Congrats Arizona on our 5 star rating from the Grand Lodge for a seventh year.
Welcome to the great state of Arizona, the home of one of the many wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. AEA President Sue Krausman thanks all visitors for stopping by to see what our Association is doing.
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*** The 110th AEA Annual Convention Form is now online —>>>> Convention Form ***
Our State Major Projects are the Steele Children’s Research Center at the University of Arizona and the Youth Camp in Globe, AZ.
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Click to see photos of your 2024-25 Arizona Elks Association Officers, Appointees, Grand Lodge Representatives, along with their spouses.
The State President’s Motto:
“Spread the Joy”
The State President’s Monthly Message:
March 2025
Brother and Sister Elks,
Well, March is here. Exalted Rulers, your job in that position is almost done. I want to thank you for everything you did to make my time with you special. I met many of you at the Leading Knights Clinics and had a wonderful time at Grand Lodge in Austin. Our visits and talks inspired me to be a better President for Arizona. My time at each of your Lodges was fun, full of laughter, and a joy to experience. Please continue to be active in your Lodge and a PER mentor to the upcoming Officers.
I just got back from the Regional Hoop Shoot in Boulder City, Nevada. That Junk Food Express has so much candy and soda on it I’m surprised the sugar rush doesn’t fuel it all the way from Tempe 2251. I think Gregg Boyce and Larry Legge must lose 10 pounds each way with all the back and forth walking they did. Both of these men showed how much they care for the Arizona shooters and their families. And I can’t forget Jeanne. I don’t believe she ever forgets a face or name. Always with a smile, she greeted everyone with excitement. I want to be her when I grow up.
Here are the shooters who represented Arizona. 8-9 Girls: Rigley Solomon from Show Low #2090. 8-9 Boys: Bennie Hix from Green Valley #2592. 10-11 Girls: Bianca Smith from Raceway #2852. 10-11 Boys: Jaxon Riese from Flagstaff #499. 12-13 Girls: Aubrey Lopez from Ajo #1576. 12-13 Boys: Rene Cortez from Tucson #385. I wasn’t at the State Hoop Shoot to congratulate them, but I do want to thank PSP Rich Botkin for standing in for me. Giving out trophies is the best part of being a President.
What a joy to present to you the Arizona Hoop Shoot Champions. Every one of these kids represented us with poise and determination. I had the opportunity to score on the Boys side, so my heart was pumping like crazy whenever one of ours shot. So, the 8-9 year olds shot first, just like at our competitions. Rigley Solomon won the 8-9 Girls with 18 baskets. Bennie Hix shot 22 baskets and tied with the boy from California. Bennie shot first in the tie breaker and hit 5, 5; his last ball circled the rim and didn’t go in, resulting in 4 in the third set. The boy from California made 5 in the third set, so Bennie came in 2nd.
Just think Exalted Rulers, YOU still have three months to fulfill those promises YOU made when YOU were installed. YOU still have three months to accomplish those Grand Lodge programs put aside for other more visible activities. YOU can invite non-Elks to become part of the Best People on Earth. This sounds like a lot of work, but YOU have your Officers and members to help do everything. Do not do it all yourself. Lead, teach, and guide those around you. But more importantly, SPREAD THE JOY of being an Elk.
Next up were the 10-11 kids. This was Bianca Smith’s fourth time at Regionals and was definitely calm and ready to win. She shot 23 baskets to easily win a trip to Chicago. All of the Arizona supporters loudly clapped for her when her score was announced. She has a lot of fans. Jaxon Riese was ready to go, but the other boys did better. He shot 15 and came in 4th. He has already committed to practicing for next year. This competition truly is the best of the Region 7 states and he is one of them.
Last up were the 12-13 champs. Aubrey Lopez was the first champion from Ajo Lodge and was ready for her competitors. Unfortunately, they were also ready for her, resulting in Aubrey bringing home a 4th place trophy. It did not matter to any of the Arizona folks; we cheered for her until she left us in Tempe. Rene Cortez was another story. He went up to the line after all the others shot 9 out of 10 and hit every one of his shots. The next group of 15 had him giving up only 1, resulting in 24 out of 25. It was so exciting to watch.
Arizona also swept both trophies for the most completed shots. Bianca and Rene took home a second trophy showing how well they did. Here is a group shot with the Arizona State Director of Hoop Shoot, Gregg Boyce from Show Low Lodge 2090. The kids love him and Jeanne. What a joy to see. I cannot wait to go to Chicago to root them on.
Now on to some very serious news you Exalted Rulers need to be aware of. Arizona has been in third place for membership gain for the past two years. You are NOT doing your job. We are not even in the top ten this year. How many applications are in your Lodge’s box waiting to be processed? I read our AEA Membership Chairman’s monthly emails encouraging YOU to do YOUR job. Are you really willing to have a decrease in membership on your watch? You have until the end of this month to get your delinquent members to pay their dues. If anyone is in dire condition, you have several options. One, you can pass the hat at a meeting to collect for people without funds to pay. Two, you can go to your PER Association with a list of names. Sometimes they know the delinquent members (especially old-timers) and are willing to help. Three, YOU should have a fund line for helping members. Do not let someone else take responsibility. YOU are the Lodge’s leader, so act like it.
Boy, I hate writing things like that last paragraph. The Order is not just fun and games. Our Grand Lodge leaders stress membership being so important. If we do not have the members in the local Lodges, we do not have the money to run the Veterans Program, Children’s Shopping Spree, Thanksgiving baskets, Soccer and Hoop Shoots, Americanism Essay Contests; need I go on? Look at these pictures and decide if they are not worth your time.
Fraternally,
Susan “Sue” Krausman, President
Arizona Elks Association
Online Forms
Check out our Online Forms page we’ve got set up. Maybe you’ll find an easier way of sending data to the appropriate person in the Arizona Elks Association.
Elks Training
Take the Training Quiz # 11 Today! You will not be graded, however you will be able to grade yourself after submitting your answers. Please take the quiz today!
Arizona Elks Red Vest Order Form
If you’re planning on heading to Austin for the 2024 Grand Lodge Convention order your RED VEST TODAY and show your Arizona Spirit and comradery.
We offer the Arizona Elks Red Vests in sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL. You can have your vest with or without a front pocket.
You have the option of Jerry Grimes from Kingman, picking up your vest for you, or you may have the vest delivered to your home.
Click on the Red Vest Order Form link above and email it. Contact information is on the form
* * * Ladies * * * * Jewelry Project * * * * Update * * * *
Thank you AEA Ladies and friends for all the jewelry donated to the AEA Jewelry Project. At the May convention in Tempe I reported the following:
- The Jewelry Project is under the guidance of the Past State President’s Spouses
- In one year we served over 1,100 children, patients of the six AEA Elks Clinics [our original clinic at the hospital, North Hills, Orange Grove, La Cholla, Glendale, Mesa] and the Steele Children’s Hospital plus, three Clothe a Child events held in Yuma, Kearny and Chandler chose over 2,500 pieces of jewelry for their Mothers, Grandmothers, Nanas or favorite nurse.
- This was accomplished without using any funding from AEA or Major Projects
For further information please contact me with questions at any time via [email protected] or phone 520-235-5598.
Thank You! It will make your heart swell with pride and accomplishment!
Diane Skorupski
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