What you need to know!!
Mission Statement
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A.
A Fraternal Organization
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To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
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What We Do
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefiting special needs children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs.
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The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.
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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. 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.
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Membership
The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old.​
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You can be sponsored by any member in good standing from any lodge in the country. You'll also need two other Elks who will be your references. The Elk who proposes you for membership will provide you with a copy of the Membership Application, or you can pick one up at the Lodge. A one-time application fee of $75 (except for the months of August and September when the one-time fee is $1) should be attached to the completed application and returned to the Lodge Secretary.
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Your application will be read at a regular Lodge meeting. It will then be forwarded to the Investigating Committee, who will call you and set up a time for you and your sponsor to meet with the committee so that they can interview you. After the interview is concluded, the committee will report to the Lodge concerning your membership. The members will be given a notice not less than 10 days nor more than two months before the vote will be taken.
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When the vote is concluded, you will be notified and asked to present yourself and your spouse for orientation. During orientation, you will learn more about the Order's programs and charities. You will also be told during the program the date you will be initiated.
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After initiation as an Elk, you can take part in all meetings and social functions of the Lodge.
Membership Reinstatement
It is really quite simple to reinstate your membership in the Elks – especially in May and November. If you are only delinquent for the past 12-month membership period, you have until May 31st to reinstate without any penalty or additional fees – you will only owe your delinquent membership dues. But regardless of how long you may have been delinquent, you can reinstate in November for a $1 one-time reinstatement fee to begin the process below. The rest of the year, that fee is $50 to be paid at the time of application.
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Reinstate in your same lodge:
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Go back to your old Lodge and ask the Secretary for an Application for Reinstatement. Fill out the form and pay the prescribed fees. Your application will be forwarded to the Investigating Committee, who will contact you for an interview. After the interview, the committee will make their recommendation to the members at a regular meeting.
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After the Lodge vote, you will be notified by the Secretary. You will be required to pay a prorated portion of annual Lodge dues. Then you will be issued your membership card.
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Reinstate in a new lodge:
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Should you wish to reinstate your membership in Elkdom with a Lodge other than the one in which you were initiated, you must reside in the jurisdiction of that Lodge. Before you reinstate you have to obtain a Certificate of Release from your old Lodge. Write a check payable to the old Lodge in the amount of $20 and ask the Lodge Secretary to forward a Certificate of Release.
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When you receive your Certificate of Release present it to the Secretary of the Lodge you want to reinstate your membership with. Then you would go through the steps described earlier.
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If a Lodge has no proof of prior membership, the burden of proof falls on you. Proof of prior membership can be:
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An old membership card
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A canceled check
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An affidavit signed by two members attesting to prior membership (It must be notarized)
If you cannot provide proof of prior membership, it will be necessary to apply for membership as a new member.
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Vicky Chandor George, Secretary
E-Mail: elks684sec@yahoo.com
Office: 301-662-3301 x 24
Frederick Lodge #684
289 Willowdale Drive
Frederick, MD 21702
301-662-3301
E-Mail: elks684@yahoo.com