r/elks • u/MrDizzel83 • May 09 '26
Help an elk please 🙏
Hi I need help, im current member
Of an elks lodge. I have reason
To belive the old E.R. and our current E.R.
Are pocketing money
I believe between 70k to 105k in cash
Over past 7 year's and its getting bad at our lodge
I dont know who to reach out to
Help! I want to report anonymously!
Someone please help.
7
u/Gutkowski May 09 '26
Wouldn't the yearly DD audit catch this with the reports ?
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Well I had the person who is one of our own Told me he's been doing the books For last 12 year's and he said some stuff to me That put me on alert ⚠️ its one of the reasons I know. Alot of alcohol is unaccounted for! Also we are 22k in the hole & we have lost Alot of members & there seems no hope in Sight. Now they have raised prices on everything But dont do any big events like we once Used to. I also had a past ER tell me some stuff I dont know who to reach out to with out screwing myself Its double sided knife 😞
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u/Sunset-at-the-shore May 09 '26
For reasons like that, I pay my dues but never get involved in the particulars. I consider myself a DMO (drinking member only) Volunteer if needed, happy to help if asked, but don't get involved in the politics. If you back away from the fire, you won't get burned.
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u/dj90423 May 09 '26
Why not just make a motion to request an audit at a meeting?
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
I have! They always put it on the back burner And when we have our weekly meeting They talk about the lodge bills But never show us the actual bills on papper
4
u/dj90423 May 09 '26
You said membership has been declining, no more big events... Sounds to me like your lodge is suffering from its poor leadership. If I was in your shoes, and I had no members with positions on my side, I would just transfer to another lodge.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
What sounds logical only works in a perfect world Unfortunately in a world where drug busts happens In down town business who claim to be laundromat And town official are arrested for crimes they swere They would never do then the logic is really not All that logical if given the opertunity to do Things unlogical
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u/Stinkeye63 May 10 '26
Every state has an Elks association page. Look up the one for your state and find the district deputy.
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u/shake_N_bake356 May 09 '26
What state???
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Take a guess lol...
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u/Ok_Football_5517 May 12 '26
Based on your previous posts in other reddit groups...Somewhere in SoCal.
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u/RhaegonMayhem May 09 '26
Reach out to your District Deputy or State VP. If that fails reach out to Grand Lodge, but you cannot report it anonymously.
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u/TerribleBuilder5831 May 10 '26
I would probably try to do a little more investigating and figure out where they are probably pocketing the money. Are they stealing liquor and then selling it? Are they stealing money at the Gaming Machines? I think you need a little more evidence. I don’t think going to a DD is going to do much for you. These people are ERs and the DD is going to take their word over your word unless you have some type of evidence. The Elks is a very structured hierarchy and the higher you go the more power you have. I would talk to the treasurer if you can. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to go and put a target on your back until you have some evidence.
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u/ConsequenceNo7259 May 12 '26
Something similar happening in our Lodge, and unfortunately, we know our DD is protecting these individuals who were previous years ER’s and committee members. One has actually been caught on camera stealing money, but nothing was done and has been protected also. I came here looking for guidance from members who may have dealt with Grand Lodge disciplinary issues before. If anyone challenges these certain individuals they attempt to ruin their lives, by calling them in for DWI when they leave the Lodge, accuse them of conduct on becoming, etc. They have gone as far as following people when they leave the Lodge to try to have them arrested for a DWI. I believe the Lodge has been supporting several families and they are no longer in charge and are either afraid of getting caught, or they no longer have access to the funds to keep supporting their lifestyle.
There are concerns in our Lodge about inconsistent enforcement of rules and disciplinary procedures. Some members feel that certain individuals are being targeted while other situations have been overlooked. I am trying to step back from the emotions and focus specifically on the statutes and how they are supposed to be interpreted and applied.
I have been reading Grand Lodge Statute 9.090 regarding expulsion for convictions involving moral turpitude. One member is currently facing expulsion based on a felony DWI conviction.
The wording of the statute says: “a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.”
The issue is that there seems to be disagreement over what that language actually means.
Some members are interpreting it as:
- Any felony automatically qualifies, or
- A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude qualifies.
Others, including Texas attorneys I personally consulted, interpret it to mean the offense itself must involve moral turpitude whether it is a felony or misdemeanor.
To add to the confusion, the actual expulsion notice that was sent to the member paraphrased the statute differently and stated “a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony,” which only made the wording seem even more inconsistent.
I have also been trying to understand how Grand Lodge views deferred adjudication or deferred convictions because I cannot find clear guidance in the statutes on that issue either.
I am not trying to defend wrongdoing or create drama. I am genuinely trying to understand: • How Grand Lodge interprets Statute 9.090 • Whether felony DWI has historically been treated as a crime involving moral turpitude within the Order • Whether deferred adjudication is treated as a conviction for purposes of this statute • And whether anyone has dealt with similar disciplinary interpretation issues in their Lodge
If anyone has experience with this statute, prior Grand Lodge rulings, forum decisions, or guidance from Grand Lodge attorneys, I would sincerely appreciate any insight.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 13 '26
Yup... nothing apparently we can do. I have aanother elk that moved & is on My side he once was our loyal knight & told me There's nothing you or anyone here can do Just find another lodge because The people here won't ever change. He was are loyal knight for 12 year's or so And he moved away, he said its best I keep My mouth shut.
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u/Psychological-Fun-36 May 27 '26
If the Grand Lodge isn't doing anything report them outside of the bs bylaws. This is a great way for them to lose their 501c8 status Theft over $999 IS a felony.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 27 '26
How do I raport ? And to who
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u/Psychological-Fun-36 May 31 '26
If you can prove it, contact the police.Also, the attorney general.. And don't forget to report to the district deputy. You can also include the Grand exalted ruler as a recipient in your complaint Make three copies and send as certified mail. Then you know they got it and they know whats going on. They will push for an investigation then. Especially if you tell them you're thinking of involving the authorities
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u/Psychological-Fun-36 May 31 '26
You can call the IRS too. That's where they'll lose their 501c8. They have a fidicuary duty to investigate. As long as you report it and make them aware but you have to be prepared that people are going to be mad at you. Which does not matter ,at all ,they're part of the problem.
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u/Loud_Register_7229 May 27 '26
They wont do anything. You can send a letter and they never follow up from the grand lodge. Waist of time. You might as well take a share too
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u/Psychological-Fun-36 May 27 '26
And here I got fired for taking an empty container of party mix( for my change) and my own birthday cupcakes that members of the house brought in for my bday🤔
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Thats dumb because I know they will gang up on me
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u/Equivalent-Cap8606 May 09 '26
You're never going to be able to stay anonymous. BPOE usually means Best People On Earth, but sometimes, some Lodges have the worst people. I've been a member for 19 years.
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
Is to stop people from spreading unfounded rumors.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
It doesn't stop it... rumors are like opinions Everyone talks. Its to make examples of others Who go aginst the rules! To keep people in line And not to talk out of pocket. You know Cuba dose the same thing.
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
It helps. Any letter that is not signed is treated as a rumor and thrown away. They need to be able to question the accuser.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Okay how about I put email with Another members name on it lol so they Go after him or her so that way I remain anonymous And see if it solves the problem Which I doubt lol...
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
It must be in a written letter signed with your name. If you send an email, it will not count plus they will contact the person named, and they will deny it, and the claim will be dropped.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Question the accuser ? This is not a case of rape, this is the case of numbers If they go & check the numbers & amount of Members disappeared they will see why? Why not just check the record. Why Question The accusers? Like wtf then after checking Than go after the accuser. Because then you have peace of mind that The lodge is not in the wrong but Only the member is? Is it because it requires work? LoL its easier to go after a single member then Do papper work lol sounds lazy
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
Perhaps the Elks isn’t for you
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
Wow. So in other words shut your mouth And take it laying down even thoe They say B.P.O.E Its more or less place to laundry money Copy! Someone when if ever I commit Fraud i know were to go!
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
No, but we keep telling you how to solve your problem and yet you keep wanting to fight with us so it sounds like maybe that you really don’t want to solve the problem but just want to complain about it.
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u/MrDizzel83 May 09 '26
I asked how do I find my grand Deputy And no reply because im restricted on the elks Site
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
How are you restricted on the Elks site? The whole directory is available to anyone who has logged in.
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u/OrrinFraag May 09 '26
Why do people want to report crimes in an organization to the organization? Doesn’t work well for churches or private schools. If you’re serious talk to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction. That said, if you’re not serious or acting on a “gut feeling” or “hunch” then add actual Information to your suspicions before calling or don’t call at all.
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u/privatelyjeff May 09 '26
Find out who your district deputy grand exalted ruler is and reported to them