Washington Elks! We ended the 2022-2023 Elks year at #9 in the nation for growth in membership – an amazing achievement considering we lost two lodges in the state this past year, Columbia Basin & Battle Ground. 2023-2024 brings us the rare opportunity to turn our helm to starboard, put that amazing membership swell on our port quarter and with following breeze and surfable waves put up that extra sail to propel our state into the top 5 in the nation for membership growth by our next Grand Lodge Convention in Austin Texas June 30th to July 3rd 2024.

Walla Walla & Lynnwood have each opened up their new buildings, Seattle isn’t homeless anymore and is growing at a rate of 50% or more. Bellingham is having regular top performers bringing in new prospects, Naval is using their entire building again for events, Omak is opening for lunch during the week, Colville is bringing in record numbers and having fun. Vancouver has created one of the best Octoberfest celebrations outside of Leavenworth while asking everyone from their area to come learn about the Elks.

The membership wave is building to double overhead in Washington and it’s time to look forward, paddle hard and reach the year end goal for Net 1500 positive for membership in 2023-2024 and see Washington finish in the top 5 in the Nation come Grand Lodge Convention, Austin, Texas.

So how can we achieve this?

1. Recruit at least 2 new members! Are you sharing with your friends, family, and coworkers who we are and what we do? Tell them about the Elks and encourage them to join as well! Utilize the shareable graphics here to promote membership growth in Washington State

2. Make sure we are initiating new members. Consider holding special initiations to make sure we are getting members in. Ask nearby lodges for help. Consider holding joint membership drives and/or initiations.

3. Don't forget about delinquent and lapsed members. Reach out to these members and engage in a discussion with them. Even if they don't want to continue you can get valuable information on why they may be dropping their membership. And if they have moved you can help connect them with a lodge in their new community.

4. Hold open houses to show off who we are and what we do as Elks! We do great things, let's make sure we are showing that off and holding open houses where we invite the community to learn more about us. Ask our Washington State Membership & Marketing team for help with your open house and promotions.



Together we can achieve our Net 1500 gain in Membership goal for 2023-2024!!!