State Sponsor

What a great time it is to be a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Three years in a row we have attained a positive growth, with over 91,000 new members. What a positive accomplishment this is. Congratulations go to the many FSEA lodges that attained a positive growth. Congratulations also go to our new State President, Russ Smith, and his wife, Denise. They will be accompanied and supported by our Vice  President at Large, Mike Chandler, and his wife, Caroline. They have put a great team together and it will be exciting to watch us get to a new level of achievements. A special thanks goes to our immediate Past State President, Joe Cooper, and his wife, Allie, along with his team for a great year. Please get involved this year in your lodge and put the  FSEA in a prestigious position. We need you.

We recently completed another fabulous Office Training program, which enriches all our officers. Our State Secretary and COO, Carl Seibert, and his staff, along with many volunteers/instructors, did an outstanding job. We thank them and all who attended.

We had an extreme amount of fun and success with the recent FSEA golf tournament in Sebring, where we raised a substantial amount of money for our major projects. Thank you, all, who participated, and thank you, volunteers.

Our two major projects continue to grow and prosper. Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services continues to grow and add new therapists to assist our children, who would not otherwise receive care, thanks to our Director, Colleen Gallant, and her capable staff. In addition to FECTS, we have the best youth camp in the USA. Our Camp Director, Nick Miller, and his staff host youth and adults  yearround, serving 20,000+ people per year. Please make sure you show your appreciation when you are around these great people.

We hope to see you all at the state convention and many at our national convention in July in Austin, Texas. Come enjoy the fellowship and mingle and learn. Please take an active role in your lodge and help the Florida State Elks Association be the leader in our order. We need your help for us to succeed.

Bob Grafton, PNP and Sandra and I wish you all a healthy and happy life. May God bless all of us and the United States of America.

Michael F. Smith, PNP

State Sponsor

Florida State Elks Association