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A message from the State President
Kenneth B. Chapman, President
Broadneck, MD Lodge No. 2608
State President’s Message
Brothers and Sisters of the MD, DE & DC Elks Association: I am very proud and honored that you have elected me President for the year 2025-2026. Danelle and I look forward to representing our great Association in its 106th year and the 157th year of our Order. We are looking forward to visiting the lodges and grasping the hand of friendship with friends old and new. I look forward to working with our State Sponsor, Malcolm J. McPherson, PGER, John C. Loftus, SDGER/PSP, the Advisory Committee, State Officers, Committees, Lodges and Membership, to continue to grow this great Association and strengthen our neighborhoods.
Our lodges and membership continue to work hard to promote our programs and benefit our communities. We have worked hard to increase and retain membership, and promote programs that benefit our well-deserving Veterans, youth and neighborhoods.
My motto this year is “Steadfast in Elkdom“. I adopted this motto, for as long as we remain Steadfast in the principals of our Order – Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity – we can strengthen our Order, Association, Lodges and Communities.
We must remain:
- Steadfast in the growth of our lodges and their membership. Steadfast in the growth and support of the Elks National Foundation, William J. Jernick Fund, the Army of Hope and Welcome Home Veteran’s Projects and Elks Camp Barrett, our State Association’s Major Project.
- Steadfast in identifying the needs of our communities; offering youth activities and scholarships, Veteran support and disaster relief.
I urge lodges to help members to grow and participate in the activities of the lodges and our Order. Reach out to your membership, there are many avenues today through social networking, but a personal phone call can go a long way’ Work with new members, help them understand the proud traditions of our great Order, State Association, and your lodge. Take them under your spreading antlers. Get them involved. Promote a positive and upbeat outlook. Remember that a member that is not asked to participate is always a “NO”.
I ask the membership to remember you are the great heart of Elkdom. Promote new candidates for membership. Reach out to members you have sponsored that you haven’t seen at the lodge in a while or are in lapsation and work to bring them back. You may find that the individual is in poor health or in need of assistance. Get involved with your lodge. Remember your participation is the strength of your lodge and the strength of this Order.
Members and lodges, I ask that you bring a youth program to your lodge that you may not currently be participating in such as the Antlers Program, Hoop and Soccer Shoots, Americanism, Scholarships, and Drug Awareness. Of most importance is the support of Camp Barrett, our State’s Major Project. Involvement in this program is of great importance, and I urge our lodges to promote sending children to the camp. Also, encourage active Lodge representation and participation in the Camp. Remember that the youth of today are the American citizens and future Elks of tomorrow.
Now more than ever, our Veterans need our help. More than ever our Veteran Projects, Army of Hope and Welcome Home, need our Lodge’s support. Our Order’s motto, “For As Long As There Are Veterans, We Will Never Forget Them“, stands as strong today as when our Order was founded in 1868. I urge members and lodges to get involved with our State Association’s Veterans Programs. Reach out and honor a Veteran, their family, and families of Veterans who gave all, and show them the support that they deserve.
Remember that your State Association is here to support and assist our lodges and their membership. Do not hesitate to reach out for advice, guidance or assistance.
I wish to thank all our State Officers and Committees for their service this year. I look forward to working with you to further the great work of this State Association and our Order. I truly look forward to serving this great MD, DE & DC Elks Association as your President this year. I wish again to thank everyone for their support and guidance in my journey through Elkdom.
*God bless our Country, Armed Services, Veterans, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and all the good they stand for.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Kenneth B. Chapman
Broadneck, MD Lodge No. 2608
Cell: 410-533-5909
Grasp the hand of fellowship, revel in the good times, and be proud of the grand works we accomplish!