Message from the Exalted Ruler

Members All:

Viera Lodge hit the ground running in the new Lodge year.  Specifically, we initiated eleven (11) new members, continuing our linear trend of membership gains.  On the financial front, I am happy to report to you that over 85% of the membership have renewed their commitment to Elkdom at this point.  We have also had great support for our Year-end awards dinner, and the various events offered in April. 

Speaking of the year-end dinner, it is my honor to report that the following awards were presented:  Officer of the Year, Wendy Carns; Elk of the Year, Becky Wills; Citizen of the Year, Eric Enrique.  My sincere congratulations and THANKS to all of you for helping me and being the best of the best. 

All members are to be commended for their support of Elks programs.  Specifically, we wound up FIRST in the SEC District for donations to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, FIRST for donations to the Sustaining Donor Program as a percentage of membership, and SECOND for donations to Elks National Foundation.  Thank you all for your generosity.   

With the start of the new Lodge year, it is vitally important that we ALL use our key-cards for entry to the Lodge.  The bar staff has been instructed to ask to see the current card of EVERYONE using the buzzer for Lodge access.  This is the only way we can assure that we are providing service to members of the Order.  A word of caution to all in this regard:  when you open the Lodge door to admit someone ringing the buzzer, please ask to see their Membership card.  It is extremely important that we make sure we are admitting and servicing our Members and ONLY Members.  This ensures that we maintain the cloak of our 501-c (3) tax status as well.  Please help us to administer this important function.   

I am happy to report to you that PSP John Harris will be conducting a ritual clinic at our Lodge.  Brother John is a National Ritual Judge, and is one of the best teachers in the business.  The Officers of your Lodge will be in attendance, as will those from neighboring Lodges.  I urge you to come to the Lodge and see the “inner-workings” of how the Initiation Ritual is performed.  There are interesting nuances that happen which are part and parcel of the Ceremony that often go unnoticed when they are performed in a meeting setting.  Plus, it is a great opportunity to interact with members from our local Lodges.  Lunch will be served at the clinic.  Details will be forthcoming in the Blast and on the calendar board. 

On May 26th-May 29th the Florida State Elks Association annual convention will be held at the Rosen Centre in Orlando.  There is a wealth of information presented at the conventions, and I encourage you to attend the various sessions to learn more about the Order, and how things work on a daily basis.  There are also different vendors on site displaying all manner of things Elk.   

Endorsed State President Mark Thompson will be installed at the convention.  His Presidential Motto is “Celebrating Our Legacy-Embracing Our Future.”  His major emphasis this year is Membership and Ritual Exemplification.  He will be instituting a mentoring program for Lodge members.  I am honored to be the Endorsed Vice-President for the Southeast Central District.  I will be elected and installed as well at the Convention, and I look forward to working with President Thompson and VPAL Phil Gersbach in the coming year.  We will continue the tradition of excellence Viera Lodge has set in our District and State.  

Until next month, stay safe, stay healthy, and MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!! 

H. Jerry Harrington, PER II

Exalted Ruler