By LOU MARTIN
The Progress
Members of the Mesquite Elk’s Lodge attended the 100th Nevada State Elks Association state conference on April 26-28 in Laughlin Nevada to see the statewide organization install new leaders.
Mesquite attendees included Exalted Ruler Eddie Lopez, Trustees Monty Dibble and Jeff Powell, Treasurer Jeff Smith, PDDGER Lou Martin, PER’s Kris Weiland, Bill Oskin and members Shelley Piper-Martin and Joanne Weiland.
The highlight of the conference was the installation of a new President for the Association. Ross Dyer of North Las Vegas Lodge #2353 was installed on Saturday night April 27 at the Aquarius Casino conference center.
Dyer a 28 year member of the Elks stated that his motto for the coming year was “REMEMBER WHY!”
“This is basically a statement saying that most people became Elks to help others,” he said. “Many have lost this goal. We need batter communication at all levels in the state”
Outgoin President Frank Reynolds III of Reno Lodge #597 struck his gavel to open the session on the Friday night at a dinner highlighting his year as President of the NSEA. Honored guests were President-Elect Ben Reed of Great Basin Lodge #1472, Don Wolfe Vice-President South of Las Vegas Lodge #1468, Arizona Elks First-Vice President Sue Krausman from Sierra Vista Lodge # 2065, California-Hawaii Elks Association First Vice-President Marty Mello of Woodland Lodge #1299, Utah President-Elect Brenda Shaw from Provo Lodge #849 and the Co-Sponsor of the NSEA the Past Grand Exalted Ruler the Honorable Louis J Grillo from Stockton Lodge # 218.
President Reynolds struck his gavel early on Saturday morning April 27 to open the NSEA Business Session as all attendees gathered to hear reports from all the NSEA Committee Chairpersons. Over 30 chairpersons gave a written and oral report of the areas they represented.
After reporting was completed, Reynolds announced that a vote would be held for a new Vice-President South and North. J.J. Lynch of Las Vegas Lodge #1468 and Ed Emerick of Reno Lodge #597 were elected.
New Trustees were elected for the State plus the State Major Project. Ty Trouten of Great Basin Lodge #1472 was elected NSEA State Trustee and local Elks member Kris Weiland was named as Trustee for the State Major Project, St. Jude Ranch for Children.
A luncheon was held on Saturday afternoon to raise funds for the State Major Project. Lodges and members raised over $67,000 for the project.
