Exalted Ruler’s Report – March 2023

March 1, 2023 | Exalted Ruler

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller 

As my term as your Exalted Ruler comes to end, I am optimistic that our growing membership feels the pride of belonging to a fraternal organization of 750,000 Elk brothers and sisters who stand for the cardinal principals of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity. With the opportunities offered by our lodge to be involved with our charitable, patriotic and lodge activities, you, our members, can gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an Elk. Elks share a love of God, Country, family and community. 

Resilience is born of optimism. It’s resilience that we pass along in our charitable and patriotic activities by assisting people to overcome and push through adversity. By our donations and service to Veterans, Keiki, homeless, hungry and more, we extend a helping hand that allows others to follow Churchill’s words “When you are going through hell, keep going.” 

During February we had planned to hold a picnic/paddle party for HUGS families. Due to inclement weather the event had to be postponed. HUGS is the acronym for Help, Understanding & Group Support, Its mission is to support families with a child who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness or disability. Through this event your lodge will help to maintain these families’ resilience by providing a venue and fun activities to create lasting memories and support their ability to withstand the difficulties they face. We will advise you as soon as we have a new date for the event. 

February also brought an opportunity for Elks to recognize and support the resilience of Gold Star families. Gold Star families are military families whose loved ones have died in service to our nation. Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest is a group whose mission is to honor and pay tribute to America’s fallen service members throughout the United States. On this, their first visit to the islands, the Honolulu Lodge hosted two events honoring six local families. More than forty Gold Star families from the mainland joined the events to pay forward and help honor our Island families. Lodge members were invited to purchase tickets to attend these events. Funds raised from ticket sales went to our ENF charity which supports our Elks Veterans programs. 

As a child, I learned the importance of resilience and how necessary it is to support it in others. A fourth grade assignment was to choose and memorize a poem. My choice was INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

My dear members, it has been my honor and privilege to serve you and our Lodge this past year. 

Thank you to all who have donated their precious time, energy and resources to help make a difference in our community. Know that you have touched many lives with your selfless acts. You are unique. You are Elks!! 

Happy St Patrick’s Day and until we meet again —

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

E Hana Kākou

Let’s work together

Gloria Yau, ER

Exalted Ruler