ESTEVAN — The national grand exalted ruler for Elks Canada was in Estevan on Thursday night to visit with members of the Estevan Elks Lodge and promote the efforts of the organization across Canada.
Leonard Shain visited the local lodge as part of his cross-country tour. It was the first time he was in Estevan since 2007, when his father and mother were installed as the provincial heads of the Elks and Royal Purple, respectively.
“I thought it was important to come on back and see how the members have been doing since then, and show them the support that they showed,” said Shain, whose one-year term as national grand exalted ruler expires next month.
Shain is from Coronach originally but now resides in Sherwood Park, Alta. He said it’s been an interesting term, and he has enjoyed meeting and interacting with members from across the country.
“We’ve been able to share ideas of what other lodges are doing, and we’ve been able to learn, from lodges, some success stories that we can share. Everybody is so welcoming to both my wife and me as we travel across Canada,” he said.
He spoke to the local lodge about what he has learned during the past year and offered ideas for potential projects that could spark some interest.
In the past five years, Shain noted the local lodge has donated $1,500 to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, which is their national charity, another $1,300 to the Saskatchewan Elks Foundation, and more than $6,000 to local projects. They also supplied $3,500 through local sponsorships. Other donations were over $5,500. And they have volunteered more than 6,000 hours in the community.
“That shows that they care about their community and want to give back to it,” said Shain.
Shain wanted to join the Elks because his parents were members and he knew the value of giving back. He joined the Sherwood Park Elks after attending one of their meetings in 1998.
He heard a presentation about a program the Elks support in Alberta called the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR). A child or adult who comes into ISTAR with a stuttering problem has to deliver a speech once they’re finished. Some will need 10 minutes to say two sentences when they start ISTAR, but make incredible progress in six weeks.
“I thought if that’s what the Elks do, I’m in,” said Shain, who loves hearing the success stories of cochlear implants or hearing aids.
“It’s gratifying to know that you helped, somehow, raise funds so that we could support them. It’s giving back. They say you shouldn’t get anything out of the Elks, but you get gratification that you’re helping those less fortunate, but you’re not asking for a pat on the back to get it,” he said.
It took eight years for Shain to progress through the different chairs on the national executive to become the grand exalted ruler. He had support from members from his home lodge to help him feel more comfortable speaking in front of groups. And he had the backing from members in Alberta and across Canada.
The Elks are struggling to get members, he said, just like other service groups. They get volunteers for projects, but it’s tough to find members. They are working on a two-year plan to promote the Elks outside the order and attract more members.
“Hopefully next year we’ll be able to roll out things to the lodges and really help them increase their membership,” he said.
The Estevan Elks Lodge has about 85 members. Don Hilstrom, who is part of the local executive, said they had 1,300 when he joined during an oil boom in the 1950s. In more recent times, they were around 400 members.
The membership has gone through peaks and valleys. They get people to sign up but only remain for two to four years.
“We’re targeting, trying to get the younger ones,” said executive member Scott Dryden. “Thirty-two years ago, I was the young one here, and it was trending up, and I always watched the younger ones who are coming in.”
Dryden echoed Shain’s comments that it has been a struggle.
The Elks have a great social element and Dryden has enjoyed meeting new people.
Hilstrom said they have helped a lot of young people with hearing problems over the years.
“I remember back in the early 90s, a co-worker didn’t even know his daughter had a hearing problem,” added Dryden. “And one day he tapped me on the shoulder and he asked ‘You’re with the Estevan Elks?’”
The co-worker then thanked Dryden because the Elks helped with his daughter’s hearing aid.
“It felt pretty good to be an Elks member when I got that tap,” Dryden said.
The Estevan lodge is 98 years old, and is looking forward to celebrating 100 years of helping the community.
