Lynn Rutherford-Snow, Virginia Elks State President
Message from President
Wow! Just wow! As many of you know, I love being an Elk and all we stand for. If you had told me after I became a member March 1997 I would one day stand before you as your Association President, I would probably have rolled my eyes and said “No way!” Fast forward 28 years, and here I am this evening standing before my beloved Elk family! It is indeed an honor to serve as your President for 2025-2026. I am humbled and thank all of you for your confidence, support, and guidance over the years. I will do my best to carry on the legacy of my Elk brothers and sisters showing “We ARE the B.P.O.E. ~ Best People on Earth!” Matthew 7:8 states: “For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
We should all strive to increase our membership which will always be the life blood of our order. Bring in members who believe in Elkdom and never let us lose sight of the Principles of our Order ~ Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity. Let us reach out to all those who are less fortunate, always be kind to one another, and never be a bully! I have ordered a book for each Lodge to choose from, Bully Beans or The Juice Box Bully, that I will have our Ladies to be in charge of and present to an Elementary school within their Lodge area. I presented a bench to Vince and Barbara to present to a school in their area. I also gave them an engraved sign stating “BUDDY BENCH” in Honor of 2024-2025 VEA President and First Lady Vince and Barbara Brandtner. These benches are “Buddy Benches” and are a place for students who feel bullied or left out to have a place that they can feel safe to sit on at school and spark new friendships. Fostering a school culture of kindness and inclusion is critical to students’ academic success. The safer and happier students feel at school, the more engaged they are in learning. Our children / students are our future! Hopefully these benches can be given to schools at the start of the fall session. In the Spring Convention I will be asking each Lodge to donate a basket or two to be raffled off with the money going to our VA hospitals.
Again, I cannot stress enough how much I love being an Elk and all we stand for in our Order. My theme reflects this “Show Your Love For Elkdom!” My pin is in the shape of a heart and reflects our flag which represents our branches of the Military, our Elks National Foundation, our Drug Awareness, our Youth/Hoop Shoot/Scholars and our States’ Major Project Youth Camp represented by a campfire. My Challenge Coin reflects all of these on the back with our State Cardinal and Dogwood on the front. The funds for my Challenge Coin will go to support our Youth Camp. We as Elks have so much to offer to our communities! I have great faith in our Great Order of Elkdom and with all of us working together for the same cause, we can accomplish great things! Let us go forth and show them who we are as “Elks Care ~ Elks Share”. I thank each and every one of you for this honor to serve our State Association! I look forward to working with you and visiting your Lodge. May God continue to Bless our Great Order of Elkdom and all our Veterans who served, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and those currently serving!
Fraternally, Lynn Rutherford-Snow VEA President 2025-2026
