Arizona Elks Association

It has been a pleasure serving you this year. Gail and I have traveled this state far and wide to meet many of you and make new friends. We very much appreciate the hospitality that was shown to us wherever we went.

We officially traveled to Kingman, Sedona, Page, San Manuel, Sierra Vista, Willcox, Lake Havasu, Sun City, Tempe and Chandler Lodges. We visited Lodges at Casa Grande Valley, Payson, Flagstaff, Phoenix #335, Mesa-Buckhorn, Jerome, Yuma, Douglas, Safford-Clifton, Bull-head City, Apache Junction, and some Lodges we visited twice or three times. It was wonderful to be in each of your Lodges to see how you are doing and to meet lots of great people.

Attending the other Area 7 State Meetings was very enlightening and fun: Nevada, California and Utah. Going to Las Vegas for the Area 7 Hoop Shoot was a blast on the Junk Food Express. The highlight of the year for us was attending National Convention in Austin, TX. Waving the Arizona flag was a very proud moment for me.

We even brought a former NBC camera man from Sacramento to the State Golf Tourna-ment to take pictures. He is married to Gail’s cousin who lives in Kingman. We played several golf courses and enjoyed them all. We also had the chance to just pop into some of the Lodges to catch some food and spend time with the members who were always very nice to us. We sure loved meeting them all. The one surprise was calling a Lodge as we rolled down the road and asked them if the kitchen was open. I cannot believe that in a couple cases they went out, got food, had it prepared before we got there and then they joined us. Our visit was sure tasty and the members made it a thrill to be there with them. The biggest surprise was being asked to help pick out clothes for my wife. That does not happen very often. I even got to tell some other ladies what looked good on them. I sure was glad I did not have to pay for them and the husbands had no complaints. Ed, eat your heart out, they were pretty. Try topping that! Some days one just has to work!

As the Past Presidents have said, “you will miss this job; there is nothing that can seem as thrilling, yet, when the next President asks for your opinion, you will owe the President, the best advice that you can give and you will be honored to have been asked”.

I truly thank the State Officers and Committees for the job they did for me and as the only favor you want is to serve whenever or where ever you are asked.

Thank you to my wife for all she has done to push forward the best results for our Lodges. She is going to miss meeting all the people from several Lodges and the many people who have helped her do the best job she could. We are proud of the Elks who do so much for the families that need help and where we tried being of service. It’s an honor to serve! God Bless you all.

Fraternally,
Thomas W. Shelby, President
Arizona Elks Association / 2012-2013

Arizona Elks Major Projects (AEMP) - May, 2013 Message

In a few short days Elks from across Arizona will gather in Tempe at the Fiesta Resort and Conference Center for the Arizona Elks Association Convention. This is one of two times each year that the Elks of Arizona gather to share information about the state of the association and the state of the Major Projects.

At the Arizona Elks Major Projects we a preparing an updated video about who we are and what we do at the Steele Research Center at the University of Arizona, and of course the new Translational Medical Clinic soon to be open in Phoenix. Each Arizona Lodge will be given a copy of this CD Video to share with the Lodge member. We hope that you will ask to view this production so that you will come to understand how your donations and gifts to the Major Projects made a difference in the lives of the children we assist every day.

In fact you have just received or will soon receive a request for assistance to support the growth and development of the Translational Medical Clinic. Any help you can provide will make a great difference. Please send in your donation today.

May is also the time that Youth Camp wakes from the long, cold, snowy winter in the mountains of Eastern Arizona. The Elks who volunteer to open the Camp each year is hard at work to make sure that the camp is ready to meet the needs of the children who will benefit from the wilderness camping experience provided by the Jack C. Warter Jr. Youth Camp. There are a few open days left at the camp that could be available to a youth group, or a scout group from your community – call the Arizona Elks Major Projects at (888) 808-8627 (toll free) for more information.

More next month....

Al Skorupski,
Executive Director

The members of the Board of Directors at the Major Projects has authorized the purchase of a 2013 Polaris Ranger Crew (four Passenger) All-Terrain Vehicle that will be raffled on October 26th (during the time of the Arizona Elks Association Mid-Year Convention). Many Lodges will have this vehicle on display across the summer – Tickets are $5.00 each or three for $10.00. Don’t worry – All Arizona Elks will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets on this fun ATV.

scroll down a bit for details

AEMP 2013 Mid Year Raffle

AZ Elks & AEMP IN THE NEWS!

Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award

One male and one female Veteran Volunteer in each State Association can be honored with the Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award. Your State National Veterans Service Commission Chairperson coordinates this program and wouuld welcome your 300 word nomination.

Do you know a deserving Veteran Volunteer? Do you know someone who works with hospitalized veterans, veterans at outpatient clinics, veterans in nursing homes, or homeless veterans? Does your nominee(s) host veterans'functions at your Lodge or away from the Lodge? Can you nominate a member who visits veterans, or heads the "Adopt-A-Veteran" program, or who works with veterans groups in your community?

Those eligible are Elks and spouses, VAVS Representatives and VAVS Deputy Representatives, members who visit VA hospitals and facilities, or members who work at Lodge Veteran functions.

Click Here for the "NVSC Manual". There, on page 19, you can view the criteria and procedures to nominate a valued Veteran Volunteer. Remember, all nominations must be in the Elks National Veterans Service Commission office in Chicago by February 28th.

James L. Nichelson, PGER
Member, Elks National Veterans Service Commission

KVOA Tucson News Reports on the Arizona Elks Major Project 10 Year Anniversary of Philanthropic Support

AEMP to raise 2.5 MILLION dollars for UA Steele Research Center

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