Chico Elks Lodge #423

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Exalted Ruler's Message

    We try to make it as convenient as possible to attend dinners at the Lodge. However, if you intend to attend,  please make an advance reservation That is the only way that Matt can know how much food to order, and Evan has to know how many we have to accommodate. If you are not going to make it once you have made a  reservation, please call and let Diane know. It is not good to have to turn members, and maybe guests who are potential members away, because there is not enough food. It is not fair for Diane, who generally collects tickets, to be put in that position. She does so as a volunteer, not as part of her job duties. Thanks Diane.
   In order to account for the number of tickets purchased for major events, we are going to have to start collecting  tickets prior to providing dinner. It is not necessary for Tightwad Tuesday, Club Night, or Queen of Hearts. On the subject of dinners, Evan’s Wine Dinner on Monday, June 7th, was phenomenal. Everyone who attended raved about it, and expressed their hope that it is offered on a regular basis. The food was delicious and the wine choices were exceptional. Great job, Evan.
   Our Memorial Day Ceremony went very well. The flag display was awesome, thanks to the Flag Committee.  Also, thank you Glen and Joanne Goodman, Pink and Mittie Pangrac, Rich and Dee Robins, and Steve and  Margaret Jones for your help on the pancake breakfast.
   On June 10th, we held our annual “Flag Ceremony” presenting the flags that have served our country since it’s  founding to the present. Brother Charlie Carroll, PDDGER was in his usual impressive form narrating the event.
   I know many members feel that they don’t see the officers often enough. While it is true that most of them do  not spend as much time at the Lodge as they would like since they are still working; they are at all of the  meetings. We certainly appreciate every member, but without the officers there would not be a Fraternal Order of  Elks; and, of course, without the members there would be no officers. In order to carry on the business of the  Lodge and the Order, it is necessary to have an organization of officers on all levels. Most officers are dedicated  to doing the best job they can, and put in a lot of effort toward this end. There is a great deal of satisfaction in  being able to participate and contribute our efforts to the Order and the Lodge.
   A very small percentage of the membership attend meetings to show their support for these efforts and participate in the business of the Lodge. When a District or State Officer visits the Lodge as an Honored Guest, the turnout consists almost exclusively of the officers of the Lodge and visiting officers from other Lodges. Such a situation occurred June 9th, with the visit of North District State Vice President Steve Marada from Paradise, at both the dinner and the Lodge meeting. Without the  visitors from other Lodges, the turnout would have been pretty low, and even at that it wasn’t very large. I realize that it is not possible to attend every function, but it is an  embarrassment when we are honoring a guest, and so few come to show appreciation for the time and effort they contribute to the Order. While I am not minimizing the  importance of officers making appearances at Lodge as often as they can, it is also true that more members could attend meetings once in a while, and turn out to  support functions that honor state and district officers. We certainly all want to do our part in keeping this great organization of the Benevolent and Protective Order of  Elks alive and well. There is none other like it.
   Hope everyone has had a chance to vote your choice for a new bar top. PER Terry Horne is going to supply the wood, and Lodge members are going to do the work.  Thanks to Mike Efford and the Bar Improvement Committee, things are underway. PER Russ Fortier and Evan Billman have started a Cycling Club, so anyone with a  strong set of legs, a good heart, and a suitable bicycle who has an interest, get in touch with one of them.
   I humbly apologize for lecturing you this time. I hope you all know by now how I feel about everyone of you. You are all special people.

Joe Lusher, Exalted Ruler