Benevolent & Protective Order of El

“The organization has members only. Potential members are presented through application to the membership and the membership votes on approval or disapproval at a monthly general membership meeting. Membership vote is required for any lodge expenditures, capital improvements, changes in lodge bylaws and membership. All members have one vote on lodge business except for members who remain on the books for one year if their annual dues are not paid. These members are not allowed a vote until current with annual dues.”

“Each paid up member has a vote for up or down on potential new members. This vote is taken at the monthly general membership meeting.”

“Every paid up member has an up or down vote at the monthly general membership meeting. The officers and trustees can not take action on any proposals or expend lodge funds without general membership approval.”

“The return is reviewed by the local officers and audit committee and then presented to the general membership at a regularly scheduled meeting. Then it is submitted to the grand lodge and reviewed by them. A copy is on file with the lodge secretary and available to all members to review.”

“The lodge maintains a conflict of interest policy and monitors all lodge business to ensure adherence to the policy.”

“The secretary is the only paid member. Historically he spends 25 hours per week working. The pay rate was discussed by the local officers, presented to the general membership at a regularly scheduled meeting. It was voted on and added to the local bylaws. The national elks board has approved the by-law change.”

“Disclosure upon request. The documents are available through the lodge secretary.”

“The elks lodge governing document is available through the national elks lodge website.”

“Fund raising expenses include the following items. Steak night food and beverages - $29,639bingo kitchen food purchases - 3,476steak night entertainment - 3,550carnival committee materials 5,848classic car show supplies 588community activity purchases 400entertainment committee supplies 928kitchen committee kitchen supplies 4,534lodge float repair carnival 328 total $49,291the items included on this line should be included on part viii, line 8b. However, the software does not allow direct entry on this line and the software is not carrying the amount to line 8b from schedule g, part ii, line 10. I have included the expense on part ix, line 24e as a result of this programs limitation.”