PRESS RELEASE
Floyd “Skip” Henke will be installed as president of the California Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA) of the national Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE).

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

Skip is a member of the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge #279.  This is the first time a member of the local Elks Lodge has become a CHEA State President.

The CHEA is composed of California, Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines and the Association includes 177 Elk Lodges in 19 Districts.  More than 180,000 people hold an Elk membership.  The Elks Association is the largest state association.

Skip’s career in the Elks has extended over twenty years and into many different capacities.  In 1992 Skip joined Santa Clarita Elks Lodge #279 and served as Lecturing, Loyal andLeading Knight officer positions before becoming Exalted Ruler in 1998.

Following these local Lodge officer positions, Skip went on to serve within the Metropolitan District as District Drug Awareness Chairman, District Ritual Contest Chairman and District Ritual Training Chairman. Skip also served as Trustee at his Lodge.

In 2001-2002 Skip served as State Vice President for the Metropolitan District under State President John Carvalho. In 2004-2005 he served the Metropolitan District as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Grand Exalted Ruler James McQuillan.  He also served as CHEA Trustee from 2007-2010 and as Chairman of the Trustees 2009-2010.

In 2013 Skip was elected First Vice President/ President Elect of the CHEA organization.  

At the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge #2379, Skip also plays a major role in supporting the major charitable programs of the Lodge including the twice weekly Bingo games of which all proceeds go to the Santa Clarita Elks charitable grants given in the community to such worthy entities as

Child & Family Agency, Veterans groups, Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, local schools sports teams, the Boy Scouts and the Senior Center.  

Major support for the CHEA handicapped children’s project grew with Skip and spouse Karen initiation of an annual Silent Auction which since 1998 has raised over $100,000 for children in need of physical therapy provided by the state CHEA group.  

In 2000 Skip assisted in  founding the first Annual Elks Charity Roast which that first year, roasted Mayor Bob Kellar, who in turn has provided leadership and continuity to this important

In 2004 Skip again with spouse Karen, took on the leadership of “The Dictionary Project” which provides a dictionary each year for every third grader in every elementary school in the greater Santa Clarita area-4500 youngsters!  

Skip, originally from Kansas City Missouri, graduated high school from Newport High School.  Skip then served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-1966.  Skip’s assignments took him to the Cuban

Blockade, the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam as well as participating in the Cyprus uprising.   Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1966, Skip returned to California, entered the electrician’s apprenticeship program, attaining the status of journeyman and took classes towards an AS degree at Long Beach City College.  

Skip worked for IBEW 11 for eighteen years.  He served as Business Manager, Financial Secretary, trustee for the Pension and Health Fund, President of the California State Electrical Workers Association, trustee to the California Apprenticeship Council and on the National

In 1980 Skip and Karen were married and between them have four children, two lovely grandchildren and a spoiled puppy named “Sadie’”  Skip and Karen are also active in the local Santa Clarita Elks Lodge “Kamper Klub” and travel with the group often in the motor home. During 2013 Skip will be preparing for his new role as State President of the largest Elks state association.  And Skip will be raising funds to cover the expenses routinely incurred as part of the responsibilities of that position.  

The Santa Clarita Elks Lodge is hosting a Celebrity Roast September 7 2013 for this purpose.  Roaster include Mayor Bob Kellar, civic leader Don Fleming, former Elks State President Jerry Ruckers and CHEA trustee local Lodge member Jay Larkins, director of CBS’ Entertainment Tonight program.  The Master of Ceremonies is 38th District Assemblyman Scott Wilk.

Tickets can be obtained for $50 by calling e-mailing Cheryl Laymon at ltloak@aol.com.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

[node:title]

Article: [node:title]
Source: Santa Clarita News
Author: [node:author]