What a great Convention in San Diego, thanks to Chuck Nolan and his committee. Thank you for a great beginning as Shirley and I start our year as President and First Lady of the California-Hawaii Elks Association. First, I would like to thank the members of the Santa Ana Elks Lodge No. 794 for their support over many years – especially this last year – as Shirley and I were preparing for this journey. Their unwavering encouragement and support has helped Shirley and I attain this dream. Thank You! I would also like to express my appreciation to all the members of the Orange Coast District for helping me fulfill my dream. As I stood on the stage watching the most fantastic rally I had ever witnessed, I thought: what an awesome tribute from the Orange Coast District, the Santa Barbara Drum and Bugle Corp, the Westminster Elks Lodge Beefeaters, the Vice Presidents “Art’s Eagles†and, of course, all of the Elks from the great States of California and Hawaii. Thank You so Much!

It will be an honor and privilege to represent all of the members of the California-Hawaii Elks Association as your President. Shirley and I are so proud and humbled for the opportunity to travel throughout both states to meet our Elk family. As we start our travels to all of the Districts, I am looking forward to meeting Lodge members and seeing firsthand what each Lodge is doing to promote the various Elk programs in their communities.

My motto this year is “Reaching New Heights by Soaring with Elkdomâ€. With the help of all my Vice Presidents, “Art’s Eagles,†and the members of both great states, we will soar to new heights while promoting all of the programs of the Association – especially the Major Project, Bequests and Living Trust, Membership, Lodge Activities, and, most importantly, our Veterans programs. I have chosen these five as the special emphasis programs for the year. I challenge you as well as myself to soar a little higher in promoting our charitable programs – especially the Major Project “Piggy Bankâ€. Also, we must not forget our Veterans and our proud heritage of patriotism by letting everyone in our community know that Elks take care of our Veterans and their families.

As Shirley and I travel throughout both states visiting the Lodges you can use the CHEA website to track our schedule. If we are in your area please come to the Lodge and meet us. I pledge our support in all of your endeavors, and by working together we will be “Reaching New Heights by Soaring with Elkdom.â€

Thank You and God Bless All!
Art Echternacht, President
California-Hawaii Elks Association