Elks National President to visit Wisconsin Elks

Jim Nichelson, National President of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was the guest of the Wisconsin State Elks Association at its Fall Conference, Sept. 18-20, hosted by the Sheboygan Elks lodge # 299. Nichelson, a member of Ohio River Valley Lodge 231, is a graduate of Ohio State University and a prominent attorney in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

He was elected as Grand Exalted Ruler, the Order’s title for its highest office, in July at the National Convention in Portland, Ore. Nichelson and his wife, Mary Carolyn, will spend the entire year touring the United States to attend Elks conventions, meet with government officials, community leaders and travel to many Elks Lodges expounding on his motto for the year – “Elks make a difference.”

Wisconsin State Elks Association President Ken Brucker and his wife, Rogene, of Kohler, a member of the Sheboygan Lodge, will preside over this fall’s event.

More than 600 members and guests, representing each of the state’s 33 Lodges, will attend the fall conference.

The conference will include a general business session and committee meetings to learn about and discuss Elks programs such as Drug Awareness, Veterans Services, Scholarships and Hoop Shoot.

The Wisconsin State Elks Association, with over 10,000 members throughout the state, meets three times each year. All Wisconsin Elks are welcome to attend.

Individuals who have ever been an Elk and are interested in reinstating membership, can contact the nearest Elks Lodge. For more information about Elks, visit www.elks.org or www.wielks.org.