Dignitaries

William J. Jernick

Grand Exalted Ruler 1954-1955

“As Elkdom Sows – America Reaps”

William J. Jernick was a member of Nutley Lodge No. 1290 and the 27th President of our State Association was dedicated to our Special Children’s Committee.   He served on the Special Children’s Committee in Nutley Lodge as well as a member of State Special Children’s Committee.   Bill served as the Grand Treasurer in 1950 and 1951 before serving as a member of the Board of Grand Trustees.  He resigned that post to become Grand Exalted Ruler in 1954.   PGER Jernick was the 78th Grand Exalted Ruler and the second from New Jersey to hold the office.

At his Installation, GER Jernick struck the keynote of his administration with the slogan “As Elkdome Sows, American Reaps,” and stated the objective of broadening the Order’s Youth and community service programs to strengthen the nation, spiritually and physically for its role as leader of the free world.  As a Past Grand Exalted Ruler, Jernick served as Chairman and Treasurer of the Elks National Service Commission whose credo is that “So Long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Joseph G. Buch, PGER

Grand Exalted Ruler 1940-1941

Founder of the Handicapped Children's Committee

Joseph Buch was the first Grand Exalted Ruler from our State, having served as NJSEA President 1922-1923.   He was a member of Trenton Lodge No. 105.  PGER Buch’s legacy to our State Association was being the founder of the Special Children’s Committee.  He preached a mantra of “helping special needs children to help themselves.”  In all his visits to the New Jersey Lodges during his Presidency he said:  “A Fraternal Order can live and grow only through service.  This is offered us in the work for our special children.  From my own limited connection with it I can assure that by reclaiming these children and making them happy, the hearts of us all will be softened.”  In addition to the various commissions he served in the State of New Jersey, PGER Buch was a member of President Hoover’s White House Conference on child health protection.  

Kenneth V. Cantoli

Grand Exalted Ruler 1983-1984

“Charity – The Cornerstone Of Elkdom”

Kenneth V. Cantoli was a charter member of Hasbrouck Heights Elks Lodge No. 1962.  Ken rose through the ranks of Elkdom and became President of our State Association in 1977.   He served Grand Lodge as a Ritualistic Judge, Chairman of the Auditing Committee, and as a Grand Trustee.  PGER Cantoli was the third person from New Jersey to hold the office of Grand Exalted Ruler.

During his year as Grand Exalted Ruler, Ken Cantoli proposed the creation of a new nation-wide program against drug abuse leading to the formation of the Grand Lodge Drug Awareness Committee.  He felt the Order was in a unique position through the various youth activity programs to address the problems of drug abuse.  “We can zero in on the problem where the need is the greatest with a grass-roots campaign in communities throughout the country.  Once again illustrating that “Charity is the Cornerstone of Elkdom.”

Arthur Mayer, Jr.

Grand Exalted Ruler 2001-2002

“Elks Make A Difference”

At the Grand Lodge Session in Philadelphia, PA on July 9, 2001, the fourth Grand Exalted Ruler from New Jersey was elected – Arthur Mayer, Jr. from Bergenfield Lodge No. 1477.  Little did he know when he joined Bergenfield Lodge in 1965 to play third base for their softball team that he would become Grand Exalted Ruler.   To quote RT, “I guess somewhere I managed to hit a homerun when I got hit by Elkdom’s bug.”

“Never doubt for one second that a small group of caring and committed people can change the world.”   GER Mayer’s theme for his year was “Elks Make A Difference”.   He told the membership that morning that “they have all taken the same obligation and all believe in the same values.   We have all stepped forward to help make a difference in our Lodges, our Order, our communities, and our Lives.”

In his closing remarks he asked “What is Elkdom?”   “Elkdom is not just what we give; it’s the significance of our giving.   Elkdom is not just what we accomplish; it’s the pride and purpose behind it.   Elkdom is not just what we say; it’s the message we project.  Elkdom is not just the sociability we enjoy; it’s the brotherhood we believe in.  Elkdom is truly caring and sharing.  Now ask yourself this:   “HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?”

New Jersey Elks will never forget PGER Arthur Mayer’s favorite line: “It’s great to be an Elk, but it’s better to be an Elk from New Jersey.”