Exalted Ruler’s Report – September 2023

September 1, 2023 | Exalted Ruler

I am pleased to share with you that the Grand Lodge Convention held from July 2-5, 2023 was a success. Mahalo to our lodge for allowing me to represent the lodge at the convention. A major focus at the annual convention is for voting delegates to vote on resolutions. As summarized in the convention newsletter, the following is provided:

On the second day of the Grand Lodge Session, delegates passed 14 and rejected 4 resolutions to amend the statutes and Constitution of the Order during the Legislative Session. The resolutions that failed included a proposal to require the Grand Lodge to reimburse Local Lodges for the per capita fees they paid for Members who were dropped for nonpayment of dues. Three interrelated proposals, which would have allowed Past Exalted Rulers Associations to establish nonprofit corporations, also failed. Resolutions that passed included two related amendments clarifying that a Member of a Lodge that is appealing the revocation of its charter can transfer to a different Lodge; an amendment establishing a procedure for a Member to resign from the Order during the middle of a fraternal year; a proposal requiring the Lodge Treasurer to attend any District Deputy Clinics; two related proposals prohibiting the use of Elks resources to fundraise for legal actions before the Grand Forum or a Local Forum; and several amendments clarifying existing statutes and practices.

In addition, a constitutional amendment correcting an error in the Constitution by deleting a redundant paragraph passed and will be sent to the Local Lodges for approval.

• Here is the list of the resolutions which passed.
• To clarify this Constitutional provision by eliminating a redundancy.
• To prohibit the use of resources of the Order and of Local Lodges for private, public, or social media fundraising activities in connection with a Local Forum or Grand Forum action.
• To prohibit the use of resources of the Order and of Local Lodges for private, public, or social media fundraising activities in connection with a Local Forum or Grand Forum action, and to authorize the Grand Forum to issue a contempt order.
• To formalize the appointment and authority of Special Representative District Leaders or Area Special Representatives.
• To clarify that the determination of whether there exists good cause not to attend a District Deputy Clinic rests with the District Deputy Grand Exalted to clarify that the determination of whether there exists good cause not to attend a District Deputy Clinic rests with the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.
• To clarify that the determination of whether there exists good cause not to attend a District Deputy Clinic rests with the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.
• To require the Lodge Treasurer to attend all District Deputy Clinics.
• To clarify the types of projects that are subject to the provisions of this section of the Laws of the Order.
• To allow greater discretion for the use of defunct Lodge funds and to allow the Grand Exalted Ruler the authority to appoint a sufficient number of Trustees to administer the funds of a defunct Lodge.
• To allow Local Lodges to adopt by-law setting a minimum age requirement for Life Membership applicants.
• To define spouse as used in the Grand Lodge Statutes and in publications.
• To authorize and prescribe the procedure by which a Member may resign from membership during the Lodge year.
• To allow Members to transfer from a Lodge appealing a Charter revocation.
• To permit and prescribe the procedure by which a Member, who has been dropped for non-payment may apply for reinstatement in another Lodge when that individual’s Lodge has had its Charter revoked and has appealed.

Calvin Hara

Exalted Ruler