Topic   

Narrative

GER Paul D. Helsel Speech

Time to get down to growing Elkdom

To All district deputies, exalted rulers, officers and members:

Thank you one and all for electing me as your Grand Exalted Ruler. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you and our Order in this high capacity, and I pledge that Jane and I will do our utmost to promote the great works of our Order wherever our travels take us.

As I spelled out in Anaheim, my theme for the year is “Elks – Growing Elkdom and Strengthening America.” Well, the National Convention is over now and it is time to get to the work at hand. Hopefully, you are as enthusiastic as I am after that most inspiring week in Anaheim, and are already busy “Growing Elkdom.” Looking at the calendar, only eight months remain in this lodge year to "get 'er done"!

Where does your lodge stand relative to membership growth and/or retention? Are you attracting new members? Do you have an action plan in place to build and improve the relationship between the members and the lodge? Is it working and making them feel welcome, wanted and needed? If you can answer yes to the last three questions, you are well on your way to showing a gain in membership and Growing Your Lodge and Elkdom. If any answer is "no" you have some work to do and need to "get to it."

By now your work with our programs should be well under way. You should be close or even past the $4.50 per capita goal for ENF donations. The Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot dates should be set and plans in motion, as should be the case with all the other youth programs. Your service work with the veterans and others in your community should be occurring routinely. You should be well on your way to a very successful lodge year with many positive things to report with each passing day. Best wishes to you and your lodge for the remainder of this lodge year. Jane and I look forward to visiting each of your states and learning firsthand how you are working to grow Elkdom and demonstrate that "Elks Care – Elks Share."

Dax Johnson is the 2008 Heroes Essay Contest Winner

Dax Johnson is a fourth grade student in California. Here is his essay that he submitted:

Great Things I Can Do If I Stay Away From Drugs and Alcohol

I say "No" to Drugs and Alcohol every day. I won't let these things get in my way

Now and forever, the choice is mine. If I choose the right path, my talents will shine

I can become an Inventor, like Iron Man… or save a life like Spider-Man can

I can fight crime, capture criminals, and defeat thugs… or even arrest the Punisher, if I stay off drugs

I can become a Scientist and study the color green... to figure out why it makes the Hulk so mean

I can become an Actor, and star in a movie… me as Captain America—That would be groovy!

Drugs and alcohol can destroy my life. They can be just as bad as a gun or a knife

But like the X-men team, I can live my dream

To make the world a better place... For future mutants and the human race

I don't need super powers to see… Drugs and alcohol are bad for me

Staying drug and alcohol-free … Will help me become all I can be.

ENF

Growth

ENF is a part of the federal Combined Federal Campaign Fund, encourage your friends to give to our worthy cause; certain employers will match payroll deductions to the ENF, check the follwing website to see if your company is listed: www.matchinggifts.com/elks/. This upcoming year, ENF will be distributing $15.8 million. These funds will go towards programs that provide tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning; honor the Elk pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.

National Patriotism Week

The Grand Lodge Americanism Committee, with the approval of the Grand Lodge Advisory Committee has moved the observance of National Patriotism Week from the third week in February to the second week in September to coincide with September 11th, Patriot

Day.

After the terrorist attacks on New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, when nearly three thousand Americans died, Congress approved by a vote of 407-0 to designate September 11th of each year as Patriot Day. President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-89 into law on December 18, 2001. On this day the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff. The

President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight.

Top male Most Valuable Student winner - Donovan Barfield

Donovan Barfield exudes passion. As he puts it, “I pour my heart and spirit into all the actions that I choose to undertake.” And he’s not kidding. Donovan strives for the very best with solid determination and enthusiasm, and does it all with an open mind and for the benefit of his fellow man (and woman). This young scholar dreams big and knows what it takes to make big dreams come true–not just for himself, but for other people, too.

Although his stellar achievements and bright future are the result of Donovan’s determination and ability, he had a great example to follow. Donovan shares about his experience, “Living with a single mother who works two jobs in order to support three dependent children has taught me the infinite value of hard work,” he says Since everyone pitched in to make ends meet, Donovan also learned the value of a helping hand. As a result, he’s committed to

making life easier for the less fortunate.

His generous heart and love of science have led Donovan to his dream of studying medicine. “I believe my first and foremost purpose in life is to serve humanity through the noble discipline of medicine,” he declares. But this pursuit requires a lot of education, which, of course, is not cheap. So when Donovan found out he earned the first-place male Most Valuable Student scholarship award from the Elks National Foundation, he was ecstatic. “My

mother cried tears of joy,” he says.

Top female Most Valuable Student winner - Megan Spencer

Megan Spencer fills her days with activities that nurture and challenge her mind, body, and soul. She in turn, gives her time and talent to the people and planet around her with a smile. Through hundreds of volunteer hours, this top female Most Valuable Student Award winner has already begun to make a positive impact in the world. With the benefit of a college education, Megan knows she can do so much more.

As a scholar, she excels in every subject. She earned the highest marks in her high school graduating class and still had time to participate in several clubs and activities, like Science Club and

Speech and Debate. She served as vice president of the Drama Club, through which she received honors for Best Actress and Best Director. As a cross-country and track and field athlete, Megan placed first in several meets.

Megan’s passion for health has evolved as she recognizes the needs of humanity itself. She believes people’s lack of health and well-being are rooted in poor habits–from the food we eat, to the way we work and the activities we engage in. “Health is not simply the ideal cholesterol level or the perfect reflexive capability.” Megan explains. “It’s a state of mind that begins with our very thoughts.” Prevention through education and a natural approach is the strategy

to health Megan embraces as she begins her study of nutrition and fitness this fall at Brigham Young University in Utah.

Hoop Shoot Winners

The top female shooter of the day was quickly determined as 9-year-old BriAnna Burbridge, an outstanding student at Second Street School in Frankfort, KY, calmly sank 25 free throws out of 25 attempts to claim her first national “Hoop Shoot” title. By registering a perfect score, she also received the Emile Brady trophy in addition to the Getty Powell Award. This extremely talented young lady plays the piano and sings in the Frankfort Children’s Choir and has perfect attendance in school.

Selecting the top male shooter was a snap as Jacob Hartle of

Rural Hall, NC, shot a perfect score. His success came as a result

of challenging himself. He sets goals and runs sprints if he fails to

achieve his goals. He shoots 200 free throws a day which paid off

with his first national championship and an Emile Brady trophy.