has seen more suffering anddeath than he should have for hisshort lifetime. He has stood atopmountains of dead bodies, andhelped to create them. He haswept in public, and in private, forfriends who have fallen in combatand is unashamed. He feels everynote of the national anthemvibrate through his body while atrigid attention, and while temper-ing the burning desire to “squareaway” those around him whohaven’t bothered to stand, removetheir hats, or even stop talking. Inan odd twist, day in and day out,far from home, he defends theirright to be disrespectful.

Just as his father, grandfather,and great-grandfather, he is pay-ing the price for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not aboy. He is the American fightingman who has kept this countryfree for over two-hundred years.He has asked nothing in return,except our friendship and under-standing.

Remember him always, for hehas earned our respect and admi-ration with his blood.

American Pride

Page 14 • March 2009 • NEVADA ELKS NEWS

Mesquite Elks Lodge # 2811 Dance for Food was a resoundingsuccess. Over 120 Elks and community members danced the nightaway to the band "Refugees". The night started slowly until the bandrocked the room with songs from the 50" to 70's.The dance floor wasnever empty.

Entry to this hopeful annual event was 5lbs of food. Over 700 lbswere collected at the door, with Walmart donating 200 lbs of babyformula. It was no doubt the ELKS. Lodge room's golden moment.Without Geno Withhelder, Penny P. and other Elks volunteers, theevent would never had happened. We as Elks are proud of our motto

"ELKS CARE and ELKS SHARE. We are also proud of our com-munity coming together to help feed those who have lost their jobsdue to econonmic conditions. God Bless Mesquite and God BlessAmerica.

Lou Martin,Public Relations

Mesquite Lodge # 2811

Dance For FoodLas Vegas, NV Having

already tasted glory in local, dis-trict, and state competitions,Karlie Samuelson captured anoth-er first-place finish on Saturday,February 21, when she wowed thecrowds at the Elks “Hoop Shoot”West Regional Championship.Karlie, the 13-year-old daughterof John & Karen Samuelson,demonstrated an accuracy fromthe penalty line well beyond heryears and brought honors to herhometown of Huntington Beach,CA.

Representing Fullerton ElksLodge #1993, Karlie, a student atSowers Middle School, sank 23out of 25 free throws in the 12- to13-year-old Girls division, mak-ing her a true standout in the fieldof more than 3 million boys andgirls, ages 8-13, who have partic-ipated in the contest since last fall.

Now, Karlie will travel with herparents, courtesy of theBenevolent and Protective Orderof Elks, to Springfield,Massachusetts the birthplace ofbasketball to be among the 72top youngsters vying for thechance to claim one of six nation-al trophies awarded at the Elks“Hoop Shoot” National FreeThrow Contest, April 23-26. Agreat showing in the nationalchampionship will not only earnKarlie a place in Elks “HoopShoot” history, but also land hername on a plaque in the NaismithMemorial Basketball Hall ofFame.

Now in its 37th year, the Elks“Hoop Shoot” Free ThrowContest has seen more than 104million participants since itsinception, making it the largestcoeducational youth sports pro-

gram in the nation. Funded entire-ly by the Benevolent andProtective Order of Elks, the Elks“Hoop Shoot” Free ThrowContest has served as a testingground for sports legendsCleveland Cavaliers’ TrajanLangdon, WNBA 2001 Rookie ofthe Year Jackie Stiles of the for-mer Portland Fire, IowaHawkeyes head coach SteveAlford, Olympic gold medallistand former Golden State WarriorsChris Mullin, former NorthCarolina State star JenniferHoward, and former ChicagoWhite Sox third-baseman ChrisSnopek.

The Benevolent and ProtectiveOrder of Elks is a patriotic andphilanthropic fraternal organiza-tion with nearly 1-million mem-bers in more than 2,100 commu-nities.

Karlie Samuelson Vying For National Title

The other day, someone at astore in our town read that amethamphetamine lab hadbeen found in an old farm-house in the adjoining countyand he asked me a rhetoricalquestions, “Why didn’t wehave a drug problem when youand I were growing up?”

I replied: I had a drug prob-lem when I was young:

I was drug to church onSunday morning.

I was drug to church forweddings and funerals.

I was drug to familyreunions and communitysocials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears whenI was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the wood-shed when I disobeyed my par-ents, told, a lie, brought homea bad report card, did not speakwith respect, spoke ill of theteacher of the preacher, or if Ididn’t put forth my best effortin everything that was asked ofme.

I was drug to the kitchensink to have my mouth washedout with soap if I uttered a pro-fane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weedsin mom’s garden and flowerbed and cockleburs out of

dad’s fields.I was drug to the homes of

family, friends, and neighborsto help out some poor soulwho had no one to mow theyard, repair the clothesline, orchop some firewood;

Those drugs are still in myveins; and they effect mybehavior in everything I do,say, and think. They arestronger than cocaine, crack orheroin; and, if today’s childrenhad this kind of drug problem,America would be a betterplace.

—Author Unknown

The Drug Problem in America

NEVADA ELKS NEWS • March 2009 • Page 15

My sisters, you have heard thegong. This is to impress upon youthat, with Elks’ wives, the weehour of three has a tender signifi-cance. Wherever your husbandmay roam, whoever his compan-ion for the evening may be by thetime this hour falls upon the dial ofmorning, his aching head swellsand throbs. It is the cold hour ofrepentance; home going time forthose who have wandered. Blondeor brunette, an Elk never reallyforgets his wife, never actually for-sakes her. At luncheon and dinner,he may pass her by, but ere the sun

peeps o’er the horizon in the morn-ing and the clock in the hallchimes three, he’ll be stumblinghome with his friendly greeting“Here’s your wandering husband.”(To Our Wandering Husband)

An ELK is above reproach,An ELK never drinks,If an ELK drinks he never getsdrunk, but if he gets drunk an ELKnever Staggers.Furthermore if an ELK shouldstagger an ELK never falls.If an ELK should fall he shall fallin such a manner as to convenient-ly cover his ELKS’ PIN.

Three O’Clock Toast

The Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committeehas developed a new award to recognize peoplewho have been very active working with youthwithin their community, I am asking for yourcooperation to make this program successful.

As State Youth Activities Chairperson, I am ask-ing each of the YA Chairperson to send me name(s)of each person along with a resume outlining oftheir activities. The resume should also have theperson’s name, address, phone number, email and

associated Lodge name and number. The person’sselected at the lodge level does not have to be onthe Lodge Youth Activities Committee or anOfficer of the lodge or might not even be an Elk.

The deadline is May 10, 2009 in my hands so Ihave enough time to select a winner. And to sendthe name of the winner to Area 7 GLYAC.

Sincerely,Barbara Kathrein SYAC

New Award to Recognize People

HE TAKES THE OATH.HE TAKES …it in stride when people call him a pigHE TAKES …his paycheck realizing he will neverbe richHE TAKES …a second job to make ends meet andsupport his family.HE TAKES …time to stop and talk to children.HE TAKES …your verbal abuse while giving you aticket you really deserved.HE TAKES …on creeps you would be afraid to lookat.HE TAKES …time away from his family to keep yousafe.HE TAKES …your injured child to the hospital.HE TAKES …the late shift without complaintbecause it is his turn.HE TAKES …his life into his hands every day.HE TAKES …you home when your car breaks down.

HE TAKES …time to explain why both your head-lights have to work.HE TAKES …the job no one else wants - telling youa loved one has died.HE TAKES …criminals to jail.HE TAKES …in sights that would make you cry.And sometimes, he cries.HE TAKES …memories to bed each night that mostcouldn’t bear for even one day.HE TAKES …time to explain to his family why hecan’t make the ball game his child is in and why hehas to work when other parents are off.Sometimes …he takes a bullet.And yes, occasionally …he takes a free cup of coffee.If he is lucky …he takes retirement.And someday, he pays for all he has taken …andhopefully, God takes him.

Courtesy of Deputy Sheriff Magazine

A Cop on the Take

By John D. FridayCommittee Member

Have you ever hit a golf ball out of boundsand wished you had started golfing earlier inorder to be a better player? Have you thoughtabout sharing the sport with your kids, grand-kids or younger relatives and friends? Even ifyou are not into golf, as an Elk, you have theperfect opportunity to make this happen. This isone of the fastest growing sports in America andis a gender-friendly family-participation activityfor all ages.

The Grand Lodge-sponsored Junior GolfProgram gives you a chance to reach area youththrough outings that include training, participa-tion and, most of all, fun. At these events, pro-motion of our Drug Awareness Program, alongwith exposure to Elkdom, will show parents andthe community, how much Elks care about ouryouth. You are the best person to make this hap-pen in your Lodge. A few Elks can hold a pro-gram that will affect many youth but only if youtry.

“How easy can it be?” you ask. Find an activegolfer who is also an active Elk. Ask him or herto chair the committee and coordinate the pro-gram. Approach a golf course about conductingthe event. You will be surprised how quickly theoffer is accepted. Junior golfers will become“paying” golfers in a few years. The facilitymanagement will also usually enlist their golfpro, who needs training time to remain certified.

Most courses have extra clubs to use if needed.This leaves the committee responsible for

advertising this public event, getting the kids tocome, supplying refreshments and presenting afew awards. Think about it, a very fewElks/helpers involved, inexpensive food anddrinks, printed certificates for participation andsmall awards for winners. How much easier, orinexpensive, can it be to reach your area youth,share Elkdom and get community publicity toboot? You can make your program fit anybudget easily.

As your program comes to life, you will wantto take pictures, save letters, brochures, eventprogram and newspaper clippings to be includ-ed in a Junior Golf Lodge Brochure. This canbe submitted to the Grand Lodge for competi-tion. We had an increase of 33% in thebrochure competition at Anaheim last year, sostart planning early. Brochure guidelines arepublished in the GLYAC Manual (Code512100) or on the Grand Lodge website:www.Elks.org.

A printer friendly Junior Golf Programbrochure is also available at Elks.org or I canship you larger quantities upon request. TheGrand Lodge Youth Activities Committee isready to help you get started. Give it a try andcall us for any help needed or more ideas. Forimmediate help, my contact information is onthe Youth Activities Committee page, under“Committee roster.”

Reach Your Area YouthThrough Fun of Golf

By Charles A. Trinowski Jr.Committee Member

Public relations: What is it? Howdo we do it?

Public relations, in general, is thebusiness of inducing the public tohave understanding for, and goodwill toward, a person, firm or insti-tution.

In Elkdom, public relations goesbeyond the basic definition toinclude the education of Elks andnon-Elks -- understanding whatwe do, whom we help and how weaccomplish our goals. The task islarge and never-ending.

To be successful at accomplish-ing our goals, we need to evaluatewhat information we want to sharewith the community. Determinewho is our target audience. Howare we going to reach our audiencewith the message and image wewant to project?

What are the tools one can use?The list is endless. There are news-papers, radio, television, leaflets,signs, banners and personal con-tact. This year we had nationalelections and were subjected to abarrage of information by the mostskilled public relations techni-cians. We should study what andhow they placed their candidate orprograms in the public eye. From

them we can learn how to be moresuccessful.

One of the most successful meth-ods of influencing people is tomeet with them face to face. Sayhello, shake their hands and edu-cate them in the purpose andaccomplishments of theBenevolent and Protective Orderof Elks. It is important to focus onmatters that are important to theperson with whom you are com-municating, thus avoiding a bar-rage of Elk facts. The public imagewe present is very important. If weconduct ourselves poorly the pub-lic will associate those behaviorsas indicative of what the Order isabout. It will make it difficult toobtain new Members, have peopleparticipate in our functions andeven scare away participants fromour youth activities.

Public relations is everyMember’s responsibility. Themanner in which we present our-selves can make a difference andimpact the success of your Lodgeand recruitment of quality candi-dates for membership. Your PublicRelations Committee stands readyto assist in publicizing Lodgeaccomplishments and continuingto improve the image of Elkdom.

Public Relations isEveryone’s Job

NSEA Carson City