Local Elk Becomes First Female State President

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Becoming the first female Nevada State Elks Association President is quite an achievement for local Debbie Oskin. However, she is no stranger to breaking through glass ceilings.

Debbie and her husband Bill came to Mesquite in 2007. Both have a law enforcement background. They joined the Elks right away and Debbie became the first local female Exalted Ruler in 2014.
Oskin said the State President position is an elected one, but she held many state offices before becoming President.

“It has been a bit challenging through the years being the first female running for these positions.” Oskin said.

She hopes through her new position to help alleviate some differences on how to accomplish their goals between the newer younger generation and the more seasoned Elks. Welcome to new ideas and yet keep Elk traditions.

Oskin said she is used to overcoming challenges, having been a police officer for twenty-six years in Philadelphia and even an undercover narcotics officer.

Former Exalted Ruler Kris Weiland said, “I have had the pleasure of working with Debbie Oskin for years and found her to be a great leader, she has had to break through some glass ceilings and did a good job.”

Oskin said she would like more people to be aware of all the good things that the Elks do for the community. “There is a lot more to us than a private bar” she said. “The Benevolent Order of the Elks are the premier charitable group in the country.”

The State of Nevada has sixteen local Elks chapters. Oskin’s job is to travel around to the different Elks chapters in the State and attend all the national conventions.

According to Weiland, since the inception of the local Elks Club in 1999, the club has given $416,000 to the community through different programs. Some of the programs include scholarships to graduating seniors in Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley, the annual Hoop Shoot, Shop with a Cop, sponsoring youth baseball teams, the Salvation Army and the Virgin Valley Food Bank. The Elks also provide gift cards to needy seniors. And each year the Elks purchase dictionaries for all third-grade students from Beaver Dam to Moapa Valley.

The Elk’s Lodge is located at 545 Riverside Rd. For more information call 702-345-2811.