Alberta Elks Association provincial president Leonard Shain visited Benalto Elks last Tuesday night, and provided information on the organization’s proposed new mission statement and vision.
“The mission is to be a Canadian volunteer organization of men and women serving communities, and our vision is to be the volunteer organization of choice for men and women,” he said. “We’re presenting it to our membership because they have to vote on it in July, but we want feedback as to whether we’re going in the right direction.”
The new mission statement reflects a significant departure from the organization’s origins.
Founded in 1912, it began as a fraternal organization, and only began accepting female members in 1998.
While its “boys club” image still remains with some people, the organization today is as open as it’s ever been, according to Jim Merriman, treasurer of Elks’ No. 404 Benalto Lodge.
“I think the old school thinking about the Elks is that it was more of a closed fraternity thing, but they’re trying to get the vision out there that it’s not like that,” he said. “It’s open to everybody, and anybody’s welcome.”
Members must be at least 16 years of age in order to join the organization. According to Shain, “All they have to do is want to make a difference”.
Merriman said recruiting young people has been somewhat challenging in the past. He hopes that changes in the way the organization is perceived will encourage more to consider joining in the future.
“It’s hard to get young members on board, so any way that could possibly work, that would be a good thing.”
Through various fundraisers and initiatives, Elks across Canada raise money that’s either contributed to the organization’s provincial and national charities, or put into community projects such as the construction of playgrounds.
Fundraisers held by Benalto Lodge, such as the annual turkey supper held every fall, allow its members to put money back into their own community.
Money from the supper is given to Christmas Bureaus in Eckville and Sylvan Lake, while recipients of other funds raised include clubs, youth groups and schools in Benalto, Eckville, Sylvan Lake and Spruce View.
Such donations reinforce the Elks’ position as a community-oriented organization, according to Shain.
“When a lodge raises money in their community, the lodge decides where it goes,” he said. “Even though we have a provincial charity and a national charity, they’re not obligated to support it, and if they have more important projects in their community, then that’s where we want them to focus their money, that’s where they raised it.”
Benalto Elks Lodge currently has about 30 members, who meet at the community hall on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 8 p.m.
Past exalted ruler Doug Hambly hopes to see numbers increase at future meetings.
“We’re always recruiting,” he said. “If somebody is interested, that’s perfect.”
He encourages community-minded individuals to consider joining.
“Community is the biggest word — we’re there to service the community, help other organizations in the community and help people in the community.
“We’re completely community oriented.”