Robert King served as the Wisconsin Elks Association President, 1986 and 1987. Following his term as President, he was elected as State Secretary and served in that position for 10 years. During that time he was also editor of the state publication, "The Bugle", which won top honors nationally for eight years.

In the late 90's Mr. King resigned from the B.P.O.Elks, because of a national change in policy, which allowed women to become full members of the fraternity. This policy change was not needed since there were three national groups that were made up of women affiliated with Elks lodges, as well as local Ladies Elks Auxiliary groups.These organizations were: The Emblem Club; The Ladies of the Elks, and The Does. These groups were organized antionally and had local groups in several Wisconsin lodges. Because of this policy change, membership has dropped considerably on a national level.

Tha Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized as a men's organization well over 100 years ago. There was absolutely no pressing need to allow women in the organization, except for a lawsuit pending in a local lodge in Michigan, in which a woman was sueing the organization because she was not allowed to use the restaurant facilities.

I continue to admire the original B.P.O.Elks and will always be proud of my many years of membership and service in the local lodge and state organization. However, I believe the Elks was organized as a fraternity . . . not a sorority. How many women's organizations allow men to become members?

It is interesting, but another national fraternal order, The Moose Lodges, do not allow women members into their lodge. However, they have a national organization that supports the Moose Lodges -- the Ladies of the Moose. They have their own meetings, and use the same facilities as the men's organizatgion. This is also true with another order -- the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Neither of these organizations allow women to join the men's group because they have a club for the women and there is no need to allow women to participate in the fraternal undertakings of the Lodge.

In my heart I will always be an Elk -- not a bastardized Elk . . . but a true member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America!