Local Elks Lodge’s first woman ruler would rather talk about the future, not making history

Though women have always had a role in the Elks, they weren’t allowed to join until 1995, under an amendment to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Elks.

Prior to that, the Elks had been an all-male organization since it was founded in 1896.

There are 2,000 Elks Lodges — Baker’s is No. 338.

One who wants to join the Elks must be at least 21, be of good character, be a believer in God, and be an American citizen. Candidates must be approved by an investigatory committee and then approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Ray became an Elk nine years ago in Alaska, and prior to that she spent 12 years in the Emblem Club, an Elks organization for women.

“We did a lot of help for all the events,” she said.

Now, as exalted ruler, she’s spending most of her spare time and vacation leave working on Elks projects.

And she relishes every minute.

The path to exalted ruler typically takes seven years as an individual advances though different positions in the Lodge.

The election for exalted ruler isn’t usually contested.

“There’s usually only one person who says ‘I’ll do it,’ ” said Gregg Hinrichsen, who has been an Elk for 19 years and exalted ruler twice. “It’s a grueling, committed year.”

But Ray says she has the Lodge behind her.

“I have a lot of support,” she said. “It’s not going it alone.”

The Baker City Lodge has about 700 members.

New members are initiated into the Lodge with a 45-minute ceremony.

“It’s very formal — the same way it was back in the beginning,” Ray said.

The officers who lead that ceremony are required to memorize a script, and recently they took the performance to a district competition.

They have to perform before a panel of judges.

They placed first — the first time in 34 years.

“1,600 words I had to memorize,” Ray said.

Ray doesn’t dwell on her description as Baker’s first woman exalted ruler — she’d rather talk about the charities and projects that benefit from work by the Oregon Elks.

“All states have a charity, a major project,” she said.

One in Oregon is Meadowood Springs Speech and Hearing Camp. Monetary support from Elks Lodges across Oregon has, since 1968, helped the camp grow and provide financial assistance for youngsters to attend the camp. Also, Elks volunteer their own time to help maintain the camp.

Another charitable project is the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic, which they’ve supported since 1949. This year, the Oregon State Elks Association will contribute $1.45 million to the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic and the Oregon School for the Blind.

Youth is a big focus for the Elks.

“We’re number two on scholarships only to the federal government,” Ray said.

Every year the Elks award, nationwide, $3.64 million in scholarships.

The Elks are involved in lots of local programs, too — collecting deer and elk hides to benefit veterans, distributing 75 food baskets every Christmas, and supporting Turbo, the drug-detection dog.

The Lodge also supports two Boy Scout troops.

And here’s a bit of trivia: The Elks Drum and Bugle Corps, which entertains at many local events and parades, started as a Scout troop years ago.

“Then some of the old Scout members got together and started it again,” Ray said.

Baker’s Drum and Bugle Corps is renowned throughout the Elks.

“The minute you go anywhere — ‘Where’s the Drum and Bugle Corps?’” Ray said.

The group’s itinerary depends on money, and they accept donations during performances to help pay for bus rentals and travel.