April

I would like to thank everyone for their vote of confidence in my ability to serve as Exalted Ruler this coming year, I will do so to the best of my ability. I have two goals for this year: the first is to get the Lodge financially “in-the-black,” and I want to go one step further – because I want to have one, just one, month’s mortgage payment in savings this time next year; and this Lodge has a terrific, dedicated team in place between the Trustees, House Committee and Officers to make this happen.

My second goal is to re-focus our membership on “Why We’re Here,” and this starts with a very simple question … “Why are you an ELK?” Please think about this, and I want to know your answer. I want to know why you renewed your dues this year, why you’ve paid your dues for 5, 10, 20 or 30 years - - because the answer to that question is crucial to the success of this lodge. We cannot build or keep lodge membership with answers like “To keep the lodge doors open” or “To pay for Utilities” - that’s not why we’re here.

Hopefully many of you thought of our Youth Activities Program, Youth Scholarships, Community Service (Needy Families and building handicap ramps for those who can’t afford it) or maybe you thought of our Veterans Program, our Boy Scout Troop or Girl Scouts? Last but not least, how about the “Fellowship” & “Elk’s Family” which comes from & with all the above …. That’s why we’re here.

This is a GREAT Lodge! We are Missouri’s 1st All-American Lodge, by reputation we’re Missouri’s Friendliest Lodge and our Youth Activities Program consistently ranks among the best in the nation. This year marks our 50th Anniversary – we’re celebrating in style and we’ll run service programs worthy of a Golden Anniversary. I for one am proud to be a member of Grandview Hickman Mills Lodge #2088, and I am honored to serve as Exalted Ruler.

Clifford L. McDonald

Exhalted Ruler

April

First of all thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve as Leading Knight for the year 2008-2009.

We are in for a busy Spring and Summer. We will need all of our members to make sure all these activities not only happen but are a great success.

One of our goals this year is to do as much Benevolent work as we can do in the community. We have done a great job in the past however; we feel we can always do better. Not only does this help the community as a whole it also shows the public we are a great organization that not only has concern for our fellow Elks, we also take pride in helping our community where we reside. If you have any ideas please contact myself or Cliff.

As always thanks to all the members that come out and support our Lodge. As our Exalted Ruler stated in his address to the membership, the building on Arrington Road is just a building. However, with the great membership we have it becomes the Friendliest Lodge in the State of Missouri.

Fraternally,

Dan Pence

Esteemed Leading Knight