| The first step is to contact the Members of your Lodge and see who is interested in supporting this program, their availability, and what skills they have to offer. Create a call list broken down by skills. The Lodge may have to evaluate funding resources for certain projects if the need should arise (i.e., gasket, paint, etc.).
The second step is for someone from your Lodge to make contact with your local reserve or guard units. Most of the time, this can be handled by a simple telephone call to the unit’s headquarters. You need to speak to someone in authority (usually the Public Affairs Officer) and explain to them who you are and what the program is about. You may also offer to join in with them on their own support group or even another organization. Not every Lodge will be able to offer all the support necessary, but you should try and do what you can.
Once contact is made with your reserve or guard unit, make sure your Lodge office staff of Lodge helpers know about the program and can forward questions to the correct individuals.
Information articles in your Lodge newsletter can help keep the “Army of Hope” Program in the forefront of your Lodge and community service activities. The “Army of Hope” also fits perfectly with our efforts in the Blue Star Program. What better way to recognize our servicemen and women than presenting a Blue Star Flag to their families?
As you work with the families of our service people, please report your activities to Mike Manning who is located at our Chicago office. Additionally, your activities should be recorded in the Lodge Annual Charity Records Booklet.
For more information you may review the Army of Hope section of the National Elks website: www.elks.org/armyofhope/default.cfm |
