Hello and Aloha to all the members and guests of the California-Hawaii Elks Association. Since my last article, Shirley and I have been very busy to say the least. We traveled to Mesquite, NV, for their annual golf tournament. Since most of the tournament participants came from our Association, we received $1,365 in proceeds from the event for the benefit of our Major Project.

Following our visit to Mesquite, we were the guests of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge No. 1538, and attended their annual Santa Maria Rodeo. This event raises thousands of dollars for their local community charities each year. From there, we went to the Metropolitan District for their Luncheon Club meeting and to attend my first official Presidential Visitation, joining Vice President Mark Flint and his wife, Leslie, who were our hosts. What a great couple and fantastic representatives of the Metropolitan District! In each and every place we visited, we were overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality of the members.

After the Metropolitan District visit, we took a road trip with my Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Lemm and his wife, Valarie, to Austin, TX, for the Grand Lodge Convention. The convention attendees passed several resolutions, some of which you may or may not agree with. But, the fact remains that they were passed by a majority vote, so we must embrace these changes and work to adopt them. I am sure that it will make our Lodges and Association stronger as we work together.

Following the Grand Lodge Convention, we were invited to the Hanford Elks Lodge No. 1259 to celebrate their 100^th Anniversary. What a great weekend! We offer our thanks to the event chairman, Quinton McElyea, PDDGER, Dino Uribe and Dee, Association Vice President, and Earl and Stella Conro, our escorts, and all of the members of the Hanford Lodge. I consider Hanford Lodge one of the treasures of Elkdom and certainly so in the East Central District.

During all of our travels, I have spread the word about our Association programs, with a special emphasis on the Major Project, Membership and Retention and Lodge Activities. I think all of the members of our California-Hawaii Elks Association understand the importance of these programs and many more. As your President, I have asked each member to bring back one lapsed member into their Lodge and to bring in one new member this year. If this could be done, it would make a tremendous difference in our Lodges and for all of our Association’s programs.

Shirley and I are looking forward to greeting each of you, sharing our pins, and learning how your Lodge is promoting the programs of the Association. We are leaving soon for the Northeast District and hope to see many of you there. Have a great fall season and we hope to meet each and every one of you during our travels.

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

“REACHING NEW HEIGHTS by SOARING with ELKDOMâ€