WILKIE — Wilkie’s Eugene Hartter, in his 40th year as an Elks member, serving on the local lodge executive and with the provincial Elks, now has a national post.
Hartter was nominated to the National Elks Executive in July of 2022 and will serve as the grand chaplain. For the next five years, he will serve in various chairs with the hope of being grand exalted ruler of the Elks of Canada (national president).
Hartter says he served in all chairs at Wilkie’s Elks Lodge, including being the club secretary for 12 years and the exalted ruler for a two-year term. He is now in his 25th year as district representative.
Provincially, Hartter served as chair of the Drug Awareness Program known as DARE, and took on this role for a decade, working with the RCMP and schools to help run the program.
He has served in all provincial office chairs including presiding as provincial Elks president for 2019-20.
As a past provincial president, he now sits on the Provincial Judiciary Committee and is currently the liaison for Sask. Elks SPARK program, which stands for Sask. Pediatric Auditory Rehab Centre.
Like all other service clubs, the pandemic took its toll on activities and fundraising activities that could and could not be done.
“Our members thought outside of the box and ran a few drive-through meals that went over really well, helping out our fundraising initiatives and commitments to our community,” says Hartter.
Asked why he has stayed committed to the Elks this long, Hartter responds, “My rewards are contributing to my own community, meeting families of children we have given assistance to and just knowing that I am helping give back to the community, the province and our country through my Elks service.”
The current membership of the club is 15, with 10 active members.
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