Michigan Elks Association Gold Key Scholarship Fund

06/12/2023

The Michigan Elks Association’s Spring Conference in Sault Ste. Marie was held on May 19-20, 2023.
On Friday morning the Charitable Grant Fund/Gold Key Scholarship Commissioners met to conduct the business of the Commission, which includes welcoming a new Commissioner and saying goodbye to a longtime member and friend!
Here then are the current members of the Gold Key Commission:
Bottom row, left to right:
Michael HD Bowman. Michael has served the Gold Key with distinction and has been with the board for nine years. Michael has termed out and will continue to serve as the Co-Executive Director and representing the MEA as our 2nd Vice President. Michael is from the Tawas Area Lodge #2525 and represented the Northeast District.
The empty chair represents our Treasurer, Jay Erickson! Jay was unable to attend this meeting in person but was with us via telephone. Jay is a member of the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Lodge #325 and represents the Southeast District.
Geno Grabinski, is the Commission’s Executive Director from Plymouth-Ann Arbor Lodge #325.
Back row, left to right:
Mike Ilmonen. Mike is our Secretary representing the Upper Peninsula District and is from Negaunee Lodge #1116.
Ami Edmonds. Ami is our newest Commisioner. She will serve as our Chaplain. Ami is from the Tawas Area Lodge #2525 and represents the Northeast District.
Dave Scott. Dave is our Sergeant at Arms and hails from Dowagiac Lodge #889 and the Southwest District.
Joan Rowland is our new Chairman. Joan is from Traverse City Lodge #323 and represents the Northeast District.
Diana Clark Armstrong is the Vice-Chair of the Commission and represents the Metro District and is a member of Pontiac-Waterford Lodge #810.
Ladies and gentlemen, your Gold Key Commissioners for 2023-24!

06/12/2023

06/11/2023

I'm a little late getting this posted.
Our next Gold Key Golf outing is tomorrow, Monday, June 12, 2023.
It is being hosted by the Southeast District and is being held at the Indian Lake Hills GC in Dowagiac.

05/08/2023

Wow, time sure flies. I missed posting about the Southeast District Golf Outing which was held on April 29 at the Wesburn Golf and Country Club.
The next Michigan Elks Association Gold Key Scholarship Fund Golf Outing will be hosted by the Southwest District at the Indian Lake Hills Golf Club on Monday, June 12, 2023.
I will post details after the MIchigan Elks Association's Spring Convention on May 19 and 20.

04/20/2023

It's time for me to get back to posting on this page. I will put up the dates, etc., for our Gold Key Golf Outings and start posting general news as I have it.
Please watch for updates.
I need to get some pictures of our new Commissioners also. I will do that at our Convention in the Soo.
MIke

12/16/2021

Introducing Diana Armstrong, Chaplain of the Gold Key Commission.

I live in Waterford, Michigan and work as a Nurse Case Manager. I am hoping that retirement is just around the corner. I have 5 Grandchildren. Two live in Moorhead, Minnesota, one in Marquette, Mi, one lives in Fenton, MI and one in Florida. Traveling to visit them is a highlight for me. I have been a Michigan Elk for about 15 years. I am currently the Exalted Ruler at my home Lodge of Pontiac-Waterford 810 and I am also a Past Exalted Ruler. I have held many local, district, and other State positions within the organization. But the best position I have ever held however is the Metro District Gold Key Commissioner.

12/08/2021

Greetings. My name is Mike Ilmonen and I am a life member of the Negaunee Elks Lodge #1116. I have served our Lodge as Exalted Ruler three times and have served our Order as District Vice-Chair, District Vice-President and District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2010-2011.
I have been married to my beautiful wife Irene for 41 years and we have a son Craig and a daughter Mariisa. They are both married and we have 3 wonderful grandchildren.
Four years ago, I was approached by Past State Presidents Tom Bianco and Pete Gadzinski and asked to fill the remaining three years of a vacated term on the Gold Key Commission. I readily accepted. After those three years were completed, I was elected by my fellow Commissioners to serve another six-year term, which will expire in 2026.
I have had no experience with Special Needs Students, being a retired Iron Miner, but Tom and Pete knew I would put my heart into it and it has been a wonderful learning experience.
My Upper Peninsula District routinely has two or more Scholarship winners, and that makes the effort we all put in well worth it.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years on the Commission, and very much look forward to the next five.

09/28/2021

Introducing Jay Erickson.

My name is Jay Erickson, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the Michigan Elks Association Charitable Grant Fund as Treasurer and the Southeast District Commissioner. I first joined the Elks at Allen Park Lodge #2194 in 1999. Going through the chairs and serving as Exalted Ruler showed me the great work Michigan Elks do to support the Special Needs children and youth of our state, and my wife Melissa (Mel) and I looked for opportunities to contribute to that effort. We have since moved to Plymouth-Ann Arbor Lodge #325, and I have just completed by year as DDGER for the Southeast District. We currently live in Pinckney, Michigan with our 18-year old son Jon, and make frequent trips north of the Mackinac Bridge to visit family and friends. I look forward to using the knowledge and contacts gained a district officer to spread the word of the great opportunity the Gold Key scholarship offers to young people in our communities. My goal for the next six years is to increase Lodge awareness of and support for the scholarship application process, and see more young people achieve the independent and fulfilling futures they deserve through the support of the MEA Charitable Grant Fund.