President - Geff McDaniel
We Comin'
The 2023 CEA State Convention was a success. We bid ado to outgoing President Cindy, welcomed the Grand Exalted Ruler Randy Shook, and installed the Officers for the upcoming year in True Colorado Elks Style.
I want to thank everyone who has served in the past year as well as the Officers and committee chairs working to make this year a success. When a new year starts, we all make “resolutions” or goals for the ensuing year. Somehow, we lose track of time or re-prioritize life events, and those resolutions fall by the wayside. However, the Colorado Elks have built momentum, and we must sustain it through the next year and beyond.
I have proposed two “Wildly Important Goals” (WIGs) for this year. Although they seem unrelated, both goals will have an impact on the financial success of the CEA.
Goal 1: + 10 for every Lodge. A gain in Membership puts dollars in the bank for the Lodge, the CEA, and the Order. Think beyond the per-capita dollars collected and think of it as per-capita “pennies”. Now, throw those pennies into the stagnant water. The ripples caused by the pennies are the hidden boost caused by the Membership gain.
Goal 2: $20.24 in 2024 per Member giving to ENF. How does giving money to ENF help the Colorado Elks financially? Our donations are investments in our Lodges and the CEA. The Elks National Foundation awards grants to state associations based on per-member giving. If we reach the $20.24 goal, the ENF will fund our charitable programs with nearly $700,000.00! Real money going to Laradon, Community image, Veterans, and the umbrella of youth programs.
Reach these 2 goals we position the Elks in Colorado as the premier organization in the state and a top state association in the Elks. We can work together to make it happen.
The President will be hitting the road. I am blessed by having 20 or so Lodges within an hour and enjoy attending events as a Member. The official visitation list for the President is as follows:
Aspen #224
Boulder #566
Cortez #1789
Creede #506
Cripple Creek #316
Evergreen #2363
Gunnison #1623
Glenwood Springs #2286
Idaho Springs #607
La Junta #701
Lamar #1319
Leadville #236
Monte Vista #2456
Parker #2873
Pueblo #90
Rangely #1907
Rifle #2195
Trinidad #181
Victor #367
If your Lodge is on my list (even if it isn’t) and there is an event you would like me to attend, please email me with the information, and I will do my best to schedule it. Bulletin and newsletter editors, please add me to your electronic distribution list at GeffMcDaniel.CEA@gmail.com.
1st Vice President - Elevinio "JR" Cruz
Hola Members,
Another year for the Colorado Elks Association has gone by. Thanks to everyone who helped make this past year a success.
A big KUDOS to our State President Cynthia Wyszynski and her husband Michael for an outstanding job in leading us and helping me along the way. I look forward to another successful year with upcoming President Geff McDaniel and wife Ellen.
The fall is approaching soon, and the state will be showing off the colors of the season. Hope you get a chance to visit throughout our wonderful state and look at what Colorful Colorado will showcase.
While you’re looking at the beauty of our state, don’t forget to stop by any or all our 55 Elk Lodges. Talk to the members, find out what that lodge is doing and doing well. Take it back to your lodge and if you haven’t already tried an idea that is working at someone else lodge, give it a shot. You just don’t know how it will improve your lodge and in turn, improve your community.
Thanks to all the lodges that I have visited, your hospitality of welcoming Janet and myself is something we cannot forget. We look forward to continuing our visits throughout the state.
See you at this year’s State Convention, looking forward to seeing you all there.
God bless and keep safe.
God bless and keep safe.
Fraternally,
Elevinio “JR” Cruz
