TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.–Registration—Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Northeast
3:00 p.m.–Pre-convention Meeting—Anaheim Marriott, Suite 312, Palm Tower B
Association President, Convention Committee, Executive Director and Convention Center Staff
4:00 p.m. — CHEA Meetings Committee Meeting—Anaheim Marriott, Suite 304, Palm Tower B
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.–Registration
— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Northeast
8:00 a.m.–CHEA Investment Committee Meeting, Les Yeffa, Chairman
— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
9:30 a.m.–CHEMPI Board of Trustees Meeting, William Wiscovitch, Chairman
— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
10:30 a.m.–CHEA Board of Trustees Meeting, C. Michael Melton, Chairman
— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.–Ritual Practice – Anaheim Marriott
—Grillo Division, Orange County Ballroom 2
—Duitsman Division, Orange County Ballroom 4
12:15 p.m.–DDGER Designate Luncheon Meeting with PGERs Grillo and Duitsman
— Anaheim Marriott, Suite 312, Palm Tower B
1:00 p.m.–First Vice President’s Meeting with Vice President Designates and CHEA Committee Chairmen
— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
2:00 p.m.–Past Association President’s Meeting
— Anaheim Marriott, Suite 304, Palm Tower B
OPENING SESSION–VISITORS WELCOME – Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 5 & 6
8:00 p.m.–Opening Remarks, Association President Marty Mello, presiding
Call to Order by Association President Marty Mello
8:03 p.m.– Invocation by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
8:04 p.m.– Pledge of Allegiance by David Wyrsch, CHEA Sergeant at Arms
8:05 p.m.– Introductions by Association President Marty Mello
1. Larry Carver, President, Arizona Elks Association
2. Ben Reed Jr., President, Nevada State Elks Association
3. Glen B. Smith, Utah Elks Association
4. CHEA Past Presidents, Spouses and Widows
8:15 p.m.–Introduction of City of Anaheim Mayor by Nicole Sato, 2025 Association Convention Chairman.
Remarks by City of Anaheim Mayor
8:20 p.m.–Introduction of CHEA Sponsors by Association President Marty Mello
8:25 p.m.–Introduction of Grand Exalted Ruler by Louis J. Grillo, Past Grand Exalted Ruler
8:30 p.m.–Brief message by Douglas A. Schiefer, Grand Exalted Ruler
8:35 p.m.–Announcements by Association President Marty Mello
8:40 p.m.–MEMORIAL SERVICE–by Past Association President Ted G. Talbot
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.–Registration– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Northeast
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.–Preliminary Ritual Contest—Anaheim Marriott
—Grillo Division, Orange County Ballroom 2
—Duitsman Division, Orange County Ballroom 4
FIRST BUSINESS SESSION–VISITORS WELCOME— Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 5 & 6
8:00 a.m.–Call to Order by Association President Marty Mello
8:02 a.m.– Invocation by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
8:04 a.m.—Presentation of Colors by TBD
8:05 a.m.– Pledge of Allegiance by Janice Almazan, CHEA Assistant Sergeant at Arms
8:08 a.m.–Introduction of CHEA Officers and other guests by Association President Marty Mello
(Each group escorted to stage and introduced by Association Sergeant at Arms, Assistant Sergeant at Arms, Tiler and Assistant Tiler)
Association Officers
Association Trustees
Major Project Trustees
Past Association Presidents
District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers
Grand Lodge Committeemen
Grand Lodge Officers
Past Grand Exalted Rulers
Grand Exalted Ruler
8:30 a.m.–Introduction of CHEA Vice Presidents by Marty Mello, Association President
BAY— Conor Nugent
CENTRAL— James Akers
EAST CENTRAL— Ray Lewis
HAWAII— Larry Kniffin
INLAND— Pat Terrell
METROPOLITAN—
NORTH— John Strattard
NORTH CENTRAL— Richard Bristow
NORTHEAST— Jim Boston
NORTHWEST— Alan Bobillot
ORANGE COAST— Mark Mahoney
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY— Richard M. Dana
SOUTH— Lisa Chapin Winkler
SOUTH CENTRAL— Larry Isham
SOUTH CENTRAL COAST— Sean Williams
SOUTH COAST— Ken B. Powalisz
SOUTHEAST— Larry L. Ryan
WEST CENTRAL— Danielle Viola
WEST CENTRAL COAST— Dan Hoffman
8:40 a.m.–Credentials Report by Nicole Sato, Association Convention Chairman
8:43 a.m.–Association Treasurer’s report by Robert Hollis-Brau, CHEA Treasurer
8:46 a.m.–Association Secretary’s report by Diane Farrens, CHEA Secretary
8:49 a.m.–CHEA Board of Trustees report by C. Michael Melton, Chairman
8:59 a.m.–Constitutional Amendments by Timothy C. Martin, PGELK, PGT, CHEA Executive Director
9:00 a.m.–National Veterans Service Committee Awards, John Hardman, Chairman
9:10 a.m.–BLT Legacy Giving Committee report by Lynn Glick, Chairman
9:20 a.m.–President’s Achievement Awards, John Vertido, Chairman
9:35 a.m.–Lodge Activities Committee Presentations, Rudy Guerra, Chairman
9:50 a.m.–Nomination and Election of 2025-2026 Officers
10:10 a.m.–Acceptance Speech by Scott Stephens, Association President Elect
10:25 a.m.–Grand Lodge Committee Reports
10:25 a.m.-Hoop Shoot by Larry Torres
10:35 a.m.-Judiciary by Melvin R. Keeter
10:50 a.m.-Public Relations & Marketing by Patrick Akes
11:05 a.m.-Ritualistic by Jack Massie
11:15 a.m.-Announcements
11:20 a.m.-Questions and Answers from the Panel and Sponsors
11:30 a.m.–Benediction by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
–Adjourn
LUNCHEONS
12:30 p.m.–First Lady’s Luncheon Social Hour—Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, South
1:00 p.m.–First Lady’s Luncheon and Entertainment– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, South
1:00 p.m.–Secretaries, Trustees, Club Managers & Members Luncheon– Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 7-10
Conducted by CHEA Board of Trustees Chairman and Business Practices Chairman
1:00 p.m.–Exalted Rulers, Leading Knights, other Officers and Members Luncheon— Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
Conducted by Association President Elect Scott Stephens. Topics: Grand Lodge Judiciary by Member Melvin R. Keeter
1:00 p.m.–DDGER, PDDGER and Lodge Advisors Luncheon—Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 1 & 2
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.–Grand Lodge Judiciary Available to Answer Questions– Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom,
Salons 3 & 4
EVENING
Association President’s Dinner (Association Blue Coat or Suit)
6:00 p.m.–No Host Cocktails– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, South & Center
7:00 p.m.–Dinner– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, South & Center
Introduction by Louis J. Grillo, Past Grand Exalted Ruler
Address by Grand Exalted Ruler, Douglas A. Schiefer
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.–Ritual Contest Finals Practice– Anaheim Marriott, Orange County Ballrooms 1 & 2
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.–Major Project Piggy Bank Walk-A-Thon– Anaheim Marriott, Hotel Main Entrance
7:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon–Registration– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Northeast
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon–Ritual Contest Finals– Anaheim Marriott, Orange County Ballrooms 1 & 2
SECOND BUSINESS SESSION–VISITORS WELCOME– Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 5 & 6
8:00 a.m.–Call to Order by Association President Marty Mello
8:01 a.m.– Invocation by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
8:02 a.m.– Pledge of Allegiance by David Wyrsch, CHEA Sergeant at Arms
8:03 a.m.–Americanism by Jay Dupler, Americanism Chairman–Essay Readings and Awards
8:11 a.m.–Youth/Soccer Activities Committee, Ben Ortega, Chairman
8:15 a.m.–Enrique Camarena Award by Susan Good, Drug Awareness Chairman
8:24 a.m.–Resolutions by Tim Martin, PGELK, PGT, CHEA Executive Director
8:26 a.m.–Remarks by Larry Carver, President, Arizona Elks Association
8:29 a.m.–Remarks by Ben Reed Jr., President, Nevada State Elks Association
8:32 a.m.–Remarks by Glen B. Smith, President, Utah Elks Association
8:35 a.m.–Remarks by Past Grand Exalted Rulers, Area 7, Louis J. Grillo & Robert L. Duitsman
8:45 a.m.–Pre-Installation Rally
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.–Theme Child Photo Opportunity,
Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Foyer
9:00 a.m.–Installation of Officers by Bradford “Brad” Smith, Past Association President
9:15 a.m.–Acknowledgment by Scott Stephens, new Association President
9:25 a.m.–Presentation of blue coat to Scott Stephens, new Association President
9:29 a.m.–Benediction by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
9:30 a.m.–Adjourn into seminar workshops
9:45 a.m.–Exalted Rulers, Leading Knights, other Officers and Members Workshop, Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
Conducted by New Association President and New Committee Chairmen for Membership, Lapsation, Lodge Activities and Public Relations
9:45 a.m.–Secretaries, Trustees, Club Managers, and Members Workshop, Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, South
Conducted by CHEA Board of Trustees Chairman and Business Practices Chairman
12:15 p.m.–CHEA Board of Trustees, Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 7 & 8
CHEMPI Board of Trustees, Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salon 9
CHEA and CHEMPI Boards of Trustees joint meeting, Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 7 & 8
3:00 p.m.–New President’s Reception– Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Center
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025
FINAL BUSINESS SESSION–VISITORS WELCOME—Anaheim Marriott, Platinum Ballroom, Salons 5 & 6
8:00 a.m.—Call to Order by Marty Mello, Association President
8:01 a.m.– Invocation by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
8:03 a.m.– Pledge of Allegiance by Nita Ohlhauser, CHEA Tiler
8:05 a.m.–Recognition and Presentation to Marty Mello, Association 2024-2025 President
8:10 a.m.–Major Project report by William Wiscovitch, Chairman, CHEMPI Board of Trustees
8:20 a.m.–Presentation of Theme Child
8:45 a.m.–Piggy Bank report by Frank Almazan, Chairman
8:56 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.–Exalted Ruler’s Piggy Bank March
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.–Theme Child Photo Opportunity,
Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom, Foyer
10:45 a.m.–Ritual Contest Report and Awards by Tim Egan, Chairman
11:50 a.m.–Benediction by Rod Battaglia, CHEA Chaplain
11:55 a.m.–Closing by Marty Mello, Association President