Is any one here an Elk??

Is anyone here an Elk, or know Elks? I am interested in joining but I have never met one. I am also wondering about their rituals??

There is no talk at all about their rituals on any of their official websites. Thanks for any help.

My stepfather and my mother were both Elks. The B.P.O.E (Benevolent and protective order of elkdom) is a harmless organization geared toward charity, and fraternity. They serve the community through organization of blood drives, toy drive, and funding for non profit drganizations.

My mom was the first female elk in her chapter (amongst much fuss from the older guys) and the state as far as I know. Interestingly enough her membership number was 1776.

If you are thinking about joining, go ahead, you'll probably meet some good friends, and you'll probably learn how to drink in the process.


Thier rituals are secret, but no more secret than the blue lodges of masonry. So you won't find them on the internet This is a real, good old boys organization.

One problem some have with organizations like thie, is that you must pledge your beleif in god. Some who are atheist, cannot bring themselves to do this.



[edit on 5-6-2005 by Eyeofhorus]

[edit on 5-6-2005 by Eyeofhorus]

Originally posted by Boatphone
Is anyone here an Elk, or know Elks? I am interested in joining but I have never met one. I am also wondering about their rituals??

There is no talk at all about their rituals on any of their official websites. Thanks for any help.

Ditto what EOH said. Also the Elks ritual was once very long and complicated, but has become much abbreviated in past years. It's now not much more than a "raise your hand and say 'I do'" sort of thing. Interestingly one of the officers (the outer guardian) is called the "Tyler" just like in the Symbolic Lodge of Freemasonry.

Many Elks Lodges have some pretty nice facilities for their members. The one in my city (Cape Girardeau, MO) has a lake that's stocked w/ fish, a campground, etc. They have a bar and a dining room with pretty good food

My Father was an Elk, My Mother was Emblem Club ( Lady Elks). Dad is a PER
(past exalter ruler), Mom was a PP (past President) , My scout troops both
cubscouts and boy scouts were sponsered by the local Elks Lodge.
as I recall they also sponsered Girl scout troops also.

Thank you all for the great information. Sounds like a really good group, also, good information on the rituals being less complex now.

thanks

Originally posted by Boatphone
Thank you all for the great information. Sounds like a really good group, also, good information on the rituals being less complex now.

thanks

Glad I could be of some help, along with all the rest of the ATS members.


Information pertaining to joining, can be found on:
www.elks.org...

My mom was an officer, and she was in charge of writing the monthly newsletter. Although she is a decent writer, she is hardly tech savvy, so that meant that I got to type up and write some of the articles. I was able to learn a lot about the traditions of the organization, the history, and the people, and in the process, I saw some stuff I probably shouldn't have seen pertaining to ritual. And out of respect I will not reveal any of it, but I can tell you that it is very beautiful and symbolic.

I was really heavily involved with this organization my entire life, and although I was not old enough to join, I was able to attend many community service projects that they organized. And I even helped to set up and execute a charity golf tournament for the Bal-swan children's center. We were able to raise $5,000 and got over $10,000 worth of door prizes, donated. I was the recipient of thier annual scholarship, I still thank them every chance I get for that little peace of mind.

I really do think that anyone who joins the Elks club will become a more social, more postive, and all around better person. The friends you make during your experience, with the elks club, or any other fraternal organization for that matter.

My mom unfortunately is no longer an elk, due to certain unpleasantness in the lodge (nothing bad at all, just lost interest in it because of the attitudes of some new members toward the organization). She is now a member of the fraternal organization of eagles, which is quite similar to the elks club. If you are interested in another possible choice for a service fraternity, the american legion is another good choice.

Whatever choice you make will no doubt be a good one. These are some outstanding organizations who are motivated to help the community, have fun, and learn to be a better person. So have fun, and remember...you get back just as much as you put in.

I'm an ELK in Canada and what others have writen sounds about the same here in Canada.We have a hard time raising enough money to keep us going.we have no problem raising the money for charity but the day to day stuff is hard.No smoking alowed in our province in public places like bars so we loose some revenue there.I hear the bingo's are starting to improve,guess the smokers must be comming back.

Question to all...am I correct in thinking that it is possible to come to a "chapter" of the Elks and have a beer at the bar and meet the members or is it members only all the time?

Thanks again.

In Canada its a private club in as much as you need a keycard to get in but anyone can get in,just buzz and they let you in and someone will sign you in.Like a Legion.

based on what colsislander said, it should be the same at just about every lodge. Just "buzz" in and somebody will sign you in.

P.S. remember to take off your hat when you go in, or you may find yourself buying everyone in the bar a round of drinks...lol.

I've never been a member, but my brother and I have spent time at a few lodges in Canada and were always made welcome after buzzing at the door.

We would just sit around and have a few beers and play crib or shoot pool for drinks. The people were friendly and nobody ever pushed you to join up or anything like that.

I think you should go down to your local group and get to know a few people, I don't think you'll regret it.

Originally posted by Eyeofhorus
My stepfather and my mother were both Elks. The B.P.O.E (Benevolent and protective order of elkdom) is a harmless organization geared toward charity, and fraternity. They serve the community through organization of blood drives, toy drive, and funding for non profit drganizations.
[edit on 5-6-2005 by Eyeofhorus]

Clearly B.P.O.E is just a code word for BaPhOmEt! I read on a couple of web sites that the blood in the Elks "blood drives" come from the thousands of children that go missing... and that those children are kidnapped into Satanic pedophilic cults after their parents unknowingly sign up for free Child ID's at their local Masonic lodge. I also heard from my 4th cousin's husband's friend's parrot that the Elks control all of the banks and the media.

(ha ha just joking)

Iremember as a kid the Father and Son nights the lodge did. one of the
most memorable was a wrestling exibition featuring " The Masked Marvel"
and a member of the local lodge wearing white boxers with red hearts. It
was truely a sight never before or since seen.

Originally posted by JustMe74

(ha ha just joking)

I was ready to tear this reply apart...then I realized it was a joke...hahaha.

Skwak, polly wanna cracker, skwak the masons are evil, skwak masons worship satan.

I'll never own a parrot. Once you teach it dirty words, it will never stop saying them. I taught my friend kenneth's parrot dirty words once, and they had to get rid of it because it was disturbing thier dinners...

Not to get too far off topic but, anyone out there remember a show on showtime (at least I think it was showtime) it was called "sherman oaks?" If you have seen it you know that I'm talking about, the racist parrot episode. What a classic show.



[edit on 6-6-2005 by Eyeofhorus]

[edit on 6-6-2005 by Eyeofhorus]

Originally posted by Eyeofhorus
based on what colsislander said, it should be the same at just about every lodge. Just "buzz" in and somebody will sign you in.

P.S. remember to take off your hat when you go in, or you may find yourself buying everyone in the bar a round of drinks...lol.

Thats awesome I love stuff like that!!
Thanks again everyone!

reply to post by JustMe74


Ha-ha! Very clever, very clever indeed!