To my Kinderhook Elks family, members and friends,
Have you ever wondered where you fit into that greeting? What am I? Am I part of the family? am I just a member or am I part of the friends part? I have, and that's pretty hard to say being that I have been a member for more than 15 years, an officer for more than eight... oh my, WHERE does that put me? Questions that my mind puts to me over and over and again. I absolutely love the Lodge and many of its members, I consider them part of my family, not only at the Lodge but in my personal life. I believe that the Lodge has more meaning than just....... yes I am an Elk and I belong to Lodge #????. We take an oath to ourselves, our members, our families and the community that we are dedicated to serve. Elkdom isn't about "What's in it for me?" Elkdom is about what can I do to better myself and my community? I, personally have taken that obligation and ran with it. I love what we do for the community. We sponsor sports, we are the Marion Stegmann Fund!!, raising funds, helping out those who are struggling, those that just need to know that someone, anyone cares, letting children know they are not forgotten or alone, that they matter!! WE support our Veterans, for what they have given to us, some have given their mind, some have given their time, and there are those who have given it all...THEIR LIVES. I didn't become an Elk for what the Elk's could do for me, that was never even a thought, and after almost two decades of membership I wouldn't change it for the world. I have learned so much about myself, about people, many of whom I would have never meet if I hadn't become an Elk, I have blessed my life. You are part of that experience!!! Thank you for being who you are and committing part of your life to the betterment of not only yourself but the community that we work with and for, to benefit not only them but ourselves.
There are many events coming up that we need help with. There is a PER initiation on February 23rd at 3 pm. If anyone is able to make hors d'oeuvres for after initiation it would be greatly appreciated!!!!! After all how many times do we bring in more than 10 members at a time? Help make this a class act not only for the new members coming in but for your Lodge. As many PER's that can will be performing ritual, a few selected chairs will be filled by non PER"S, and I am honored to perform my last initiation with these outstanding members.
You know the rumor mill, what community doesn't? I would like to address part of what I have heard. When you become an officer or take on a responsibility of an officer or a board or directors (trustee) roll, you should look at the standard to which this Lodge has committed to. This Lodge is one of the few Lodges that does RITUAL from memory, we take pride in that fact because that is the bar that this Lodge strives for!!! Yup you are allowed by Grand Lodge to read your part, sad to so say that Grand Lodge sees that people don't take their obligation seriously.
The Kinderhook Elks Lodge has earned many a trophy for their hard work and dedication, an honor not carried by many Lodges. In my opinion when you start accepting second best it isn't a long reach to let the bar just keep dropping. Leo would bust my chops for talking too fast, for a mispronunciation of a word, for not doing the proper movement when it was required, not because he didn't like me or wanted to me fail, but to know that true Elkdom demanded more from me!! I decided to take on the position of an officer, and with that the responsibilities of such. Don’t get me wrong... I admire those who are willing to step up, but if you are going to step up to represent this Lodge, KINDERHOOK ELKS LODGE #2530, please do it with the dedication and respect that it deserves.
I love this Lodge, I truly do. I want to see it succeed like no other Lodge, I want us to accomplish more than Lodges with 2,000 members, not for me, absolutely not!!!, but for Elkdom and for the people we are. We are strong, we are resilient, and we are proud of ourselves and our Lodge.
Thank you for everything you do for the Lodge and the community we serve,
Respectfully,
Anne Leiser ER/PER