Ritualistic Committee
This committee helps lodges with ceremonial aspects of the Elks, including proper meeting conduct, introduction of dignitaries, and Elks traditions.
Committee Members
- Peter Nelson PDD – State Chair
- Peter Freiler PSP – Central District
- John Wilkinson – Coastal District
- Robert Brown PER – East District
- Don Woscyna PDD – Northwest District
Endorsements of Ritual Recordings from Elkdom
A few years ago, the Ritualistic Committee put together a CD of recordings of the ritual parts. Officers from across the country have used it to help improve their performance. On behalf of the committee, we hope you will download the parts to do a most impressive job for new members undergoing initiation at your lodges.
The practice tracks produced by the Connecticut Elks Association have been very helpful to the officers of the Rawlins Lodge No. 609 in preparation for the initiation ritual. I personally use them to help myself go over the Exalted Ruler parts at times when I cannot read from a book. I can practice during commutes or while doing other tasks. They allow for the maximization of practice time and a great refresher!
As Vice President of the Virginia Elks Association, Karyn Swenor PDDGER introduced the use of our recordings to the Viriginia Elks Association. From Ritual to the 11 o’clock toast, these recordings help your officers learn and memorize their parts for a perfect delivery.
The Ritualistic Committee is Here to Help Your Lodge
As a committee we will make ourselves available to any Lodge of individual Lodge Officer who would like our help. We know that most really do not think that either doing the Ritual from memory, or reading it (and reading what is on the page) makes a difference, but it does. So again please call us for any help that we can offer. We are here to serve you, please use us.
The whole purpose of the exemplification of the ritual is to impress the candidate with the lesson it teaches. The ceremony should be presented at all times from this standpoint. There is no activity throughout Elkdom that more consistently and continually furthers the fundamental principles of our Order than that of a dignified and impressive rendition of the ritual.
The first impressions are usually the most lasting and the opportunity for the Lodge officers to impress the candidate with the principles of our Order is on the night that he/she is initiated. It must be remembered that the first knowledge of the aims and principles of Elkdom is experienced when a candidate is being inducted as an Elk. Therefore, one of the most important contributions the officers of all Lodges can make is an impressive induction of a candidate into our great Order.
Important Links
DD Visitation Esquire Introductions
*NEW – The Vacant Chair Sheet Music – official version
*New – Our Absent Brother, an arrangement of The Vacant Chair by a prominent Elk in the early 20th century
Are you an Elk from another state? You can register as a user on our website for access to the Ritual Practice recordings.