141 Pelham St · Newport, RI
Contact the Lodge
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Reach Us
Newport Elks Lodge #104
141 Pelham Street
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-846-9469
Email: newportelks104@gmail.com
Hours
Member’s Lounge
- Mon–Wed · 3:00 – 9:00
- Thu · 1:00 – 9:00
- Fri · 1:00 – 11:00
- Sat · 12:00 – 10:00
- Sun · 12:00 – 9:00
Vic’s Kitchen (dinner)
- Wed · 4:00 – 8:00
- Thu · 4:00 – 8:00
- Fri · 4:00 – 8:00
- Sat · 12:00 – 8:00
- Closed Sun–Tue
Get directions on Google Maps →
Becoming a Member
Joining the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an opportunity to become part of a nationwide community dedicated to service, charity, and fellowship.
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Believe in God
- Be a citizen of the United States who pledges allegiance to and salutes the American Flag
- Be of good character
How to Apply
There are two ways to get started — pick whichever fits:
- If you already know an Elk — ask them to sponsor you. They’ll pick up a paper application from the lodge, and you’ll return the completed form to our Lodge Secretary, or drop it in the mailbox inside the lodge next to the office.
- If you don’t know any Elks — fill out the national Elks Membership Inquiry Form (it routes straight to us) or stop by the lodge. We’ll connect you with a sponsor and walk you through the application from there.
Either way, you’ll need one Elk in good standing to sponsor you, plus two more to act as references — they can be from any lodge in the country.
$50 application fee. Include it with your application when you drop it in the mailbox inside the lodge next to the office. Pay by check made out to “Newport Lodge #104” or cash.
The Application Process
- Lodge Meeting — your application is presented at a regular Lodge meeting (2nd or 4th Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM here at Newport).
- Investigation — the Investigating Committee reviews your application and schedules an interview with you and your sponsor.
- Membership Vote — the committee presents findings to the Lodge, and members vote on your application. The vote happens between 10 days and two months after notice is given.
- Orientation and Initiation — if approved, you’ll attend an orientation session and then an initiation ceremony to formally become a member. Both are members-only events; spouses are welcome only if they are also Elks members.
Common Questions
How long does the whole process take?
About 4–6 weeks from the time you drop your application in the box at the lodge to the night you complete initiation.
In the summer it can run a little longer — the lodge meets less frequently, so application reviews and votes are spaced further apart.
Are orientation and initiation on the same day?
No — they’re on two separate days, and they have to happen in this order: orientation and interview first, then initiation.
You don’t have to do them in the same month. If a date doesn’t work for you, you’ll just get pushed to the following month — independently for each step:
- Can’t make this month’s orientation? You’ll be slotted into next month’s.
- Made orientation but can’t make this month’s initiation? You’ll be pushed to the next initiation date.
This is the step that sometimes stretches the 4–6 week timeline. Schedules don’t always cooperate — don’t worry. We’ll be here whenever the timing is right.
How do I pay my dues?
Make checks payable to “Newport Lodge 104”. More than one person's dues can be paid on a single check — convenient for couples or families joining together.
How will I know how much I owe?
A statement is mailed out with your orientation and initiation letters, so you'll know the exact amount due before either event.
What should I wear to initiation?
Business attire with comfortable shoes. The lodge officers conducting the ceremony will be in tuxedos and suits, so dressing up keeps you from feeling underdressed for the moment. And since you'll be on your feet for parts of the night, wear something you can stand in for a while.
Life as an Elk
Once initiated, you have full access to Lodge meetings, activities, social events, and Vic's on Bellevue. You also become part of a community committed to local and national service.
Beyond Newport, your membership card is good at every Elks lodge in the country — you can walk into any of the 2,000 BPOE lodges across the U.S. as a visiting member.
A few other benefits worth knowing about:
- Reciprocal lodge visits — show your member card at any Elks lodge nationwide and you're welcome in the bar, lounge, dining room, and most member events.
- Elks National Foundation scholarships — the ENF awards millions in scholarships every year, including the Most Valuable Student competition, Legacy Awards for children & grandchildren of Elks, and the Emergency Educational Grants program.
- Service programs to join — the Hoop Shoot (free-throw contest for kids 8–13), Soccer Shoot, Drug Awareness, Veterans Service, and the Elks National Veterans Memorial in Chicago.
- Lodge-room rentals & catering — members get priority access to the Honor Room and Lodge Room for private functions, plus catering from Vic's.
- Voting voice in the lodge — once you're a member in good standing, you can vote on new applicants, officer elections, and lodge business at the 2nd and 4th Tuesday meetings.
- A nationwide network — lodges across the country host clambakes, fish fries, golf tournaments, and ritual contests; members travel between lodges for these all summer long.
If an application is not approved, the candidate may reapply after six months.
Start Your Membership Inquiry Email the Lodge
Lodge Officers & Committee Chairs
Looking to reach a specific committee chair? The Volunteer & Committees page has every chair listed with their contact info — and their committees' current needs.
Catering & Function Rentals
Vic's on Bellevue offers off-site catering, and the lodge's Honor Room and Lodge Room are available for member functions. Call the lodge to discuss dates and details.