I've been an Elks member for over 25 years, in another city, while in Chico Ca. decided to visit…read morethe Elks Lodge, went twice, a Monday evening an a Wednesday evening.
Was saddened that not one member welcomed us to your lodge either evening, with the exception of the bartender asking for our membership card. Both nights we saw governing members of your lodge, yet not one of them came over to welcome us, introduce themselves, ask where we're from, what brings us to the Chico Lodge?? etc.. Wednesday was your burger night, we thought about staying, but since No one had even spoke to us, we felt unwelcome, we decided to go elsewhere for our dinner!!
Your Governing personal needs to pay more attention to strangers in your lodge, If I'd been someone looking to join the Elks, I'd have walked out, not interested in returning!!! Every lodge is struggling to get new members, pay attention to how you treat strangers in your Lodge!!! Also, if I'd been from the ABC, a couple things I saw, I could have shut your lodge down for 90 days!!!!!! Wake up and pay attention to who's in Your Lodge!!!! It makes a big difference!!!! To set an example, went into a Elks Lodge in Oregon, within a few minutes the Exalted Ruler had introduced himself, welcomed us to there Lodge, introduced us to other local members, the bartender housed our 2nd drink, with a welcome to the lodge, was invited to join a group for there dinner!! Such a huge difference than the way we were treated in Chico.... Wake Up Chico!!!!