ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. There is established in this Association an Advisory Committee whose membership shall be limited to Past State Presidents of this Association, in good standing in their own Lodges, and which committee shall be the judge of eligibility to membership on this committee. The duty of this committee is to advise and extend their counsel to all State Association Officers and Committees and to provide continuity of program sand objectives for the Association. The committee shall develop and be responsible for procedures and ceremonies for public ceremonies of the Association. It shall also develop and implement the programs for the Spring and Fall Workshops and such other duties as may be assigned by the Grand Lodge and our Association. The Advisory Committee will meet periodically to hear reports from all Association Officers and Committee Chairs. Meetings of the Advisory Committee shall be held at least three time a year at such time, date and place as may be determined by the Chairperson, and notices of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary to each member at least fifteen days prior to the meeting. At the April meeting of the committee it shall elect from its members a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary.

SECTION 2. STANDING COMMITTEES. In addition to the Advisory Committee there shall be the following standing committees: (The members of these committees shall be appointed annually and serve until the next Annual Convention Meeting or until their successors are appointed. Unless otherwise indicated, State and District Chairs may elect to choose help from member Lodges as deemed necessary to successfully attain the goal of the Grand Lodge or our State Association.)
ACCIDENT PREVENTION & RISK - State Chair
AMERICANISM - State Chair, District Chair for each District.
AUDITING AND BUSINESS PRACTICES - State Chair and one member from each District.
AUTO TAGS - State Chair for Maryland; Delaware and District of Columbia.
BY-LAWS - State Chair and one member from each District.
CREDENTIALS - State Chair and not less than two others.
ELKS CAMP BARRETT FUND RAISING - State Chair and two members from each District.
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION - State Chair and District Chair for each District.
ELKS TRAINING - A Past State President as Chair and the Vice President of each District.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - State Chair and an appointed District Chair from each District. (1/95)
GRAND LODGE CONVENTION - State Chair, Co-Chair and the Exalted Ruler or his/her Alternate from each Lodge. (6/90)
HOOP SHOOT - State Director and District Director for each District.
INSTALLATION - State Chair and at least two others -All Past State Presidents.
INTER-LODGE ACTIVITIES - State Chair, District Chair for each District and one member from each Lodge.
LODGE ACTIVITIES - State Chair and Vice Presidents.
LODGE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE - State Chair, Chair for each District and one or more leaders from each District.
MEMBERSHIP/LAPSATION - State Chair and District Chair for each District.
MEMORIAL SERVICE - State Chair and not less than three others - preferably with some experience.
PUBLIC RELATIONS - State Chair and the Vice President of each District.
RESOLUTIONS - State Chair.
RITUALISTIC - State Chair, Co-Chair and District Chair for each District. (6/90)
SCHOLARSHIP - State Chair and District Chair for each District.
WILLIAM J. JERNICK MEMORIAL FUND - State Chair and District Chair for each District.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES - State Chair and District Chair for each District.
The President shall have the power to name special committees for the Annual Convention and such other committees as in his/her opinion are necessary for the good of the Association. All committees authorized to incur expenses must provide proper documentation, invoices, vouchers, etc. for all expenditures to support disbursement and to provide audit material to the Treasurer of the Association.

SECTION 3. AMERICANISM COMMITTEE shall promote and foster in conjunction with the program of the Grand Lodge the ideals of patriotism and citizenship. The Committee is charged with the responsibility of promoting a public Flag Day Service within each State and District of Columbia, consistent with the program begun in Maryland on June 14, 1978, the effective date of “Chapter 307 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland 1978,” which require the State of Maryland to fly the Flag of the United States over the Capitol in Annapolis each day of the year.

SECTION 4. AUDITING AND BUSINESS PRACTICES COMMITTEE will provide advice, counsel and guidance in financial matters of the Association and to the member Lodges upon their request. In addition thereto to examine and audit the books of the Secretary, Treasurer and any committee of the Association and submit to the Association its findings and recommendations on improved business practices (persons experienced in the field of accounting should be elected for this committee.).

SECTION 5. AUTO TAGS. The primary duty of this committee is to work closely with the various agencies in the State of Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia in implementing a program for Elks to obtain distinctive license plates for automobiles in their respective areas.

SECTION 6. BY-LAWS COMMITTEE shall have referred to it all proposed resolutions for amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association and will: (1) Determine if the proposal is in proper form, (2) Determine whether it is in conflict with the Grand Lodge Statutes or with any section of the By-Laws of this Association, (3) Advise their recommendations regarding this proposal. It shall also recommend such revisions and/or amendments it deems advisable. The Chair of this Committee shall be the chief law officer of this Association and shall assist the President in the interpretation of its laws. (12/98)

SECTION 7. CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE shall examine the Credentials of all Delegates and Alternates, as well as officers and committeepersons of this Association who by constitutional right are authorized to participate in the deliberations of the Association at any of its sessions. It shall make a preliminary report immediately after the opening of each meeting, regular or special, and a final report immediately prior to the close of each meeting.

SECTION 8. ELKS CAMP BARRETT FUND RAISING COMMITTEE is established to perpetuate the work done by a committee of the Board of Governors, Elks Camp Barrett. This committee is charged with the responsibility of developing and promoting fund raising activities in support of our major project - Elks Camp Barrett. Recommendations for appointment to this committee are to be made by the Board of Governors to the Advisory Committee, each year.

SECTION 9. ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION COMMITTEE shall promote the program of the Elks National Foundation and the Grand Exalted Ruler; to develop and promote programs within our Association that will stimulate participation by all Lodges and their members.

SECTION 10. ELKS NATIONAL SERVICE COMMISSION shall have charge of funds provided for this activity, distribute same, prepare and carry out programs for American war veterans in Veterans Hospitals within the jurisdiction of this Association. It shall work in close cooperation with the National Service Commission of our Order in implementing their program.

SECTION 11. ELKS TRAINING COMMITTEE will work closely with the Grand Lodge in the preparation and conduct of a training program for officers, especially Subordinate Lodge Officers. All members interested in this program should be encouraged to participate. (Chair to be a Past State President.)

SECTION 12. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall be responsible for implementing the program of the Grand Lodge Committee on Government Relations. The committee is empowered to work with other organizations in protecting the right of free association. It shall have the responsibility of informing the Lodges of regulations and legislation at all levels of government, passed and pending, which have an effect on the normal conduct of the Lodges.

SECTION 13. GRAND LODGE CONVENTION COMMITTEE. It shall be responsibility of the Grand Lodge Convention Committee to arrange suitable housing for and transportation to and from the Grand Lodge Convention for all Association members. They shall also make all arrangements and contract for such facilities and services, as my be appropriate, and desirable, for use as a hospitality room and for an Association special event. At the fall Conference meeting of the Association the committee shall be required to submit a written report of its activities, and a financial statement of all money budgeted, solicited and expended. (2/88)

SECTION 14. HOOP SHOOT COMMITTEE. It shall have charge of a conduct the program of the Grand Lodge for this Association. It shall submit substantiating information to the Grand Lodge and shall make a written report thereof to the Annual Convention Meeting of this Association. It shall not incur financial obligations beyond the current year nor beyond the amount appropriated for the purpose in the annual budget.

SECTION 15. INSTALLATION COMMITTEE is charged with making all arrangements for and overseeing the installation of officers at the Annual Convention Meeting of this Association.

SECTION 16. INTER-LODGE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE shall have charge and supervision of such matters as shall be referred to it by the President, pertaining to the Good of the Order, all member activities, Inter-Lodge relations and all similar matters.

SECTION 17. LODGE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE is charged with promoting the programs of the Grand Lodge Activities Committee to the Subordinate Lodges. The Committee shall encourage lodges to participate and compete in all contests sponsored each year in the Grand Lodge.

SECTION 18. LODGE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE shall encourage and foster the organization of New Lodges in our Association, giving assistance to new as well as to all Lodges where necessary and possible. (Committee should be composed of a Past State President, Vice-Presidents, District Deputies.)

SECTION 19. MEMBERSHIP/LAPSATION COMMITTEE shall interest itself in the growth of the Order in our Association and shall do everything within its power and by proper means to promote greater membership and retention of present membership in the Subordinate Lodges. It shall aid and encourage membership participation in the activities of this Association.

SECTION 20. MEMORIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE shall be charged with the responsibility of planning and conducting our Annual Elks Memorial observance during the Annual Convention Meeting of this Association (using the service in the appendix.)

SECTION 21. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE is charged with the responsibility to inform the general public of the charitable and patriotic work in which the Subordinate Lodges, this State Association and the Grand Lodge are engaged. It shall be responsible for the publication of the Md., Del., & D.C. Assn. News.

SECTION 22. RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE shall have all proposed resolutions referred to it. They will cooperate with the President and Secretary of this Association in preparing resolutions requested by them.

SECTION 23. RITUALISTIC COMMITTEE will, in cooperation with the Grand Lodge, develop and promote imimproved ritualistic work throughout the Association.
(a) It shall develop and promote a District Ritualistic Program which will consist of a preliminary judging of all Lodges within each District on the night of the District Deputy’s visitation. The judging will be arranged by the District Ritual Chair, who will assign the judges, etc.
(b) It shall arrange and conduct a District Contest during the month of January which will be conducted by the District Chair who will determine the date, place and time of said contest, and will also notify the top three (3) scoring teams from the preliminary judging and invite them to compete in the District Contest which will be conducted under “Grand Lodge Contest Rules.” In the event any team declines to compete, the next highest scoring team will be invited to compete.
(c) It shall arrange and conduct a State Ritualistic Contest, to be conducted by the State Chair and the Co-Chair. In the event of a conflict or illness a past State President will be appointed by the President to preside at the contest, again using “Grand Lodge Contest Rules,” using the winning team from each District Contest. In the event a winning District Team declines to compete, the second place team of said District shall be invited to participate. The results of the Ritualistic Finals shall be reported to the Grand Lodge Ritual Committee.
(d) The State and District Chair shall extend help to any Lodge requesting same. (6/90)

SECTION 24. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE shall have charge of and conduct the program of the Grand Lodge, distributing applications to all Elks Lodges and high schools within our Association area judging the completed and returned applications, selecting and submitting the designated number of applications to the Grand Lodge for final judging. It shall encourage all of the Subordinate Lodges of the Association to participate, selecting worthy students for awards given by the Association and the Grand Lodge.

SECTION 25. WILLIAM J. JERNICK MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE shall be charged with the responsibility of developing, promoting and administering fund raising activities in support of the WILLIAM J. JERNICK MEMORIAL FUND. It shall also be responsible for receiving, reviewing, examining and verifying applications and requests, and making recommendations for the disbursement of the earnings of the FUND. All activities and actions of this committee shall be under the guidance of the William J. Jernick Memorial Fund Board of Directors and consistent with the objectives and guidelines established for the WILLIAM J. JERNICK MEMORIAL FUND.

SECTION 26. YOUTH ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE shall actively promote all of the Youth Activities Programs of the Grand Lodge and of this association. It shall encourage increased participation by the Subordinate Lodges and assist wherever possible.

SECTION 27. All committees, standing or special, are required to submit a written report to the Association President and Secretary, the Advisory Committee Chairperson and the committee’s Advisor/Liaison at least 20 days prior to each Association Conference, Workshop and Convention. The report shall cover the activities of the committee for the period since the last report, and in the case of the report for the Convention, the activities for the entire year.

ARTICLE VIII >