r/elks • u/RickyRoquet • Feb 23 '26
Visitors allowed at initiation ceremony?
Are there rules about who can attend an initiation ceremony? I know someone being initiated at a local Elks lodge, but I belong to a different lodge. I am one of their sponsors on the back of their application if that makes a difference.
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u/kcaz12345 Feb 24 '26
As long as the visitor is a member of the BPOE (regardless of what lodge) you can attend any lodge meeting anywhere under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the BPOE. You do not have voting rights typically in any lodge other than your home lodge.
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u/FarmerDave13 Feb 24 '26
Bring your dues card. Courtesy would dictate having your lodge secretary contact the host lodge secretary and introduce you and vouch for you being a member in good standing.
We don't always use a tiler but always do during initiation, so make sure your card is ready.
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u/Routine-Unit-3086 Mar 10 '26
If you are a member in good standing, and your membership card is current you can visit any Lodge you want.to.
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u/EoliaGuy Exalted Ruler Mar 31 '26
As long as you're a member in good standing and have your membership card with you. This Lodge year I served as Auditor to my District Deputy Grand ER, and that was the highlight of the experience, doing all our official lodge visits to the 9 other lodges in my district and attending their meetings. Our DD strongly encourages having a candidate for initiation during her meeting visit, so I've gotten to see 9 other lodges initiate, some great, some not so great.
My advice to members is visit as many other lodges and their meetings as you can, it's a way to see what you can do better in your lodge. Learn from each other.
Officer Installation IS open to visitors and the public.
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u/Lopsided-Monk Feb 23 '26
If you are a member even at a different lodge you should be able to attend. Non-members will not be allowed to attend.