Skip to main content

Meaghan's First Month

by Meaghan Morris
Lodge Grants Program Coordinator
Hello! My name is Meaghan, and I am thrilled to be the new Programs Coordinator in the Community Investments Program office.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2015. Since then, I’ve jetted around peripatetically, travelling to 46 states and 24 countries, and living in Western Massachusetts, Boston, and the mountains of rural Wyoming.  I moved to Chicago in 2016, and the Cubs won the World Series a little while later. I attribute my move as the main catalyst for the breaking of the Curse of the Billy Goat, so, you’re welcome for that, Cubs fans!

I joined the ENF during its busiest time of the year. I started working in the CIP office one day after grant applications opened for the new year, and our office was inundated with hundreds of grant applications in that first week alone. On top of the busyness in our office, Fundraising, Communications, Hoop Shoot and Scholarships were excitedly (yet gracefully!) preparing for Leadership weekend and the Hoop Shoot National Finals, which were already in full swing being just days away. The fiscal year ended three days earlier, as well, so Donor Services was extremely busy processing all the generous donations that came in from across the country.

My coworker, Chelsea, still managed to find time in her overloaded schedule to take me on a comprehensive tour of the facilities, and to acquaint me with all of the CIP’s procedures and idiosyncrasies. She set up meetings, compiled processes, and trained me every day until I was knowledgeable enough to work independently. I am so thankful for her assiduous on-boarding!

During the tour, I met every person who works at the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. Dana, the HR director, provided everyone a puzzle piece to give me that would all come together to create a Van Gogh painting—the exact one that’s hanging in the Magazine Building. This creative way to meet people was a metaphor for all the individual pieces that bind together to form the B.P.O.E. Some pieces are still trickling over to my desk!

Of course, no new job could exist without a few slight bumps along the way. Friday evening of my first week, I accidentally locked myself in the gated parking lot after work, with no way to get into the building, or out of the gates. Thankfully, our magnificent and meticulous custodian, José, found me and came to my aid. Thank you for everything you do, José!

This month has been filled with the best experiences a job could offer. I am incredibly excited to continue my work here as the Programs Coordinator. I’ve been reviewing and processing hundreds of grant applications, and it’s been leaving me enthusiastic for more! I love speaking with passionate Elks volunteers and hearing all about the charitable projects that create lasting, meaningful impact in local communities across the nation. It’s great to be working here with the Best People On Earth! 

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
1 comment
Read more