The Spring 2021 Iowa Elks Association State Convention took place over the weekend of April 30 and May 1, 2021 and was attended by 312 members and guests.
Attendees participated in training sessions and learned information to help them with the new lodge year. 2021-2022 state officers were installed on Saturday following the annual memorial service for departed members.
President Kevin Sylvester from Ottumwa Lodge #347 gave an emotional and heartfelt acceptance speech. State Sponsor Dwayne Rumney spoke about the coming lodge year and Elkdom. His words were truly inspiring! He will be missed as Iowa gains a new state sponsor in July.
As always, the entertainment in the atrium was enjoyable and both Friday and Saturday evenings ended with the 11th Hour Toast and the singing of God Bless the USA. A truly emotional experience.
We’re all looking forward to a productive lodge year and wish all members well.
President Bob Burns opens the Spring 2021 convention of the Iowa Elks Association.Our State Sponsor the Honorable Dwayne Rumney PGER.District Lodge of the Year award winners.Secretary Dave StarkweatherPGER Rumney addresses the business meeting.Roger Mcqueen, chairman of the trustees gives an update.Exalted Ruler Division Chairman, Judi Graff gives a report.ENF Chairman Robert Iske awards 30 out of our 31 Lodges certificates for reaching the Grand Exalted Ruler goal of $4.80 per member!Alan Armstrong accepts the Citation of Merit for significant improvement in membership.Chris Elsberry, chairman of the Leading Knight’s Division gives report.Cheryl Jost-Kelley, chairman of the Loyal Knight’s Division gives report. Chad Willis, chairman of the Lecturing Knight’s Division gives report.Dennis Walker, chairman of the Veterans Leather Program gives report.Veterans Leather Program gives Davenport Lodge Certificate of AppreciationVeterans Leather Program gives Fairfield Lodge Certificate of AppreciationVeterans Leather Program gives Charles City Lodge Certificate of AppreciationIowa Elks Association receives third place award for deer hide collection. President Bob Burns presents award to State Chairman Dennis Walker.PSP Tom Maher, presides at the installation of new officers for the 2021 – 2022 Lodge year.State President Kevin Sylvester and State President – Elect sworn in.2021 – 2022 Association officers sworn in.PSP Bob Burns receives his PSP pin.PSP Bob Burns speaks of his year as president.President Kevin Sylvester speaks to the attendees of the installation.Officers of 2021 – 2022 Iowa Elks Association.Officers of 2021 – 2022 Iowa Elks Association.President Kevin Sylvester addresses the attendees of the evening banquet.Americanism award winner recites her essay. Michelle Steer, introduces the essay award winners.Americanism award winner recites his essay, while a proud mother watches.The Elk of the year for the Southwest District 2019 – 2019 awarded posthumously to Toni Abby.Shenandoah Lodge awarded for the highest per member giving for $22.01.State Major Project committee member Ken Swank presided over the annual drawing.PGER Dwayne Rumney addresses the banquet attendees. Dwayne is stepping down and the current GER Paul Ryan will be our new sponsor following the convention in Tampa Bay, Florida in July.Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Dave Neeley recognized for his outstanding service.Sandy Rumney wife of PGER Dwayne Rumney.Blaine Sylvester, State Chaplain leads prayer as a proud father looks on.Attendees sing God Bless the USAAttendees sing God Bless the USAAttendees sing God Bless the USAThe celebration beginsThe dance…Several members sang karaokeShake a leg…Karaoke KaraokePresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionPresidents receptionRoger McQueen 2020 – 2021 Elk of the Year.
Our Mission
to inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Our Goal
Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.
Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children, Veterans and community needs.
Eric Whipple President of the Iowa Elks Association
A twenty-year member of the Charles City Elks Lodge #418, 45 year-old Eric Whipple started in the Tiler seat for his first officer position in 2012. He then had the pleasure of completing each of the four primary officer chairs culminating in 2017 as Exalted Ruler. Eric committed to serving five more years as a Lodge Trustee after his ER year. Throughout the years Eric has served as Chairperson of the Activities Committee and Flag Day Committee; is currently a member of the Scholarship Committee; and is the current Chairperson of the local PER Association as well as the State Major Project Committee at #418. Eric also serves as the Vice President of the Charles City Elks Charitable Trust Board.
At the State level, he served as the Northeast District Vice President in 2021-22, and President Elect in 2023-24. In between those two State positions, Eric was Esquire to PDDGER Wertman for the Northeast District. Eric also became the Iowa Northeast District Chairperson for Public Relations in 2022, a position that he still holds.
Eric has selected his motto to be “Taking the Future of Elkdom by Storm”. In an effort to continue Past State President Elsberry’s initiatives, Eric hopes to focus on the importance of getting our youth involved within the local Lodges to create long-lasting memories of the Elks. In doing this he hopes that, when they are old enough, they will join one of our Lodges because of the fond memories they have. Eric believes that one of the best and easiest ways to accomplish this is to have current members bring their children and grandchildren to enjoy the many family-oriented events that the Elks have to offer. Also on the radar this year: encouraging local Lodges to look into, and at least begin implementing, an Antlers program which will even better solidify the potential of our youth to join our great Order and foster growth within each of our Lodges.
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“Elkdom’s Heart For America” 
“Taking the Future of Elkdom by Storm“
Our Mission
to inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Our Goal
Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.
Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children, Veterans and community needs.
