Message from the Exalted Ruler

 Members All:

The first Lodge meeting of this month on the 4th is the nomination of Officers for the ensuing Lodge year. This is a very important step in cementing the team in place that will run the day to day affairs of the Lodge. With our schedule of two meetings in February pursuant to our recent By-Laws revision, this meeting will determine by nomination, or by vote if, there are multiple nominations for the same position who your Lodge Officers will be. Please make plans to attend this meeting and make sure your voice is heard. In conjunction with the election of Officers there will be new Committee appointments forthcoming for various positions. If you are asked to serve the Lodge in some capacity, please give the request due consideration. One final note on the elections is that long-time Lodge Secretary Bill Orblych will be retiring at the end of the 2021 Lodge Year (3/31/2022) We are looking for someone with great organizational skills and computer knowledge to step into this vital position. The time will be upon us before we know it, so please consider who may be qualified for this job.

We will be honored this month to host State President Rudy Masi and First Lady Dolly as they visit the great Southeast Central District. We will be having a cocktail reception on Friday the 19th at Viera Lodge, followed by the State President’s dinner on the 20th. at Melbourne Lodge. Please make plans to join us to welcome our visitors and their traveling party. Early reservations are encouraged as we “crowd manage” for the required socialdistancing. The menu for dinner features farm raised elk or a chicken course and customary sides.

The House Committee has been at work and has developed a full schedule of events for you to enjoy this month. Please see page 3, as well as the calendar for specifics. The events in January were very well attended, and I thank you for your support.

Speaking specifically of events, the Membership Drive put together by Trustee Chris Ferris was a great success. We had over 75 visitors at the Lodge, and after touring our facilities and hearing various presentations on the Order of Elks, we have four (4) new applications for membership is process. GER Paul Ryan asked all Lodges to finish the year strong and we will. Thank you Chris and all who were involved.

Finally, I must mention again that all members should use their cards for entry to the Lodge. We have entirely too many who ring the buzzer for access instead of admitting themselves via the key card. Please make a conscious effort in this regard. Thanks for your help.

Until next month, stay safe and stay healthy. May God Bless America and each of you.

Fraternally,

Jerry Harrington, 

PER, Exalted Ruler