Richmond Lodge No. 649
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Amended June 23,2003
As a member of Richmond Elks Lodge #649, you are responsible for the $50.00 annual membership dues and $550.00 annual membership fees for a total of $600.00 per year. The dues and fees shall be paid by cash, check, or credit card in one of the following ways:
1. Monthly
A billing will be issued each month for $50 payable on the first day of the month.
2. Biannually
On or before March 31st you will pay $300.00 for the first six (6) months of the Elk year. On or before September 30th you will pay $300.00 for the remaining six (6) months of the year.
3. Annually
On or before March 31st you will pay $600 for the entire Elks year.
4. Life members shall pay $75.00 annually on or before March 31st.
The first $50.00 payment of the Elk year on or before March 31st will pay dues, the remaining payments will pay fees.
If any member becomes one (1) month delinquent in dues or fees, the Club Secretary, Treasurer or Manager will forward a letter advising the member that ALL CLUB PRIVELAGES ARE SUSPENDED.
If any member does not pay his or her bill in full within 30 days of his or her suspension notice, a $40.00 per month reinstatement fee will be assessed and paid prior to the member receiving the status of member in good standing.
Upon full payment of a member’s delinquent dues and fees, said member will be required to pay cash and provide a credit card number and sign a signature card to be kept on file with the Club Secretary and the Business Office for a period of one year. As said member’s dues and fees become due, he or she may pay cash or his or her credit card will be charged accordingly.
Any current dues paying visiting member of any other Elks lodge may visit this lodge in accordance with Grand Lodge bylaws and by showing proper identification. Visiting members may pay reduced daily rates as offered for golf. In order to purchase golf memberships, attend other lodge functions and have full use of the facility it will be necessary to pay the monthly $50.00 membership fee in accordance with account responsibility.
Once a candidate applies for a membership, they are moved into the election and initiation process. The following rules apply during this process.
1. A special discount may apply for new candidates and new members paying golf fees before or at initiation with approval of the Board of Trustees.
2. Once a candidate is elected into the Lodge, they may have full use of the facilities. Once the candidate is invited to initiation, they will begin monthly dues/ fees payments of $50.00. The first $50.00 will pay dues the remaining payments will pay fees.
3. Prior to initiation into the Lodge, the candidate may have full use of the facilities; However, they must pay cash or use a credit card for all services.
4. No candidate shall be initiated until he or she attends the indoctrination.
5. Initiations will be held in March, June, September, and December or as needed.
6. If a candidate is invited to three (3) initiations and fails to attend all three, said candidate’s application will be cancelled and the initiation fee will be forfeited. Should said candidate wish to attempt initiation again, they must re-apply for membership and pay another $75.00 initiation fee
Monthly statements covering charges owed by each member shall be due and payable on receipt, in full. Payment options are cash, check, credit card or money order.
Lodge Refunds
Any refund for prepaid pool memberships or golf memberships (excluding lodge dues), due to illness, injury, death or job transfer out of town, shall be requested in writing to the Lodge Secretary for Board approval. Any refund shall be based on the number of months remaining on prepays and/or memberships.
Delinquent Members
If an account is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after the date the statement is mailed, the member is delinquent. The Manager or Treasurer WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
A reminder notice will be mailed, and if after sixty (60) days, the account is not paid in full, THE MEMBER WILL HAVE HIS OR HER CREDIT, CLUB PRIVELIEGES AND MEMBERSHIP SUSPENDED.
If after sixty (60) days; and if an account is paid in full, including any accrued Club dept and finance charges, the Board may elect to, but not be bound to, reinstate certain privileges to the member, with the following conditions.
1. Member must pay cash and post a credit card and sign a signature card to be kept on file with the Business Office for a period of one year after certain privileges have been reinstated. As Club Services are rendered, member must pay cash or his or her credit card will be charged accordingly.
2. There will be a stipulation that his or her credit worthiness is subject to a six (6) month probationary period. During the probationary period all purchases made at the Club shall be made with cash or a posted credit card.
3. The member’s status will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at the end of said probationary period and the member will be advised of any Board decision.
4. Any member’s account that remains delinquent after ninety (90) days will be turned over to a collection agency and membership WILL BE TERMINATED. Any reinstatement to the Club after this time period would require all past payments be satisfied and then a new application for membership be submitted to the Lodge for consideration.
5. Any past member, who is delinquent in his or her dues or other purchases, SHALL NOT BE PREMITTED TO USE THE FACILITIES OF THE RICHMOND ELKS LODGE FOR ANY REASON.
6. Any delinquent account shall be subject to a finance charge that will apply to any past due statement at the rate of 2% a month.
Any member requesting a Lodge Demit shall send a letter stating such to the Lodge Secretary. Upon receipt, the Lodge Secretary will ensure the member’s statements are paid in full and will proceed to grant the Demit. All Demits shall be granted from the date received by the Lodge Secretary, provided ALL outstanding bills owed the Lodge are paid in full. The BACK DATING of Demits will not be permitted! Any member granted a Demit must wait twelve (12) months before requesting an application for reinstatement. Any special circumstances shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees for their review and recommendation to the Lodge floor. After requesting a demit, said member must have entire account paid in full within 60 days.
The Board of Trustees will approve ALL Lodge hours. Lodge hours will be posted in common areas of the Club throughout the year. Current Lodge hours may also be accessed via the Lodge’s Voicemail System.
Requests for donations brought before the Lodge floor will be tabled by the Exalted Ruler and then sent to the Board of Trustees for their review and recommendation back to the Lodge floor. The Board of Trustees will annually budget for all donations made by the Lodge. Should requests for donations outside the annual amount budgeted to presented, the Board may make a recommendation to the Lodge Floor for approval of said requests, if the Lodge’s financial conditions are favorable. The Board of Trustees may appoint a committee to review all requests for donations and utilize their assistance in determining the worthiness of each request presented.
Any other monetary request brought before the Lodge Floor will also be tabled by the Exalted Ruler and then sent to the Board of Trustees for their review and recommendations back to the Lodge Floor. The Board of Trustees will annually budget for all Lodge activities, which includes all Lodge Departments. The Board may make a recommendation to the Lodge Floor for approval of said requests, if the Lodge’s financial conditions are favorable. The Board of Trustees may appoint a committee to review monetary requests and utilize their assistance in determining the worthiness of each request presented.
1. Each member of Lodge No. 649 must carry his/her paid-up membership card for admittance to this Lodge, and he/she shall willfully display his/her membership card if requested to do so.
2. The privileges of the Club, which are made possible only by the Lodge itself, are for Elks in good standing only who are members of Richmond Lodge No. 649.
3. As a matter of policy, the Club privileges are extended to all Elks in good standing and their guests who are required to sign the register. Any member in good standing may be permitted to introduce a person or persons not Elks who reside outside the jurisdiction of this Lodge, in the restaurant, lounge facility, or golf course at such times and under such conditions and rules as may be adopted by the Lodge. (Members may not bring the same guest who resides within the jurisdiction of the Lodge into the Club on more than three (3) occasions within a one-year period.) A member introducing such a person shall be responsible for the conduct and indebtedness of such guest. Both the member and his/her guest must conform to the Lodge dress code as set forth by the Governing body. When the member leaves the Club, his/her guest must leave with him.
4. Dress shall be casual attire in the dining and banquet rooms with exception of special events or occasions, management shall inform of such events and exceptions. Shirts with collars or attire worn by PGA players must be worn on the golf course.
5. The Government Body of the Club consists of the top four chair officers and five trustees. The Dining Room is under direct supervision of the Club Manager.
6. Opening and closing hours of the bar and dining room shall be in accordance with existing laws, opening and closing hours will be determined by the Governing Board, and so announced in the monthly Publication.
7. Club room facilities are designated for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire membership; private functions are available when feasible and when they do not interfere with normal Club operations.
8. Members and their guest shall at all times conduct themselves in a gentlemanly or lady-like manner. Ungentlemanly decorum, indecent conduct, or the use of boisterous, profane, obscene or indecent language on the Lodge property is strictly prohibited; and a violation of this rule or any House rule may subject the violating member to disciplinary action by the Governing Board and/or a Subordinate Forum.
9. Members shall refrain from reprimanding any employee. Complaints as to their conduct or service shall be made to the manager or to the Governing Board in writing.
10. Good housekeeping and cleanliness in the locker rooms, lounge, dining room and on the golf course is an endless job. Members can be helpful in maintaining tidiness. The Club is your facility, and your cooperation will be appreciated in the interest of cleanliness and preservation of property and health.
11. No advertisements, signs, or placards pertaining to any commercial enterprise not directly under the supervision of the Lodge will be permitted in the buildings or outside areas.
12. Absolutely no food or beverages are to be catered or brought onto or into the Elks premises without permission from the Governing Board or Manager.
13. The Club will not be responsible for stolen or lost articles at anytime.
14. No membership activities, including lounge privileges, are permitted in the Club while the Lodge is in session in compliance with the Statutes of the Order.
15. Non-member employees, when not on duty, may use the facilities only as the guest of a member, except by special permission of the Governing Board.
16. No guests shall be entitled to take part in any of the games except upon the invitation of a member playing the such game who will assume entire responsibility for the guest’s conduct and losses.
17. Bartenders/waitresses are instructed to refuse drinks to members or guests who are, in their judgement, intoxicated.
18. Purchases from vendors at or through the Lodge or the Club by members or employees, for other than use of the Lodge or Club are prohibited.
These rules may be changed or rescinded by the Governing Board at any time that the best interests of the Lodge deem it proper, and as provided by the Laws of the Order, provided that all amendments hereto must be in writing and read at a regular session of the Lodge.
A complaint against any member violating any of the foregoing rules must be made either in person before the Governing Board in session, or in writing, and such written statement must be presented to the Governing Board and signed.
SUBMITTED BY : THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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_______________________________________ June 23, 2003