Elks National Foundation Blog

Sarah Louderman Programs Assistant Community Investments Program Sarah just started in her position as Programs Assistant, and she already feels the love from grateful grant recipients. How long have you worked at the ENF? November will be two years. It’s gone by quickly, but I’ve learned so much. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I’m wrapping up as Donor Services Assistant and training for my new position as Programs Assistant working with the Community Investments Program . Programs is reviewing submitted Beacon and Gratitude Grant applications as well as Final Report Forms from completed grant projects. We’re also gearing up for the Impact Grant announcement at the end of ENF Month. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m celebrating by reading 25 Lodges in 25 Days on the ENF website. It’s one of the best parts of ENF Month! What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? My favorite part is hearing about how the Elks and ...

Colleen Muszynski   Youth Programs Associate Fans go wild for the ENF's starting Youth Programs Associate—Colleen! How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve worked at the ENF since June 2012, so a little over a year. What projects are you working on right now? Right now, I’m working on learning my new role with the Hoop Shoot . Recently, I moved from a Programs Assistant position with the Community Investments Program to the Youth Associate position, which means I’ll be running the day-to-day aspects of everything Hoop Shoot. I’m really excited about this new opportunity! Local Hoop Shoot contests are starting soon, so I’m working to make sure we can gather information from these contests across the country to highlight Hoop Shoot successes as contestants move to Districts. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m constantly checking the Foundation’s website and Facebook page to read newly posted features on all of our awesome programs. I especially like r...

Erin Rohan Development Manager Erin enjoys the company of her desk plant and the morning sun. How long have you worked at the ENF? About six years. I joined the ENF staff in June 2007. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I am launching a new staff position at full speed! As of October 1st, I’m charged with improving the annual fundraising efforts of the ENF while ensuring best use of the tools and knowledge we have here at the office. Right now among other things, I’m preparing personalized appeal letters for thousands of ENF donors asking for their continued support this season. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I encourage and recognize the hard work of ENF fundraising volunteers! Leadership Pins and contests such as the Leadership Challenge and the Chair Challenge only reveal a fraction of the success these ENF Chairs achieve. We thank them all year long, but ENF Month brings a special opportunity.      ...

Mary Morgan Programs Associate Community Investments Program Mary proudly displays thank-you letters from grateful ENF G rant recipients. How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve worked for the ENF for 5 years. What projects are you/your department working on right now? Right now, the Community Investments Program is busy! We’ve just awarded all 500 Promise Grants . 2013-14 Beacon and Gratitude Grants are online now. We’ve also enlisted the help of many ENF staff members to help evaluate Impact Grant submissions. Applications are being scored every day in preparation for the big October 30 announcement . What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m celebrating ENF month by awarding grants to Lodges to hold great, charitable projects.  What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? My favorite part of working at the ENF is getting to speak with volunteers every day. I know it takes time and commitment to plan projects, recruit volunteers, reach out th...

Jim O'Kelley ENF Director  Jim shows off his teamwork and his cooking skills at the ENF's annual staff retreat How long have you worked at the ENF? A little over 16 years. Started Aug. 1, 1997. What projects are you working on right now? Well, I’m trying to finish the last of my reviews, which is already long overdue. And I’m following up on some things from last weekend’s Board meeting. And I’m reviewing Impact Grant applications. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? We’re holding our annual staff retreat this month. I always look forward to that. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? We have a great team here, and I enjoy working with most of them all of the time and all of them at least some of the time. Okay, that was a nod to the book question below. (Bilbo at his birthday party.) Seriously, the Foundation is the greatest achievement of the Elks organization to date, and every day, I get to help realize the dream of the m...

By 2013 Most Valuable Student scholar and Elks Scholar Advisory Board member Nate Baker Nate Baker, 2013 MVS scholar sponsored by Tyrone, Pa., Lodge No. 212, is the freshman representative on the Elks Scholar Advisory Board and new to college life. Throughout his first year of college, we’ll be following Nate through monthly blog posts. Check back each month to see what new adventures Nate encounters during this first year at Cornell! Reno, NV—the site of the 2013 Elks National Convention... ...and an awesome time! After returning home from a wonderful Elks National Convention in Reno , having one last hurrah with my friends, filling out forms for what seemed to be years, and trying to decide what was essential to bring with me to college, I finally made the trip to Cornell University! As I and many other Elks scholars like me (I’m looking at the freshmen) begin their collegiate careers equipped with the gifts, well-wishes, and advice of more-experienced fri...

By 2011 Legacy Awards Recipient and Elks Scholar Advisory Board Member Maryann Slater Though Elks may know about all the great work Lodges do across the country, Elks scholars are not as familiar with the Order. We asked Elks Scholar Advisory Board member and Legacy Awards recipient Maryann Slater to share a few facts about the Elks that scholars might be surprised to know!  My name is Maryann Slater and I’m the President and Junior Representative of the Elks National Foundation Scholar Advisory Board , a board comprised of Elks scholars charged with sharing ideas to shape the future of the Elks scholar experience. I’m a Junior at Rutgers, majoring in Spanish and Communication. I’m a Legacy Awards scholarship recipient and both of my parents are Elks! Since I’ve grown up in the organization I’d love to share some of my knowledge with you to hopefully give you a better understanding of the organization that gave you your scholarship. Ten things you didn’t know about ...

Anniston, Ala., Lodge No. 189 While art enthusiasts around the world are lining up to see the newly authenticated Vincent Van Gogh painting, the Elks prefer to support local artists in need. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , Anniston, Ala., Lodge No. 189 partnered with The Arc—an organization that serves people with special needs—to provide group art classes. The arts program at the local Arc was suffering due to funding cuts. Thanks to the Gratitude Grant, Elks provided frames, paint, canvases and other supplies and immediately put them to good use as they assisted the artists in their weekly classes. After mastering the art of painting, the Elks and the artists took ceramics classes and produced more museum-worthy pieces. To see where their art may one day hang, the Elks took the art class to the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, Tenn. “This project was a great opportunity for all,” says Project Manager Cathy Benton. “The word got out about how much ...

Weehawken, N.J., Lodge No. 1456 Weehawken, N.J. is a more beautiful place thanks to the Elks! Using an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant , Weehawken, N.J., Lodge No. 1456 partnered with local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, a teen peer leadership group, and other high school students to plant a garden surrounding Weehawken Town Hall. The students gave this project two green thumbs up! They enjoyed digging in the dirt, and working alongside other local youth and the Elks. To keep the plants and their new friendships thriving, the Elks plan to tend to the community garden year-round. “The Lodge furthered its status in the community by working with youth on this visible project,” says Project Manager Thomas Rovito. “We plan to plant more next year, and cultivate this project for years to come.” Does your Lodge want to be featured on the ENF blog or other ENF pages? Simply submit fabulous Final Report Forms! Include project successes, feedback from the Lodge and community, and ...

Islip, N.Y., Lodge No. 2533 President Bush hails from New Haven, Conn. President Truman grew up in Independence, Mo., and President Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Va. The Elks hope that in 2036, our nation’s President calls Islip, N.Y. home. To help youth learn more about public service, Islip, N.Y., Lodge No. 2533 used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to teach middle school students about Islip’s local government. The Elks and the students explored Islip by meeting with the town supervisor, visiting Town Hall, and touring local facilities like the airport and the recycling center. After their educational morning, Elks treated the students to lunch in town, where they talked about what they learned on their trip. “Our Promise Grant project allowed the Lodge to maintain a good relationship with the town and its schools,” says Project Manager Bruce Trezise. “Students learned about the Elks, their town and local government.” The Elks National Foundation awards $2,00...