Greetings, everyone.
Welcome to the county seat of Aroostook, the Shiretown. Since our last meeting Denise and I visited Millinocket for a great comedy show, been to the State Hoop shoot, the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge for a toast to ENF, and the Augusta Lodge for a wonderful variety show as well as the State Ritual contest in Waterville. As always, detailed reports on these visits can be found on maineelks.org and I encourage you to go and check them out.
During homecoming festivities at the Houlton ELks, MEA President Michael Hannigan eschews his customary Yankees attire for a stylish Red Sox pullover, thanks to an ENF donation by Shawn Stacey.
Well, I am rapidly approaching the end of my term. I have just one visit left to complete and am look forward to Rockland in a couple of weeks. Many of you exalted rulers are also winding down your year. Some of the people here however, are looking forward to taking over the reins of your Lodge. Some will even be new E.R.s and beginning next month you’ll start a journey you should never forget. I know you’ll greet Corey and Jolene with the same enthusiasm your predecessors met Denise and I. It is to you incoming E.R.s that I have some leadership advice for this morning. In late March or early April you will be placed into the role of the captain of the ship which is your Lodge. Your installer will remind you to be the able mariner steering your vessel as calmly in storm as in fair weather. I would like to share with you advice that may help you as guide your vessel. That advice is to always remember, you can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails to reach your destination. Use your local, state, and national resources to both find your way and achieve your ultimate goals for your Lodge. A great place to start is your contest A checklist.
Finally, some advice for not only new E.R.s but for everyone. Recently at a school workshop I heard some good advice for Elks. As we left the workshop the presenter suggested that we come up with an elevator speech to give to colleagues when we went back to our schools. An elevator speech is a brief explanation of something, short enough that you could give in on a ride in elevator but informative enough that it explains your point. I want to suggest to you come up with an elevator speech explaining what the Elks are. Inevitably, someone this year is going to ask you, so what are the Elks. If your caught of guard you may struggle to give a quick answer and you’ll likely miss some important details. Plan ahead, have your speech ready and promote this great organization. Thank you very much, and continue to show Maine in thought word and deed, that Elkdom is the heart of America.