Paul Helsel
Past Grand Exalted Ruler

Welcome to the Government Relations Page

Government Relations Committee

 

David Wolcott - MD  – State Chairman     Easton Lodge #1622  114 S 3rd St, Denton, MD 21629 410-479-4877 DaveWolcott_21629@Yahoo.com John P. (Jack) Stush – W Frederick Lodge #684 1023 Bexhill Drive Frederick, MD 21702-5192 301-662-2536 jps1023@comcast.net Carroll S. (Ford) Hamilton, N.E. Elkton  Lodge #2618 208 E Main St. #2A Elkton,  MD 21921 410-398-3045 Email: csh1257@aol.com Andrew Bowalick – S.W. Waldorf  Lodge #2421 4052 Old Washington Road Waldorf,  MD 20602 717-330-4504 © Email: abow28@aol.com	Richard R. Reynolds – DE Rep Dover Lodge #1903  89 Barbara Blvd Felton,DE 19943-5736 302-284-0356 elk4rrr@comcast.net Richard (Dick) A. Kennedy – N.C. Bowie Lodge #2309 1828 Crofton Parkway Crofton, MD  21114 410-398-9735 (H), 301-518-2718 © Email: Richard.kennedy@comcast.net John McMullen, III  – S.E. Salisbury  Lodge #817 4507 Liberty St. Salisbury,  MD 21804 410-543-8017 (H)  Email: brydman524@aol.com
Current News January 14-16 2011 IRC Presentation 2011 PA Guidelines 2011 Personnel Policy 2011 Rental Agreements The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (N0-Smoking bill) took effect on February 1, 2008.  For further information on the administration of the law, go to www.cleanair.org.  Your local Health Department is the administrator of the law.  You can check with them on specifics. The final 2006-07 charity numbers for the MD, DE and DC Elks Association are $6,212,219.  The totals for the BPOE are $258,741,152 for the same period.  Please use this information when talking with public officials, legislators or just boasting about the Elks. Legislative News The 2008 Maryland legislative session is well underway and, so far, there are two bills worth watching. SB29 – proposes slot machines statewide for non-profits and veterans organizations.  I don’t expect this bill to go far until after the slots referendum is settled in the November election.  HB94 – proposes the establishment of a gaming task force.  To me, this is a Trojan Horse.  A Task Force could propose statewide changes and, presumably, greater controls over gaming  at the state level. As more issues come up, I’ll note them on this website. Charity Reporting There are very substantive changes coming down the pike.  Grand Lodge is developing a plan wherein charitable work may be reported online.  The Grand Lodge Government Relations Committee has revised the Charity Records Book.  Both efforts are being worked together.  Stay tuned for more info. By the way, copies of the new CRB be obtained from Les Bishop. CONPOR News We continue to urge all lodges to join CONPOR.  It is not that we need the money; rather, we need your show of support and unity as we lobby in Annapolis.  Also, membership policies have been revised.  The membership rates remain the same ($50 for lodge/$10 for individuals), but a membership period of three years has been established.  Reminders will be sent to lodges and individuals when it is time to renew your membership.