What is the Elks Club?
The Elks had modest beginnings in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers, called the "Jolly Corks". It was established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. The Elks borrowed rites and practices from Freemasonry.
Who can be a member of the Elk Lodge?
No person shall be accepted as a member of this Order unless he be a white male citizen of the United States of America, of sound mind and body, of good character, not under the age of Twenty-one years, and a believer in God. Until 1973, the national constitution of the Elk lodge restricted membership to white men.
What is the role of the Grand Lodge of Elks?
The Grand Esquire is appointed by the Grand Exalted Ruler and organizes the Grand Lodges and serves as marshal of Elks parades. The Grand Chaplain is also appointed by the Grand Exalted Ruler. The local lodges are known by their lodge number and the name of the city in which they are located.
What is it like to be in the Elks?
Most Elks lodges operate a social quarters with a private bar. According to sociologists Alvin J. Schmidt and Nicholas Babchuk, members primarily joined the Elks to be "provided with entertainment, liquor, and food at reasonable rates" in the social quarters. Lodges are encouraged to participate in national Elks charity programs.
Scholarships
Every year Elks National Foundation gives out $3.65 million in college scholarships for high school seniors.
Drug Awareness
For more information about the Drug Awareness program, pleave visit the website.
Americanism Essay Contest
The Americanism essay contest is a patriotic theme based writing contest for students in 5th through 8th grade.
Soccer Shoot
A program under the Youth Activities Committee, the Elks Soccer Shoot Program is intended for toddlers to teenagers.
Junior Golf Program
A program designed young people with a desire to play golf and want to be the next Tiger Woods or Natalie Gulbis.
Dictionary Project
This effort has been bringing nearly 10 million dictionaries to schools and students over the past 15 years.
Antlers
A program for young people between 12 and up to 21, the Junior Elks are part of the Antlers.
What is the elk lodge?
For other uses, see Elks (disambiguation). / 41.9323; -87.6400. / 41.9323; -87.6400. The Benevolent and Protective Order of El ks ( BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order founded in 1868, originally as a social club in New York City.
What were the female auxiliaries of the Elks?
Nevertheless, several unofficial female auxiliaries were created: the Emblem Club, the Lady Elks and the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does. The Lady Elks appear only to exist on the local level and vary from place to place with regard to its activities.
How did the Elks show their devotion to Americanism?
The Elks have shown their devotion to Americanism by conducting bond drives, promoting civil defense programs and Flag Day observance. During World War II, they designated the week of March 15, 1942 "Win the War Week" and helped recruit for the United States Army Air Corps. An " Elks National Service Commission " was in operation from 1946 to 1950, and the Grand Lodge adopted a " Declaration of American Principles " in 1961 in Miami.
How many times does Elks magazine publish?
Elks Magazine is published 10 times a year and goes to all members.
When did the Elks become unisex?
George-Dixie Lodge 1743 (1993), the Utah Supreme Court ruled that while Freedom of Association allowed the Elks to remain a men-only organization, "the Elks may not avail itself of the benefits of a liquor license and the license's concomitant state regulation" as long as it violated the Utah State Civil Rights Act. Faced with losing their liquor licenses if they did not admit women, the Elks Lodges of Utah voted to become unisex in June 1993, which was followed by a vote at the Elks National Convention in July 1995 to remove the word "male" from the national membership requirements.
Where is the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks located?
The Elks building in Idaho Springs, Colorado.
When did the Elks start?
The Elks began in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers, called the "Jolly Corks". It was established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. The Elks borrowed rites and practices from Freemasonry .
What is an elk lodge?
Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.
Where is the Elks National Headquarters?
The BPO Elks national headquarters is in Chicago. The Chicago campus is also the site of the Elks National Veterans Memorial building, and it is the home of the Elks National Foundation, the Order’s charitable trust; the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
What is an elf foundation?
Read about Elks giving and the Elks National Foundation (ENF) HERE.
How do elks invest in their communities?
Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life for their members and the community. How could this powerful force have come into being? And where does all this charitable giving come from? From the generous hearts of Elks members whose eagerness to share, whose prudent long-term planning, and whose willingness to serve for free and with enthusiasm infuses the Order with an exuberant and enduring expression of the true volunteer spirit.
When was the Elks founded?
The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.The initial origins of the group began in England in 1010 A.D.
What was the Jolly Corks?
It All Began With the Jolly Corks. Starting as a group of actors and entertainers bent on having fun AND avoiding a New York Excise tax in 1867 (Sundays were the ‘dry’ day), this convivial group called themselves the Jolly Corks (for a clever trick with corks they performed on the uninitiated to win rounds of drinks). That same year as membership grew, some members saw the vision to become more helpful in the community. Alas, two feuding factions split the group over different philosophies. Fortunately, the latter faction moved forward with their new ideals and in February of 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was chartered–and with a great new spirit and direction, began to help Veterans, Scouting, Scholarships and more–wherever Charity, Justice and Brotherly Love were needed!
