The Elks Organization

[luvmarypoppins]

Just wondering if this is a popular organization anymore because I noticed a For Sale Sign on the bldg. of the local Lodge. I know they rented out the bldg. most of the time, and I know they did a community breakfast for the needy once a year but that was about it. So it seems like they are disbanding at least around here in the area. Do you have one by you?

 

[c4a]

There is one near my parents.
I suppose it is like any group. For it to be active...all of the members have to be active. Usually, the groups fall apart because all of the work is falling on one small group withen the group. When the small working group gets tired or fed-up...there is no one to pick up the slack. The whole group suffers and eventually falls apart.

 

[Master Mason]

Service and Fraternal organizations have been declining since the early 60's. The WWII generation joined them in droves and swole the numbers up tremendously, but then their kids did not join. So as the WWII generation dies off at an incredible rate, there isn't the next generation to take their place.

In the Masonic groups the WWII generations grandchildren and great grand children are now starting to join in significant numbers, so the decline in membership is slowing.

It really was mostly about a societal change though, people quit joining groups, churches, service groups, PTA's, churches even bowling leagues, you name it, they are all feeling the same pain.

If your interested there is a great book called "Bowling Alone" which studies the situation.

Another possiblity as well is the building simply became more than they could afford with upkeep and maintance and they are simply moving on to a new location as well.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

The local shriners sold their huge old building due to upkeep costs and built a smaller building in the suburbs. I know the local Eagles sold their building as well, but don't know where they relocated.
My dad is an Elk--my husband was for a year or two but didn't like it. Most of the guys our age are old jocks who want to play on the softball leagues and bowl (which DH did for a couple of years, until I refused to go visit with the kids due to excessive smoke). A lot of it is basically having your own private bar, and we don't drink much.
Dad goes up there every day for lunch (he is retired). Tomorrow DS has the day off school so he'll go to lunch with grandpa and charm the other old guys. He would want me to tell you the Elks contribute a lot of money to charity.
Robin M.

 

[darlak]

I am proud to be a member of my local Elks lodge. The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.64 million in college scholarships each year. We support several local children's charities as well as providing Christmas gifts and food to over 20 area families.

My husband and I both joined when we moved here about 5 years ago. We participate in most fundraisers as well as many of the regular events for members. We have a community Thanksgiving dinner each year that we really enjoy and we always help with the kid's fishing tournaments.

Age doesn't seem to be a major factor in our membership, but our remote location may well be. We're about an hour outside of our state's largest city, but it still feels very isolated. The nearest grocery store is about 40 minutes away. The nearest restaurant is almost as far and the lodge is the only option for socializing except for a few river bars.

 

[Master Mason]

I am proud to be a member of my local Elks lodge. The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.64 million in college scholarships each year. We support several local children's charities as well as providing Christmas gifts and food to over 20 area families.

My husband and I both joined when we moved here about 5 years ago. We participate in most fundraisers as well as many of the regular events for members. We have a community Thanksgiving dinner each year that we really enjoy and we always help with the kid's fishing tournaments.

Age doesn't seem to be a major factor in our membership, but our remote location may well be. We're about an hour outside of our state's largest city, but it still feels very isolated. The nearest grocery store is about 40 minutes away. The nearest restaurant is almost as far and the lodge is the only option for socializing except for a few river bars.

If I didn't already belong to about 15 different Masonic groups, I would join the Elks as well. Unfortunately, my time is committed elsewhere right now.

 

[barkley]

god bless the elks (and the shriners as well). both groups are active in our area, and while dd is a 'shriner's kid' (benefiting from their top knotch medical care), ds is i guess what i could refer to as an 'elk's kid'-he is a participant in a program the washington state elks developed decades ago and continue today that provides in-home occupational therapy!

wonderful groups who do wonderful works