Helping Ourselves: A Call to Action for Our Lodges

By Kelly Sanford

We’ve all heard the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” and it's true in so many aspects of life. You work hard, you earn your paycheck, and you create the life you want. You study, and you may achieve the career you desire. So, I ask: What is your lodge doing to help itself? Too often, over my 14 years of service with the Association, I’ve heard complaints that the Association doesn’t do enough for lodges. But let’s flip the question: What are you doing for yourselves?

Think about your lodge and its members. Picture yourself as a new member walking into the lodge for the first time. Maybe you were invited by a friend, coworker, or neighbor. Now, let’s say for argument’s sake that your grandfather asked you to come to a meeting. Picture yourself at 20 years old, walking through those doors. Got the visual? Let’s begin!

What is the meeting like? Are they long and drawn out, filled with tension and arguments? Remember, volunteering is meant to be enjoyable, not a battleground. If you can feel the tension the moment you walk in, why would you return? Are people debating just for the sake of being right? Let’s be honest with ourselves. Volunteering should bring joy, not stress.

During my visits as Provincial President, I saw that the most successful lodges had a strict time limit for meetings—just one hour for business. This shows respect for members' time. Life is busy, and no one wants to spend hours in a meeting. A one-hour meeting gives people time to relax and spend the rest of their evening with family. Think about it—anyone can donate an hour. We spend more time scrolling on our phones than that!

Now, consider this: Do people welcome you when you walk through the door? Are they engaging with you or just carrying on with their own conversations? How often do you take the time to explain what’s happening during the meeting, especially to newcomers? I’m guilty of assuming newcomers will figure it out on their own. But we need to slow down and explain the process. If a potential member leaves a meeting not knowing what just happened, chances are they won’t come back.

So, let’s say you decide to join. That’s fantastic! But what if, as a new member, you suggest an idea, like hosting a dance or event to bring the community together? What’s the response? Do people dismiss the idea because it didn’t work years ago? Or because another group tried something similar? Instead of focusing on why it won’t work, let’s focus on why it can work! Maybe it’s a small event, and you lose a little money, but you gain something even more valuable—new members who feel empowered and motivated. At the end of the day, what have you really lost? A few hundred dollars? But you’ve gained fresh energy and ideas.

The reality is, if we don’t allow new members to get involved and make their mark, they will leave— and that’s on us. Let’s give them a chance to try something new. Who knows what might come of it?

Ultimately, we need to look at how we present ourselves to the public. We, the lodges, are responsible for our own success. If we don’t advertise what we do, the events we host, donations we give, and our volunteers, it’s on us. The Alberta Elks Association has been running a newsletter and Facebook page for years. Yet only one-third of lodges in Alberta utilize them! That’s a missed opportunity. All you need to do is email a photo or write a brief description of what your lodge is doing. Let us help you promote your efforts!

The Communications Committee has been oƯering to create posters for events or membership drives for two years. Despite multiple mailouts and reminders, only a handful of lodges have taken advantage of this. Let us help you!

Have you asked your friends, coworkers, or family to join? If not, why not? Is it because your lodge has internal conflicts, and you don’t want them to see the tension? Or do you keep personal life and volunteer life separate? Even if you've asked them before, ask again. People's lives change. Maybe your kids once said no, but now that they have families of their own, they might see the value of community in a new light. The worst they can say is "no," but you’ll never know unless you ask.

Do you host events? Many lodges sit back and just donate casino funds, writing checks, but that’s not enough. No one wants to attend a meeting about nothing. Time is valuable, and we need to make it worth their while. I know some lodges are tired or lack volunteers, but have you asked for help? You could hire a local youth team to assist with a project and oƯer them a donation in return. They’ll probably ask for a donation anyway, so why not make it a win-win?

At the end of the day, it’s on us to take the first step. It is on us to be our own hero. It’s not possible for just the few people on the Alberta Elks Executive to support all 98 lodges, but we can help you help yourselves. By making small changes and being proactive, we can not only survive—we can thrive. Whether you’re 20 or 90, you have the power to change the environment and welcome new members into the true spirit of Elkdom.

Let’s make our lodges places where people want to be—a place that fosters community, respect, and fun.