Since 1868, millions and millions of Americans have joined the Elks. Find out why!
Elkdom
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.
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting 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.
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.
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.
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting 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.
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.
Introduction to Elkdom
The Order of Elks is an organization of American citizens who inculcate the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity and promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of their fellow members and quicken the spirit of American patriotism.
The Order is not concerned with one's political affiliations and does not permit either RELIGION or POLITICS to be injected into, or to have an effect upon, its fraternal deliberations, nationally or locally. It lures no one to its doors by any promised material benefits which might appeal to one's self-interest. It pledges no support to the furtherance of personal ambitions. It has no insurance feather to appeal to one's sense of economy. It is beneficent, not merely benevolent, and believe that doing good is better than merely being good. It teaches that it is nobler to serve than to be served; that laughter is better than tears; a kind word is more potent than a frown; and that life is all the sweeter for a song.
The Order of the Elks is best served through the existence of informed members concerned with just what a member receives when they join the Lodge. They must be told of the Principles of the Order, the activities and facilities it has to offer, its programs and objectives, and especially of its many benevolences. Through orientation and initiation, we want every Elk to be so knowledgeable of their members that they will not only take part in the workings of their lodge but also will cherish it and keep it for as long as they live.
The Order is not concerned with one's political affiliations and does not permit either RELIGION or POLITICS to be injected into, or to have an effect upon, its fraternal deliberations, nationally or locally. It lures no one to its doors by any promised material benefits which might appeal to one's self-interest. It pledges no support to the furtherance of personal ambitions. It has no insurance feather to appeal to one's sense of economy. It is beneficent, not merely benevolent, and believe that doing good is better than merely being good. It teaches that it is nobler to serve than to be served; that laughter is better than tears; a kind word is more potent than a frown; and that life is all the sweeter for a song.
The Order of the Elks is best served through the existence of informed members concerned with just what a member receives when they join the Lodge. They must be told of the Principles of the Order, the activities and facilities it has to offer, its programs and objectives, and especially of its many benevolences. Through orientation and initiation, we want every Elk to be so knowledgeable of their members that they will not only take part in the workings of their lodge but also will cherish it and keep it for as long as they live.