An honor (and lots of work) for my husband

If you go looking back through the posts on this blog, there are not many directly related to my family.  This isn't really intentional, but to us, we just live our day to day life with nothing really special.  But this is special.

As of April 1, my dear husband became the Exalted Ruler of our local Elks Lodge.  What does that mean?  Well, lots of work and lots of meetings...  His term runs until March 31, 2014.  The Exalted Ruler is the "leader" of the local lodge, similar to the Commander of a local American Legion or VFW post.

Congratulations honey!  I will be standing right by your side through this journey.

But here is a bit of background (from www.elks.org):

Elks Care, Elks Share. Are YOU an Elk?

Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.

Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, by undertaking projects that address unmet need, and by honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

We are...

• A fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 141-year history.
• A network of more than 2000 lodges in communities all over the country.
• A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more.

Our Mission

To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.

Origin

The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.

Purposes

This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship."

Membership

The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old.

What We Do

The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting physically handicapped children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs.

The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.