The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American

fraternal order A fraternal order is a fraternity organised as an order, with traits alluding to religious, chivalric or pseudo-chivalric orders, guilds, or secret societies. Contemporary fraternal orders typically have secular purposes, including social, cu ...

founded in 1868, originally as a

social club A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation, or activity. Examples include: book discussion clubs, chess clubs, anime clubs, country clubs, charity work, criminal ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

History

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

laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. The Elks borrowed rites and practices from

Freemasonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

Membership

Belief in a Supreme Being became a prerequisite for membership in 1892. The word " God" was substituted for Supreme Being in 1946. In 1919, a "Flag Day resolution" was passed, barring membership to even passive sympathizers "of the Bolsheviki, Anarchists, the I.W.W., or kindred organizations, or who does not give undivided allegiance to" the flag and constitution of the United States. The BPOE was originally an all-

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...

organization. In the early 1970s, this policy led the Order into conflict with the courts over its refusal to allow

black people Black is a racialized classification of people, usually a political and skin color-based category for specific populations with a mid to dark brown complexion. Not all people considered "black" have dark skin; in certain countries, often in ...

the use of its club and leisure activities. In nearly all instances, the all-whites clause was made public after someone was denied the use of the Elks' dining or leisure facilities. Membership was restricted to whites until 1973. 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 Citizenship of the United States is a legal status that entails Americans with specific rights, duties, protections, and benefits in the United States. It serves as a foundation of fundamental rights derived from and protected by the Constituti ...

and not a member of the

Communist Party A communist party is a political party that seeks to realize the socio-economic goals of communism. The term ''communist party'' was popularized by the title of '' The Manifesto of the Communist Party'' (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel ...

. In ''Beynon v. St. George–Dixie Lodge 1743'' (1993), the Utah Supreme Court ruled that while

freedom of association Freedom of association encompasses both an individual's right to join or leave groups voluntarily, the right of the group to take collective action to pursue the interests of its members, and the right of an association to accept or decline mem ...

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 Unisex is an adjective indicating something is not sex-specific, i.e. is suitable for any type of sex. The term can also mean gender-blindness or gender neutrality. The term 'unisex' was coined as a neologism in the 1960s and was used fairly i ...

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. The current requirements include belief in God, American citizenship, willingness to recite the

Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is a patriotic recited verse that promises allegiance to the flag of the United States and the republic of the United States of America. The first version, with a text different from the one used ...

, willingness to salute the flag of the United States of America, willingness to support the laws and Constitution of the United States of America, being of good character and being at least 21 years of age. There is also a background interview conducted by the Membership Committee, who make the final recommendation to the Lodge members. The members then use a ballot box, with the back drawer first being displayed to the members to be empty, then the members drop their vote one at a time into the hole in the back, typically a white glass marble to accept or a black lead cube to reject. A 2/3 majority of member votes is necessary for acceptance. In 1976, the BPOE had 1,611,139 members.Schmidt p. 103 As of June, 2020, it claims to have 'nearly a million members'.

Women

Until 1995, The Elks had traditionally been an all-male fraternal order. Unlike many other male orders, it never had an official

female auxiliary Fraternal orders often have "side degrees", auxiliaries or appendant (as opposed to primary). Some of these are created as female "sister organizations", youth organizations or side degrees proper which are organizations associated with or within th ...

, after passing a resolution in 1907 that ruled "There shall be no branches or degrees of membership in the Order, nor any insurance or mutual features, nor shall there be other adjuncts of auxiliaries". The Elks enforced this resolution through at least the 1970s. Nevertheless, several unofficial female auxiliaries were created: the

Emblem Club The Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America is the unofficial auxiliary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. History The order was organized during World War I by a group of female relatives of the Elks who met to wrap ba ...

, 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. There also does not appear to be any published or printed ritual. More organized are the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does who were chartered on February 12, 1921. This organization does have an organization above the local level, complete with districts, state organizations and a national "Grand Lodge". The Does also have a written secret ritual based on the

Magnificat of Mary The Magnificat ( Latin for "y soulmagnifies he Lord) is a canticle, also known as the Song of Mary, the Canticle of Mary and, in the Byzantine tradition, the Ode of the Theotokos (). It is traditionally incorporated into the liturgical service ...

and which makes reference to St. Paul's

First Epistle to the Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians ( grc, Α΄ ᾽Επιστολὴ πρὸς Κορινθίους) is one of the Pauline epistles, part of the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle and a co-au ...

Chapter 13, emphasizing love and charity. The Emblem Club was founded in 1926, with a ritual written by a male Elk. It also has a national organization with local Clubs, State Association and a national Supreme Club of the United States. In ''Beynon v. St. George-Dixie Lodge 1743'' (1993), the Utah Supreme Court ruled that while

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.

Racial discrimination

In 1972, the Elks expelled the head of the Ridgewood lodge (Richard J. Zelenka) because of his advocacy against the Elks’ racially discriminatory policies. A resolution to repeal the discriminatory clause of the national constitution of the Elk lodge (see above) passed in 1973 after failing at three previous national conventions. In 1989, there were allegations of applicants being denied membership in lodges located in various parts of California because of their race.

Structure and organization

Headquarters

The Elks' national headquarters are located in Chicago at the

Elks National Veterans Memorial and Headquarters The Elks National Veterans Memorial (officially the Elks National Memorial and Headquarters Building) is a Beaux Arts-style domed building at 2750 North Lakeview Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The structure was planned by the Benevolent and Prote ...

, overlooking

Lincoln Park Lincoln Park is a park along Lake Michigan on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. Named after US President Abraham Lincoln, it is the city's largest public park and stretches for seven miles (11 km) from Grand Avenue (500 N), on the south, ...

, near

Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the east, its basin is conjoined with that o ...

. This building was originally conceived as a memorial to the nearly 1,000 Elk brothers who were lost in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

. The cornerstone was laid July 7, 1924, and the building was officially dedicated on July 14, 1926. 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.

Grand Lodge

The BPOE is organized on five levels: the national or "grand" level, the regional level, the state level, the district level and the local lodge level. The highest level is the Grand Lodge, which meets in convention annually. The Grand Lodge elects all the officers of the order, such as the Grand Exalted Ruler—the

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especiall ...

of the organization—Grand Secretary, Grand Esteemed Leading Knight, Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight, Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Grand Treasurer, Grand

Tiler Tiler is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Brian Tiler (1943–1990), English footballer * Carl Tiler (born 1970), English footballer * Ken Tiler (born 1950), English footballer * Rebekah Tiler (born 1999), British weightlif ...

(in charge of regalia), Grand Inner Guard and Grand Trustees. 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 Chaplain is also appointed by the Grand Exalted Ruler. ''Elks Magazine'' is published 10 times a year and goes to all members.

Grand Exalted Rulers

This is an incomplete list of the organization's Grand Exalted Rulers: * 1871 – George J. Green / Charles T. White * 1872 – Joseph C. Pinckney * 1874 – James W. Powell / Henry P. O'Neil * 1876 – Frank Girard * 1878 – George R. Maguire * 1879 – Charles E. Davies / Louis C. Waehner * 1880 – Thomas E. Garrett * 1882 – John J. Tindale * 1883 – Edwin A. Perry * 1884 – Henry S. Sanderson * 1910 –

August Herrmann August "Garry" Herrmann (May 3, 1859 – April 25, 1931) was an American political operative for Cincinnati political boss George B. Cox, an executive of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, and president of National Baseball Commission. In 1946, ...

(1859–1931) * 1919 – Frank Lewis Rain (1877–1941) * 1924 – John G. Price (1871–1930) * 1935 – James T. Hallinan (1889–1969) * 1959 – William S. Hawkins (1910–1971) * 1968 - Robert E. Boney * 2000 – Dwayne E. Rumney * 2001 – Arthur Mayer, Jr. * 2002 – Roger R. True * 2003 – Amos A. McCallum * 2004 – James M. McQuillan * 2005 – Louis James Grillo * 2006 – Arthur H. "Jack" Frost, III * 2007 – F. Louis Sulsberger * 2008 – Paul D. Helsel * 2009 – James L. Nichelson * 2010 – Michael F. Smith * 2011 – David R. Carr * 2012 – Thomas S. Brazier * 2013 – Millard C. Pickering * 2014 – John D. Amen * 2015 – Ronald L. Hicks * 2016 – Michael F. Zellen * 2017 – Malcolm J. McPherson Jr. * 2018 – Michael T. Luhr * 2019 – Robert L. Duitsman * 2020 – Paul R. Ryan * 2021 – T. Keith Mills * 2022 – Bruce A. Hidley Source:

State Associations and Lodges

The state level organizations are called "State Associations"; state level officers include presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers. Local groups are called "Subordinate 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 lodgesSchmidt p. 105 Lodges which are incorporated are required to be governed by a board of directors. Otherwise the Lodge Trustees are the governing board.

Elks Mutual Benefit Association

Like many other fraternal orders, the Elks at one point sponsored an insurance fund. The Elks Mutual Benefit Association 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.

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 World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

, 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.

Activities

Social quarters

Most Elks lodges operate a social quarters with a private bar. According to

sociologists This is a list of sociologists. It is intended to cover those who have made substantive contributions to social theory and research, including any sociological subfield. Scientists in other fields and philosophers are not included, unless at lea ...

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.

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 is common to turn the BPOE abbreviation into a

backronym A backronym is an acronym formed from an already existing word by expanding its letters into the words of a phrase. Backronyms may be invented with either serious or humorous intent, or they may be a type of false etymology or folk etymology. The ...

for "Best People on Earth".

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.

Veteran services

The Elks pledge that "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." * Elks Veterans Memorial in Chicago, Illinois * The Army of Hope, established in 2003, primarily serves families of deployed service members. * Adopt-a-Veteran Program * Freedom Grants! * Veterans Leather Program * Veterans Remembrance * Playing Cards for Veterans * Re-Creation USA

Youth programs

* Elks National Foundation Scholarships * ''Hoop Shoot'' (National free throw contest) * Drug Awareness * Soccer Shoot * ''Junior Golf Program'' * Dictionary Project * Youth Recognition

Americanism

The Elks have shown their devotion to Americanism by conducting bond drives, promoting

civil defense Civil defense ( en, region=gb, civil defence) or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state (generally non-combatants) from man-made and natural disasters. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mit ...

programs and Flag Day observance. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, they designated the week of March 15, 1942 "Win the War Week" and helped recruit for the

United States Army Air Corps The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical r ...

. 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.Schmidt p. 102

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.

Rites and traditions

The Elks originally borrowed a number of rites, traditions, and regalia from the

Freemasons Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

. 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. 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 The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. Originally comprising seven articles, it delineates the nati ...

, 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:

Communal burial

The Elks have communal

cemetery A cemetery, burial ground, gravesite or graveyard is a place where the remains of dead people are buried or otherwise interred. The word ''cemetery'' (from Greek , "sleeping place") implies that the land is specifically designated as a bu ...

plots, which are often marked with impressive statuary.

Famous Elks

Athletes *

Babe Ruth George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Su ...

New York, NY Lodge No. 1

Politicians

Presidents of the United States

* Warren G. Harding, Marion, Ohio #32 * Franklin D. Roosevelt, Poughkeepsie, New York #275 * Harry S. Truman, Kansas City, Missouri Lodge #26 * Dwight D. Eisenhower * John F. Kennedy, Boston, Massachusetts Lodge #10 * Gerald R. Ford, Grand Rapids, Michigan Lodge #48

Vice Presidents of the United States

Alben W. Barkley Alben William Barkley (; November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was an American lawyer and politician from Kentucky who served in both houses of Congress and as the 35th vice president of the United States from 1949 to 1953 under Presiden ...

, 35th vice president of the United States

Governors

Fred P. Cone Frederick Preston Cone (September 28, 1871 – July 28, 1948) was an American politician who served as the List of Governors of Florida, 27th Governor of Florida. Early life Frederick Preston Cone was born in the Benton community of northern Col ...

, Florida (1937–1941) *

David Sholtz David Sholtz (October 6, 1891 – March 21, 1953) was the 26th Governor of Florida. Prior to serving as Governor he would be a state attorney serving Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit Court and previously as a member of the Florida House of Repres ...

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

Florida (1933–1937), Exalted Ruler of Florida. * William M. Tuck, Danville, Virginia, Lodge #227 Governor of Virginia (1946–1950) Gov. Daniel Jackson Evans Washington 1965 - 1977 Republican

Members of Congress

* Richard E. Connell – United States Representative representing

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

Barry Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for president ...

– United States Senator representing

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

Other politicians

* Lonnie O. Aulds, member of the

Louisiana House of Representatives The Louisiana House of Representatives (french: link=no, Chambre des Représentants de Louisiane) is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. This chamber is composed of 105 rep ...

from 1968 to 1972, real estate developer in

Shreveport Shreveport ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the third most populous city in Louisiana after New Orleans and Baton Rouge, respectively. The Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area, with a population of 393,406 in 2020, is ...

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is bord ...

Edward Francis Blewitt Edward Francis Blewitt (January 2, 1859 May 26, 1926) was an American civil engineer, businessman, and politician who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 22nd district from 1907 to 1910. He was a maternal gre ...

, Pennsylvania State Senator and businessman. Great-grandfather of the 46th and current

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...

, Joe Biden *

Armand Brinkhaus Armand refer to: People * Armand (name), list of people with this name *Armand (photographer) (1901–1963), Armenian photographer *Armand (singer) (1946–2015), Dutch protest singer *Sean Armand (born 1991), American basketball player *Armand, ...

, member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from St. Landry Parish * Richard J. Daley, 48th

Mayor of Chicago The mayor of Chicago is the chief executive of city government in Chicago, Illinois, the third-largest city in the United States. The mayor is responsible for the administration and management of various city departments, submits proposals and ...

* David Dank, member of

Oklahoma House of Representatives The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members introduce and vote on bills and resolutions, provide legislative oversight for state agencies, and help to craft the state's ...

since 2007 * Gilbert L. Dupré, state representative and district court judge in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana * Emory Cole, lawyer and state legislature in Baltimore, Maryland * Truly Hatchett, first African American member of the

Maryland House of Delegates The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the legislature of the State of Maryland. It consists of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. The House of Delegates Chamber is in the Maryland State House on State Circle in Annapolis, ...

and real estate investor. * John McCormack, 45th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

Military

* Captain Eddie Rickenbacker

Business people

* Jack Christian, Automobile dealer, former

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

/President of

Baton Rouge Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, it is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populous parish—the equivalent of counti ...

Entertainers

* Lawrence Welk *

Jack Benny Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century wit ...

* Irving Berlin

Notes and references

External links

*
Unofficial site – collection of images and articles illustrating early Elkdom

Link to State Association pages
{{Authority control 1868 establishments in the United States Men's organizations in the United States Organizations established in 1868 Service organizations based in the United States