How are Elks Lodges profitable

[RV Vagabond]

I have camped at numerous Elks Lodges, and so glad they allow that and provide hookups, and have always wondered how profitable the lodges are, if any. Considering their opening hours for most lodges are very limited, and not seeing many people there, and only buying drinks in the bar, it is hard to see them making much profit, if at all. My home lodge is open only twice a week when they serve meals, as no one comes in without meals available, I was told. Seems like they are lucky to get their bills paid, let alone have leftover money for the charity they say they do. I bet for many lodges the RV fees/donations are a significant contribution to their income. What is your take on the Elks finances?

[DR60]

It sounds like the Elks are in the same boat as a lot of clubs and churches. If they are not attracting new members, they will eventually die a slow death due to attrition.

My Parents and Grandparents belonged. I don't know one person in my age group that belong. DR

[RV Vagabond]

I know many Elks members, but they use it for little more than RV parking. Why local non-RVrs join is a mystery to me, unless they just like the quiet atmosphere. Young people want more loud music and crowds and fancy restaurants.

[UTTransplant]

Elks Clubs are a less expensive middle class country club. I know people who routinely have business meetings there. I know others who stop for a drink and chat with their friends regularly on their way home from work. Of course there are smaller lodges that don’t offer much, but many of them do. It is a place to meet friends and chat. Less expensive than the neighborhood bar and grill too.

[HighDesert]

I was just reading where Elks membership is increasing. Our local lodge, in Bend, has increased membership, which does surprise me as todays younger people don't seem to be "joiners". Some of the lodges have pretty decent RV setups and others are just poking lots.

[Arch Hoagland]

Our Clovis California lodge has gone from about 420 members two years ago to about 720 members now. Our average age was about 75 but has now dropped to about 65

We are seeing younger people joining and going into leadership positions with fresh ideas. I think people are getting out more since being cooped by Covid.

[jandcr]

As a Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, I've seen it all. From failing Lodges to my home Lodge which has a protected trust fund exceeding $16M - the result of a prudent asset sale. It is very obvious from some of your posts that many of you have no idea what the Elks is really all about. People need to understand that the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is first and foremost a non-profit charitable organization, not a social club (thought its origins back in 1867 started there). It is strictly regulated both internally and externally. Few people understand the millions of largely unnoticed dollars and hours of charitable work we do every year. I sometimes feel it is a shame we do not publicize that and toot our own horn. There is a clear distinction between the Lodge and its activities and the Social Quarters, with its various benefits and the way they are governed. The Social Quarters are there to facilitate members coming together to help support the Lodge and its charitable activities and having a good time doing so is essential to that bond. Sadly, as with most similar organizations, only a small percentage of members actually volunteer and contribute their time to charitable activities. The vast majority only help out very occasionally or not at all and many do indeed use it merely as a social club and cheap bar. However, without all the "social members" who bring in membership dues, most Lodges would fail. Note that I did not say bring in income from the social quarters, because a large percentage of Lodges do not turn a profit from their social quarters. How do you not make a profit from a bar you ask?... As a PDDGER who had to audit and advise Lodges and a Past Grand lodge Special Representative tasked to help reorganize one failing Lodge, let me tell you, it happens a lot! Most local well-meaning Lodges or Chapters of volunteer organizations do not have much real business expertise. It is true that there are a significant number of members who only join for the RV sites some Elks Lodges have. But I hesitate to criticize them, because they do bring in money and do not otherwise drain financial resources. There is virtually no “wrong” reason to join. When we travel and occasionally use Elks Lodge RV facilities, we always try to support the Lodge and its social quarters while we are there (as we do even if we are not staying at a Lodge RV facility) and have made many friends that way. As to the offhand comment someone made about being middle class social clubs, that is far from the truth. Elks Lodges’ social quarters range from minimal, essentially small back or multipurpose rooms, to quite elaborate facilities and from those with more white-collar demographics to blue-collar and extremely – for lack of a better word - rural demographics, though most are a mixture to a greater or lesser extent. So please don’t pontificate and generalize about what you have no real or broad knowledge of – and that applies to all other service and volunteer organizations, even your local PTA. All have their different local demographics, their success stories and the opposite. Over time, the successful thrive and the others do not. Unfortunately, we all suffer from the problem that occasional bad news and rumors travel fast and wide, while no-one really cares or shouts about all the good news these days. We also suffer from the problem that most people today to do not seem to want to exert themselves to get involved in charitable work. They answer their phones – probably while they are having dinner – and agree to give to some unverified cause – using their credit card!! – and think they have done their share of charity work. It’s sad – especially since most of that money is going to the commercial companies doing the phone soliciting (if it’s not a complete scam). But fortunately, there are still many who do participate and to them I say you have my respect and gratitude on behalf of those you help. So, the next time you are invited to an Elks Lodge as a guest (or any other service organization) - or express interest – look past the social quarters and activities and ask about what the Lodge does for its community, individuals, students, veterans, and other charitable causes, both local, State and national and sometimes international. If you join, go to Lodge meetings and see what the real business of the Lodge is and how it is transacted. You will be in the minority of the members, but you will find it eye opening and hopefully rewarding – and possibly be inspired to get involved yourself. I did back in 1992 and it was one of the best and most rewarding decisions of my life. I served as an officer in various capacities over a period of over 16 years, and as a charity committee chairperson and a regular volunteer as well for many more (even when traveling at other Lodges). So, I think I can say I have done my share. But it’s not necessary to be an officer or committee chair. Not everyone is cut out for or desirous of taking a leading position or being as involved, but every volunteer who helps in any capacity is equally important and valued.

Fortunately, as several others have mentioned, after years of decline from our peak in the early 70’s, many Lodges are finally seeing increased membership. It takes time for organizations like ours to catch up to changing times. There is always inertia and often resistance. We all see our slice of life’s culture and think it has to remain that way, but in truth it is constantly evolving thing, like it or not. As I have told many, do you think things have not changed since the ”Joly Corks“ of 1867 and the official start of the BPOE in 1871? Our challenge today is the increasingly rapid evolution due to technological advances that make keeping up so difficult. As I mentioned in opening, we are strictly regulated by both laws and constitutions of our nation and our own organization itself and making prudent changes through democratic means takes time. We cannot just do anything we please, even for well-meaning reasons (I have had personal experience in reigning in some Lodges that thought they could get away with circumventing the rules).

So, in closing, I encourage all you Elks RVing members to take a closer look and get involved, even if only visiting and maybe helping out a little at Lodges on your travels. At the very least, you will make friends and have fun - and you will learn more to take advantage of locally.

Happy and safe travels!
jandcr
John Richards,
Past Exalted Ruler, Hillsboro OR Lodge #1862, 2000-2001
Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Portland OR Metro District, 2006-2007
Past Grand Lodge Special Representative
All American Leading Knight - and for those in the know, that ain't bad for an Ex-Brit.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Our Clovis California lodge has gone from about 420 members two years ago to about 720 members now. Our average age was about 75 but has now dropped to about 65

We are seeing younger people joining and going into leadership positions with fresh ideas. I think people are getting out more since being cooped by Covid.

That is why young people do not join -- don't want to hang around with so many old folks.

[chindog]

Thanks for that very informative post, John. I learned a lot about the Elks organization that I did not know.

[Blazing zipp]

HMMMMMM, interesting topic. I joined the ELKS in 2007 just for the RV opportunities. Soon, I enjoyed being involved in the campground maint and camp hosting. Folks from all over the U S stop at our Lodge and my bride and I had a great time visiting with them.
Our Lodge has grown since covid and the new members are a breath of fresh air. New ideas about physical growth (needed construction and site facilities), meals, and entertainmant have made the lodge a happening place.
Since joining, we 've been to many Lodges and have had a good experiance.
One Lodge RV park is in a junkyard section of a city (yet pretty safe), another in Lake Havasu has the BEST pork spare rib dinner ever, some are on main street, others are tucked away in the forest. Some Lodges do not have RV parking, while others have FHU or at least water/electric. A reasonable charge or donation is expected for using the property.
The ELKS are not radical or racist, but they do respect the American flag and veterans. In fact---discussing politics in the Lodge isn't welcome---but laughter is!

[twogypsies]

Our local Lodge doesn't have RV parking.

They are having a charity car and motorcycle show.

They are sponsoring a children's school shopping spree.

Something is going on daily. They have holiday parties, weekly fish fry, music & dancing 2x/week, Karaoke, bingo, line dancing, Texas Holdem, varies lunches, dinners and made to order breakfasts.

[fineline]

We joined the elks a couple of years ago, somewhat because we RV. We have yet to stay in an Elk’s while traveling, however we enjoy the lodge, dinners and charity aspects of the organization. Even if you don’t participate, which in most non profits participation sits around 3% your membership $ and additional donations go to a variety of good causes.

[medic149]

How can you join the Elks if you live on the road full time? I've considered it and thought it would be nice to stop at a lot of Elks lodges and meet new people, but since we would be on the road full time and not have a home base lodge, I feel like I would be mooching off of them or not even allowed to join.

Any thoughts on becoming a member would be appreciated.

TIA

[Blazing zipp]

Find a Lodge where you are, stop in, and ask about joining.
Once you become a member of a Lodge, you pay the dues to that Lodge, but are more than welcomed at any Lodge in the U.S.
We've been to the Lodge in Homer, AK. and one in central Florida, with about 25 Lodges in between. Some are pretty fancy, others more classic old style, but all welcome travelers. Lodges can be located in a building in a downtown area, in the woods, near the ocean, the mountains, desert, almost anywhere. There is a website to find the Lodges and it contains info about each Lodge.
I joined in 2007, and am happy that I did.