On May 5-7, 2023, the Maine Elks Association will be holding its State Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn, Maine. The annual event is the culmination of the association’s year and will provide members from across the state an opportunity to share in fellowship, attend meetings, banquets, and receive awards for the work they did during the past year. is anticipated that over 200 Elk Members from the state’s 20 Elk Lodges will be in attendance. Registration packets will be available starting at 12 Noon on Friday, May 5, 2023.
On Friday, the convention will kick off with a banquet at which several awards will be presented. Lodges will be presented awards for their work in raising money for the Elks National Foundation, the Drug Awareness Program, Public Relations, Lodge Activities, All-American Lodge Contest, Veterans, and fundraising for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. In addition, individual members will be recognized including the Outstanding Exalted Ruler’s in each district, the Officer of the Year, Spouse of the Year, and the Elk of the Year awards will be presented.
On Saturday, the Maine Elks Past Exalted Ruler’s Association will hold its annual meeting, followed by the State Trustees meeting, and State Association’s annual meeting. At the annual meeting, the election of officers will take place. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-national convention meeting for those attending the Elks National Convention which will be held in Minneapolis, MN from July 2-5, 2023. In the evening, the youth awards banquet will be held, recognizing youth in several of the Elk’s programs and contests including the Americanism Essay Contest, Elks Drug Awareness Coloring, Poster, Essay, and Video contest, Youth Activities, and six scholarship finalists for the Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Scholarships will be presented. Capping off the evening will be the association’s check presentation to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Last year, the association raised $298,312 to help children and their families fight cancer. The association has raised $5,589,614 as of last year, and it is anticipated that the Maine Elks may even surpass the Six Million Dollar mark within the next two years.
On Sunday, the association will hold its Memorial Service to remember departed members from each Elk Lodge in the State. Following the Memorial Service, the newly elected officers will be installed, and the event will end around noon. Information on the MEA State Convention can be found on this website here; STATE CONVENTION | Maine Elks Association