Grand Exalted Ruler Douglas A. Schiefer
Message from the GER

Incoming leaders start year with proactive mindset

April is here and spring has finally arrived. It always feels like a new beginning in April, especially if you live in the colder regions of our country.

A new fraternal Lodge year begins. I want to congratulate all the newly installed Exalted Rulers and Lodge Officers. It is a proud moment to be installed and take on the challenge of providing leadership within your Lodge. Be sure to review and implement the programs of the 2024-2025 Grand Lodge Program booklet so you can continue showing “Elkdom’s Heart For America.” Make sure that you have all your committees prepared and that committee members know their responsibilities. Communication is the key.

Financially, it is the Trustees and Officers who need to submit a budget to the Lodge for adoption no later than the last regular meeting in April or the following regular meeting. Your Lodge should be ready to present a sound budget to your Members. The annual report for the previous year is also due May 1 so make sure that your FRS financial reporting system is up to date.

On a housekeeping note, you should review any by-laws or house rules and regulations that need to be updated. It’s for the good of the Lodge to make everything orderly and that you always prioritize the integrity and safety of the Lodge.

On a festive note, it’s time to make a calendar of social events for your Lodge. Create reasonable, achievable monthly events that will excite and attract your membership. Outside of your Lodge you are encouraged to establish a community project that emphasizes charitable work. Your Lodge life should always have a balance of what you do inside your Lodge and outside in the community you serve. Don’t forget to set aside May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. All Lodges are urged to sponsor programs dedicated to the youth of our country.

Julia and I wish you a blessed Easter season. It is a celebratory time for our family. God bless you and God bless America!

Deadlines, programs, training wrap up Lodge year

The Elks Lodge year is coming to a close but now is not the time to sit back and relax. You still have the opportunity to complete some unfinished projects and finish strong.

All of the various programs and awards for your Lodge and Members are due this month. Take the chance to review Elks programs on elks.org to see what awards and certificates of achievement you can give to your Members. One great program is the Contest “A” – All American Lodge Contest. Although you may believe your Lodge does not qualify for this award, you should still submit the application to see where your Lodge stands and where you can make improvements next year to continue showing “Elkdom’s Heart for America.”

This is also the deadline for all yearly contributions to Elks National Foundation. I know your Lodge has met, or is close to meeting, the $5.00 per Member goal. There are also many ENF awards and certificates for your Lodge and Members. These should be applied for and given out. ENF provides money to your State Association, as well as funding many grant programs for your community activities. The most common recommendation from your Grand Lodge Area Auditor is for Lodges to better use the ENF grants to help improve operations. Most programs funded by your Lodge could be funded by ENF, which creates even more opportunities for your Lodge to have a greater impact.

Best wishes to all our new Lodge Officers who are going to be committed to governing the many practices and traditions that are fundamental to making our Lodges the best they can be. I hope that the transition will be smooth because it’s important that the experienced Officers mentor and help the new Officers to make the Lodge year a success.

Please take time to have a training program within the Lodge or district like the Elks Kollege of Knowledge that educates and trains new Officers to do their job. Mentoring new Officers can make a smooth, prepared transition.

New Exalted Rulers you must list your committee appointments and give the list to the Lodge Secretary. Secretaries, please give this information to your District Deputy for the Lodge directory. This information then should be entered into CLMS2.

What would we do without our Secretaries who keep everything in order? Thank you for your service. I know it’s a busy time for you as you are preparing the year-end reports.

Leaders of the Lodge, it is time to solidify your budget for the upcoming year and make any adjustments that are needed. This is also a time to evaluate what needs to be fixed. Any successful endeavor takes teamwork.

March is the time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. One thing we all know how to do well is to have fun and fellowship with our Members in Elkdom.

Thank you for your service. God bless you all, God bless our troops, and God bless America!