Elks Mission Statement: "To inculcate* the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity...click here to read more
Help Your Lodge
Here is you're opportunity to help the lodge. Fill out the information on the right (all fields are required to verify membership) and receive the Antler, Calendar and updates by email. Look for an email asking you to confirm your subscription to complete the process!
With just under 1 million members in more than 2,000 lodges across the country, the BPO Elks are one of the largest and most active fraternal organizations in the world!
Over the years, our charitable (and fun!) organization has been serving and supporting numerous community organizations and activities such as:
Elks National Foundation
Support to the Veterans
Scholarship Grants
Hosptal Grants
Scouting
Hoop-Shoot Program
Serving children with disabilities by providing Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Preschool Vision Screening
Our lodge, located in Thousand Oaks, serves Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks.
Charles Vivian
The moving spirit for the Elks
It All Began With the Jolly Corks.
Starting as as a group of actors and entertainers bent on having fun AND avoiding a New York Excise tax in 1867 (Sundays were the 'dry' day), this convivial group called themselves the Jolly Corks (for a trick with corks they performed on the uninitiated to win rounds of drinks).
That same year as membership grew some members wished to become a more benevolent and protective society. Two feuding factions formed because of the different philosophies...and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was shortly thereafter chartered in 1868.
In 1928, one man's dream became a reality for all Elks. Then-Grand Exalted Ruler John F. Malley envisioned a plan that would "Unite the forces of the Order into a mighty army for the service of mankind". During the annual Grand Lodge Convention in Miami that year, Malley's call to service inspired delegates to take action by voting to establish the Elks National Foundation with an initial $100,000 grant.
Today, the mission of the Elks National Foundation is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow's leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning; honor the Elks' pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
The Elks National Foundation annually awards more than $3.4 million in scholarships to a total of 508 students, and an additional $500,000 in emergency educational grants for children of deceased or disabled Elks.
Visit the Elks National Foundation webpage and discover the many programs going on within. They are in Chicago, IL.
Veterans
In 1917, the world was at war. The Order of Elks was only 49 years old. In April of that year, Grand Exalted Ruler Edward Rightor appointed a committee to study what the Order of Elks should do in this crisis to assist the Veterans. The Committee was ordered to present its findings to the Grand Lodge Session in Boston that July.
Today, with numerous Veterans Programs that continue to grow as the need changes, thousands of Elks and their families give generously of their time, energy and resources to the veterans so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced. Hundreds of thousands of hours and like numbers of dollars are devoted to programs that are designed to keep us true to our pledge: "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them".
The Elks have pledged not to forget hospitalized veterans, and each year they visit hundreds of thousands of patients at VA medical centers and veteran’s hospitals, throwing parties and providing companionship. And they invite patients who can leave the facilities to events at Elks Lodges, on fishing trips, and to ball games.
Last year alone, the Elks adopted and befriended 108,000 veterans who were far from home or without family.
Scholarships
Through the Elks National Foundation, more than $3.64 million in college scholarships are provided each year through its three scholarship programs. These included the Most Valuable Student Competition, The Legacy Awards and emergency educational grants. To find out about specific scholarship programs in Thousand Oaks call the office today.
Scouting
The Elks are quite active with both the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America. With numerous activities throughout the year the Elks goal is to provide the Troops/Units with the kind of support these Troops/Units need to be successful!
Hoop Shoot
The Hoop Shoot® is the largest coeducational sports program in the country. More than three million kids participated in this year’s contest.
Last year, the Foundation disbursed $12.6 million in support of the “Hoop Shoot®,” scholarships, veterans service, drug awareness, state major projects and other philanthropic programs.
Office Hours and Location:
The office is open M-Th 10-3 and you'll always find a friendly voice to talk to at the lodge. Free parking in the back.
Come by and share a drink with your fellow Elks.
OR...
Inquire about membership by calling 805-496-2477 or visit us at 158 Conejo School Road in Thousand Oaks (There's always something going on!)
Due to overwhelming popularity of some meals they tend to sell out early. Please help and call (especially for the Fish Fry) 805-496-4550 by 4 PM the day of the dinner to let us know you're coming.
For take-out orders you may also send us an email by 3 PM the day before and letting us know what you want. To automatically open an email Click Here OR send an email to toelks@yahoo.com with the subject line "Tonight's Dinner" and give us a "heads up" on the number (in your party--1-100 :) to expect.
