NORWICH – After four months of struggling to regain their revoked charter, Elk’s Lodge #1222 leaders have announced the successful appeal of an executive order which shut down the East Main Street fraternal organization in late February.
According to the original executive order issued by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elk’s Grand Lodge, the local chapter had failed to make the proper reports required by the laws of the order and had not complied with the auditing and accounting manual, a decision Norwich Elk’s Lodge Exalted Ruler Jeff Cola said was “based on past leadership and financial reports that weren’t filed” prior to his appointment in April of 2009.
Attorney Frank B. Revoir, who represented the local lodge throughout the appeal process, stated a new executive order, received on June 16, gave lodge officials permission to reopen on a probationary basis.
This probationary period typically lasts a minimum of two years, but can “sometimes extend as long as four years, based upon performance,” said Revoir.
Due to the “strict and stringent” accounting rules of the Elk’s Grand Lodge, compounded by the local lodge’s inability to provide required financial accounting between the years of 2004 and 2008, Elk’s Lodge #1222 was found to be in “direct violation” of specific statutes and rules, according to Revoir, who said a “significant turnover in leadership,” in addition to the loss of financial records, made it “impossible for the new leaders to file the proper paperwork.”
“The current Elk’s leadership has been very forthcoming with everything they could find,” stated Revoir. “This allowed us to piece together enough information from that four-year period to satisfy the national Elk’s leadership.”
According to Cola, the most recent forms have been filed and all of the organization’s paperwork is now up to date.
“It’s almost like starting a new Elk’s Lodge,” he said.
Revoir stressed there was “no evidence” that anybody stole money from within the organization and added “that was never an issue.”
“There is no indication that anything criminal occurred,” stated Revoir.
The local Elk’s Lodge, recognized by the city in 2009 for its positive impact on the community, sponsors a wide variety of events and holds numerous fundraisers throughout the year, according to Cola, who said he’s excited the local organization, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next summer, has “been able to work through this” and will now be returning to its original location on East Main Street.
“Obviously we think this is a great thing for the community,” commented Revoir. “People don’t realize the amount that our local Elk’s Lodge gives back to the community on an annual basis.”
All former members of the local lodge will soon be notified of the reinstatement by the Grand Lodge and are “encouraged to return,” reported Cola, who added “we’re always looking for new members and community-oriented residents.”
A grand reopening party and membership drive will be held on July 24 and more details will be available soon, said Cola, who wished to thank Revoir “for all of his efforts” and the local American Legion for “giving us a place to hold meetings in the meantime.”
“We’re anxious to get back to being involved in the community,” added Cola.
For more information on the Norwich Elk’s Lodge, call 334-9261.