ELKS CARE, ELKS SHARE. We are a community-minded organization, providing scholarships to students, dictionaries for all third grade students in Worland and Ten Sleep, supporting Veterans, Girl Scouts, senior citizens, just to mention a few.
We are...
•A fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 141-year history.
•A network of more than 2000 lodges in communities all over the country.
•A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more.
Our Mission
To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Origin
The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.
Purposes
This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship."
Membership
The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old.
What We Do
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting physically handicapped 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.
TO INFORM THE PUBLIC WHAT THE BENEVOLENT AND PATRIOTIC ORDER OF ELKS DO FOR THE COMMUNITIES.
Worland Lodge #1908 Officers 2017-18
Kelly Jones, Exalted Ruler
Heidi Rutledge, Esteemed Leading Knight
Allen Tharp, Esteemed Loyal Knight
Ladonna LaCroix, Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Kody DeMunbrun, Esquire
Trish Atkinson, Chaplain
Amy Worley, Inner Guard
Tiler
Gary Lane, Secretary
Pat Owens, Treasurer
Trustees: Kim Dworshak, Chad Jones, Robert Tharp, Tim Sinn, Marilyn Lane
