Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks explained

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Abbreviation:BPOE
Logo Alt:Logo of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Founder:Charles Vivian
Headquarters:Chicago, Illinois, United States
Coords:41.9323°N -87.64°W
Status:501(c)(8) fraternal benefit order[1]
Tax Id:36-0793011
Affiliations:1,928 local lodges,[2] Elks National Home and Retirement Center, Elks National Foundation, Elks National Veterans Service Commission, Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (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. The fraternity currently focuses on Community, Friendship and Charity.

Membership requirements

Candidates must be as follows: [3]

Organization

Headquarters

The Elks' national headquarters are located in Chicago at the Elks National Veterans Memorial and Headquarters, overlooking Lincoln Park, near Lake Michigan. This building was originally conceived as a memorial to the nearly 1,000 Elk brothers who were lost in World War I. The cornerstone was laid July 7, 1924, and the building was officially dedicated on July 14, 1926.[4] [5]

The rotunda displays murals and statues illustrating the Elks' four cardinal virtues: charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. The friezes depict the "Triumphs of War" on one side and "Triumphs of Peace" on the other. The entrance is flanked by large bronze elks.[6]

Grand Lodge

The BPOE is organized on the national or "grand" level and the local lodge level. The Grand Lodge, which meets in convention annually. Grand Lodge members nominate and elect the following officers:

The three Knights assist the Grand Exalted Ruler and officiate in his absence; furthermore, the Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight acts a prosecutor in cases when an Elk is accused of an offense against the order. The Grand Trustee have general authority over assets and property owned by the order. The Grand Esquire is appointed by the Grand Exalted Ruler and organizes the Grand Lodges and serves as marshal of Elks parades. The Grand Tiler, Grand Inner Guard, and Grand Chaplain is also appointed by the Grand Exalted Ruler.[7]

Elks Magazine is published 10 times a year and goes to all members.[8]

Lodges

Lodges officers are essentially the same as the ones on the national level, with "Grand" prefix removed. Lodges also may establish dinner and recreational clubs for members. In 1979, there were 2,200 lodges.[9] Lodges which are incorporated are required to be governed by a board of directors. Otherwise, the Lodge Trustees are the governing board.

Activities

Social quarters

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.[10]

National charity programs

Lodges are encouraged to participate in national Elks charity programs. There are also State Elks Associations charity programs. This usually includes a State Major Project. Elks Lodges are usually involved in other local charitable efforts.

Due to the willingness of most Elks Lodges to respond to community needs and events, it has been internally common to turn the BPOE abbreviation into a backronym for "Best People on Earth".[11] [12] [13]

Elks National Foundation

Established in 1928, the Elks National Foundation is the charitable arm of the BPOE. The foundation, with an endowment valued at more than $750 million, has contributed more than $500 million toward Elks' charitable projects nationwide. Since inception, the Elks have received more than $288.7 million in contributions and bequests. As of the close of the 2021 fiscal year, they boast more than 120,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $833.1 million.[14]

Veteran services

The Elks pledge that "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them."[15]

Youth programs

Americanism

The Elks have shown their devotion to Americanism by conducting bond drives, promoting civil defense programs, and Flag Day observances. During World War II, they designated the week of March 15, 1942, as "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.[21]

Rites and traditions

Initiation and funeral rites still exist, however. The initiation rite is not considered a secret. The initiation involves an altar, with a Bible upon it and chaplain leading the brethren in prayers and psalms. The candidate must accept a "solemn and binding obligation" to never "reveal any of the confidential matters of the Order". He further promises to uphold the Constitution of the United States, protect brother Elks and their families, only support worthy candidates for admission and never bring political or sectarian questions up into the Order. The funeral rite is called the "Lodge of Sorrow" and also involves prayers.

The Hour of Recollection

Deceased and otherwise absent lodge members are recalled each evening at 11 p.m. Chimes or sometimes a bell will be rung 11 times and the Lodge Esquire intones, "It is the Hour of Recollection." The Exalted Ruler or a member designated by him gives the 11 o'clock toast, of which this version is the most common:

Memorial for "Absent Members"

The Lodge offers Funeral Services to members who pass. This usually is available upon request. Details for this ceremony can be found in the "Rituals of Special Services" manual. Many Lodges have a memorial in their building or in their Lodge room, dedicated to their absent members.

Communal burial

The Elks have communal cemetery plots, which are often marked with impressive statuary.

History

The Elks was established by actor Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian – a British expatriate and member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes – in New York City on February 16, 1868.[22] Organized as a club for minstrel show performers, the impetus for the group's founding was the death of a fellow actor to disease due to a paucity of funds for treatment and a desire to organize communal support for fellow actors in need.[23] [24]

Founded as the "Jolly Corks", by December of 1868 it had adopted the name Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.[22]

By 1890, 173 lodges had been established throughout the United States.[24]

In 1976, the Elks had 1,611,139 members.[25] As of June 2020, it claimed to have more than 750,000 members.[3]

Elks Mutual Benefit Association

Like many other fraternal orders, the Elks at one point sponsored an insurance fund. The Elks Mutual Benefit Association (EMBA) was founded in 1878. At the 1885 Grand Lodge, it was reported that the EMBA was prosperous, but its finances were carelessly managed. The Association was disbanded after the 1907 Grand Lodge passed a resolution banning mutual or insurance features, as well as degrees and auxiliaries.[26]

Elks National Home

The Elks National Home is a retirement home in Bedford, Virginia, built in 1916. In late 2013, the Elks sold the home to a private organization.

Origin of the Slogan "Hello Bill!"

The slogan "Hello Bill!" was coined during the Elks' National Re-Union in Minneapolis in 1897. William Goddard of Minneapolis Lodge No. 44 became known for this greeting as visiting Elks were frequently directed to him with phrases like "Go see Billy Goddard." This led to visitors greeting him with "Hello Bill!" The phrase quickly spread among attendees and became a lasting tradition within the Elks community.[27]

The slogan was used as a personal greeting and welcoming elks to the different national re-unions. This can be seen in many historic photos. [28] [29] [30]

Ritual

The Elks originally borrowed a number of rites, traditions, and regalia from the Freemasons. However, by the first decade of the twentieth century, much of this had been abandoned as the Elks sought to establish their own identity. The original two degrees required for membership were consolidated into one degree in 1890, the apron was discontinued in 1895, the secret password was gone in 1899, and the badges and secret handshake were abandoned by 1904.[21]

Controversies

Throughout American history, many Elks lodges have been criticized for excluding African-Americans, Jews, Italians, women, atheists, and others from membership. The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World was founded in 1897 due to the exclusion of African-Americans from the BPOE.[31] [32]

In 1919, a "Flag Day resolution" was passed, barring membership to even passive sympathizers of the Bolsheviks, Anarchists, the I.W.W., or kindred organizations, or who does not give undivided allegiance to" the flag and constitution of the United States.

In 1979, the qualifications for membership included being male, at least 21 years old, of sound mind and body, a citizen of the United States and not a member of the Communist Party.

Desegregation

In 1962, the Anti-Defamation League supported the decision by New York Elks Lodge No. 1 to eliminate their "Caucasians Only" membership criteria and expressed support for extending the BPOE's membership to other minority groups as well. A 1956 ADL study showed that nearly 15% of BPOE lodges in the survey excluded Jewish people from membership. Some lodges banned Jews from membership while other lodges made it difficult for Jews to become members.[33]

In 1972, the Elks expelled the head of the Ridgewood lodge, Richard J. Zelenka, because of his advocacy against the Elks' discriminatory policies which limited membership to white men.[34] [35] By the following year, however, a resolution to repeal the discriminatory clause of the national constitution passed, desegregating the organization.[36] [37]

In Beynon v. St. George-Dixie Lodge 1743 (1993),[38] 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,[39] which was followed by a vote at the Elks National Convention in July 1995[40] to remove the word "male" from the national membership requirements.

Notable members

Athletes / Sports

Politicians

Presidents of the United States

Vice Presidents of the United States

Governors

Members of Congress

Other politicians

Military

Entertainers

Other

Grand Exalted Rulers

This is a list of the organization's national presidents, known as the Grand Exalted Rulers (GER):

Source:[52]

Tangential Organizations

Elks State Associations

The state level organizations are called "Elks State Associations"; state level officers include presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers. Generally state associations are setup to govern and control the "State Major Project".

Antlers

Despite its 1907 resolution banning any auxiliaries, the Elks at one point had a youth affiliate for young men called the Antlers. The first chapter was organized in February 1922 by San Francisco Lodge #3. The 1927 Grand Lodge approved the junior order, granting the Grand Exalted Ruler the power to permit subordinate lodges to instituted organizations for males under 21. In 1933, there were 45 local units of the Antlers with 3,584 members. However, the Antlers numbers were decimated during the Second World War, with so many young men having gone off to war. Despite 86 local Antlers groups still existing in 1946, the Grand Lodge deleted all reference to them in their constitution and bylaws that year. However, some local Antlers groups were still active in 1979, according to one source.[53]

See also

Notes and references

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Guidestar. May 31, 2014.
  2. "Local Lodges". Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Accessed on March 18, 2016.
  3. Web site: More Information. elks.org . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206013332/https://www.elks.org/who/information.cfm . Dec 6, 2023 .
  4. Web site: History of the Elks National Memorial. elks.org . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001185604/https://www.elks.org/memorial/historicalTour.cfm . Oct 1, 2023 .
  5. "Welcome to the Elks Veterans Memorial". Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
  6. Schmidt p. 104
  7. Schmidt pp. 104–105
  8. Web site: Elks Magazine Online . October 17, 2008 . Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks .
  9. Schmidt p. 105
  10. 274186. The Unbrotherly Brotherhood: Discrimination in Fraternal Orders. Phylon. 34. 3. 275–282. Schmidt. Alvin J.. Babchuk. Nicholas. 1973. 10.2307/274186.
  11. Web site: A Message From Bill Beck . Bill . Beck . Springfield, Illinois, Lodge #158 . Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks . I will forever remember that BPOE also stands for the Best People On Earth, a line you have used often... .
  12. Web site: The origins of The 11 O'Clock Toast . Mike . Kelly . B.P.O.E. Grand Lodge Historian . Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks . I will forever remember that BPOE also stands for the Best People On Earth, a line you have used often... . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070112162846/http://www.elks.org/history/toast.cfm . January 12, 2007 .
  13. Web site: Elks Walk 2,223 Miles to Attend 1912 National Convention . Sparks . Eva . Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks . Four athletic young men, members of the local B.P.O.E Lodge (Best People On Earth) and employees of... . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070301231817/http://www.elks.org/history/hikers.cfm . March 1, 2007.
  14. Elks National Foundation, About ENF, Annual Report 2021, https://www.elks.org/ENF/background.cfm
  15. Web site: Veterans Services . 3 July 2013.
  16. http://www.elks.org/programs/history.cfm History of veterans programs
  17. Web site: Journal Entries: Saint Peter's gets $100K grant from Provident Bank . NJ.com . September 22, 2015 . June 10, 2016.
  18. https://www.elks.org/vets/AdoptAVeteran.cfm Adopt-A-Veteran Program
  19. https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm Most Valuable Student
  20. https://www.elks.org/hoopshoot/ Hoop Shoot
  21. Schmidt p. 102
  22. News: Booker . Robert . Investigating the history of the Elks organization . August 27, 2023 . . February 12, 2018.
  23. News: Elks Founder Dies. J. M. Norcross, Minstrel, 84, Was Last Signer of Lodge Charter . . March 1, 1925 . 2015-01-27 .
  24. News: Branch . Zoe . The Rich History of McMenamins Elks Temple . August 27, 2023 . South Sound Magazine . April 15, 2019.
  25. Schmidt p. 103
  26. Schmidt pp. 108–109 Schmidt's main source is James R. Nicholson and Lee A. Donaldson, History of the Order of Elks 1969. He also cites back issues of the proceedings
  27. https://www.elks.org/history/hellobill.cfm Origin of Hello Bill
  28. https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/13919, Elks Club float on Pattee Street
  29. https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ADB4RKEX3ZA77D87 Bunting on S. 8th
  30. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/barstock/items/barstock2434.html 1939 Elks Roundup Parade
  31. Web site: Black Elks Lodge members want to unite historic community . Dec 26, 2018 . Brad . Harper . . 2024-01-13.
  32. Web site: Elks Now Open to Women . Oct 1, 1995 . The Associated Press . . 2024-01-13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114040600/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/01/us/elks-now-open-to-women.html . Jan 14, 2024 .
  33. Web site: New York Elks Ask Grand Lodge to Discontinue Admission Restrictions . April 30, 1962 . . 2024-01-13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114042144/https://www.jta.org/archive/new-york-elks-ask-grand-lodge-to-discontinue-admission-restrictions . Jan 14, 2024 .
  34. News: Elks Dismiss Opponent Of Their All-White Rule. Kandell. Jonathan. 1972-03-13. The New York Times. 2019-02-13. en-US. 0362-4331.
  35. Saint Louis University Public Law Review. Pfefferkorn . Michael . The Ability of Voluntary Associations to Control Membership through Expulsion Comment . 7 . 209 . 1988 .
  36. News: Chicago Tribune . Frober . Enstad . 12 . Elks open source to blacks . July 20, 1973.
  37. News: Meehan . Thomas . The other July convention . The New York Times . August 13, 1972 . en.
  38. News: Beynon v. St. George–Dixie Lodge 1743.
  39. News: Elks Must Admit Women or Lose Liquor License.
  40. News: Elks Lodges Vote on Whether to Admit Women.
  41. Book: Solomon . Burt . Where They Ain't: The Fabled Life and Untimely Death of the Original Baltimore Orioles, the Team That Gave Birth to Modern Baseball . 14 March 2000 . . 978-0-385-49882-1 . 6 . 31 May 2023 . en.
  42. Book: Congressional Record . 1968 . 30 August 2022 . 3726. U.S. Government Printing Office .
  43. Web site: Cone, Frederick Preston. The Political Graveyard. February 19, 2013.
  44. News: November 10, 1932. Florida's Next Governor . 8. 4. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 33.
  45. Book: United States Congressional Serial Set. 1914. U.S. Government Printing Office. 43. 1 March 2018. en.
  46. Book: Hardy. Roberts. Dermot H.. Ingham S.. Historical Review of South-East Texas and the Founders Leaders and Representative Men of its Commerce, Industry and Civic Affairs. 607. II. The Lewis Publishing Company. Chicago. 1910. Google Books.
  47. Web site: Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812–2012 . Louisiana State Legislature . September 15, 2011 . July 8, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235758/http://www.legis.la.gov/legisdocs/members/h1812-2012.pdf . October 4, 2013 .
  48. Web site: O'Dowd. Niall. Biden's Irish Roots. August 28, 2008 . 26 April 2020. globallycastle.com.
  49. Web site: Representative Dank, David, District 85. Oklahoma House of Representatives . August 21, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102021513/http://www.okhouse.gov/District85. January 2, 2015.
  50. Book: Bartlett, Ichabod Sargent . History of Wyoming . 1918 . . 2 . Chicago . 55–56 . en.
  51. http://www.elkshistory.org/ "April 1943 Elks Magazine reported that the Life membership card of Brother Eddie Rickenbacker was featured in several national weekly magazines. This was bestowed upon him by the LA Elks on June 18, 1919"
  52. Web site: Grand Exalted Rulers . elks.org . September 16, 2020.
  53. Schmidt p. 44 Schmidt's main source is "The Antlers" in James R. Nicholson and Lee A. Donaldson, History of the Order of Elks 1969. The source for the continued existence of the Antlers after 1946 was apparently an Elks official he spoke to. The text of the relevant portion of the 1907 resolution is on p. 109

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