Skip to main content

My Journey to the ENF!


 by Blaire Shaffer
Communications Assistant


After graduating from Luther College with a major in Communication Studies, I found myself in Chicago, and like many other graduates, I embarked on a massive job hunt. A PR and social media internship with a Humane Society created my desire to pursue a career in the  non-profit sector. So, I was thrilled by the prospect of working as the Elks National Foundation’s Communications Assistant.  I feel very lucky and honored to be given the opportunity to share news about the ENF as well as service work done by Elks through writing and social media!

I have only been working at the ENF for a little over two months now, yet each day has been filled with fascinating lessons and challenges. It has been wonderful to work in a place with extremely kind and funny co-workers, who have all been incredibly welcoming from my very first day. I am looking forward to April, because I am excited to experience the Hoop Shoot National Finals and MVS Leadership Weekend for the first time! Although it is only February, the Communications Department has started preparing for the Hoop Shoot National Finals, which has only encouraged my anticipation.

My duties as a Communications Assistant deal with assisting in social media management. This means creating posts and responding to comments or mentions.  I also oversee the blog. I aid in the creation of content for the ENF, which includes writing Speaking points, News to Use, and any stories or letters that I am assigned, or helping design save-the-dates or announcements. I help keep the ENF website up to date with fresh content for visitors to enjoy. I also assist in organizing Frontline, which is an email newsletter for registered ENF Fundraising Chairs. 


When I’m not at the ENF, I am usually found hanging out with my dog Bruno (a Border Collie and German Shepherd mix) or my friends, running, reading, exploring Chicago, watching movies or TV, and cooking/baking.
Labels:

Comments

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

A Boatload of Scholars, a Busload of Clothes

By: Aditi V. Patel,  2019 Most Valuable Student scholar Last week, I had the pleasure of serving alongside 20 other amazing Elks scholars as a part of the Tampa Elks Scholar Service Trip. I did my research before the trip and found that Hurricane Ian had displaced more than 40,000 Floridians in September 2022—I wanted to do something to help! After landing in Tampa, we got right to work by sorting a busload (literally) of clothing that Tampa, Fla., Lodge No. 708 collected from the community for Greater Pine Island. We organized each item of clothing by size, made sure each item was in good condition, and placed them into bags. Whenever there weren’t clothes at my table, I would shift to another station to help others, and I saw other scholars doing the same. It was amazing to see everyone laboriously working for hours without any complaints, learning names and fun facts as we went. We had dinner at the Tampa Elks Lodge, which is where I had my first genuine conversations with the s
3 comments
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
2 comments
Read more