It is hard to believe that we are nearing the midyear convention. It seems that Denise and I have just started this journey, and it is almost half over. They say if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life, and we truly love what we are doing. We have completed 10 of our 14 visits to the districts. Each district has done an amazing job! We are made to feel so very welcomed at every visit and we are very grateful for all the hard work and dedication of the District Vice Presidents and the teams of volunteers that have done a great job. At each of our visits, it has been a true pleasure to be joined by an amazing team — Mike Chandler, PDD, Vice President at Large, and Caroline; Dayna Williams, PDD, Chaplain, and Monty; and Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER, Harry-Anna Trust Fund Chair, and Lenny Dilorenzo, PDD. Their energy and support and their willingness to travel with us is so greatly appreciated.
Throughout our careers, both secular and within the Elks organization, Denise and I have worked as a team. Your first lady has accomplished a lot. Denise is a Past District Deputy, the North Central District Director on the Florida Elks Youth Camp Board of Directors, the Lodge Advisor for South Lake Lodge #1848, and a member of the Business Practices Committee. She is a veteran of the United States Army, has a degree in business and theology, worked in the legal field as a paralegal for more than 30 years, and has a successful tax business. During our program on the Saturday evening events, I have asked the first lady for a few words. Denise has shared, in an anecdotally and enjoyable manner, some of the issues that our lodges struggle with. Her messages are light and insightful and her only purpose is to make our lodges stronger and more successful.
I share this with you all to say that it takes everyone involved to have a successful year. No one person can do it by themselves, from the President and our team to the District Leaders, the District Vice Presidents and the volunteers, who so willingly give of their time. We all have to work as a team — a cohesive family — to accomplish all that we do. And by doing so we are living out my motto of “Exemplifying Elkdom.” In your lodges you have to do the same. Work together. Do not let your differences be the reason for discord but use those differences to make your lodges stronger, remembering that “The faults of our members we write upon the sand, their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory.”
So far this year we have also attended the Elks Day at the Rays game, where I had the privilege of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. I am glad to say I got the ball to the catcher without bouncing it once. We have also just returned from the FLOE conference in Daytona Beach Shores. FLOE President, Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, and the ladies of FLOE did an amazing job with the conference, and their donations to the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services were astounding. We are so grateful for what FLOE does to enrich our association.
All our donations to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund are so very important. I shared in my last article the great opportunity to become a sustaining donor, and by doing so, you become a benefactor of the great work that we do. Along with our youth camp and therapy services, we have within FECTS Florida Elks for Autism. We all know someone whose family is affected by autism. As Florida Elks, through our donations to Harry-Anna, we can now help these families receive the diagnosis necessary to get the treatments so desperately needed.
We, as members, also need to improve our focus on what we can do for the Elks National Foundation. Florida is currently 41st out of 48 associations in our donations to ENF. For every dollar we give, our return is close to two dollars. This return on our investment is what we use to do what we do within our communities. Educate yourselves and members of the benefits of our donations to ENF.
All of what we do is member driven — the more members, the lighter the load. We need to work together to bring back to our lodges those who have yet to pay their dues for this year. Find out the reason why and make the changes if you can. Do not rely solely on the Membership Chair and committee to do this. Membership is EVERYONE’s responsibility. Work hard to make your lodges an environment of warmth and camaraderie where members feel welcome and a part. Make it a habit to greet as many as you can before you sit down, letting them know how grateful you are they are there. If you are passionate and excited about who we are and what we do, others will want to join.
Finally, Denise and I want to thank you for this amazing opportunity to serve as your State President. It is amazing the wonderful journey it has been so far and we are looking forward to the rest of the year. Thank you all for what you do and as we travel we are seeing how each of you are “Exemplifying Elkdom.” May God bless the United States of America, the Florida State Elks Association, and above all, each of you.
Russ Smith
State President, 2024-2025
Florida State Elks Association