Most recently, what they’ve been about is growing old.
The average age of an Elks member here is between 55 and 60, estimates Tom Schilling, exalted ruler of the lodge.
It doesn’t take an actuarial genius to figure out that’s a losing hand for the future of the organization.
Time for an epiphany.
Northwood Hills was also pinched for members and Mike Mason, a member of both organizations, had an idea to put the two together.
The Elks bring just under 600 members to the new venture and Northwood adds about 280. Schilling hopes there will be 1,000 before too long and that young families will be among them to refresh the membership.
Once, most men here belonged to at least one fraternal lodge. In fact, Springfield was such a mecca for lodges that it was known as The Home City, with the Ohio Masonic Home, the Ohio Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias all opening homes here for their elderly members.
But the world has moved on from clubs that depend on men spending nights out at the lodge and many are suffering declining membership.
The Elks have long dropped the male-only membership rule. Now, Schilling says, the only requirement to be eligible for membership is to not have a felony record, be recommended by a current member and pay a $30 initiation fee. (If you don’t know a member and are interested in joining, Schilling suggests you stop by the lodge.)
While this may seem a simple matter about keeping the Elks a going concern, that view fails to acknowledge the role lodges have played in supporting worthy causes locally. The Elks provide scholarships, contributions to food banks and aid to individuals in need. That’s a traditional role of these clubs that could not be easily replaced.
Also thinking along new lines are Chris and Rebecca Lewis who are buying the former Elks Lodge at 126 W. High St. and will open it as an “upscale casual membership club,” the Buckeye Sports Lounge.
The couple say the venture is a show of their faith in Springfield.
And both the Elks and the Lewises are showing a faith in trying new ideas in the face of change. An appropriate attitude for us to begin this new year.