Transcription
R ITUALof Local LodgesBenevolent and ProtectiveOrder of Elks
RITUALofLOCAL LODGESUnder the Jurisdictionof theGrand Lodgeof theBENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVEORDER OF ELKSof the United States of AmericaProperty of theGRAND LODGE—————TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTEENCode 511500Revised August 2017
CERTIFICATIONTHIS RITUAL, adopted in substantial part by theGrand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Orderof Elks of the United States of America at the GrandLodge Session in 1930, and subsequently amended inpart by the Grand Lodge Sessions in 1946, 1952, 1956,1963, 1969, 1978, 1990, 1995, 2012, 2016 and 2017 isto be in effect in present form from and after August18, 2017.Gender and instructional procedures were revisedby the Grand Lodge Ritualistic Committee in 2001,2003, 2004, and 2005.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto setour hands and caused the seal of the Grand Lodgeto be affixed August 18, 2017.Attest:MALCOLM J. McPHERSON, JR.Grand Exalted RulerBRYAN R. KLATTGrand SecretaryNOTEExtract from the Constitution, Article I, Section 1:“This Constitution, the Statutes enactedby the Grand Lodge not in conflicttherewith, and the RITUAL, SHALL BETHE SUPREME LAW OF THE ORDER.”
August 2017These Rituals adopted by the Grand Lodge supersedeprevious Rituals for Opening and Closing a LocalLodge Session, the Initiation of Candidates, theInstitution of a Local Lodge, the Installation ofOfficers of a Local Lodge, and the Announcementof the Death of a Member.Gender and instructional procedures were revisedby the Grand Lodge Ritualistic Committee in 2001,2003, 2004, and 2005.MICHAEL F. ZELLEN, PGER, ChairmanAdvisory Ritual Subcommittee
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSWORDSThe masculine words appearing herein shall includethe feminine gender as circumstances require.RITUALS AND REGALIAAll District Deputies and Exalted Rulers shallenforce a strict adherence to the Ritual, and shall be heldresponsible for any irregularities which may occurin their respective jurisdictions. They shall not permitthe use of any charge, lecture, form, ceremony, form ofinitiation or regalia other than those prescribed in theRitual.The complete Rituals are the property of theGrand Lodge and must be properly cared for andpreserved by the Local Lodges. The Secretary of eachLocal Lodge shall be the custodian of all Rituals issuedto his/her Lodge.Such jewels for Officers, as are specified by the GrandLodge, shall be worn by them during Lodge Sessions.QUESTION BOOKEach Lodge may purchase, from the Grand Lodge,an official question book containing questions to beanswered by Candidates for Membership. TheSecretary, when the question book is used, must seethat each Candidate answers the questions in thisbook and signs his/her name thereto as a part of his/her qualification for Initiation. However, the questionbook may be dispensed with provided the Candidate’sapplication, which contains the same questions andanswers, is kept as a permanent record in the archivesof the Local Lodge.5
6GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSESQUIREIt shall be the duty of the Esquire, prior to theopening of the Lodge, to see that the Altar cover isplaced on the Altar, and also, when necessary, asuitable base to receive the Emblem; that the Officers’Jewels are placed at their respective stations; that agavel is at the station of the Exalted Ruler and of theEsteemed Leading Knight; that the Flag (on a staff ina standard) is placed at the station of the EsteemedLeading Knight on his/her right; the Bible at thestation of the Esteemed Loyal Knight; the Emblem at thestation of the Esteemed Lecturing Knight; theStar in position over the Altar; the ode cardsdistributed about the room; and the Flag stand inposition at the right of the Altar toward the stationof the Esteemed Loyal Knight.The Esquire must examine the cards of all visitingMembers present prior to the opening of the Lodgeand fully satisfy himself/herself that they are entitledto admission, so as to be in position to introduce themto the Lodge at the proper time.After the Lodge has been opened, when a visitingMember is announced, it shall be the duty of theEsquire, under direction of the Exalted Ruler, tosecure from the Inner Guard the card of the Member.He/she shall then retire to the anteroom and examinethe visiting Member. “Such further examination asmay be required, etc.,” as used in the Ritual, meansthat the Esquire may, if in doubt, interrogate thevisiting Member in a general way, as, for example:“What, if anything, was presented to you at thestation of the Exalted Ruler?”
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS7The Esquire, after the Lodge has been opened,shall, under direction of the Exalted Ruler, presentall visiting Members before the Altar, and about two pacesdistant therefrom. He/she shall introduce themby name and Lodge. On being introduced, each visitingMember shall take one step forward and give thehailing sign. On being recognized by the ExaltedRuler, he/she shall resume his/her former position.The Esquire shall, at all times while on duty in theLodge room, carry the baton in the hollow of his/herleft arm, except when it may be impracticable so todo, in which event he/she should place the baton ono r n e a r t h e A l t a r, w h e r e i t c a n b e p i c k e d u pconveniently as his/her duty permits or requires.He/she shall answer the roll call of Officers; assistthe four principal Officers in conducting the businessof the Lodge in such manner that said Officers neednot leave their stations; attend to the preparation andintroduction of Candidates; have charge of all floorwork of the Lodge; and on public occasions shall actas Marshal.When directed by the Exalted Ruler to organize theLodge, it shall be the duty of the Esquire to see thatthe doors are closed and that the Officers are at theirrespective stations.When conducting a Candidate about the Lodgeroom, the Esquire and his/her assistants shall walk to theleft of the Candidate.After the Lodge has been closed, the Esquire shallcollect the Officers’ Jewels and the ode cards anddeliver them, together with the Bible, the Emblem,the Altar cover and the Flag, into the custody of theTiler.
8GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSTILERIt shall be the duty of the Tiler to have charge of allproperty of the Lodge placed in his/her care. He/sheshall have all necessary paraphernalia in readinessfor use and in proper condition, and after the Lodgeis closed he/she shall take proper care of same.After the Inner Guard has, under the direction ofthe Exalted Ruler, notified all Elks who are in theanteroom to come within the Lodge, the inner doormust be closed. It shall be the duty of the Tiler toprevent late arrivals from approaching the inner dooruntil he/she has been notified that the Lodge isregularly opened; and he/she must observe the samerule during the reading of the minutes and ballotingfor a Candidate, and at all times during Initiationexcept as he/she may be advised by the Inner Guard. Afterthe Lodge is opened, he/she shall permit no Member toapproach the inner door without exhibitinga membership card, showing him/her to be in goodstanding.It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that eachvisiting Member signs his/her name in the Visitors’Register, which book shall be in the custody of theTiler; he/she shall carefully compare the signature of eachvisiting Member with the signature on his/her visitingcard. If a visiting Member presents himself/herself while the Lodge is in session, the Tiler shall,after satisfying himself/herself that the signatureis genuine, pass the visiting card of the Member tothe Inner Guard, who shall inform the ExaltedRuler, and deliver the visiting card to the Esquire as he/she approaches the door to conduct the visiting Memberto the Altar.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS9INNER GUARDIt shall be the duty of the Inner Guard to guardcarefully, at all times, the inner door of the Lodge; topermit no Member to enter until he/she has given thealarm correctly, except upon direction of the ExaltedRuler; to permit no Member to retire from the Lodgeroom until he/she has received permission from theExalted Ruler; to admit no Member during Initiation,except when the same can be done without in any wayinterfering with the work, and of this the EsteemedLeading Knight shall be the judge.ARRANGEMENT OF ALTARThe Esquire, upon receiving the Flag upon its stafffrom the Esteemed Leading Knight, shall proceed inan orderly manner to a position one pace in front ofthe center of the Altar, and then, after the tribute,place the Flag in the Flag stand in the position ofhonor to the right of the Altar, as he/she faces theExalted Ruler. (NOTE: The eagle on top of the staffshall face directly forward when posted at the stationof the Esteemed Leading Knight and while beingcarried to the Altar. When posted at the Altar, itshall face directly forward, in the direction of theEsteemed Leading Knight’s station.) The Bible shallbe opened and placed upon the Altar, and the Emblemshall be placed upon the Altar in back of the Bible asviewed by the Candidate as he/she stands before theAltar; the Emblem shall face the station of theEsteemed Leading Knight (if necessary, a suitablebase may be placed beneath the Emblem). The Starshall be suspended over the Altar at the proper heightto give the best effect and so as not to interfere withthe view of a Member at the Altar when saluting the
10GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSExalted Ruler. About eight or nine feet above thefloor will be found to give the best effect, but thismust depend somewhat on the arrangement of theLodge room. The switch controlling the Star shouldbe conveniently located so that the Exalted Ruler, orsome designated Officer, can control it as indicatedin the Ritual.BALLOTING[If there is only one Candidate and one ballot box, thenthe Exalted Ruler, Secretary and Esteemed Leading Knightwill use the singular. On balloting night, the Esquire shallhave the ballot boxes previously prepared on a stand forthat purpose. Under the order of business “Balloting onCandidates” the following procedure will be observed.]Exalted Ruler: Lodge Secretary, are there anyCandidates for balloting?Secretary: Exalted Ruler, the following Candidatesawait balloting.[Secretary reads the applications and designates as to theinitiation, reinstatement or affiliation into the Lodge.]Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, you will preparethe ballot boxes.[The Esquire shall proceed to place the ballot boxes, withthe names of the Candidates for balloting attached thereon,between the station of the Esteemed Leading Knight andthe Altar in the direction of the Esteemed LecturingKnight’s station as shown in the diagram on page 19.During the balloting, the Esquire shall take his/herposition about two paces to the right of the ballot boxes,f a c i n g t h e E x a l t e d R u l e r. W h e n t h e E s q u i r e i sin proper position, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS11Exalted Ruler: Esteemed Leading Knight, you willassist me in inspecting the ballot boxes.[Then the Esteemed Leading Knight and the ExaltedRuler shall proceed to inspect the ballot boxes and thencast their ballots. After returning to their respectivestations, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]Exalted Ruler: The Members will form a line to theright of the Esquire and cast your ballots. I remindyou that a white ball shall be considered an affirmativevote and a black cube shall be considered a negativevote. The election of Candidates to membership,reinstatement, or affiliation requires an affirmativevote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast.[When the balloting is completed, the Esquire shall say:]Esquire: Exalted Ruler, all the Members who desirehave cast their ballots.Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, you will close theballot boxes.Exalted Ruler: Esteemed Leading Knight, you willassist me in examining the ballot boxes.[The Exalted Ruler and the Esteemed Leading Knight shallproceed to examine the ballot boxes. After returning totheir respective stations, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]Exalted Ruler: Esteemed Leading Knight, what isthe result of the ballot?Esteemed Leading Knight: The Candidates havebeen elected or rejected.
12GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS[If more than one ballot box is used and a rejectionoccurs in one of the ballot boxes the Esteemed LeadingKnight shall say:]Esteemed Leading Knight: Exalted Ruler, I findthe ballots favorable in all the ballot boxes with theexception of Number .[The Esteemed Leading Knight will resume his/her seat.][If more than one Candidate is being balloted upon in anunfavorable ballot, the Exalted Ruler shall direct theEsquire to prepare separate ballot boxes for the Candidatesin that ballot and call for a new ballot on those Candidates.][If the Candidates are elected, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]Exalted Ruler: You have elected (stating the namesof the elected Candidates) to become a Member ofthis Lodge by Initiation or upon an application ofreinstatement or affiliation.[If the Candidates are rejected, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]Exalted Ruler: You have rejected the applicationof (stating the names of the rejected Candidates) formembership in this Lodge.[In either case, after the Exalted Ruler has announcedthe results of the ballot, he/she shall say:]Exalted Ruler: Do any of the Members wish toexamine the ballots?[After the ballots have been examined or if no Memberdesires to examine the ballots, the Exalted Ruler shall say:]Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, break the ballots.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS13[Thereupon, the Esquire shall proceed to break the ballotsand return the ballot boxes to the custody of the Tiler andthen he/she shall remove the stands. Then he/she shallreturn to his/her station and resume his/her seat.]For the purpose of voting upon an applicant orapplicants, a white ball shall be considered anaffirmative vote; a black cube shall be considered anegative vote.Each ballot box must contain white balls and blackcubes substantially equal in number. The Exalted Rulerand Esquire shall see that this provision is enforced.The Lodge may elect to place the names of allapplicants upon one or more ballot boxes rather thana separate ballot box for each applicant. The boxesshall be suitably placed so that the Members may passfrom one ballot box to the next, in rotation, indepositing their ballots. If the number of white ballsare at least equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast,all applicants named thereon shall be declared elected;but if the number of white balls are less than two-thirds(2/3) of the votes cast, then all applicants namedthereon shall be balloted upon separately.SPECIAL DIRECTIONSIt is the imperative duty of the Exalted Ruler toenforce the rule which prohibits the use of electronicdevices, disruptive conversations and smoking whileconducting the business of the Lodge, especially whenconferring of the Obligation and the delivery ofthe lectures and instructions during the Initiation.
14GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSWhen the Exalted Ruler sounds the gavel,preparatory to opening the Lodge, the Officers shallimmediately take their stations and the Memberstheir seats.All Officers and Members, on entering or retiringfrom a Lodge, must give the hailing sign before theAltar, and they may retire only upon being recognizedby the Exalted Ruler.The expression “Before the Altar” or “In front of theAltar” means a position at the Altar between it and thestation of the Esteemed Leading Knight, facing thestation of the Exalted Ruler. “Right of Altar” meansright of the Altar when facing the station of the ExaltedRuler.Upon entering the Lodge, Members shall proceed tothe Altar in the most direct manner possible. Officersand Members shall not cross the floor after the Lodgehas been opened, without permission of the ExaltedRuler, and in no case shall they pass between the Altarand the station of the Exalted Ruler, except as Ritualrequires during Initiation, or when so ordered by theExalted Ruler.The Esteemed Loyal Knight and the EsteemedLecturing Knight must strictly enforce the requirementsof the Ritual in reference to the examination of themembership cards, and must, upon failure of a Memberto exhibit his/her membership card showing that his/her dues have been paid up-to-date, immediately informthe Exalted Ruler.If a Member, who is a Member of the local Lodge,cannot exhibit his/her membership card as required, theExalted Ruler shall ascertain from the Secretary if such
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS15Member has paid his/her dues for the current period,and if he/she has done so, he/she shall be entitled toremain. If he/she has not paid his/her dues for thecurrent period, he/she shall be given an opportunity todo so, in default of which he/she shall immediatelywithdraw. A visiting Member who does not exhibit amembership card showing that his/her dues have beenpaid for the current period shall not be permitted to sitin a Lodge, unless the Secretary of his/her Lodge shouldbe present and vouch for him/her that his/her dues havebeen paid for the current period.At the close of the Lodge each Officer shall leavehis/her jewel at his/her station.MEMBERS RECEIVED ON DIMITWhen a Member has been elected upon a card ofdimission, and appears in the Lodge for the first timeafter such election, he/she shall be received in thefollowing manner: E s q u i r e : E x a l t e d R u l e r, I h a v e t h e h o n o r t ointroduce to you , who has been duly electedto membership in this Lodge on a card of dimission.Exalted Ruler: I gladly welcome you to membershipin Lodge, No. , and assure you acordial welcome from your fellow Members. You arealready fully aware of the principles underlying thework in which we are engaged, and in this affiliationI trust that your best efforts will be enlisted in supportof the Order and in promoting the welfare of thisLodge. You may be seated.
16GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSELEVEN O’CLOCK TOASTWhenever the Lodge shall be in session and thehour of eleven shall arrive, all business shall forthwithbe suspended and the following ceremony shall beobserved: Exalted Ruler: The hour of eleven has arrived. Without further instruction, the Esquire shall cause alllights to be extinguished except the star and shall causethe gong to be sounded eleven times.]Exalted Ruler: You have heard the tolling of elevenstrokes. This is to remind us that with Elks the hourof eleven has a tender significance. Wherever Elksmay roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when thishour falls upon the dial of night the great heart ofElkdom swells and throbs. It is the golden hour ofrecollection, the homecoming of those who wander,the mystic roll call of those who will come no more.Living or dead, Elks are never forgotten, neverforsaken. Morning and noon may pass them by, thelight of day sink heedlessly in the West, but ere theshadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memorywill be pealing forth the friendly message: “To OurAbsent Members.”NOTE: Instead of making the foregoing response,the Exalted Ruler may call on some Member to respondto the sentiment.[The Esquire shall cause the lights to be again turned on,and the business of the Lodge shall thereupon be resumed.]
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS17ROLL CALL NIGHTThe last meeting night in October of each year isdesignated as Roll Call Night. Under “Good of theOrder,” upon direction of the Exalted Ruler, theSecretary shall call the membership roll and note inhis/her minutes the total number in attendance.The Exalted Ruler, or some Member selected by him/h e r, s h a l l m a k e a b r i e f a d d r e s s a l o n g f r a t e r n a llines, setting forth the importance of attending Lodgemeetings and asking the Members present to appealto the absentees to renew and increase their interestin the Lodge.In Lodges where the membership is so large thatthe calling of the roll is impracticable, any other planfor determining the number in attendance may beadopted.PAST EXALTED RULERS’ NIGHTThe first meeting night in February of each year isdesignated as Past Exalted Rulers’ Night. Previous tothis date the Exalted Ruler shall designate certainPast Exalted Rulers to fill the chair offices and thepositions of Esquire and Chaplain.The Exalted Ruler shall call the Lodge to order,announce the names of the Members chosen to serveas Officers, and then relinquish the gavel to his/hertemporary successor who shall preside during thesession. A special program in honor of the PastExalted Rulers may be arranged, of such a dignifiednature as the Lodge may deem proper for the occasion.
18GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSFLAG ESCORTIn connection with the Altar service the Lodgemay, if desired, provide an escort or Honor Guard forthe Flag while it is being placed in or removed fromits position at the Altar.This arrangement is not designed to change theregular work of the Esquire, but to make it moreimpressive.DRILL TEAMAny Local Lodge desiring so to do mayutilize the services of a drill team in connection withthe ceremony of Initiation, the drill team to becomposed of any of the Members of the Lodge or ofanother Lodge.The purpose is to make the ceremony more effective,and to stimulate the work of the regular Officers.FLORAL EMBLEMThe floral emblem of the Order is the Forget-Me-Not,and the emblematic color is royal purple. TheAmaranth, used at funerals, is an imaginary flowerwhich never fades, of a purplish color, such as thecornflower, or other flower of a similar hue. Thesefloral emblems may be either real or artificial, andshould be obtained from a local florist or floralsupply house, as none are provided for in Grand Lodgesupplies.THE FLAGThe Flag presented to each Candidate in the finalcharge of the Exalted Ruler shall be a small AmericanFlag of ordinary pocket handkerchief size, and itshall become and be the personal property of therecipient. The Flag shall be purchased from the officeof the Grand Secretary.
GENERAL TFLAGSTANDALTARESQUIRE(During TDOORTILERDOORDOORANTEROOM
20GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSORDER OF BUSINESS1. Opening. (page 22 or 33)2. Calling Roll of Officers.3. Reading Minutes of Previous Session.4. Initiation. (page 35)5. Sickness and Distress (always in order).(Lodge of Sorrow—page 87)6. Community Activities.7. Reports of Committees.8. Report of Fraternal Committee.9. Reading Communications.10. Propositions for Membership.11. Balloting on Candidates. (see page 10)12. Unfinished Business.13. New Business.14. Good of the Order.15. Bills against the Lodge.16. Receipts of the Session.17. Treasurer’s Report.18. Closing. (page 63 or 67)NOTE: Items No. 4 and Nos. 8 through 17 may betransposed with the consent of the Lodge (Sec. 15.020,Laws of the Order).
HONORS TO PAST GRAND EXALTED RULERS,GRAND LODGE OFFICERS ORDISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND EXALTED RULERSWhen a Past Grand Exalted Ruler, a Grand LodgeOfficer or a District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulerofficially visits a Local Lodge, he/she shall be receivedin the following manner.Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, you will retire tothe anteroom and cause our honored guest to approachthe Altar and introduce him/her to the Lodge.[The Esquire retires.]Exalted Ruler: ( ) Raps[The Esquire escorts the honored guest into the Lodgeroom about two paces in front center of the Altar. TheEsquire shall continue by introducing the honored guestby giving his/her name and the name and number of his/her Lodge. The honored guest, when the number of his/her Lodge is announced, shall take one step forward andgive the hailing sign.]Exalted Ruler: [Answers with a wave of the hand.]Exalted Ruler: Please extend the Grand LodgeHonors to .[The honored guest shall be saluted with the hailing signgiven once only by all the Members in unison, includingthe Exalted Ruler, led by the Esquire.]Honored Guest: [Answers with a wave of the hand.Then the honored guest shall step back one pace.]Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, you will now conductour honored guest to a seat at my right.Exalted Ruler: ( ) Rap[The Esquire shall return to his/her station and be seated.]21
OPENING[The Exalted Ruler assumes his/her station and by soundof the gavel calls the Lodge to order.] Exalted Ruler: I am about to open Lodge No., of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.Lodge Inner Guard, [pauses, Inner Guard rises, takestwo paces directly forward from his/her station,continuing to look at the Exalted Ruler and turnstoward him/her and then the Exalted Ruler continues:]inform the Tiler, invite all Elks to come within theLodge room, and guard well the inner door.[The Inner Guard shall then proceed in a direct andorderly manner to the door, opens it completely, beingcertain that the door is completely open and his/herhands are at his/her sides before speaking to the Tiler andcomplies with the Exalted Ruler’s order. He/she thencloses the door, returns to his/her station in a direct andorderly manner, remains standing, and says:]Inner Guard: Exalted Ruler, your order has been obeyed.[After his/her response, the Inner Guard is seated andthen the Exalted Ruler continues:]Exalted Ruler: Esteemed Loyal Knight, [rises, andthen the Exalted Ruler continues:] with the assistanceof the Esteemed Lecturing Knight, [rises, and thenthe Exalted Ruler continues:] you will ascertain if allpresent are qualified to remain.[These Officers shall meet at the Altar and advance fromeither side thereof to the station of the Exalted Ruler, towhom they shall exhibit their membership cards.Thereupon they shall proceed to examine the Memberson their respective sides of the room, commencing at theright and left of the Exalted Ruler.]22
OPENING23[In lieu of the foregoing, in order to expedite the openingof the Lodge at regular meetings, the Exalted Ruler may,before the opening gavel rap, direct an Officer(s) toexamine the Members’ membership cards at the door(s)of the Lodge. After the opening gavel rap, at the directionof the Exalted Ruler, the Esteemed Loyal Knight and theEsteemed Lecturing Knight will meet at the Altar anddeliver the results of the membership card examination.][If any Member be found without a membership cardshowing that his/her dues are not paid for the currentperiod, the fact shall be reported to the Exalted Ruler.Thereupon the Exalted Ruler shall ascertain from theSecretary whether or not the Member is entitled to remainin the Lodge room and shall direct the examining Officeraccordingly. If the Member is not entitled to remain byreason of nonpayment of current dues, he/she shall begiven the opportunity to pay the same, in default ofwhich he/she shall immediately withdraw.][After completing their duties, the examining Officers shallproceed in an orderly manner to a position one pace in frontof the center of the Altar and in unison salute the ExaltedRuler with the hailing sign. The Exalted Ruler answerswith the wave of the hand only at the top of the salute.]Esteemed Loyal Knight: Exalted Ruler, all present,excepting visiting Members, have been examinedand are qualified to remain.[The Esteemed Loyal Knight and the Esteemed LecturingKnight shall then return to their respective stations andbe seated. If there are no visiting Members present, thewords “excepting visiting Members” and the followingportions relative to visitors may be omitted.]Exalted Ruler: Visiting Members will please rise.Lodge Esquire, [rises, and faces Exalted Ruler, and thenthe Exalted Ruler continues:] are you satisfied that thesevisiting Members are qualified to remain?
24OPENINGEsquire: I am, Exalted Ruler.Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, you will cause thevisiting Members to approach the Altar and introducethem to the Lodge.[The Esquire assembles the visiting Members across theLodge room about two paces in front of the Altar. He/sheshall introduce each Member separately by giving his/her name, title and the name and number of his/herLodge. The visiting Member, when the number of theirLodge is announced, shall take one step forward and givethe hailing sign. On being recognized by the ExaltedRuler with a wave of the hand only at the top of the salutehe/she shall resume his/her former position until all havebeen introduced and until the Exalted Ruler shall havedirected that the visiting Members be seated.]Exalted Ruler: In the name of the Order, and onbehalf of this Lodge, I greet you as Members. Youmay be seated.[The Esquire shall resume his/her station and remainsstanding.]Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, [pauses, the Esquiresteps forward one pace, makes a left turn withoutstopping, then turns his/her head and looks at theExalted Ruler who continues:] have you performedyour duties?Esquire: I have, Exalted Ruler; a quorum is present,the Officers are at their stations in proper regalia,and the Altar Emblems await your command.[The Esquire resumes his/her original position andremains standing.]
OPENING25Exalted Ruler: Lodge Inner Guard, [pauses, the InnerGuard takes two paces directly forward from his/herstation, continuing to look at the Exalted Ruler and turnstoward him/her and then the Exalted Ruler continues:]ascertain if this Lodge is properly tiled.[Inner Guard turns and proceeds in a direct and orderlymanner to the door, opens it and nods to the Tiler, closesdoor and returns to his/her station in a direct andorderly manner, and reports to the Exalted Ruler:]Inner Guard: Exalted Ruler, the Lodge is properlytiled.Exalted Ruler: What is your duty?Inner Guard: To guard well the inner door of theLodge, to permit none to enter except those dulyqualified, and none to retire without your permission.Exalted Ruler: Lodge Esquire, [pauses, the Esquiresteps forward one pace, makes a left turn withoutstopping, then turns his/her head and looks at theExalted Ruler who continues:] what is your duty?Esquire: To receive Candidates, prepare them forInitiation, act as their guide through the ceremony andexplain to them the procedures of the Order; to see thatthe signs are given
Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America at the Grand Lodge Session in 1930, and subsequently amended in part by the Grand Lodge Sessions in 1946, 1952, 1956, 1963, 1969, 1978, 1990, 1995, 2012, 2016 and 2017 is to be in effect in present form from and after August 18, 2017.
