February 2020 www.elks.org Volume 55, No. 7

Newsletter Care — Share Delinquent Members deserve a phone call The end of the Lodge year is fast If you haven’t done so, please try to approaching. I hope that Lodges are Message from keep your Lodge website page on elks. contacting delinquent Members to find org up to date. Often times I’ve visited out what is going on, and how they can the Grand a Lodge page and found that officer be kept as Members. Exalted Ruler listings were missing or no longer I strongly suggest that no Member accurate. An outdated or inaccurate should be dropped without some sort web page, especially one provided free of initial personal contact, whether it ROBERT L. through Grand Lodge, reflects poorly. be a phone call or visit, to really find With only two months left in the out what is happening. Sometimes there DUITSMAN fraternal year, now is a good time to are special circumstances that can be February is possibly the most important plan for year end activities. Will there be worked around. Whatever the reason for month of the fraternal year: It is when an event to recognize senior Members the delinquency, the person has been a the leaders of the Lodge are chosen. who have achieved milestones in their part of your Lodge family and should Every Member should take an interest in Lodge membership? Are the new be afforded the respect and fraternal officer selection and attend the meeting. officers properly prepared for their concern given to all Members. Then, elections are to be conducted. coming year of service? All of these Even if a delinquent Member has Unfortunately, there have been times things, both fun and important, should decided for whatever reason not to when a very small percentage of a Lodge’s be under consideration as the end of continue his or her membership, please membership have elected officers with the year starts to come into focus. consider making the effort to find out a passion not shared by the majority. It Finally, to the Lodge Secretaries, why. There may be something going on behooves every Elk to take an interest in please make sure to enter new Lodge in your Lodge that can be changed to the election process and be a part of the directory information into CLMS2web avoid the loss of additional Members. decisions made. The future of the Lodge so that correct listings can be available. Something to think about. may depend on it. It will save a lot of time later on.

Chairperson Report Elks National Foundation due via CLMS2Web Hoop Shoot finalist emulates dad After the election of Lodge Officers Wayne Bower developed plenty of grit saw how much they give to the community in February and before April 15, the en route to the 2019 Hoop Shoot National by helping others, especially kids and Secretary must complete the 2020-2021 Finals. But, he might’ve learned a bit about veterans, something inside me told me I Lodge Committee Chairperson Report grit, and now gratitude, from his dad, too. needed to join.” in CLMS2Web and confirm acceptance. “The Elks Hoop Shoot was like a Jacob submitted his application to join In January, to assist in compiling religion in our family,” said Jacob Bower, Nampa, Idaho Lodge No. 1389 before the needed information, a worksheet Wayne’s dad. the 2019 National Finals. was mailed to Jacob is the youngest of five boys, all “It’s just something I believe in,” Jacob GRAND SECRETARY the Secretary. of whom competed in the Hoop Shoot. said. “Getting involved in it has been Bryan R. Klatt Remember: This Jacob’s father, who died when Jacob was so exciting. I just love everything about information is to be 3 years old, encouraged his older sons to the Elks.” filed via CLMS2Web. Please, do not mail participate. They continued their father’s The Bower family regularly attends to Grand Lodge or your District Deputy. legacy. Jacob competed every year from the Nampa Lodge’s Friday night dinners, the time he was 8 and won the National and Jacob plans to promote Lodge With the pending automatic submis- Championship in 1997. opportunities, like the ones he and Wayne sion of the Annual Membership Report, Jacob loved his Hoop Shoot experience, received, to others in the community. He all membership activity must be entered and so did Wayne. As Wayne advanced, already volunteers with Hoop Shoot and in CLMS2Web by 11:59 p.m. on March 31. he traveled to Portland, Oregon, and hopes to direct the Lodge contest one day. What does that mean? All membership Chicago—places he’d never been. “I really believe this is one of the best records (additions, drops, and deaths) “It reminded me about all the good events kids can be involved in,” Jacob must be finalized. If not, the Lodge experiences I had with the Hoop Shoot,” said. “The Elks have done so much for membership total will be out of balance. Jacob said. “As I researched my Lodge and my family and now for [Wayne].” Page 2 Grand Lodge Newsletter • February 2020

Grand Lodge Government Relations Committee How to protect your Lodge in case of an audit By GLENN E. FOSTER accountant there to represent you. You The evidence gathering questions Committee Member should also have a Power of Attorney during an audit are too numerous to What do you do if your Lodge ever (POA) representing you. Schedule a walk mention in this article but your best guide receives a notification letter from the through with your POA so he/she can is the Grand Lodge IRS packet. Mainly, IRS of their intent to audit your books? see every room, closet, storage area, and the UBIT, your financial records, 990s and Stay calm. It isn’t the end of the world. outside area. Remember, gambling items 990Ts, income to bank deposits, and actual The IRS audits Lodges to close the tax draw the attention of the auditors. expenses to actual checks are just some gap between actual income and reported A normal audit will take one to two of the items closely reviewed. They also income. days. It is usually held at the Lodge but check for payroll tax compliance, looking Why the Elks? Some Members are also sometimes at the accountant’s office. at salaries compared to W-2 totals among civic leaders. If the IRS examines the Some questions asked are: Is it a fraternal other things related to payrolls. books of an Elks Lodge, those Members organization and does it provide insurance Can a Lodge have more than one class will start cleaning the books of other benefits? What services does the Lodge of Members? IRS rules allow it but our organizations, too. Elks are trained to do perform? Be familiar with the information Order does not, and doing so can cause it a certain way because that is how it was in the Grand Lodge IRS packet. It may large problems. always done—often, that is not the right help you with questions during the audit. What are non-members? Anyone who way. And, the Government needs money. Questions may include Lodge activities has not been investigated, indoctrinated Also, they want to locate any incorrect such as scholarships, veterans, drug and initiated into our Order, nor has paid uses of tax exempt organizations that are awareness programs, and fundraising dues, or has no membership card. not reporting payments properly. events. Charitable use of your facilities requires The most common notification is by Look out for questions that could be a 501(c)(3) determination letter before a letter. Rarely by a phone call. It is very traps. Do you have more than one class of the first use. If you allow an organization unusual for agents with guns and badges Members? Do you pay officers or trustees? to use the Lodge facility for fundraising to knock on your door. If this happens, Are non-Members allowed in the Lodge? events, and the people they bring in are call your attorney, not the accountant. Your first step is to notify the Grand Do you have a guest sign in book? Guests not Members of the Lodge, then the Lodge and ask for an IRS packet to be must be accompanied by a Member. The Lodge could lose its tax-exempt status sent to your Lodge. For the audit you Member pays for each guest brought because of being declared a place of will have to prove the Lodge is a 501 (c) into the Lodge. Non-Members who pay public accommodation. (8) instead of a (c)(10). This packet does their own costs for food, drinks, games, When the audit is done the examiner will that. Look at the IRS information request etc. are always potential problems. Some review the items that you are to prepare to see what they are seeking. state laws prohibit non-members from and send to them. Later they may require The examiners will help you obey the buying adult beverages. Know your state additional information by mail or a phone law. They understand the problems that liquor laws. Sales to non-members may call. Be on time with this information. If untrained volunteers may have in an be Taxable Unrelated Business Income they find you owe money they will ask if organization. They will work with you (UBIT). Depending on your state gaming you can pay it now. Do so if possible. to the extent allowed by law unless you laws, non-member gambling proceeds may If you do not understand something, do not work with them. trigger unexpected license and tax issues ask them. They will take the time to explain When getting ready for the audit, buy and UBIT and exemption questions. it to you. They understand volunteerism three bankers boxes and 30 hanging Engage an accountant in this interview and will work with you. If you try to folders. Label the hanging folders for each and Lodge walk through. This is another intimidate them with your lawyer or you item on the information request. Put the way to gather information. Let your have an attitude, they will assume you have required documents in the various folders accountant answer the questions. Your something to hide and will look harder and check off each item listed. Have your wrong answer may cost you. to find any problems.

Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee Teamwork, diligence help All American chances By JOHN R. HOLBROOK can receive. earned and then mail the district winners Committee Member The Contest “A” letter and by April 1 to the State Activities Chairman. I believe every Lodge is an All American application is on the ER’s thumb The State Activities Chairman will mail Lodge, so, show your stuff and enter the drive or online at: https://www. the winners to Robert R. Hinkle, 339 Lucy elks.org/grandlodge/fraternal/files/ Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22801-8050. Contest “A.” contestALodgeCertification.pdf He can also be reached at hinklerr@ The All American Lodge Contest You will find that many items on the yahoo.com. recognizes the Lodges that have the best form can be completed immediately. Three winners are named in each administrative Elks programs during the Lodge Officers should work together of the six membership divisions. First year. Start planning now. With a little to complete it. The application must place Lodges are awarded a plaque, while effort in filling out the application, your be signed by the Exalted Ruler and the second and third place Lodges receive a Lodge could be recognized as an All Secretary, and it must be mailed to your certificate. Plaques and certificates will be American Lodge, the most prestigious District Deputy and postmarked no later presented at the Grand Lodge Convention award from the Grand Lodge that a Lodge than March 15. DDs will verify points in Baltimore. Honoring the Past—Embracing the Future Page 3

Grand Lodge Activities Committee Award recognizes Members who spread Scouting By MICHAEL T. OHREN Marvin M. Lewis Award, candidates must instrumental in organizing Scouting Committee Member have the recommendation of their Local units, especially in inner-city or other The Grand Lodge Activities Committee Lodge and their local Scouting Council low-income communities. invites all Lodges to nominate one candidate to be eligible. A Lodge should consider Elks who: A Grand Lodge selection committee for the Marvin M. Lewis Award, the will review candidates and choose highest award for scouting presented 1. Have brought Scouting to many qualified recipients. Applications for this by the Elks. This is awarded to those young people. award can be found on the Elks website Elks Members who have been strong 2. Have assisted Lodges in forming under Grand Lodge Committees and promoters of Scouting in their Lodge and Scouting units. are due on or before March 1. Lodges have an extensive history in working with 3. Are fully trained in the skills of Scouts. Four Elks each year are given this Scouting and are outstanding role that submitted an application in the past prestigious award. models. and were not selected are encouraged Marvin M. Lewis Awards are presented 4. Have contributed significantly to resubmit. annually at the Grand Lodge Convention. to Elks and Scouting by bringing the If you have any questions concerning In addition, presentations can be made two movements together to serve the the application contact Activities at events such as Boy Scouts of America community. Committee Member Michael Ohren at Local Council, an Elks State Convention, 5. Have offered Scouting to all [email protected], Richard Belmore at or a Local Lodge meeting. youths regardless of race, creed, [email protected] or William Sternberg When selecting a candidate for the or income level, and have been at [email protected].

Drug Awareness Program Addicts tell their stories to teens in new DAP video By FRANK BURR teens and their parents meet the interview CEO of FBE. “Our wide array of content Assistant Director, Elks DAP subjects in person and further explore often ignites emotional responses and this The ELKS Drug Awareness Program their experiences. effort really provided a human spotlight (DAP), the nation’s largest all-volunteer Ahead of the nationwide campaign, on a very serious issue. We look forward drug education group, has partnered with teens from all over the country participated to sparking an important conversation the Drug Enforcement Administration in the Elks Anti-Drug Video Contest. with our community and draw attention (DEA) to launch a national anti- The 2019 winning entry, Sunshine by El to the powerful resources like ELKS and drug educational video “Teens React Modena High School Sr. Sandy Beach, the DEA who are there to help. You are To Conversations with Survivors of elicited very strong and emotional not alone.” Addiction” to spotlight the effects of reactions, and was then watched by The Project was once again created by drugs on teenagers. The video premiered the teens, parents, and individuals in Sunny Day Entertainment, who previously in late November on FBE, a multi- recovery as seen in the video. Following partnered with the DEA and Elks DAP platform digital studio that serves over this, the group then engaged in a candid on several anti-drug videos with SMOSH 34 million subscribers, with additional and heartfelt discussion that is a must in 2017 and 2018. The Elks have also content running on its Twitter and watch for parents and their children. It created several comic books, including Facebook pages using hashtag #ElksDAP is at times lighthearted and other times ones with the New York Fire Department and #DEA. As of mid-December the heart wrenching as the parents, teens, and Marvel which are available on www. video had over 500,000 views. and people in recovery connect on a truly Elkskidzone.com. Viewers can watch the full video using human level. Kent Gade, National Director of The the following links: The video, while being very engaging, Elks DAP, said “The Benevolent and also provides information for teens and Protective Order of Elks is committed YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ parents on how to handle peer pressure, to finding unique and effective tools to watch?v=6WNjlc_P6O4 conversations with your kids, signs that provide education about illegal drug use Instagram: https://www.instagram. someone you care about might have a and legalized drug abuse by our children com/p/B5TxnIQAIJJ/ problem, and many other important and adults. We are very proud of our Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sunny subjects critical to keeping kids safe and relationship with the Drug Enforcement DayEntert1/status/11991068869 drug free. The video also encourages Administration and excited to partner 07265025?s=20 parents, kids, and teens to visit www. with FBE on this project!” elkskidzone.com, the Elks DAP Kids site, “The Elks are outstanding, long-time Facebook: https://www.facebook. www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com, and www. partners with DEA in raising awareness com/104144524370404/posts/122340 justthinktwice.com, the DEA’s website about substance abuse and its destructive 982550758?d=n&sfns=mo for teens and parents, educators, and effects on families throughout the United The video features teens and their caregivers, all of which provide access States,” said DEA Acting Administration parents watching interviews from a to an array of education and treatment Uttam Dhillon. “I commend the Elks diverse group of adults who describe resources. for their continued efforts to engage as their journey into addiction and road to “FBE is dedicated to sharing stories many teenagers and parents as possible to recovery. After viewing the footage, the that make an impact,” said Marc Hustvedt, prevent drug addiction before it starts.” Page 4 Grand Lodge Newsletter • February 2020 Passion creates passion for volunteer projects By HANNAH GRABER alone. Find quality people to help with volunteer, working on a volunteer ENVSC Department Assistant the project, lay out the fluid plan to them, income,” Kramin said. “Life gets in Over the past few months we’ve asked and delegate tasks to them without the way sometimes and you must volunteers to share stories and advice micromanaging. Present a task remember the volunteers have that needs to be accomplished families and bills to take care about serving veterans in their community. and let them do the rest.” of first. Gentle nudges for We recently contacted Minnesota State As State Veterans Chair, reminders work better than Veterans Chair Thomas Kramin to ask how Kramin helps oversee 20 dropping the hammer on he and his state volunteers get so much volunteers at 13 voluntary them for being late in the done. His simple answer was “Passion service facilities and helps reporting.” creates passion.” with dozens of local and When pressed as to why “To get started, approach the Members state projects. Partnerships and he spends so much of his time with a project that you have a heartfelt working with the community are volunteering, Kramin said “Helping passion for,” Kramin said. “Make sure you key to his success, so be sure to ask for veterans is more addictive than any drug have a fluid plan on how to accomplish assistance. Once these volunteers are available on the market. The sense of life the project. When you ask for help, you involved, it’s important to be flexible and accomplishment and self-worth you feel open the door for outside opinions on understanding. in your soul afterwards is so overpowering how to do it. Be open. You cannot do it “Remember that everyone is a that you want to do more.”

BRYAN R. KLATT, Grand Secretary NON-PROFIT ORG. Benevolent and Protective February 2020 U.S. Postage ORDER OF ELKS PAI D 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue CHICAGO, IL Chicago, Illinois 60614-1889 Permit No. 5244

Grand Lodge Public Relations and Membership Marketing Gift of Elkdom helps others, keeps Members engaged By RICK GATHEN to the betterment of the youth of our way is to talk only about the tasks needed. PR and Membership Marketing Manager nation. Last year alone, our Members The right way is to explain how good you Elks are profoundly social beings. served more than 677,000 veterans. feel helping those in need, and how its terrifically rewarding to volunteer. The We offer countless social opportunities But still too often we are reluctant to ask Members to volunteer their time, ability to bring out the best in people and friendships. However, the key to is what makes the Elks so popular and especially new Members. membership retention is to get our respected. Members active in our charitable works. We need to change the way we think. You can begin to profoundly alter the The gift of Elkdom is the warming of The gift of Elkdom is a life-changing culture in your Lodge by delivering the the soul we feel when we help those in experience that we must deliver. gift of Elkdom. Members who experience need, especially children and our veterans. But there is a right way and wrong way the gift are more likely to remain in the Our state major projects are all dedicated to ask Members to be active. The wrong Order and be active Elks. Lodges celebrating 100-year anniversaries during 2019-20 in Sturgis, MI Lodge No. 1381 January 29, 1920 service to humanity, our nation, and our Order’s noble principles: Sycamore, IL Lodge No. 1392 May 27, 1920 Lodge Name Instituted Bound Brook, NJ Lodge No. 1388 June 8, 1920 100 Years Willard, OH Lodge No. 1370 July 31, 1919 Rochester, NH Lodge No. 1393 June 9, 1920 Sandpoint, ID Lodge No. 1376 November 6, 1919 Owatonna, MN Lodge No. 1395 June 18, 1920 Kent, OH Lodge No. 1377 November 14, 1919 Plaquemine, LA Lodge No. 1398 June 20, 1920 of Service Redondo Beach, CA Lodge No. 1378 December 5, 1919 Alma, MI Lodge No. 1400 June 30, 1920