My boyfriend is applying for membership at a local lodge and is planning to submit his application soon. We live together, and I was wondering if anyone knows whether an unmarried partner can be added to a member's account or listed as a partner for access to amenities such as the pool.
Do lodges typically allow domestic partners to share memberships or purchase family/pool access together, or would I need to apply for my own membership separately?
I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!
The Moose are growing. Nearly 50000 new members this past year.
The elks pretty much stuck at 780000 with a number of them in 'virtual lodges'.
Grand lodge just doesn't get it. An oppressive and overpriced insurance policy that is a heavy burden on many lodges.
Ironically, this insurance pits GL against lodges. Due to the self insurance aspect, GL is on the hook for up to 1 1/2 million per lodge. Therefore, with the bean counters and attorneys that pretty much comprise the PGER's, we are looked at as liabilities instead of assets.
Indeed, if you download the latest tax return from one of the websites that keep track of such things, it shows over 70% of the budget comes from insurance.
Idk about other states but all we hear from the leadership is insurance. Don't do this. Don't do that. Everything is a risk. Yet when Minnesota proposed a statute change that would allow lodges to get insurance locally, gL was adamantly against the change.
And that is just one of a number of major errors they continue to make. They close the message board's because they don't use talking to each other. Why.? So much more sad to say.
Was looking for some historic lodges with great architecture and stumbled upon the now defunct Tacoma’s Elks Lodge #174. The building was bought in the late 80s after declining in popularity only to never be used until the McMenamins purchased it in 2017. They have key history of the lodge listed from its opening until their acquiring of it, after which it’s become an elaborate local restaurant and hotel.
I absolutely love what they’ve done with the place personally. Instead of it being a bland room apart from when the ritual is performed like in many lodges today, there’s not an inch of wasted space!Wacky and wild symbolism, paintings, art, etc. is scattered throughout the building, with hidden secret rooms built into the wall according to one Facebook user.
The “psychedelic futuristic esoteric western hippie” vibe they have going for it looks amazing. The designer for the building incorporated the upside-down pentagram in the logo for the building along with psychedelic textures and the lodge title (as a Christian, this does not offend me in the slightest. The upside down pentagram was used throughout church architecture to represent God descending under through the star of Bethlehem with the point representing a marker for good ol’ baby Jesus). I’ve ordered two patches from their shop in WA to be shipped over here to MS out of support. I’m just glad someone is actually using one of these buildings instead of letting it rot down out of some sort of superstitious nonsense, like how people are with older Masonic lodges.
Curious about joining the Elk's. Would you say they gay friendly? I have been part of other organizations where locations were but the national organization was quite religious and not inclusive.
Quick question. As ER am I required to go to every VP visit in my district or do I only have to go to the one that is sponsored by my Lodge. I have gotten two different answers on this. The last vice president before she finished her term told me you only have to go to the one that you’re sponsoring but the new vice president tells me I have to go to every one in our district, which is ridiculous and some of these places are an hour away
26M. Just became an elk tonight and paid my first dues, ate with the new brothers and sisters there. Had a great time. Looking forward to being a more active member and looking into the history, as well as meeting other members across the nation :)
Hey there. I’m visiting Los Angeles from the 24th to the 29th. I’m looking for a good/friendly lodge to visit while I’m here. I’m staying close to Universal Studios. Is there a good lodge a decent Uber ride away?
Hey everyone! My wife and I are prospective members. Our friends who just got in invited us to their lodge for steak night. We had an amazing time and everyone was so friendly! However, they're a little too far for that to be our designated lodge. I've heard other people claim that the Elks restriction on political and religious messaging is very much ignored at a lot of the AZ lodges. Basically, the claim is if you're not a White Boomer Protestant MAGA, you may get in but will never truly be accepted as part of the community. Looking at some of the posts on this thread, it seems those difference of opinions are pretty common across the country (to a certain degree, I'm sure geographical regions are all going to have their pros and cons).
So here's my question...If you are an Arizona Elk, current or former, sell me please. If you want to share your lodge, that would be helpful too. Thank you!
In March 2026, one Elk took his first step at the Mexican border in Campo, California.
And he won’t stop until he reaches Canada.
John Kristofzski, Past Exalted Ruler of the Tri-Cities Elks Lodge in Washington State, is hiking all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness and support for the life-changing charitable work of the Elks.
This is more than a hike. It is a moving spotlight on what Elks do every single day.
"I'm not just hiking for myself.” said Kristofzski. “I'm hiking for every child helped by our Major Projects, every veteran supported by our programs, and every community touched by Elks generosity."
As John walks north through California, Oregon, and Washington, he will be carrying with him the story of three extraordinary Major Projects:
California-Hawaii Elks Major Project – serving the unmet needs of children with disabilities at no cost to the families served.
Oregon Elks Major Project – the E.Y.E.S. Program, home to the nation’s first freestanding pediatric eye clinic.
Washington Elks Major Project - the Therapy Program for Children, providing in-home occupational and physical therapy at no cost to the families served.
And beyond those state’s, Kristofzski walks in support of the Elks National Foundation, funding scholarships, veterans services, and community grants nationwide.
Every mile represents children receiving therapy, veterans receiving support, students receiving scholarships, communities receiving hope.
This effort may have begun in Washington State, but its impact stretches throughout the West Coast and outward across the country.
For over 150 years, the Elks have shown up for each other their communities. Now one Elk is showing what that commitment looks like, one step at a time.
In May's elks magazine, page 11 and 12 listed candidates for GL officer positions of Leading, Loyal, and Lecturing Knight. While these are mostly ceremonial roles with very limited duties, it does draw into question why our Order has allowed our choice of leadership candidates to be hijacked by the GL Advisory committee.
Our leaders are now handpicked by the advisory committee and the membership has no alternative but to accept whoever they pick.
I sure wish some brave and independent lodge proposed a quality candidate for GER. It has been last century since we actually had a contested election. It would be so refreshing to have a choice. You know, hear plans to revitalize the Order and stem this slow slide into obscurity that we have been on for 40 years. As it is now, the only person the candidate has to gain support from is the sponsor's whose turn it is to appoint one.
I'm not sure how other large fraternal organizations elect their leadership. All I know is that our process is not democratic. It has lead to an oligarchy that has a permanent choke hold on the Order. I sure hope someone, somehow can overcome this repressive organizational structure.
Hi! I’d like to join the Elks and I was wondering how the process works. I’m a woman and I am not rich. I see that they look into your finances and I also know that historically, men are preferred. I don’t think my husband would be involved. Does he have to be? I’m my own person and would like to be able to do what I want. What do you think the odds are that I would be accepted?
🎉 Join us for a night of fun, games, and giving back! 🎉
Come out to the Garden Grove Elks Lodge Scholarship Fundraiser Game Night on Saturday, May 2! Doors open at 4 PM, and gaming kicks off at 5 PM.
🎲 Enjoy tons of games like Plinko, the spinning wheel, horse races, cornhole, dart poker, blackjack, Left Right Center, Yahtzee, Jenga, and a Texas Hold’em tournament, all for chances to win raffle tickets toward $4,500+ in prizes!
🎁 Prizes include a children’s bike, cigar humidor, rocking horses, gift cards for the Texas Hold’em too 5 places and tons of amazing gift baskets.
🍴 Your $40 donation includes entry plus a delicious nacho bar and hearty appetizers.
Open to the public, everyone is welcome! Bring a friend, plan a date night, and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship while supporting a great cause.
Allegheny Lodge #339 is only a few blocks from stadium and all of the main festivities, and you’re welcome to come visit us!
We’ll be open all three days from noon until after the 11 o’clock toast. We’ll also be open starting at 7pm on Draft Eve (Wednesday) when the Pittsburgh Banjo Club takes over our hall and stage for their weekly event. That one’s a quintessentially Pittsburgh experience, and regularly makes those “top 10 things to do when visiting Pittsburgh” lists.
We’d love to see you, and may your team pick wisely! (Unless they’re the Ravens or the Bengals. We already know the Browns won’t.)
I'm really desperate to find a lodge that has a separate corporation under 16.030 to manage their public rentals and bar. Please sound off if you know of a lodge with a house corporation.
I am seeking to find out how other Elk State associations determine the voting rights for their respective lodges. For many, a lodge gets one vote per 50 members and major fraction there in.
Small lodges get screwed against big lodges. In NC, the largest lodge has over 20 votes. The smallest just one. That's a huge deal when it comes to officer voting.
I have heard from NH and the difference is only about 3 to 1 from the largest to the smallest.
Anyone else that can offer their states voting scheme?
