Exalted Ruler Knight Training Exalted Ruler Knights Now

Exalted Ruler & Knight Training

Exalted Ruler – Knights • Now what? ? ? • Presented by • Jill Hawse PER, PDAC, PDDGER • Larry D. Wise • PER, PDAC, PDDGER

Been there -- done that! Or is this your first time as ER? Your Job is to train your Replacement!

Getting Started

More to do!

You’re Now The CEO!

You Must Do It right!

Need to do! • Make sure to sign up on the Grand Lodge Web site. • In the manuals section print off the Exalted Rulers, Lodge Officers, Committee Members Manual. ( Reading this will help!) • Have Secretary order copies of “The Statutes Annotated” for all of your Officers.

It’s not your job!!!! • That’s right … it’s not your job to do everything! • Divide the committees up under your officers. How are they going to move up if they never have the chance to lead. • Make sure reports are given at meetings. • You need to know what is going on, but at the same time not micromanage.

It is your Job! • To enforce the By-Laws and Statutes. • Appointment of non-elected Officers. • Appoint Presiding Justice, Subordinate Forum and Local Mediator. • Select local Chairs for committees. Appoint people that will do the job, not someone that has had it for years and done nothing. • To build a “Team”

Training • Do you train your new officers ? • Who trains them? That is scary! • The biggest problem with training is people need the to be open minded. • I have had people tell me “Our Trustees are the Governing body, not the Officers and Trustees. Duh ! Management practices are the same regardless of the management type.

Leading Knight “ To assist The Exalted Ruler in Conducting the business of the Lodge And to preside during his/her absence. ” notice this does not say “meeting “

Knight • The Lodge is like anything else , if you build momentum it will carry over. • The better it goes this year the better it will be next year. • You should be training your replacement. • Are all the chairs filled ? • If not, why? If they are not filled this year chances are they will be empty next year.

Not on the best seller list ! But is required reading. • Statutes Annotated • I learned the hard way, don’t take someone's word for it, read to make sure. • Like the Bible and the U. S. Constitution some interpretation is required as to intent. • Do not just read the “Section” look at the “Decisions” and “Opinions”

Decisions VS. Opinions • Decision is case law that was decided by a Grand Forum with a case number. • Opinion is based on requests to Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary for them to interpret the intent of the Statute • You just need to know how to look things up.

Do You Know! • That even though the budget has been approved for the year, all expenditures must presented on the Lodge floor Section 12. 070 opinion #20. • What is Section 12. 020 about ? You should know this one ! • What is Section 16. 040 about

Use Resources • PERS are a good source of advice. • Grand Lodge web page , go to members only message board. This is a great source of info but remember it is not to “air dirty laundry “. You can type in a subject or comment the topic will pop up. You can ask questions , I use it all of the time. • Your DDGER is a good resource. • Other Exalted Rulers in the District, Grand Lodge is a good place get to know them.

What does it take? • All of your officers must be on the same page. • Everything can not be handled at a Lodge meeting. You need to meet with your officers on a regular basis. They are your eyes and ears. • The secret word is…. Communications!!! • Today with , text, e-mail, cell phones there is know reason for officers not to know what is going on. Your team should never be the last to know.

More on Communications • A big problem is mail and e-mail are not passed on. Most all communications are sent to the Secretary. It's important that they pass it on, not to decide if it is important. • The Ohio Elks have gone to web info only, you must check it to find the information you need. Pick a date to look at the page on a regular basis.

Will it be easy? • • • No , but don’t make it hard. Your attitude and actions will set the stage. Make sure negatives do not start with you. If a problem arises address it now. Don’t go around asking if everything is ok, if you ask enough they will find a problem.

How to address Problems • If you have a member that complains , take time to ask what the issue is. Ask how they think it should be handled. I then like to offer them the opportunity to fix it. Have the discussion in private. • Do not discuss a problem if you or the other party have been drinking. Tell them you will call or set up a time to meet.

Continued problem solving • In most cases, the next day without alcohol or someone encouraging them, it will no longer be a problem. • Don’t be your biggest problem • You have two ears and one mouth…you should listen twice as much as you talk.

What Now! • Don’t change something for the sake of change, if it works let it. • Make change in things that do not work. Doing the same thing over and expecting different results is crazy! • Brain storm with officers and members to see what they want.

More • It is a business and you must run it like one, but that does not mean it can not be fun. • Always be on the lookout for new members. • You and your officers should be the top recruiters. • Always make guests and new members welcome. You should be the first to introduce yourself.

Questions ?

Disclaimer • The opinion of the speakers is not necessarily the opinion of the South Central District, but we were unable to stop them in time. Sorry! • War stories , though boring are fun to tell, having the floor, the trainers felt compelled to tell them. • The best part of any presentation are two words! “in conclusion. ” • Thanks! Jill & Larry • Created for South Central District and contains proprietary information.

Thanks !