National President’s Message
Members of the Elks of Canada:
I am absolutely honored to be chosen as your Leader of the Elks of Canada. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve the Order with honesty, integrity, and pride.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Grand Executive, Grand Lodge Staff and Grand Lodge Committee members who commit countless hours of time and effort to meet the challenges we face as an Order. I also want to acknowledge the Past Grand Exalted Rulers Association for being there when we need them for advice and to bring matters of concern to the Grand Executive and Grand Lodge Management. I also want to acknowledge the Provincial and Territorial Elks Associations that work hard serving the needs of their respective Lodges.
Most importantly, I want to acknowledge community Lodges and the incredible work that they do to support their communities and the people that live and work there. All the Leaders of the Order endeavor to face the challenges ahead, to make appropriate and effective decisions that improve the opportunities for Lodges to grow, prosper and increase membership. A healthy Lodge is a happy Lodge, and a happy Lodge is a successful Lodge. A successful Lodge improves the quality of life of the community they live in as well as Pride in being members of the Elks of Canada.
The success of the Elks of Canada is based on, but not limited to, several factors:
Growth and Maintenance of Membership
Effective Communications
Effective Leadership Development and Training
Coordinated Order-Wide Acceptance of Change
Essential Skilled Financial and Human Resources
Positive Thinking and Positive Attitude
Hard Work
The Will to Survive and Succeed
I am confident that the Strategic Map, as accepted and adopted by the membership, is the path forward for the Elks of Canada. Strategic planning gives us the opportunity to grow and succeed in an ever-growing and changing world. We must accept that planning is an essential part of good governance and is absolutely a key factor in every successful organization. Strategic Planning is a fundamental process in maintaining effective governance.
An essential initial task for me as your new Grand Exalted Ruler is to meet with the Grand Executive and Grand Lodge Management to discuss and plan out responses and work plans to address priorities facing the Order. As work plans are developed, tasks will be assigned to Grand Lodge Members, Committees and/or Staff.
Goals and Objectives:
The following are my initial goals and objectives for my term of office:
Communication
- Establish formal communications function within the Order
- One Official Source for all communications (Internal and External) within the Order or to outside Sources
Cost Saving Measures
- Review with Executive Director and evaluate all steps that can be taken to reduce unnecessary costs or spending.
- Develop plans, procedures, and directives to support cost saving measures without negatively affecting essential services.
- Task the Strategic Planning Committee and the Audit/Finance Committee to work together on financial impacts of decisions affecting the Order.
Identify Priority Actions to Promote Success within the Order
Primary Goal to result in a NET ZERO MEMBERSHIP OUTCOME BY YEAR END!
Update Grand Lodge Committee Structure
Theme for my Term of Office:
No matter what part of the country you are in, all Elks of Canada and Royal Purple Elks Lodges should hold their heads up high and celebrate the incredible work they have done to support their community, their Lodge, and persons in need. There will always be a need for selfless volunteerism to keep that momentum going. Thank you for what you do for the success of the Order.
“SERVE WITH PRIDE”
Yours in Elkdom,
D.E. (Don) Gillis
National President/Grand Exalted Ruler
Elks of Canada