Hello Elks members. Another Elks Lodge year has come and gone.

I would like to thank Michael Lindblom, our most recent past Exalted Ruler, and his wife, Lynn, for dedicating their time and talents. Mike has been  a good friend and mentor over the years! A ‘Big Thanks’ goes out to Mike for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to the Elks Lodge!

My name is R.W. (Rich) Skjonsby, your newly elected Exalted Ruler. I have been a member of the Bismarck/Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 for 25 years. I am the President/Owner of Missouri Valley Insurance. I also own three real estate investment companies dealing with residential and commercial rental properties. My wife, Char and I were married in 2012. She works for the Bank of North Dakota. She has two children, Bridget and Shane. Her daughter is married to Chris and they have two children, Camden and Kira. What a delight it is to have those little ones running around with us. Shane graduated from Missouri Western and is working at the PGA West golf course in Palm Springs, CA. He is dedicating his time and talents to becoming a golf pro. I have one daughter, Megan Jewel, who is 19 and attending NDSU majoring in Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship. It seems just like yesterday that she was little. Megan was  a synchronized and individual ice skater with the Bismarck Figure Skating Club while growing up. I really enjoyed traveling around to her events.

My past year as Leading Knight went by very quickly, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on several committees such as the Social/Community Welfare, Investigating, Membership/Lapsation and Dictionary Books committees. I can tell you it is a very satisfying feeling being able to assist with a variety of projects in our community. Our Elks Camp Grassick car raffle was held on March 22nd.  This is the largest fundraiser of the year and without you, our members, buying and selling thousands of tickets, we couldn’t accomplish it. Ryan Farstveet did an outstanding job (again) of organizing this event and making it a HUGE success. Thank you, Ryan! It takes a lot of dedicated people to make all of the events, committees, etc., happen. Thanks to everyone who plays a role in making the Bismarck/Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 the greatest lodge in the nation. [Read more…]

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Fulfilling our mission of helping those in need, the Elks recently purchased, assembled, and delivered enough food to to feed 780 Bismarck- Mandan area  grade  school, middle school, and high school students for one weekend in March.

The effort is part of the MSA United Wa y’s “Backpack” program, a bi-weekly program designed to give weekend meals to the  estimated 27% of area students who qualify for free or reduced lunches. If it weren’t for this program, many of these students would go hungry over the weekend.

The Elks donated $2,000 and roughly 60-man hours to the program. Thank you to Paul Frank & Andrea Edstrom-Frank, Chad Gasser, Randy & Paula  Amelsberg, Dennis Hensel, Michael & Lynn Lindblom, Rich & Char Skjonsby, Larry  & Phyllis Larson, Jeff & Robin Carlson, and Steve Vaughan for assembling the bags. Big thanks also to Michael Lindblom, Steve Vaughan, Chad Gasser, Jeff Carlson (2 routes), Rod & Jake Bakken, Rick & Colby DeBolt, and Keith Ulmer & John Lundby for delivering to 8 routes in Bismarck- Mandan.

This year’s car raffle was another huge success.  We would like to thank all the people who purchased tickets, volunteered countless hours and our sponsors: MVP, Inc., Expressway Inn & Suites, Herbergers, Scheels Sports, New Image Tanning, Butcher Block Meats, Dan’s Supermarket, Knowles Jewelry, Pacific Sound & Video, Bismarck Parks & Rec, Prairie West Golf Course and Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge.

I will never forget what I felt after hearing the words – written by a child and read by an adult. It was at that point where I felt the true meaning of being an Elk.

Throughout the years, I have seen the good that can come out of volunteerism. But I don’t think I ever really “felt” the good until I heard the words – written by a child and read by an adult.

The words were in the form of a letter, written by a female in her pre-teens. In it, she described a feeling of isolation, of being singled-out as “different” and not being able to participate in the normal activities of other kids her age.  But the ending is what really hit me.  At that point, she described the intense positive emotions she felt as a result of being included as part of a fun group of “like” kids and now being able to fully participate in all activities.

The letter was written by a camper who had just returned home from week at Elks Camp Grassick. It was read at a state Elks meeting by Camp Director Dan Mimnaugh.  And there wasn’t a dry eye in the place!

Folks, if you’re looking for a reason to renew your membership or to get someone to join the Elks, that girl is your reason. You could say she is the “why” of our existence.  She is our cause, our purpose, and our belief.

In his book Start with Why, Author Simon Sinek suggests that no matter what business you’re in or organization to which you belong, it is critical for paid and volunteer team members to always start with – and deeply remember – the “why” as opposed to the “what.”

For the Elks, the “what” are the goods and services we provide; TR Bar, the 1199 Lounge, the dining room, gaming, workout facilities and even your membership dues. However, these are but vehicles to help directly earn money or otherwise support the “why.”

The “why” are the children and adults benefitting from programs like Camp Grassick, the Hoop Shoot, Children’s Christmas Party, and Most Valuable Student Scholarships, as well as the many area charities to which your Social and Community Welfare dollars are donated.

As Sinek says, “Remember, people don’t buy ‘what’ you do, they buy ‘why’ you do it!

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