Exalted Ruler
Troy Pedersen

Happy New Year! As we kick off 2026, January is perfect for planning -- connecting with friends and neighbors, getting more active, or seeing new places and things. If you've resolved to get more involved with the Elks, we've got lots of different opportunities for you! Swing by the Lodge to join in on social events and help with group projects.

Heads up: the Hoop Shoot will be kicking off Sunday, January 11th. If you want to pitch in, reach out to Harry Montag, we need plenty of volunteers to keep things running smoothly. And don't for-get, we've got a Lodge clean-up scheduled for Sunday, January 18th from 1 to 4 PM. to spruce up the building and grounds. Contact me for details about how to help.

We will have a unique menu for our Lodge dinner on January 10th: Hungarian Goulash! You won’t want to miss it. Later in the month, our annual Chili Cook-Off will be Saturday, January 24th. If you think your chili is the best, come compete for a shot at the trophy and bragging rights!

The Cash Calendar event is also happening all month, so if you
haven't grabbed your tickets yet, just ask — it's always a good time to jump in. Keep an eye on the website for daily winners, and we can't wait to see everyone getting involved with all these fun events!

—Troy
Troy Pedersen
Exalted Ruler

Grand Exalted Ruler

A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Bryan R. Klatt
Deadlines approach for awards, financial filings


Happy 2026 to all our Elks family! January starts the last quarter of the Lodge year. Be sure to have your membership retention program working on achieving a +1 membership gain for 2026! Have your membership committee and delinquent Member sponsor reach out to those lapsed Members. This personal contact could very well bring these Members back on to our rolls. Our delinquent Members had a reason for joining and they are worth keeping as active Members. Find out why they are delinquent.

As the Lodge year is nearing the end, there is no better way to recognize those Members and citizens who have gone beyond the call of duty in their service to Elkdom than to award them with “Elk of the Year,” “Officer of the Year,” and “Citizen of the Year.” The awards request form can be accessed in the Members Only section of elks.org and needs to be submitted prior to March 31 so that the certificates can be printed and sent back to the Lodge for Officer installations or year-end award gatherings.

Also, the Legacy Award scholarship is available until February 2, 2026. It provides $4,000 scholarships to the children and grandchildren of Elks Members. Details of the scholarship can be found on the Elks National Foundation website.

The end of the Lodge fraternal year will be here soon. With the Financial Reporting System (FRS), your Lodge needs to ensure all entries are current. A bonus of having the FRS system is that your Lodge no longer needs to have the annual audit completed. However, you still must submit your 990 and 990T for each corporation in your Lodge. Have them completed by a qualified individual (e.g., CPA) and filed with the IRS and uploaded on elks.org.

Membership... Membership... Membership: There are three months left in this year. Initiate all your candidates and work on the delinquent list!

To Be The Difference means searching for ways to improve what we have while looking forward to the future.

Secretary
Laurie Montag

It’s getting down to the wire for those of you have not paid your 2024/25 dues and do not have a yellow membership card. If you do not pay your dues prior to 12/31/25, your 2025/26 dues statement will reflect the two years that are due. If you do not pay your dues by March 31, 2026, your membership at Lodge #80 will be terminated and you will become a “stray Elk.” Please take a moment to remember why you became an Elk and send your dues in ASAP.

A new feature for our members – the electronic membership card! This requires that you establish a login at elks.org (you only need your membership number). Once you log in on your phone, tap “Menu” on the right of the screen, then tap “Member Center.” Right below the Welcome, you will see “Digital Membership Card” in the blue box. Tap on that and your digital membership card will appear. While it is still advisable (and required) for you to carry your embossed membership card with you, this may be a good backup. Be aware, this is a new development, and if you travel, not all lodges may currently accept this as evidence of membership.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance with all things Elk. There is voicemail on the lodge phone, or you may contact me as below. See you at the Lodge!
Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone.

TeamUp Calendar: https://teamup.com/ks72770fc1e574f762

Leading Knight
Dr William Jackson

The Leading Knight message is not available at this time.

Loyal Knight
Tami Nordman

The Loyal Knight message is not available at this time.

Lecturing Knight
Dave Shoff

The Lecturing Knight message is not available at this time.