We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It is hard to believe that the door has closed on 2024. Where did the year go? And so we look forward to the new year with the enthusiasm and zeal to make our association stronger and better able to serve our communities.
Eight months ago when we began this journey together, I rolled up my sleeves and said we have work to do, and I was right beside each of you in our work to improve our membership numbers. As of the writing of this message, we as a state are down in numbers. We are just below 10% in lapsation, and I have heard from many lodges that they are not willing to give up on those who have not yet paid their dues. I have said from the beginning that we need to find out why those members have yet to pay their dues and if there is anything we can do or change to keep them. We should never even consider changing our basis or the mission statement of our organization, but there are always some “little things” that can be changed to make our lodges more inviting to both the members who have not yet paid and those who are looking to become members. Our lodges should be a warm, friendly environment that fosters friendship and belonging that encourages people to want to be a part of what we are. We need to make sure we stay away from the mantra, “That’s the way we have always done it.” This one single phrase can be the death knell of a lodge. We should always look for new ways to improve so we do not become stagnant in our actions. I have been following many of our lodges through social media and have seen how their communities are better off because the Elks are there. Around the state, so many children would not have had a happy Christmas if it were not for the generosity of the Elks. Many families would not have had a decent Christmas dinner if not for the Elks. These are things we can all be proud of and know the enormous difference we make within our communities. These actions will be a catalyst for members to want to renew and new ones to join the fold. There is still time to get back the members and to initiate new ones. Let’s continue the good fight toward a gain in membership.
We have had several setbacks that were totally out of our control, but the Florida Elks have proven over and over again that we are always above the adversity. The hurricanes brought much devastation to some of our lodges and to members around the state. Our hearts go out to those who suffered loss of property. This is never easy to overcome, but I have seen and heard from lodges around the state that were not severely affected stepping up with needed supplies and assistance to those who needed it the most. Actions such as these make me proud to be an Elk in the state of Florida. Even though we belong to different lodges, we are family. Thank you for all you do.
Our donations to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund are up slightly from last year and we continue to work to provide for our major projects and charities around the state. Thank you, all, for your generosity and your vision to continue to improve our projects through your giving. Our Elks National Foundation giving still needs a shot in the arm. Try to hold special events and fundraisers to be able to give to the ENF. Our giving as a state has a bearing on the grants we receive that help us be more visible in our communities. These grants can be affected if our giving is down. Please think and act on what we can do in our lodges so our grants continue to be given to help those most in need in our communities.
Denise and I had the North District visit in Tallahassee Jan. 10-12, and we have two district visits left — the Northeast District in Green Cove Springs Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 and our homecoming in Apopka March 7-9. We would love to see any of you able to attend these visits with us. It has been an amazing year thus far. We have truly enjoyed getting to know you all better and we look forward to the future with the great friends we have made.
To finish up this article, I need to take the time to thank an amazing man for all he has done for the Florida State Elks Association. Most of you know that Carl Seibert, PDD was offered and accepted the position as Grand Secretary with the Grand Lodge. For the past 20+ years, Carl has done an amazing job as Secretary and COO of our association. We are so very happy for him and Theresa, although they will be sorely missed. The work and effort Carl put into our association is unable to be measured. Florida’s loss is most definitely the Grand Lodge’s gain. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish them the best of luck.
Thank you, all, for allowing Denise and me to serve as your President and first lady. We hope to see many of you at the February quarterly, where we welcome the Grand Exalted Ruler and his wife to the awesome state of Florida.
Remember, “Membership Matters.” Let’s bring them in and help them to become great Elks.
Russ Smith
State President, 2024-2025
Florida State Elks Association