Membership Requirements

The BPO Elks is distinctively American. Our requirements for membership in our Order are very basic and very easy to meet. There are three qualifications:

• You must be a citizen of the United States (either native-born or naturalized)
• You must be over 21 years of age
• You must believe in God

That's it! The Order of Elks welcomes anyone who meets the above qualifications without prejudice.

The following paragraphs are copied from the Grand Lodge site (the information for candidates page).

You must be sponsored by a member of the Elks Lodge* and reside in the jurisdiction of the Lodge you wish to join. You also need two other Elks who will be your co-sponsors. The Elk who proposes you for membership must obtain a Membership Application from the Lodge Secretary.

After your proposer fills in the required portion, you will be given the Application for Membership. Fill it in, following the instructions and answering all questions. Return the completed application to the Lodge Secretary with the prescribed fees.

Your application will be read at a regular Lodge meeting. It will then be forwarded to the Investigating Committee, who will call you and set up a time for you and your sponsor to meet with the committee so that they can interview you.

After the interview is concluded, the committee will report to the Lodge concerning your membership. The members will be given a notice not less than 10 days nor more than two months before the vote will be taken.

When the vote is concluded, you will be notified and asked to present yourself and your spouse for indoctrination. During indoctrination, you will learn more about the Order's programs and charities. You will also be told during the program the date you will be initiated.

After initiation as an Elk, you can take part in all meetings and social functions of the Lodge.

If for any reason your application is rejected, you cannot make application for membership for six months from the date of rejection.

*Note: Simply stop by the Palo Alto Lodge office during the week and our Secretary or the Office Staff will be glad to assist you in securing sponsorship.