153th session reno, nevada grand lodge convention news · 153th session reno, nevada grand lodge...

153th Session Reno, Nevada

Grand Lodge

Convention NewsWEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017

USA

The 2016-17 All American Lodges were recognized Monday in Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Receiving Elkdom’s most coveted lodge honor on behalf of their local lodges, from left, are: Lake Hopatcong, NJ 782 Exalted Ruler Kathleen Caffrey, Division 2; Sun

Meet your All American

Lodges for 2016-17

City, AZ 2559 Exalted Ruler Kay Chandlee, Division 6; Apache Junction, AZ 2349 Exalted Ruler Heather McClellan, Division 4; Orange, CA 1475 Exalted Ruler Thomas Roberton Jr., Division 5; Columbia, MO 594 Exalted Ruler Paul Love, Division 3; and Raceway, AZ 2852 Exalted Ruler Thomas Forde, Division 4. In back is Contest A administrator Ashley Buckwell of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee.

Tuesday’s legislaTive resulTs

ROSENBERG

Here are the results from Tuesday’s legislative session: n 2017-01 – To remove the option of the

shortened initiation from the Grand Lodge Statutes. Yes, 1,665; No 1195 Passedn 2017-02 – To allow Lodges the option

to amend their By-Laws to provide for only one regularly scheduled Lodge meeting per month. Yes, 1,437; No, 1428. Passed n 2017-03 – To require all Lodges of the

Order to incorporate under the laws of the; state or territory where they are located. Yes, 1243; No, 1601 Failedn 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. Yes, 1310; No, 1544 Failedn 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. Yes, 1343; No, 1519 Failed n 2017-06 – To recognize that the

Antlers Program is under the jurisdiction of a Lodge’s Activities Committee. Yes, 2675; No 180 Passed

2017-07 – To clarify a Club suspension by a Member’s home Lodge shall apply to all Lodges or of the Order. Yes, 2593; No, 266 Passed

2017-08 – To clarify the authority of the appointed Trustees to take all necessary actions with regard to the property of a defunct Lodge. Yes, 2649; No, 208 Passed

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. Yes, 2336; No, 507. Passed

2017-10 – To allow Lodges to vote on those matters covered by Section 16.050 at a properly noticed special Lodge meeting. Yes, 2574; No, 271 Passed

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. Yes, 2607; No, 255 Passed

Please see RESULTS, Page 7

By TOM SCUDDERConvention News Reporter

Acting Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Chuck Rosenberg had a grim message for the Benevolent and Protective Order or Elks

during the Tuesday business session. “More than 59,000 people die a year of drug overdoses, and it’s going to get worse.” He noted that while heroin addiction is already an epidemic in the country, a synthetic opioid called fentanyl is fifty times as bad and is becoming increasingly

popular.“We can’t enforce, interdict, and

incarcerate our way out of this one,” said Rosenberg. “We have to change our culture, and that’s where good men and women like yourselves can help.”

Please see KEYNOTE, Page 5

DEA enlists Elksin fight againstopioid epidemic

Grand Lodge Convention News • Wednesday, July 19, 2017

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For Columbia, MO Lodge 594, winning 2016-17 All American lodge was no accident.

“We are mindful all year long regarding the points that are important to the Grand Lodge and strive to stay ‘on point’ in the many categories that matter,” to winning Elkdom’s most coveted lodge award, lodge Secretary Tara Cox said.

“Plus, we want a winning streak!”Columbia Elks are on at least a two-year

winning streak in Contest A after also winning in 2015-16.

For the past three years, 2016-17 Exalted Ruler Paul Love has spearheaded completion of the Contest A form.

“(Love) is very knowledgeable of the Contest A form, and makes it a point to remind officers throughout the year that ‘this counts for this’,” Cox said.

All AmericAn lodge division 3

Columbia Elks stay ‘on point,’ plus they want a winning streak

Among the activities the lodge focuses on are youth activities, Memorial Day parade, dinner for law enforcement agencies, Flag Day observation.

“Grants are another big item for us, and we strive to obtain all the funding we can

get!” Cox said, crediting lodge members, Linda Habelitz and Maureen Kokoska who have been key to zeroing in on community needs and identifying where grant funding can be best spent, specifically for children and veterans.

The attendance report at the Grand Lodge Session as of Monday has been announced. The numbers of attendees are:

Grand Exalted Ruler, 1; Past Grand Exalted Rulers, 21; Grand Lodge Officers, 7; Grand Trustees, 7; Grand Forum, 5; Grand Lodge Committeemen, 77; District Deputies – Designate, 237; Special Deputies, 36; and Representatives to the Grand Lodge and Alternates, 1,506. Also in attendance are State Presidents, 46; State Secretaries, 33; Grand Lodge Members, 1,663; Non-Voting Members, 1,818; Guests, 1,435; and Vendors, 108 for a total of 7006.

Monday’s attendance


All American, West DivisionFront from Left are Laura Carl, Esquire, Okmulgee OK Lodge 1822; Laurie K. Montag, Leading Knight, Lincoln NE Lodge 80; John Tucker, Mount Vernon IL Lodge 819, accepting got David Edwards, Loyal Knight; Riley Dean, Lecturing Knight, Carlsbad NM Lodge 1558; Back, Damon West, Candidate, Carlsbad NM Lodge 1558; Larry Schwindt, Chaplain, Lincoln NE Lodge 80; Stephen Wirth, Coach, Lincoln NE Lodge 80; Brett Reams, Exalted Ruler, Bremerton WA lodge 1181; Gark Hammonds, Inner Guard, Bremerton WA Lodge 1181.

All American, Eastern DivisionFront from left are Derek Kaufman, Esquire, Kenton OH Lodge 157; Denise Vear, Loyal Knight, Sanford ME Lodge 1470; Matt B. Bailey, Exalted Ruler, Kenton OH Lodge 157; Joseph Walsh, Lecturing Knight, Bridgeport PA 714. Back: Georgiana Jan” Thorburn, Coach, Tallahassee FL 937; Ronald T. Brown, Inner Guard, Tallahassee FL 937; John Bozeman, Leading Knight, Tallahassee FL 937; Tracey A. Austin, Assistant Coach, Tallahassee FL 937; Missing, Philip Gelik, Chaplain, Herkimer NY 1439

Carlsbad NM Lodge 1558, third place Front Row Left to Right: Robert Reid, Esquire; Jeff Gordon, Exalted Ruler; Russell Elyasevich, Leading Knight; David Bradley, Loyal Knight. Back Row Left to Right: Lucky Heath, Coach; Damon West, Candidate; Aaron Ballew, Inner Guard; Riely Dean, Lecturing Knight; Kelly Calicoat, Chaplain; Kent Hitchens, Head Coach

Lincoln NE Lodge 80, second placeFront from Left: Larry Bratt, Esquire; Mary Brooks, Exalted Ruler; Laurie K Montag, Leading Knight; Troy Pederson, Loyal Knight. Back Row Left to Right: Bradley Norton, Candidate; Harry Montag, Lecturing Knight; Bob Clinkenbeard, Inner Guard; Larry Schwindt, Chaplain; Stephen Wirth, Coach.

Fourth Place - Bridgeport PA No. 714 Front Row Left to Right: Kyle Minnich, Esquire/Coach; Maureen DeStefano, Leading Knight; Sean McMenamter, Exalted Ruler; Angel Novitski, Loyal Knight; Back Row Left to Right: James DeStefano, Coach; Christine West, Inner Guard; Cathleen Hunt; Chaplain; John T. DeStefano, Candidate; Joseph Walsh, Lecturing Knight; Laura Minnich, Coach

First Place – Tallahassee FL No. 937Front Row Left to Right: John Bozeman Jr, Donald Dobson, Georgiana “Jan” Thorburn, Tracey A AustinBack Row Left to Right: Christopher Hunt, Ronald T. Brown, Lou Langnehs, Ann Marie Hartsfield, Bob Thorburn, Doug Jones, Area 3 Committeeman. Missing from picture is Adrienne Bellflower, Candidate

Congratulations to 2016-17 Ritualistic contest winners!


2017 GRAND LODGE RITUALISTIC CONTEST – RENO NEVADA

EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION STATE LODGE SCORE TIME STATE LODGE SCORE

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2017

1. INDIANA WABASH 471 92.7526 8:00 AM 1. CALIFORNIA SANTA CLARITA 2379 92.8899 2. NEW JERSEY LAKE HOPATCONG 782 93.3914 9:00 AM 2. OREGON HILLSBORO 1862 94.2026 3. GEORGIA DALTON 1267 91.9896 10:00 AM 3. ARIZONA YUMA 476 92.6587 4. PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGEPORT 714 94.1169 11:00 AM 4. COLORADO WESTMINSTER 2227 93.3757 5. FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE 937 94.8911 1:00 PM 5. WASHINGTON BREMERTON 1181 93.3614 6. MICHIGAN TRAVERSE CITY 323 92.2037 2:00 PM 6. ILLINOIS MT. VERNON 819 92.4199 7. VERMONT ST. JOHNSBURY 1343 92.7030 3:00 PM 7. NEBRASKA LINCOLN 80 95.2491 4:00 PM 8. UTAH PROVO 849 89.8159

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017

8. NEW YORK WOLCOTT 1763 93.8980 8:00 AM 9. TEXAS HOUSTON 151 90.2986 9. OHIO KENTON 157 93.7981 9:00 AM 10. WYOMING CASPER 1353 92.1270 10. SOUTH CAROLINA GREENVILLE 858 93.8843 10:00 AM 11. OKLAHOMA OKMULGEE 1822 94.5716 11. MAINE SANFORD 1470 93.3491 11:00 AM 12. NEVADA RENO 597 94.1036 1:00 PM 13. NEW MEXICO CARLSBAD 1558 94.7321

NATIONAL FINALS – MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017 PRACTICE TIME

1:00PM 4th PLACE – 90.5076 Bridgeport, Pennsylvania #714 7:00 PM Sunday, July 16, 2017

2:00PM 3rd PLACE – 94.4389 Carlsbad, New Mexico #1558_________________________ 7:30 PM Sunday, July 16, 2017 3:00PM 1st PLACE – 94.7978 Tallahassee, Florida #937 8:00 PM Sunday, July 16, 2017 4:00PM 2nd PLACE – 94.4778 Lincoln, Nebraska #80_______________________________ 8:30 PM Sunday, July 16, 2017


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GER Malcolm McPherson, with First Lady Patricia and daughters Meghan and Mallory at their reception Monday in the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Three ladies and a gentlemanRosenberg noted two key areas where

Elks can help fight the opioid epidemic. As four of five heroin addicts get their start on prescription pain medicines, and most pain medicine addicts get their pills from people who have received them legitimately, a good way to help is to eliminate unneeded pain medications from people’s medicine cabinets. The DEA runs nationwide Prescription Drug Take-back Days twice yearly, and Elks can help by publicizing these days and volunteering to assist with local take-back efforts.

A second way is through interactions with young people. Rosenberg pointed out that “If you don’t start by the time you turn 25, odds are nearly zero you will ever become addicted.” Therefore, the Elks’ existing youth-oriented drug awareness program is a great start (Rosenberg admitted that he had an Elroy the Elk doll in his office), and two additional resources available from the DEA include an educational curriculum available from the operationprevention.com web site and screening of the movie Chasing the Dragon, a hard-hitting documentary produced by the DEA and the FBI that reveals the true costs of heroin and opioid addiction.

Referring to DEA agent Enrique Camarena, Rosenberg closed his speech with an appeal. “Kiki lives on through people like you. We need your help. We have to change the culture and save lives.”

Drug Awareness Program National Director Kent Gade replied on behalf of the Elks, “We have never let you down and we never will.” Gade also presented a crystalline Elk statue to Rosenberg to thank him for his valuable work combating drugs and for the friendship he has shown to the Elks.

Rosenberg’s remarks came during the second day of business meetings on Tuesday, which he attended as a guest of the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Program. He is the highest-level US government official to attend a Grand Lodge Convention in decades.

During the course of the day’s business, delegates also passed 14 and rejected 5 resolutions to amend the statutes of the Order during the legislative session. Delegates also heard from several Grand Lodge committees and commissions concerning their activities over the previous year and their plans for the future and congratulated the All American Lodge winners and the finalists of the Ritualistic Contest.

The resolutions that were passed included a resolution allowing lodges to meet once a month, if they so choose; a resolution requiring that the long form of the ritual be used for initiations; and a resolution ruling that if a member is suspended by his home Lodge, he or she is suspended from all Lodges of the Order. The resolutions that were rejected included one requiring that all Lodges incorporate under their states’ laws; one requiring officers to perform the

Keynote From Page 1

Please see KEYNOTE, Page 6


Celebrating...

11 Years

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

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To Be Held Tuesday, July 18th

In the Tuesday Convention News. it was mistakenly reported that the Miami Lodge 948 had its charter suspended. In fact, it was North Miami Lodge 1835 whose charter was suspended, effective Sept. 28, 2015. The Convention News regrets the error.

Correction

long form of the Initiation Ritual during District Deputy visits; and a resolution that would allow lodges to remain open during lodge meetings, provided that bar service and liquor sales were stopped during meetings. One resolution, number 2017-09, was amended during its consideration. As originally written, the resolution would allow a lodge to waive the dues, initiation fees, and other fees for active-duty armed forces personnel and recent veterans who received an Honorable Discharge or a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. The amendment removed the eligibility of those who had received a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. The amended resolution was passed.

Prior to the legislative session, a report was given by Grand Forum Chief Justice Deamud, who reported that 26 cases had been decided by the forum in 2016-2017 and that two appeals were still pending. Grand Trustee Chairman Hugh Scanlon in his final report indicated that the 2017-2018 dues would be fixed at $17.00—$6.50 for the Grand Lodge, $5.00 for the insurance assessment, and $5.50 for The Elks Magazine. Grand Secretary Bryan Klatt, reporting on the Disaster Relief Fund, reported that the fund disbursed about $12,000 in disaster relief assistance, received about $42,500 in income, and has a balance of nearly $318,000 on hand and available to respond to natural disasters.

While the results of the voting were being tabulated, Grand Exalted Ruler Elect Malcolm McPherson discussed the importance of “Strengthening Elkdom Through Community Awareness” by supporting the order’s many programs. He focused on the Elks Veterans National Service Commission’s new program helping formerly homeless veterans move into new housing, as well as his hope that the New Jersey State Elks Association’s Peer Leadership and Pathway to Leadership programs can be taken up at the national level. He also emphasized the importance of making new members feel welcome, particularly through a strong orientation program, and keeping long-time members close to the lodge.

Grand Secretary Bryan Klatt encouraged the assembled Elks to continue to make more use of the internet, noting the many convenient online resources that are now available. He also stressed the importance of lodges ensuring that alcohol was served responsibly.

Keynote From Page 5


2016 Convention Collector’s Pin or Charm

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

09:30 Installation of 2017-2018 Grand Lodge Officers ............................ John Amen, PGER

09:35 Grand Exalted Ruler Remarks ........................................Malcolm J. McPherson, GER

09:40 Installation of DDGERs .................................................. Malcolm J. McPherson, GER

09:45 Announcements .............................................................Kirk A. Storey, Grand Esquire

09:50 Special Resolution .......................................................................... David Carr, PGER

10:05 Presentation ...............................................................Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

10:10 Presentation of Jewels to outgoing GL Officers ................... Michael F. Zellen, PGER

10:15 Presentation ...............................................................Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

10:20 Special Presentation .......................... “GER Badge”, Bryan R. Klatt, Grand Secretary

10:25 Special Presentation .......................................Minnesota “Ring”, gift from State Ass’n

10:30 Presentation ......................................................Alaska “Watch”, gift from State Ass’n.

10:35 Appointments .................................................................Malcolm J. McPherson, GER

10:40 Presentation of Grand Lodge Officers &

Committee Chairmen ......................................................Malcom J. McPherson, GER

10:45 Closing Ceremony ..................................................................... Grand Lodge Officers

10:50 Benediction ...................................... Rev. Father Stephen McNally, Grand Chaplain

11:00 Grand Lodge Closed

PGER Progression 7/2017 PGER Progression 7/2018

Memorial - Hicks Memorial - Zellen

Installation of Officers – Amen Installation of Officers - Hicks

Opening - Pickering Opening - Amen

Convention schedule for Wednesday

Grand Exalted Ruler Michael F. Zellen reminds those who are recognized during the business session for making or seconding a motion to 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 into the permanent record of the session,” Zellen said.

Speaking at convention? Tell the court reporter!

n 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. Yes, 1197; No 1664 Failedn 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. Yes, 2634; No, 233 Passedn 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. Yes, 2564; No, 298 Passedn 2017-15 – To potentially extend the

reach of Local Forum subpoenas to Members residing outside the jurisdiction of the Lodge. Yes, 2458; No, 386 Passed n 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). Yes, 2578; No, 254 Passedn 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. Yes, 2365; No, 492 Passed n 2017-18 – To prohibit the possession

or consumption of alcohol at any Lodge meeting. Yes, 2043; No, 812 Passedn 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. Yes, 2754; No, 80 Passed

California/Hawaii Elks, South Coast District members from Poway Lodge 2543, Vista Lodge 1968 and San Diego Lodge 168 – while enjoying dinner with their DD Designate, Thomas Smith – met 20 firefighters in Reno from Bend/Redmond, Oregon. They had just come off the fire line.

The Elks thanked the exhausted firefighters for their service and offered to pay for their appetizers but were told the restaurant where they were eating was buying the appetizers. With that, the small group of South Coast District Elks took a quick vote and decided to buy the dinners for these 19 brave men and one woman.

God bless our first responders and a big Convention congratulations goes to Smith and the South Coast District Elks for spreading the good news of Elkdom wherever their travels take them.

Results From Page 1

Visiting delegates treatexhausted firefighters


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153th session reno, nevada grand lodge convention news · 153th session reno, nevada grand lodge...

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