EXALTED RULER’S MESSAGE

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Greetings, fellow Elks! By now, you have probably heard there have been some changes going on in the Leadership Team at the Lodge. To our surprise, our Exalted Ruler, Monty’s health issues forced him to resign in early June. You all read his poignant resignation letter in the last Bugle. We were all sorry that he needed to go, but we understand we need to take care of ourselves first. So, the Past Exalted Ruler Association met to figure out what we do next. We discussed moving up the Leading Knight to fill in the rest of the year, but after weighing the pro’s and con’s of that move, we decided the best option would be for a PER to step in, leaving the existing officer chair chain in place. I volunteered to step into the ER role again. The issue then was that Elk Statutes dictate that the membership needs at least ten days’ notice of a nomination for an office and election, which we did not have prior to the first meeting in June. Notice was given, and at the Lodge meeting on June 25th, I was nominated to be the new ER and elected to the position. I had given some serious thought to how heartbroken Monty was to have to leave the leadership team for our Lodge, so I offered him the Trustee position, which I would be vacating. Trustees are still members of the Board of Directors, but the position has considerably less stress than that of the ER. Monty, being extremely pleased for the offer, accepted it and was also nominated and elected at the same meeting. We are glad he is still a member of the team.


On another note, we were sorry to hear that our Treasurer, Larry Valverde, needed to resign for personal reasons. He agreed to stay on as Treasurer until we could find a replacement, and I’m happy to report that we have found a replacement. He is Steve Rosen, a relatively new member of our Lodge who announced at his initiation that he wanted to be involved with the Lodge. He has been working with Larry and former Treasurer Alane Asp to learn the ropes and they report that he is going to be a great addition to the team. Steve also was nominated and elected as Treasurer at the June 25th meeting.


Following our election, on Saturday the 27th, PDDGER Jack Baillargeon assembled a Grand Officer crew to perform the final step in this change. Monty, Steve, and I were officially installed as Trustee, Treasurer, and Exalted Ruler. We are all excited to be serving the Lodge in our new capacities.


I must admit that I was not really thinking about being Exalted Ruler again so soon after my year only three years ago, but we really needed a PER to step up. I did have a successful year before, and I promise to do the best I can to continue this year into another successful one. We are working on getting the Lodge somewhat back to normal while still staying safe, and you will see some of our plans in other messages in this issue. Till next time, stay safe.  Steve.  

The year certainly keeps throwing us curve balls with a pandemic, social unrest, and now fires in our beautiful mountains. Even with all the bad news, Charity is still alive and well. Last month ’s article focused on Arizona Elks Major Projects and all the good this Elk organization does. I am incredibly happy to report that a $225,000 check was presented by AEMP to the Steele Children ’s Center last month. The use of technology made for a virtual check presentation; all parties involved were safe.

Since April, our lodge used monies intended for the Easter Shopping Spree for the kids at the Roadrunner School in Marana to support an Emergency Food Bank at the Roadrunner School. Entire families were helped.

At our last meeting, Steve Rosen proposed we help the many firefighters battling the Big Horn fire in our area. He had met with Golder Ranch Fire Department and understood that the firefighters had to provide their own bottled water and Gatorade. The Past Exalted Rulers Association pledged $500, and members who attended the meeting donated at least $500 more. Steve was prepared to spend the money and learned of a large stockpile of water and Gatorade. Because of the virus, the aid and fire organizations were reluctant to accept our donations. It was impressive to see our members be very willing to help, but unfortunately, we were not able to help. All funds were returned to those who made contributions.

Every time I look in the Pod in our parking lot, I am amazed at the generosity of our members. The Pod is nearly full of clothes, and I understand Belinda Waller ’s extra bedroom at home is full of clothes awaiting delivery to the VA. When operations resume at the VA, the Veteran’s committee will be all hands -on deck counting and making deliveries. Thank you all for your generosity.

As many know, I am also the treasurer for the Arizona Elks Association. Each year the Association receives funding from the Elks National Foundation (ENF). The funding is based upon the Arizona elk member donations to ENF. In addition to our donations providing grants for individual lodges, our donations also fund the Arizona Elks Association’s charitable giving, which includes the Arizona Elks Major Projects to the tune of $100,000 for the last fiscal year. Scholarships for Arizona students is funded by the AEA; last year’s budget for scholarships was $134,000; this year ’s budget request is for $141,400. Funding for Drug Awareness programs, Hoop Shoot and other elk programs is also made by the AEA. In response to unemployment caused by the government shut down, the AEA trustees provided funding for the State Social Welfare committee to help Food Banks throughout Arizona. Ten food banks in each of the four-state districts were mailed a $400 donation in late June for a total of $16,000 in assistance. The current year ’s budget will also include Food Bank Funding. To see more about what AEA does, check out the AEA website at www.ArizonaElksAssociation.org. All members in good standing may obtain a user id to gain access to the site. While the fiscal year numbers for the year ended 4/30/20 are not yet available, the budget for that fiscal year is posted on the site. ENF provided nearly $300,000 in funding for the Arizona Elks Association’s charitable endeavors.  

Because of the generous giving by Arizona elks, ENF funding for the Arizona Elks Association for the 2020 -2021 fiscal year will be over $425,000; monies are required to support charitable giving and elk programs. To see how the Elks National Foundation funds the various states, check out the ENF pages at www.elks.org .

Even though times are difficult, Elks giving keeps going. Currently, our lodge has several members who have not paid dues for the current lodge year, which began on April 1, 2020. If you are one of those, please think about all the good we elks do and consider helping support our endeavors by paying your dues. Dues can be easily paid by simply going to our website and paying via PayPal; there are no additional fees for paying on-line.
Alane  

Here we are in the middle of summer already, where does the time go? The Lodge is back open and business is slow, but then it always is in the summer when all you snow birds fly away from us and go some where cooler for a few months. 

We are still trying to get all of our members paid and in good standing. We still have 84 no shows as of today. If you are one of those members whom have not paid yet, please consider paying today, as this allows the Lodge to keep doing the good works the Elks are known for. 

I will be out of the office most of the month of July.  We are making a trip back to Michigan to visit family. I will have my laptop with me and also my cell phone, so I can monitor some things from the road. Please call me with any questions or email me. Cell phone: 520 -358 -6339 Email : RDanie4344@aol.com 

Jack will be filling in at the office, so if it is a membership card you ’d be needing,he can help you out or paying of dues. He will be in the office mostly on Mondays, so any questions you have for him, stop by or call him at the office. Thank you Jack for helping me out. Office Phone: 825 -0893 

Lodge Stats 

Members 550 

Initiated 8 

Affiliated 3 

Transfers out 1 

Delinquents 84 

HAPPY SUMMERTIME! The heat sure got here early, so hopefully, we get an early monsoon to help with these fires. We hope you all have been safe during this trying time. The PERA had a special meeting on June 1 st to discuss the resignation of ER Monty Derting and what we could plan for the future. We are all so appreciative of the time and effort that Monty has put forth at our Lodge and the best of luck as he continues on his Elk ’s journey in other ways. Steve Asp, who is a Past Exalted Ruler, graciously stepped forward to be the Exalted Ruler again for the remainder of the 2020 -2021 year. From a grateful Lodge, we thank you, Steve! At our regular meeting held June 18th, the Queen of Hearts was a main topic. There were several ideas on how we could possibly hold this weekly event, but in the end, it is just not feasible to conduct in a safe way during this time. Tickets can still be purchased from the bar stewards, but the drawing itself has been suspended until further notice. When we get it started again, you will be notified and have time to catch up on your ticket purchasing. We all miss this fun and exciting event and look forward to its return! The PERA did approve to help fund getting water and Gatorade for our busy firefighters, but it turned out that they have an abundance of supplies so those funds will be redirected to another worthy cause in the future. Lodge charity funding was also approved for the flag pole repairs for our flag display on Oracle. Have a wonderful July 4th and stay safe!


Gloria Cisneros, PERA President