Exalted Ruler
Troy Pedersen

Greetings all

The 2nd month of the new year is already here, with Valentine's Day on the horizon. Winter weather still around, for how long no one is sure, but it will stay for awhile, leave, and come back with a vengeance. It is nice to have some warm weather only to be taken away next day. What a dilemma; spring still some time away but gets closer every day. It is the 4 season way of life; spring will tease you, summer will cook you, fall will cool you back down, then winter for the real freeze.

Take advantage of your life situation. Make the best of it, enjoy the time we have. Seems like we have all the time in the world. Life goes on, get in it. Enjoy a good movie, seasonal sports, that special TV show you been waiting to watch on a streaming service. Take 15746 that special per-son out for dinner, enjoy each others company.

Get a pet before the winter blues really kick in.
Enjoy the Lodge, come down for dinner or have a beverage to celebrate your accomplishments.

The fraternal year is starting to come to a close
in March where you will have a new fraternal year starting in April. Start to accomplish things you couldn't do this fraternal year. Kearney will be hosting a new officer training where you can meet old friends and start new friendships in Elkdom. Grow as a person and as an Elk, see what other Lodges are doing to attract new members. Remember that it starts with you. Be the best you can be and have a Great Valentines Day. So as always get active, keep the EOG handy, enjoy some new friends and just have Fun.

Troy Pedersen ER Lincoln Lodge #80

Grand Exalted Ruler

A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Douglas A. Schiefer
Positive energy helps new Officers get settled


Happy birthday to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks! On February 16, we celebrate 157 years of our great organization. On a personal note, my birthday is February 14. I wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day, especially my beautiful and amazing wife, Julia.

This month is extremely important for Elkdom. First, new Officer elections should be held at your last monthly meeting. Second, you need to make sure those who are nominated and elected for the new Lodge year will be supported.

The new Officers must be encouraged by others. Everyone should be dedicated to making the Lodge an active and effective Lodge internally and externally in the community.

It would be a good time for the current Exalted Ruler to recognize any Member who sponsored or reinstated three Members by awarding them with the Grand Exalted Ruler pin. Please check out the activities program supported by the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee on other awards that Exalted Rulers can submit. It's time to recognize and encourage those who have shown a great deal of effort and dedication to what we do as Elks.

February is an important month for Past Exalted Rulers to perform the ritual during their Lodges' Past Exalted Rulers Night. PERs deserve to be thanked for all they have done and for what they continue to do for your Lodge.

The Contest 'A' - All American Lodge Contest certification forms are due soon, so it’s a good time to get prepared to show the efforts you have made during the last year. It takes teamwork to achieve this very prestigious award. Honestly, most Lodges would qualify but don't fill out the form properly. It is important to score your efforts on the form provided. It’s a great way for your Lodge to keep track of what you need to be doing. If you need assistance, contact your local area Fraternal Committee member. There are three winners named in each of the six membership divisions. Why not take the time to plan now and submit your form before the deadline. Be sure to include supporting documentation.

You deserve to be recognized. Continue to demonstrate "Elks Care—Elks Share" and show "Elkdom's Heart For America." God bless our great Order and our troops, and God bless America.

Secretary
Laurie Montag

Happy Valentine's Day! Be good to your sweetheart (or good friends) - join us at our February 8 dinner – it promises to be delicious!

We would like to update our records for current email addresses. To do that, if you have not had recent email correspondence with me, please use your main email address to send an email to secretary@elks80.org. Please put your name in the subject and body of the email. This will enable me to make sure we have a useable email for each of our members who communicate via email. If you don’t have an email – don’t worry! We’ll still be sending the newsletter via postal mail! Thanks so much for your assistance!

Dues for the 2025/26 lodge year are $109.50, and are due by March 31, 2025. Membership statements will arrive in your mailbox toward the end of January or early February. You may mail a check to the lodge or pay cash at the bar. For those of you who like to pay online, there will be a new interface, which we believe will be easier to use than last year's interface. There is still a convenience fee for any electronic payment, whether done online or at the lodge. Among other donation options, you can now support our Veterans projects along with your dues payment.

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.

Leading Knight
Randy King

The Leading Knight message is not available at this time.

Loyal Knight
Dr William Jackson

The Loyal Knight message is not available at this time.

Lecturing Knight
Bryan Leavitt

The Lecturing Knight message is not available at this time.