WELCOME PETERSBURG ELKS LODGE 237 INDOCTRINATION CLASS GRAND

WELCOME PETERSBURG ELKS LODGE #237 INDOCTRINATION CLASS

GRAND EXALTED RULER Title: National President of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of United States of America. Wife: MARY CAROLYN Lodge: Ohio River Valley, Ohio Lodge No. 231 Theme: “Elks Make A Difference. ” Term: Fraternal Year 2009 – 2010 HON. JAMES L. NICHELSON

ELK’S CREED • Believe in the goodness in thyself as well as in others. • Protect childhood with tenderness, old age with respect. • Observe faithfully the golden rule. • Enjoy the good things of earth. Keep within thee the glorious sunshine of youth and remain always of good cheer.

Elks USA Mission Statement • To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity; • To recognize a belief in God • To promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members • To quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; • To perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that “Elks Care and Elks Share. ”

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF B. P. O. E.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks • GRAND LODGE – – – – – Grand Exalted Ruler Past Grand Exalted Rulers Grand Forum Grand Lodge Elective Officers Grand Lodge Appointive Officers Grand Lodge Committee Chairmen Grand Lodge Committee Members Special Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks STATE ASSOCIATION • • • State President Past State Presidents State Elective Officers: – – • Vice President (4) Secretary Treasurer Trustees State Appointive Officers: – – – Chaplain Tiler Sergeant-at-Arms Committee Chairmen Committee Member

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks SUBORDINATE LODGE • Exalted Ruler • Past Exalted Rulers • • Esteemed Leading Knight Esteemed Loyal Knight Esteemed Lecturing Knight Secretary Treasurer Trustees (3 – 5) elected each year Tiler

Other Subordinate Lodge Officers And Appointed Non-Officers Lodge Officers Appointed Yearly by the Exalted Ruler • Esquire • Chaplain • Inner Guard • Organist • Non-Officer & Statutory Committees & Subcommittees Appointees Non-Officer Appointees • Presiding Justice • Mediator

Meeting Night Typical Lodge Layout

Subordinate Lodge Officers Statutory Committees & Subcommittees

ER Appointed Committees & Subcommittees • Auditing • Membership – Indoctrination (Orientation) – Investigation (Interview) – Lapsation (Member Retention) – Recruitment • Community Activities – Christmas Baskets – Fund Raisers – Scholarship

Committees & Subcommittees Lodge Activities • Americanism • Flag Day • Government Relations • Memorial Sunday • Mother’s Day • Veterans Service • Public Relations • Visitation

Youth Activities • • Drug Awareness (Trailer) Hoop Shoot Soccer Shoot Scholarship Programs – – – • • • MVS Elks Legacy Awards Emergency Education Grants Dictionary Program Boy Scouts Antlers

ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION (ENF) The Elks National Foundation, known as the “Great Heart of Elkdom, ” is a permanent trust fund established in 1928 by an original contribution of $100, 000 to further the benevolent, charitable and educational programs of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. Through the continued generosity of our Members, their families and friends, the permanent trust fund has grown significantly and the earnings are earmarked for distribution as determined by the Trustees of ENF. It is our goal and intention of our Order to continue to add to the fund so we will be able to fund present programs and provide new programs as the future dictates. By administering and promoting the many programs funded through the Elks National Foundations, we continue to show our communities that “Elks Care ----- Elks Share”

PROGRAMS OF THE “ENF” • • • MVS “Most Valuable Student” Scholarships Elks Legacy Awards for children and grand children of Elks Scholarships Emergency Education Scholarships (Grants) for children of disabled or deceased Elks The Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Free-Throw Contest The Elks National Veterans Service Commission Elks Drug Awareness Program Grants to State Association to help fund their Major Project Programs Special Project Grants to State Associations Bonus Grants to State Associations The Community Investments Program: – Gratitude Grants - $500 return to local Lodge – Promise Grants - $500 return to local Lodge – Community Investments - $10, 000 return to participate • Local Lodge monitors progress of the Program • Petersburg Lodge 237 administers and promotes which?

THE ELKS VETERANS PROGRAM Under the leadership of our Elks National Veterans Service Commission, the Order has long enjoyed a rewarding relationship with our Nation’s Veterans. Years ago we adopted the credo: “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks will never forget them, ” and we never have.

HISTORY OF SERVICE & REMEMBERANCE OF OUR VETERANS • The Elks financed and equipped the first two field hospitals in France during WW I – Donated $60, 000 to Salvation Army for its use during the war • We built a 700 -bed hospital in Boston and donated it to the Federal Government – First Veterans Hospital facility • • • In 1919, the Elks established the First “G. I. ” loan program During WWII we established over 150 Hospitality Centers During Korean conflict, the Order established 25 Hospitality Centers and Elks donated over one-half million pints of blood for the treatment of our wounded We furnished materials to build a “Rest and Recreation Center” at the Naval Hospital in Guam A “Letters from Home” campaign was initiated during the Vietnam conflict and continued through the recent Gulf Campaign

SUMMARY