EXALTED RULER'S MESSAGE

Exalted RulerEd McGrath

EXALTED RULER’S MESSAGE

Fall has arrived, the leaves are falling, and the busy holiday season is not too far away. We will be active during the holidays and hope you will enjoy this time of the year with your fellow Elks.

First, I wish to recap the Elks National Convention in Portland, Oregon this past July. I arrived in Portland on July 2nd, with Louie Crow and Tim Smith who also work in the Cerebral Palsy Booth at the Convention. We delivered the party supplies for the Ohio Elks Association; then, on July 3rd, we set up the CP Booth at the convention hall, and enjoyed the surrounding area of Portland.

July 4th and 5th was registration for all delegates. On the evening of the 4th, we visited the Beaverton, Oregon Elks Lodge and met with Paul and Buffy Keller, from Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge who are now retired and traveling the country in their RV. They send Best Wishes to all who know them. On the evening of the 5th, the opening Grand Lodge Session began. It is always festive, colorful, and very patriotic with a parade of all State Flags, U S Territorial Flags, and all Military Flags. Our State President, David Mix carried Ohio's Banner proudly.

On the 6th, the General Session began with the usual introductions and reports of the Elks National Foundation. Then came the nominations for Grand Lodge Officers which concluded with the nomination of James L. Nichelson for the Elks Grand Exalted Ruler for 2009-2010. He is from the Ohio River Valley Lodge #231 located in Martins Ferry, Ohio. This was followed by a demonstration by the delegates from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky which are all part of Area 4 of the Grand Lodge. As GER Nichelson, is a proud graduate of Ohio State University, the parade was led by the OSU Drum Major and Brutus Buckeye, who were flown in for this special occasion, and on the TV screens a montage of pictures from all over Ohio. Of course, the music was songs typical of Ohio and the Ohio State University favorite “Hang On Sloopy,” with a lot of “O H I O's” being yelled from one side of the Convention Center to the other. It was a proud day for Ohio, as this is our first GER in 38 years.

I then attended the Exalted Ruler's luncheon, where the Grand Lodge Programs for the year were reviewed (primarily membership and the Elks National Foundation programs which will benefit more people). The Ritual Report showed Kenton, Ohio Lodge as number one in the East so they had to compete again in the afternoon in the Final Four for the National Championship. They finished second in the Final Four and won several individual honors.

On the 7th, Grand Lodge Reports were followed by the very impressive Elks Memorial Service, at 11:00 am. On the 8th, there were more reports and the announcement of the attendance being 7,000 delegates, alternates, and their guests. The Legislative Session was the presentation of 18 resolutions. If you are interested in the individual changes, contact our Lodge Secretary or myself. I encourage you to read the Elks Magazine for more convention highlights, especially the September and October issues. The September article on the Hoop Shoot was very insightful as we will be holding our local Hoop Shoot competition next month. Look in our November Bulletin for more information. We need score keepers and basketball retrievers. It is only a couple of hours and a great deal of fun. Please plan to attend.

The convention ended with speeches by our top Scholarship Winners and the installation of our new GER, who then installed our new District Deputy Andy Kuhl from Berea Lodge.

After attending a Grand Lodge Convention, you come away with a great deal of pride and satisfaction for the good that WE do. Almost 300 million in cash and hours worked to help our fellow man. As one Lodge, we do a great deal for our community, now just multiply that by over 2200 Lodges. Be PROUD that Elks Care---Elks Share!!!!!!!

Having said all of the above, I now have to ask each member to consider doing something for your Lodge. We are a GREAT order, however, we in Parma need more participation in all of our programs and social events as well. Our Entertainment Committee, our Lounge Staff, and the Lodge Officers dedicate their time, knowledge, and talents to providing a home away from home for all our members, and we do not see enough of our members.

We NEED:

WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!! We are entering an active time of the year. I hope that you will take time to enjoy your Lodge and add us into your schedule. Remember this is your home away from home

Fraternally yours, E.L. "Gene" Koerber ER II

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