GER Roger True Praises The Massachusetts Elks Association

By Dorothy Balestrieri, Associate Editor

The Massachusetts Elks Association honored Grand Exalted Ruler Roger R. True of Richland, Washington during his recent visit to the Bay State.  A gala reception and dinner was held at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlboro on September 28, with several hundred Association members and their spouses and guests in attendance.

 In his remarks, the GER noted that four hundred million dollars was what the great Order of Elks has contributed in cash, goods and services in the past 2 years.  He said, “We raise an awful lot of money a year, and give away an awful lot of money a year but unfortunately no one knows it but us, we do the world good, but we need to let the public & communities know.”

 True commented on the fact that we have lost 500,000 members since 1981.  “That’s one-third of our total membership, but our donations to charity continue to rise and that tells us that we‘ve kept the cream of the crop.”

 Those figures have drastically risen in the last 5 to 6 years, and the main reason for that are the ladies who have joined our Order.  “They stepped up to the plate,” he stated,  “and brought with them their enthusiasm, their energy, their intelligence and courage.  They stepped up, they joined, they became members and they became Officers.  The world is changing and if not for the courage of the ladies, we probably wouldn’t be here 100 years from now.”

 The GER commented that in the past year the Great State of Massachusetts has received back from the Elks National Foundation $384,000, which represents $1.56 back for every dollar donated.  The Elks National foundation is an important cause for everyone, as the Foundation gives back over 14 million dollars every year across the country for special projects.

 The new program started this year in the ENF is the “John F. Malley Society”.  To join, it requires that you bequeath a sum of $2,500 to the ENF in your will. 

 True stressed that Massachusetts Elks are a vital link in the chain of Elkdom, spending hours of their time and resources to help serve their communities.  The Mass Elks Scholarship Inc., the major project of the Mass Elks Association, provided $400,000 in scholarship last year alone.  He also praised the efforts of those members participating in the youth activities, drug awareness, and senior citizen programs.  GER True noted that the Elks in Massachusetts are second to none in serving the Veterans of our nation.

 Mass Elks Association President Bill Hopkins, Past Grand Exalted Ruler Dr. Leonard J. Bristol from Saranac Lake, NY, our State Sponsor, and Special Deputy Joseph P. Silvia Jr., along with many other state officials accompanied GER True and his wife Marilyn during his visit.