State Sponsor

Florida Elks are shining bright! We have the holidays behind us and it is time to finish our Elks year at full throttle. Your Harry-Anna Trust Fund donations are on track to exceed expectations and your Elks National Foundation donations are improving. What a great time to be a Florida Elk.

“Three to Grow” is making huge strides for our order to set a record that dates back 45 years with positive growth for three consecutive years. We still need your help to have the Florida State Elks Association take a lead position. We need the delinquent members to become current and a strong push for new members. Remember, a candidate is NOT a member, so initiate your candidates promptly and properly. We are depending on you for an outstanding year.

Our midyear convention in St. Petersburg was an exceptional function. We learned, we shared ideas and we shared fellowship. Our thanks go to our COO/State Secretary, Carl Seibert, and his staff for a very successful event. Carl and his staff seem to stay a step ahead of issues. We should be proud of Camp Director, Nick Miller, and his staff for providing a very successful summer camp along with all the children on campus year-round. We truly help the children of today to become leaders of tomorrow. Our Children’s Therapy Services Director, Colleen Gallant, continues to grow our project and her exceptional staff sets the benchmark in Florida for treating children requiring our services. We all should be loud, proud and visible promoting who we are as Elks.

Please make your plans to learn more and make new friends at our February quarterly meeting at the camp Feb. 9-10. On Friday night we have some special entertainment for your pleasure. Come and meet and welcome our Grand Exalted Ruler, Randy Shook, and his wife and first lady, Wanda. They are great ambassadors of our order and great people from Tennessee.

As we move forward, give serious thoughts to your lodge leaders who you elect/appoint for next year. We need qualified and dedicated candidates to take us to the next level as we continue our positive trends. Get involved, find something of interest in your lodge and enhance it. You make the difference for all of us.

State Co-sponsor PNP Bob Grafton, Sandra and I hope your holidays were enjoyable and you are charged up for the new year. Have a great year in all facets of your life and thank you for being part of the FSEA family. God bless us all and our United States of America.

Michael F. Smith, PNP

State Sponsor

Florida State Elks Association