Dear Members and Friends of Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge #1199,

My name is Elizabeth Schaff. I am a recent graduate of the University of North Dakota, where I earned a B.S. in biology with a pre-health emphasis; I intend to apply to medical school this coming June. During my senior year at Century High School, I was honored to receive an Elks Legacy scholarship from the Elks National Foundation through my grandfather’s membership in the Elks. As a Legacy scholar, I maintained a commitment to community service at UND, and I intend to continue this commitment in the years to come.

Recently, Elks National Foundation has began offering opportunities for Legacy Scholars to participate in Elks scholar service trips. Thanks to a donation from the Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge, I was able to participate in the most recent service trip to Oakland, California on January 3rd-9th 2016. The theme of the service trip was serving hunger and homelessness, issues that are extremely prevalent in Oakland and the greater San Francisco Bay area.

During this trip, our 19-member team served meals at a homeless shelter, sorted fresh produce for a food bank, assisted refugee and low-income children with homework at an after-school program, and planted more than 6,000 marsh plants in the San Francisco Bay.  We also were able to connect with local Elks Lodges by sharing a meal at the Richmond, CA lodge #1251 and the Alameda, CA lodge #1015. This was a unique and fun opportunity for me to connect with the Elks and express my appreciation for their service and support of all Elks scholars.

This service trip was life changing for me. It was an eye-opening experience to see the devastating effects of hunger and homelessness.  Above all, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve in the name of the Elks, who have done so much for me through my Legacy scholarship.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Schaff, 2012 Elks Legacy Scholar

The turn of the year is a great time to look back on the previous year and to look forward to the coming year.  This type of introspection gives us an idea of how far we’ve come and also reminds us of what is yet to be done.

In 2015, your Elks Officers, Trustees, and Staff began to take action on a number of projects and issues that will help position the club for better things in the future.

From a change in club management, to major updates in the heating and air system, to new tap beers in the upper and lower bar, to the start of a new dictionary program for area 3rd graders, volunteers and staff have been working hard to position the Elks for future growth and impact.  The foundation we have laid in recent years will make us a much stronger and more resilient Lodge and Club in the years to come.

At the same time, it is with great regret for me to report that 2015 wasn’t the best year for membership numbers.  Oh, we still have 4200-plus members!  And our members are still the “Best People On Earth!”  Unfortunately, at some point early in the year, the distinction, the badge of honor, and the tag line/slogan of being the “Largest Elks Lodge” in the United States slipped from our grasp.  Lodge #1896 of Greater Wildwood, New Jersey took over and, as of this writing, has us topped by nearly 250 members.

Now, we can cite all sorts of reasons #1896 took over.  Perhaps it’s because they’re in the middle of an entertainment district two blocks from the Jersey Shore, or they’ve suddenly become a destination for rich folk from the East Coast, or they’ve grown 23% in the past 5 years.  None of that matters.  What does matter is they’ve taken our crown.  And now we want it back!

Therefore, we have devised a two-part plan to re-take what was ours and hold on to it for years to come.  One part involves gaining new members, the other getting delinquent members to re-invest in the Elks.

In this newsletter, you will find a membership application. If you’re like me, you’ve probably talked to a half-dozen or more people about becoming a member, but just have never gotten around to completing an application.  Don’t worry, now is your chance to redeem yourself.  Members signed near the end of our fiscal year (March 31st) need only pay the $25 initiation fee and a small portion of the $84/year membership.  It is important to note that any and all current and prospective members can pay via Credit Card.  If you need more than one membership application (like me), you can print them from our web site at http://bismanelks.com/membership or grab a couple from the Elks office at 900 South Washington Street.  For each qualified application, your name goes into a drawing for one of a number of $50 Elks Gift Cards.  Sign-up 6 or more and you double your chances!

The second method by which we aim to reclaim our membership crown is to address those members who have not paid.  By now, several letters have been sent to these members, reminding them of their past-due status.  Perhaps their names or addresses have changed?  Therefore, in the coming weeks, we will be posting these names in the Lodge. We encourage you to read the list.  If you know someone on the list, let us know.  Or better yet, remind them their membership dollars help sponsor Camp Grassick, Elks Scholarships, Veterans Programs, Children’s Christmas Party, and more than 50 area Social and Community Welfare programs and Charities.  Together, we can reclaim our foothold as the Largest Elks Lodge in the U.S.!

It is my sad duty to announce the death of James McFall, John “Red” Jackson, Wallace Dockter and Ray Hoffman.  May their virtues be written upon the tablets of love and memory.

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By now, you’ve probably eaten the last of the turkey and stuffing and the only thing leftover from Thanksgiving dinner are the memories of spending time with family and friends. Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to look back at the year in a spirit of reflection, thankfulness, and giving.

At the Elks, we recently had opportunity to reflect and be thankful, first for our Veterans and second, for some milestone Elks members.

Thanks to the generosity of Schwan GMC, Capital RV, Comfort Inn, and Clear Channel Radio, 1,500 area Veterans and active duty military men and women were treated to a hearty lunch of turkey, stuffing, and all the fixins on November 12th.  The Elks kitchen and management team did a great job planning, preparing, and executing this monumental event!  The next day, the Elks played host to its annual Homecoming, an evening where we hand out years-of-service pins to 25 and 50-year members.

Both events were very well attended and were great ways to honor those who have served our country, and our Elks for so many years.  Look for articles pictures of both events elsewhere in this newsletter.

And now that December is upon us, we continue that season of being thankful and supplement it with a season of giving.  If you’re looking to include the Elks as part of your Christmas gift giving, here are some ideas:

***To your favorite member or volunteer, give Elks #1199 logo merchandise; windshirts, t-shirts, hats and other wear-ables are available.

***To your favorite cook, give a shaker or two of Elks #1199 spices – or for your favorite party host or hostess, bring our famous garlic toast and pate’ to their next holiday party.

***To friends, family, clients, and customers: give a gift certificate.  Open them up to a great experience in the dining room, 1199 Lounge, or TR Bar.

***To honor a family member or friend, give a donation to Elks Camp Grassick or the Elks National Foundation in their name.

***To a child, grandchild, brother, sister, or friend; give the gift of membership.  Personally, I considered it an honor when my father sponsored me and paid for my first year of membership.  What a great tradition to start in your family!

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