It has been said that time flies when you’re having fun!  That certainly has been the case with my Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 membership! Sixteen years ago, my father proposed me for membership. Since then, I have met a LOT of great people, made lifelong friendships and found opportunities to serve the club and community through Seafood and Burger Teams, Hoop Shoot, and now as an officer for the past 5 years.  But none of that would have happened if someone hadn’t proposed me and I hadn’t joined!  All my father had to do was ASK.

 

Who makes a good Elks member prospect?  How about your sons, daughters, parents, spouse, aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues, clients, and customers?  Other potential members could include your stylist/barber, insurance agent, dentist, doctor, or chiropractor.   My point is; there are countless people in your life whose lives can be greatly enriched because of the friendships and volunteer opportunities you presented to them through Elks membership.  They’re also people who can help us make this a larger and stronger organization.

Why should they join?  Aside from access to a great dining room, two bars, men’s and women’s fitness centers, the lodge floor and other meeting rooms, their membership dues help us accomplish our charitable objectives and fund projects that improve the quality of life in Bismarck-Mandan.  The Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoots, Elks Scholarships, Social & Community Welfare Committee, Drug Awareness, Children’s Christmas Party, and Camp Grassick are just a few of the programs funded by your lodge dues.

Today, proposing a new member is easier than ever.  Simply pick up a paper application at the lodge or download one at: www.bismanelks.com/membership.  You can also go to www.elks.org, where, on the upper left hand side of the page, you will find a link entitled, “Invite a Friend to Join.”

If you have questions on how to complete an application simply find an officer, a doorman or an Elks team member.  Or, you can ask Arlan Scholl, Annette Scholl, and Mark Webster, who hold the distinction of being the top three proposers in the last two years.  When it comes to finding new members, in most cases, all you have to do is ASK! [Read more…]

Walking in the Band Night Parade on Friday, May 8th were the Lodges’ Officers, Members and Elroy the Elk.  Elroy is the mascot of the Elks’ Drug Awareness Program. Along with candy, Elroy and his friends handed out Red Ribbons, coloring books, and bookmarks, reminding kids that hugs are better than drugs.  A huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s parade a entry success!

The Elks Dictionary project which is an National Elks Project was adapted locally by the Past Exalted Ruler Terry Lincoln. Dictionaries are purchased by our Local Bismarck Mandan Elks Lodge and given to local 3rd Graders.   As a part of the ongoing project, Jeff Carlson, Chad Gasser and Rich Skjonsby deliver dictionaries to 3rd graders at Saxvig Elementary in Bismarck.  What a great way to inspire young minds and promote Elk- Dome.

May 2015 Newsletter Web (PDF 4MB)
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Several years ago, a forward thinking group of Officers and Trustees came up with a “Vision Statement” for the Elks.  “Vision” is a statement that helps define an organization’s overall purpose and what it wants to become.  It is a big picture statement.  A “North Star” if you will, designed to inspire team members and volunteers toward a goal much bigger than themselves.

So what is the Vision of Bismarck-Mandan Elks #1199?  “To be the premier Elks Lodge which all other Elks Lodges strive to emulate.”

In some ways, we have already reached the goal.  With two bars, a dining room, an event floor, large and small meeting rooms, a patio, a deck, and men’s and women’s fitness centers, we already have one of the largest and most diverse facilities in the country.  And with roughly 4200 members, we consistently have the largest membership.

But your volunteer leadership and staff know there is always work to be done.  Through countless meetings and conversations, we discuss, plan, implement, refine, and re-implement plans and ideas to improve the “Customer Experience,” the profitability, and the number of charitable efforts of the club and lodge.  Many of these plans and implementations are borne out of member input.

One big change you will see in the coming months is an offering of Tap Beers in the Lower Lounge.  We are excited about this upcoming addition!  The objective here is to provide current members with more options, as well as encourage new and younger members to join and utilize the club.

Other changes and additions implemented in the last several months include a new and improved web site, and increased member engagement through Facebook and Texting programs.  As the spring and summer moves on, stop down to the club to experience these and other changes we are implementing. [Read more…]