The Elks is still a "men-only" organization, but in the future more of those men may be non-white.
Members voted against admitting women and for doing away with the Elk's "blackball rule" at a closed business meeting Thursday on the final day of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 125th annual convention.Repeal of the blackball rule was approved at the urging of the Elks Lodge at Lompoc, Calif. Two black applicants there were blackballed recently, and as a result the California Attorney General's Office is investigating possible civil rights violations.
The old policy allowed any three members of an Elks lodge to reject, or "blackball" a prospective member. Some said that made it difficult for blacks to join the Elks.
Under the new policy, a two-thirds majority of a lodge's membership could approve a new member.
"I think it was a step forward. It was a rule that has caused problems for a number of lodges. I think everyone felt it was time to change," said William Wodarczak, the exalted ruler of the 1,800-member Santa Barbara lodge.
In Lompoc, about 35 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, two black men whose membership bids were rejected said they planned to reapply.
"I'm elated at the outcome," said Ernie Hutchinson, 57, a local housing official. "I'm proud of the lodge here because they spearheaded this thing." Hutchinson said he plans to reapply immediately.