As my time as Exalted Ruler comes to an end, I would take a moment to thank everyone who has over this past year helped support the Lodge. I know if I start to list names, I will inevitably and mistakenly leave someone out, so a group thank you will have to do. So, “Thank you” to all of the Committee Chairs and their respective committee members, our Lodge Officers and Trustees, our amazing office staff, the Ladies Auxiliary, our Social Media team, the Bar Staff, our members and all of those who came out and supported the Lodge in one way or another over the past 12 months.
Our Lodge is run primarily by volunteers who sacrifice their time with their families so you have a nice, safe, enjoyable place to go with yours. Please take the opportunity to thank those who have volunteered this year for all their hard work and consider volunteering for at least one event this coming year. You will enjoy the feeling of making a difference.
This past year has been unprecedented in ways we could not have imagined. The COVID Pandemic has impacted all of us in so many ways. Many of us have been stricken with the virus and some have even lost loved ones. Recent trends are showing positive signs that the spread of this horrific virus will soon be behind us.
Our lodge has enjoyed over 112 years of serving our community, through the good times and tough times, we have always prevailed and headed in the right direction. I’m proud to have played a small part in the history of this great Lodge and the High Point community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead our Lodge this year.
Looking ahead I am very excited for our future as I know Phil Driscoll will make an excellent ER and I for one, am excited about his great plans for moving the High Point Elks Lodge forward this coming year. Please show your support to Phil and this year’s officers as it truly a team effort at our Lodge and as always, we need our team to grow not only in members, but in volunteers.
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I truly have enjoyed being your Exalted Ruler. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Lodge soon.
Thank you,
Tim Hight
Exalted Ruler 2020-2021
High Point Elks Lodge # 1155
Welcome to the New Elk Year! Unlike the traditional calendar, the Elks year starts on April 1st and ends on March 31st. We start off this year in better shape than we expected and we all thank Tim Hight for his leadership during an extremely difficult and unprecedented year.
For those who don’t know me, I have been a member for over 20 years, been a Trustee for 5 years and very active with the NC State Elks Association and the NC Elks Charitable Trust. Better known, is my wonderful wife, Shari, who is our Lodge Secretary and Office Manager. Shari is also a Past State President of our State Association. With our daughter, Whitney, who is on the Membership Committee and publishes this monthly newsletter, we are truly an “Elks Family”!
As we embark on this New Year, we have a lot to look forward to:
• COVID 19 restrictions continue to be relaxed enabling us to move towards fully opening our facility to normal hours. However, please continue to wear your mask in the building until the Governor’s Mandate ends.
• It looks like we may be able to return to normal Pool operations. The Pool Committee has been working hard all winter making sure we are ready for great pool season. More details to follow as we get direction from the State.
• Our House Committee is planning to do what they do best – fully plan great social activities and events that our members and families can enjoy all year round.
• We survived the significant impact to our financial results due to being closed for several weeks, reduced operation hours and unfortunately many folks not renewing their memberships.
• Hopefully, we can restart our Antlers program soon and our Swim Team can have a normal swim meet schedule.
• Our Veterans Committee has been revamped and is excited about getting new members and planning events to support our local veterans. The new VA Home in Kernersville will be opening late this summer so we plan to be active with this location.
• We have a great Leadership Team that has many years of experience that will continue to guide the Lodge. The full list of Officers is located on the front page of the newsletter every month. One new member to our Team is new to our Lodge but not a new Elk. Richard Golden, our Leading Knight and his wife Angie, recently moved here a few months ago from New York. He was previously an Exalted Ruler at the Staten Island, NY Lodge so he immediately brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Lodge. Angie also a Member. We are happy to have them both in our Lodge.
• We will be having our North Carolina State Elks Association convention in Wilmington, NC the weekend of May 1st. It will be wonderful to again see and interact with our fellow Elks from across the state. The conventions are a great way to learn about what is going on in our state and have a fantastic, fun time.
I’m certainly excited for things to get back to normal and to ensure everyone enjoys the benefits of their membership. Also, we all should feel proud to be part of a charitable organization that has a lot of fun social activities but also supports our local Youth, Students, Veterans and Community.
Please be sure to check out all of our Upcoming events on the weekly email blast and/or website.
Upcoming Events – hpelks.com/upcoming
E-blast Sign Up – hpelks.com/subscribe
Social Media – hpelks.com/social
Event Calendar – hpelks.com/calendar
Congratulations to Stewart McGlaughlin for being named our March Elk of the Month.
I look forward to seeing you at our Lodge soon!
Fraternally Yours,
Phil Driscoll
Exalted Ruler
