Skip to main content

Gratitude on the Mind

by Development Assistant
Valerie Moore

Thanksgiving is later this week, and like many of you I have gratitude on the mind. I am starting week number seven as the new Development Assistant for the Elks National Foundation. I feel grateful to have chosen to work in the nonprofit sector as this is one small way to improve my corner of the world. The ENF believes in building stronger communities which matches with my personal values so well.

The desire to work for a nonprofit took me to Chicago in 2005 to enroll in a master’s degree program geared towards making the performing arts end of the sector better. As luck would have it, my courses taught me how to make all ends better. It taught me how to create functional organizations that also happen to be values-driven.

I started working in development in 2007 with the intention to stay. The recession had other plans, and I spent some time in the special events end of fundraising, planning six galas, and creating other platforms for stewarding donors.

Life has a funny way of coming full circle. While temping for the Community Investments Program, I learned that there was an open position in development, and jumped at the opportunity to return to working with donors. Planning fundraising events may have led to being well fed, but left me feeling starved to get to know those people that fund what we do.

I feel grateful to have the opportunity to work with donors once again and especially for the Elks National Foundation. I have enjoyed hearing people’s stories and the pride that they take in their Lodge’s work.

Please continue to share your successes, challenges, changes of address, and any other donation questions.

How can I help? Please call 773/755-4762.

Or email ValerieM@elks.org.

Labels:

Comments

  1. Jim OKelleyNovember 25, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    When opportunity knocked, we're so glad you answered, Valerie.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Labels

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

Seizing Every Opportunity

Reflections from the SAB President By Kat Nakamura 2019 MVS Scholar Hi, Elks Family! I’m Kat Nakamura, a 2019 MVS Scholar currently serving as the president of the Scholar Advisory Board. My time with the Elks has been a transformative experience, not only providing me with financial support for my education but opening the door to a nurturing community of like-minded individuals and remarkable opportunities. My journey began when I applied for the Elks Most Valuable Student scholarship, and little did I know it was just the beginning of a life-changing adventure. Months later, my mom encouraged me to apply to join the Scholar Advisory Board. Initially hesitant, I thought there was no chance of being accepted. Little did I realize that this decision would lead me to one of my most cherished experiences throughout college. The Scholar Advisory Board are the representatives that advise the ENF on scholar relations. Apart from being on the board, members attend the Elks National Conve
Post a Comment
Read more

Finding a Place in the #ElksFamily

by Aleah Hahn, Most Valuable Student Scholar Aleah Hahn received a second place Most Valuable Student scholarship in 2018. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with degrees in Biosystem Engineering and German. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Marine Resource Management at Oregon State. In her free time, she likes to cycle, forage and hike. Over my spring break I was able to partake in the 2022 Spring Elks Scholar Service Trip in Chicago! In 2018, I attended the 150 for 150 Service Trip in San Antonio, where we celebrated the Elks 150th anniversary through service. Both were amazing experiences to serve in the name of the Elks. They were alike but also different in many ways.  In San Antonio, I connected with Elks state leadership from my home state of Michigan since the trip was at the Elks National Convention!  I served with 149 other scholars and met many of them. It was a great opportunity to connect with other scholars. The majority of our service was at Haven
1 comment
Read more

The Experience Was a Revelation

by Garrett Schumacher 2011 Legacy Scholar, University of Colorado-Boulder   Prior to this trip of service in Chicago, I had always admired the individuals who gave of their time and talents with the purpose of bettering someone else’s life. I wanted to be like them but for the wrong, selfish reasons. After feeling inadequate in this regard for some time, I decided to take the leap and apply for the opportunity that only an incredible organization could provide. My background with the Elks has shown me that they are a communal group that profoundly affects the lives of many people on a national scale every day; being one of those people through scholarships, I felt I owed something to the F oundation and the people they serve. The experience was a revelation for me. I am a proud member of the Elks family and will continue my work and participation in the organization. I did not owe anyone anything other than gratitude, and I could give of myself for the sole purpose of be
12 comments
Read more