Elks National Foundation Blog

by Jessica Phan 2015 Most Valuable Student Scholar One of the many things I love about families is that they are always there to support one another. When I received my Most Valuable Student scholarship sponsored by the Santa Ana, Calif., Lodge No. 794, I was able to experience the camaraderie and generosity of the Elks first-hand. From their welcoming hugs to our humorous conversations at the dinner table, the Elks showed me that they wanted to provide much more than financial support. Though it was only our first time meeting, the Elks demonstrated that they were truly invested in my life. Being at the Lodge made me feel like I was part of something bigger, but I had no idea at the time how involved the Elks would become in my life. A Few Members of the Elks Family Serving on the Winter Elks Scholar Service Trip in Oakland, Calif., alongside 18 other Elks scholars made me realize that my Elks family was not limited to my local Lodge. The lasting relationships we built i...

by Maryann Slater Elks Scholar Fellow   - 59 Scholars, 5 Meet-Ups, 4 States and 1 board of Inspirational Quotes My Inspiration Board I had the opportunity to connect with 59 Elks scholars, attend 5 Meet-Ups, and travel to 4 different states in October as the Elks Scholar Fellow. From a site visit to Oakland, California in preparation for the Winter 2016 Elks Scholar Service Trip to the National Scholarship Providers Association Conference (NSPA) in Charleston, South Carolina, my travels provided me with wonderful opportunities to learn so much that I will be able to implement on the Elks Scholar Service Trips. I have an inspiration board at my desk (it’s actually a sheet of paper that I add post-its to), but I like to write down quotes that help me to remember the person I’m trying to become and why I’m doing what I’m doing each day. Many of them come from Simon Sinek’s daily “Notes to Inspire” emails that you can sign up for here . Sinek is a speaker and author famo...

by Maryann Slater Elks Scholar Fellow   Elks scholars now have the opportunity to come together in service with their Elks scholar peers. These trips will offer the opportunity to learn about societal issues, serve those in need in the name of the Elks, and the chance for Elks scholars and Elks to connect with their Elks Family across the country. To read more posts about the service trips, click here . One of my favorite pictures of the U.P scenery - it looks like a painting! Learn. Serve. Connect. We’ve returned from the Summer 2015 Elks Scholar Service Trip with many memories of the beautiful Upper Peninsula, new constructions skills, and bonds that will last long beyond the trip. For an inside look into the trip, check out this short film ! The Elks Scholar Service Trips initiative exists to allow Elks scholars the opportunity to learn about societal issues, serve those in need in the name of the Elks, and connect with their Elks family. I’d like to share ...