Elks hoping for youthful infusion into aging club
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/06/2010 (5834 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Dressed in their purple blazers and white trousers, members of the Manitoba Elks Association gathered for the traditional opening ceremony to kick of the 83rd Provincial Elks Conference.
Held in conjunction with the 17th Provincial Royal Purple Conference, the event brings more than 60 people from across Manitoba to Brandon this weekend.
"We gather once a year to discuss issues and just do what Elks do — have a good time, raise funds, and this is where we make our decisions and plans for the year," association president Bob Palmer said.
Two special guests were at the North End Community Centre to kick off the event — Grand Exalted Ruler Duane Romuld, of Brooks, Alta., and Supreme Honoured Royal Lady Joyce Spilchuk of North Bay, Ont.
Brandon is the last stop for national presidents, who have been attending provincial conventions across the country.
"We have had fun meeting all new members that we had never met before," Spilchuk said. "They become like family … We’re brothers and sisters across Canada."
For more than 50 years, both groups have partnered to raise money through the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, with special concern placed on the need for early identification and rehabilitation of hearing impaired children.
Since its inception, the fund has contributed more than $11 million throughout Canada to public awareness and special projects focused on early detection of hearing impairment.
The Brandon Elks supports youth groups, such as KidSport and Big Brothers Big Sisters. They also built the gazebo in Dinsdale Park and send kids to summer camp.
Membership has been on a decline over the past several years, and members hope the younger generation steps up.
"If you look around the room, it’s a lot of aging members that we are trying to educate … to try and sort of relax our image a little bit so that members would be interested in coming to join us and working for our cause," Spilchuk said.
The Brandon Elks chapter is also looking for new members.
"We have a lot of members yet, but we’re getting long in the … tooth, and we can use some new members," said Chuck Dalgliesh of the Brandon Elks. "We’re looking for all kinds of young guys and girls."
The conferences continue today at the National Ukrainian Home.