Members of Elks lodges from across the province gathered in Estevan from Thursday to Sunday for the 88th annual Saskatchewan conference.
They heard about some of the developments that are taking place across the province, celebrated how the Elks are helping Saskatchewan鈥檚 people, and elected their provincial directors for the coming 12 months.
Don Hilstrom, who is the exalted ruler for the Estevan Elks Lodge, said they had 52 delegates in attendance. A large percentage of the lodges in the province were represented at the convention.
鈥淓verything went really smooth, and everything kept on time,鈥� said Hilstrom.
The local lodge received good feedback about the meals that were served and the courtesy cars that were available.
The convention kicked off on Thursday with registration, workshops, meetings and meals.
The next day featured the opening ceremonies, a speech by national grand exalted ruler Dennis Ellingboe, the national charities report and other reports, and the Saskatchewan Elks Foundation鈥檚 annual general meeting.
Saturday was also a busy day with more reports, elections and the installation of officers. The annual president鈥檚 banquet wrapped up Saturday鈥檚 activities.
The convention concluded with a final meeting on Sunday.
鈥淢uch of the time went to the children鈥檚 fund, which is the national project,鈥� said Hilstrom. 鈥淭he Elks concentrate on hearing impaired people, and lots of that money goes to newborns that can鈥檛 hear.鈥�
The Elks are the major supporter of the Saskatchewan Pediatric Auditory Rehabilitation Centre鈥檚 children鈥檚 hearing program, located in the University Hospital in Saskatoon.
Lodges presented cheques to the grand lodge for the children鈥檚 fund during the weekend, and various activities raised around $8,000.
June Tarr with the Craven and District Elks Lodge had been the provincial president for 2016-17. She turned over the leadership duties to Kalvin Nankeivell of Kisbey, who is a member of the Moose Mountain Elks Lodge.
Tarr said the past year has been an excellent experience, as she learned a lot, travelled throughout the province and met some wonderful people.
鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of the Elks, and the history that there is in Saskatchewan,鈥� said Tarr. 鈥淚鈥檓 just blown away by that.鈥�
Among her biggest responsibilities has been visiting the different lodges in Saskatchewan. She visited about 20 in the province during the past year. She participated in their meetings and learned what they are doing in communities.
鈥淚鈥檝e been impressed that the history of the Elks is so rich,鈥� said Tarr. 鈥淭hey started way back in the Great Depression period, and they were alive and active during the Second World War period, and they hung on when it was difficult. They kept on going. They have done so much for the communities across the province.鈥�
She hopes Nankeivell will enjoy himself during the next 12 months. She knows he will take a positive message to the different lodges.
Nankeivell has been an Elk for 41 years, and he is looking forward to interacting with Elks members across Saskatchewan.
鈥淚 have a lot of travelling to do,鈥� said Nankeivell. 鈥淚 have about 25 lodges I have to attend their meetings.鈥�
Among the recurring messages at the convention was the need to attract new and younger members. Hilstrom said that鈥檚 something the Elks have been doing well in Estevan for some time, leaving them with one of the largest membership bases in the province.
The local lodge has approximately 120 members, including 10 life members. Those life members still find ways to contribute.
鈥淭here鈥檚 only Prince Albert and Estevan that operate, on a daily basis, a lounge area for our members,鈥� said Hilstrom. 鈥淎ll the rest are just meeting places, and they do hold dances or Bingo in their halls. But they don鈥檛 operate the lounge part.鈥�
