PRESS RELEASE

 For Immediate Use and Distribution...
 Contact: Wayne Cotterly, Maine State Elks Association

Maine Resident Becomes Elks National President for 2003-2004

Maine Resident Becomes Elks National President for 2003-2004

From July 6-10, 2003, The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks held
its  annual Grand Lodge Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. At this
gathering of Elks from across the country, the membership elected a new
National President for the coming year.

On July 10, 2003, Amos McCallum, a resident of Saco, Maine, became the
135th National President of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, a
fraternal organization of over 1.2 Million men and women with Lodges in
over 2200 communities.

McCallum, who is a member of the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge #1597, has
been an Elk for over 40 years, and has been committed to serving his
Lodge, the Order, and the Community. One example of his commitment to
service would be his work in promoting excellence in education. For 37
years, McCallum served as a teacher, coach, and as an administrator at
Kennebunk High School, helping many young people achieve their goals.
This commitment to helping others has led him to the creation of his
theme of "H.O.P.E." or "Helping Others Promotes Elkdom," which would be
his theme for the upcoming year.

"Being selected to hold the office of Grand Exalted Ruler is one of the
highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the Elks, and I am
very humbled by the support I have received," McCallum said, referring
to the overwhelming support from the members of the Maine Elks
Association, as well as the other State Elk Associations throughout New
England and New York.

McCallum, attributes much of what he has achieved to "doing the best you
can, at whatever job you are given," referring to the many positions he
has held in the Elks over the past 40 years. Not wanting to take all the
credit for his nomination, he modestly stated that "Your not in this
alone," referring to the volunteer work that many Elk members across the
State of  Maine have accomplished in support of the Elk' programs.
Programs such as the Elks Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, Scholarships,
Veteran Programs, Americanism, and support of the Maine Elks
Association's major project, the Maine Children's Cancer Program. "The
work that these people do is the real story," he said.

As the Elks National President, McCallum and his wife Barbara, will be
spending the next year traveling back and forth across the country,
visiting nearly every state in the union. During his visits, he will be
serving not only in an executive capacity, but as an ambassador of
Elkdom, meeting with many members of the Elks, public dignitaries, and
government officials, in an effort to promote the charitable works of
the Order.

For Maine Elks, this is truly a very special year. Not only is the Maine
Elks Association celebrating 75 years of service, but it is also
celebrating an historic first, the election of Amos McCallum, as the
first National President to come from the State of Maine.

For more information on the Elks, visit: http://www.elks.org,