MEMO
DATE: January 29, 2008
TO: All Exalted Rulers
All Provincial Officers
All District Deputies
FROM: Al Edwards
Grand Exalted Ruler/National President
Elks of Canada
Fellow Leaders,
The festive season is over. I trust we are all once again in full swing in our Lodges, preparing for Spring District/Regional meetings, various Lodge activities, social events, and are promoting the Elks and the programs we support both locally and on the national level.
I have been enthused and encouraged in my travels to date by the general up-beat attitude in the majority of Lodges. I sense a heightened awareness in the Lodges that they are able to conduct their business in the manner best suited to their needs, without the prospect of criticism or chastisement.
Sure there are a few down areas where the members are waiting for something to happen, instead of making it happen a new spark is needed in these Lodges to get them motivated again.
As a Leader, are you willing to take the extra step and either be the motivational spark needed in these areas or ensure that the spark is provided?
Over the past few years, the Provincial Presidents/1st Vice Presidents, the Grand Executive, with the very capable facilitation of Brothers Bill Blake and Garnet Roth, and outside consultants, have spent many hours in Strategic Planning sessions in an attempt to develop an Action Plan which will be used to move the Order forward.
Brothers and Sisters, at the October Grand Executive meetings, it was the unanimous consensus of the Executive that enough time had been spent in the planning stage, and that the Plan had to be formulated and put in place. This Strategic Plan is now viewable on the Elks Web site and will be distributed to the Lodges after the Provincial Presidents/Grand Executive meeting in mid-February.
As Leaders of the Order, you will play a leading role in promoting, participating in and ensuring the buy-in of the membership as we deal with three main areas initially Strengthening the Order, Leadership, and Promotion. In order to ensure the Strategic Plan is successful, specific time-lines have been put in place so we can track our progress and further develop necessary steps to ensure the viability, stability, and sustainability of the Elks of Canada.
Thank you for your support and friendship during my visits to date. I encourage you to continue to lend your expertise and support to our membership now and in the future.
