Newlyweds Headline Oregon, April 22-24
May 1, 2010Congratulations to the newlyweds, D.J. and Jim Damon! They greeted us at the Portland Airport and we were off to the Casey Eye Clinic, the Oregon Elks’ Major Project. We were greeted at the door by 3 Elks volunteers (pictured below). The Oregon Elks man the front door volunteer desk on a full-time basis. The logo of the Casey Eye Clinic even contains our Elks “E”! Our tour was conducted by Joanne Vaughn and Dr. Dan Carr, and we were truly amazed at the advanced surgical work they perform on the eyes of children. We were even treated to a ride on the hospital cable car that connects the lower level hospital areas and parking to the rest of the institution. The ride was exciting and we were both thankful that the wind was calm!
From there we drove to Salem, OR for the convention festivities. In addition to Jim and D.J we were hosted by BOGT Member Jim Kile and Diane, Judiciary Member Michael Spencer and Yvonne Fox, and Grand Esquire Lee Kell and Jane. What a great weekend. Not only do the Elks support the Eye Clinic they also sponsor a camp or hearing impaired children, and the Betty Hise Cancer Trust that donates to two cancer research centers. The ladies also make quilts for every child who is a patient at the Casey Eye Clinic. What great charity the Oregon Elks exhibited.
Mary Carolyn enjoyed the entertainment at the Kaiser Lodge and both of us greatly enjoyed the seven VP
hospitality rooms and the Drum and Bugle Corps! It was great from beginning to end!
Donate Today- Elks National Foundation
The Elks National Home
U.S. Office of Drug Policy – Drug Awareness
I am writing with regard to your article in May issue of the Elk magazine, “New Approches to Preserving Tradition”, as I begin my process for the position as ER at my Elks #649 I am concerned as how to improve memebership and maintain tradition. I would like to speak further on this matter and hear ideas that other lodges and or other fraternal organizations are trying to do to combat this. Thank you, Eric Greene
The May 2010 Message from the GER in the Elks Magazine is inspirational as it provides recognition of the need for change to meet the needs of new members. I applaud our Grand Exalted Ruler for taking on such a sensitive topic and providing hope for the future of the Order.
As an organization, we need to rethink the way we market ourselves to potential members without losing the essence of Elkdom. Change can be painful but change is good. Many formalities and traditions can be modernized to focus our efforts on the future of the organization while maintaining essential pieces of the past.
We need new members to continue the work of the Order and attracting them without updating our marketing strategies will be difficult. We can move forward and evolve as an organization while maintaining a sense of tradition but we have to move forward.
I would like to see a blog devoted to this topic so we can share our experiences and learn from others.
Thank you!
I read, with interest, GER Nicholson’s message in the May Magazine. I am abnsolutely thrilled to hear such a discussion come from our GER. His comment on “Brand Identity” of the Elks is right on. We MUST embrace change; not resist it. Respecting tradition has a value; but in order to grow, we must also respect the needs of our “Market”; specifically younger members and younger potential members who really don’t know or care what “thither” means. Go Jim!
The May 2010 Message from the GER in the Elks Magazine is inspirational as it provides recognition of the need for change to meet the needs of new members. I applaud our Grand Exalted Ruler for taking on such a sensitive topic and providing hope for the future of the Order.
As an organization, we need to rethink the way we market ourselves to potential members without losing the essence of Elkdom. Change can be painful but change is good. Many formalities and traditions can be modernized to focus our efforts on the future of the organization while maintaining essential pieces of the past.
We need new members to continue the work of the Order and attracting them without updating our marketing strategies will be difficult. We can move forward and evolve as an organization while maintaining a sense of tradition but we have to move forward.
I would like to see a blog devoted to this topic so we can share our experiences and learn from others.
Thank you!
Ron Vasold
Exalted Ruler – BPOE 2354