Rules & Regulations

for the Government of the
National Home
of the
Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks

The Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has placed the direction of the Elks National Home at Bedford, Virginia, under the immediate charge of its Board of Grand Trustees. The Board has caused to be compiled and published these Rules and Regulations for government of the Home.

Full compliance with the Rules and Regulations is required of all persons who are in any way connected with the Home.

To be of assistance, the Board has also published with the Rules and Regulations, The Grand Lodge Statutes which pertain to the Home and its government.

A careful examination of these Rules and Regulations and Statutory Laws will clearly reveal to the members of the Order the object and purpose of this Home, the scope and limitation of its facilities and the requirements for eligibility for residence therein. Prior to request for admission to the Home, the following provisions should be carefully considered.

The Home is for Elks who can care for themselves, and is not a hospital or nursing home for the care of sick or disabled Elks, or those suffering from incurable, infectious or contagious diseases, from mental or emotional disorders, or from any other causes which have already rendered them unable to care for their daily needs.

Special Care facilities as described later are provided for those who become ill or disabled after they have become permanent residents of the Home. The Elks National Home has no provision to accept applicants who are already too sick, or too disabled, to qualify as residents in an Adult Care Residence (ACR) as defined by the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Before making application for admission to the Home, a member should carefully read Chapter 6 (Elks National Home) of the Grand Lodge Statutes hereinafter set forth.

A thorough reading of this Chapter will enable a member to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings when making application for admission to the Home. A complete and accurate preparation of the application will facilitate prompt action by the Board.

In making application for admission to the Home, it is imperative that use be made of the special forms which can be obtained from the Office of the Executive Director, Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, Virginia 24523. All requirements for information contained in the application must be rigidly followed and all questions must be fully answered.

Arthur Mayer, Jr.	Chairman
Roger R. True	Vice Chairman
John A. Parker	Approving Member
Kevin M. Bristol	Secretary
Julian H. Taliaferro, Jr.	Home Member
James L. Robbins	Pension Member
Richard J. Stropes	Building Member - East
Earl J. Clark	Building Member - West

James C. Varenhorst

Grand Exalted Ruler

Section 1. The general supervision of the Home shall be vested in the Board of Grand Trustees (Board).

Section 2. The Board shall appoint the Executive Director of the Home, all other necessary officials and employees, and shall fix the compensation or salary of all officials and employees. Rules and Regulations, consistent with the Constitution and Laws of the Order, for the government of the residents and regulations of the employees shall be adopted from time to time by the Board. When adopted, the Executive Director shall operate under the Rules and Regulations and all residents and employees shall be subject thereto. The Board shall also hear and make final determination of all requests for review of the actions of the Executive Director in carrying out the requirements of the Rules and Regulations.

Section 3. The Board shall, at the time of reorganization of the Board each year, or at such other times as the Board deems it necessary and advisable, in accordance with the Statutes of the Order, designate one of its number as the "Home Member" of the Board. It shall be the duty of such "Home Member" to visit the Home at least once in each 3 months of the year, and at such other times as the necessities of the Home may require or the Board may direct. He shall have immediate supervision of the affairs of the Home for the Board and shall be available to hear all complaints from residents or employees; he shall be kept advised by the Executive Director of all aspects of the management of the Home and report the same to the Board. He shall make such recommendations to the Board for the conduct of the affairs of the Home as he shall feel proper and necessary. If the need for extraordinary or unusual capital expenditures, outside of the approved Home budget, should arise, he shall consult with the Board Chairman before action is taken. In the event that the Home Member shall be unavailable for consultation, incapacitated or unable to perform his duties for any reason whatsoever, the Board Vice-Chairman shall have full authority to exercise all powers of the Home Member, or to delegate such authority to any other member of the Board.

Section 1. Retired members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks may apply for residence at the Elks National Home through one of three types of application: Self-Sustaining and Partial-Maintenance for the ACR, and Application for Apartment Residency for independent living. Applicants must have been in good standing with the Order for five consecutive years at the time the application is submitted, and applicants must be physically and mentally able to care for themselves in every way. The Board of Grand Trustees may, in its discretion, by unanimous vote waive the requirement of a five year period of membership in the Order.

Section 2. Each applicant for admission to the Home must apply in writing, on forms furnished by the Executive Director of the Home, and the application shall include a medical examination from a duly qualified physician setting forth the applicants physical and mental condition. All applications require the sponsorship of the applicant's subordinate Lodge. The subordinate Lodge shall certify that the applicant is qualified as a member in good standing and the length of time that he has been a member in good standing. The application must be approved at a regular meeting of the Lodge and the approval shall be evidenced by a certificate of approval signed by the Exalted Ruler and Secretary. The completed application must be forwarded to the Elks National Home for review and submission to the Board of Grand Trustees.

Section 2A. Self-Sustaining Application. For an applicant who has sufficient income and/or assets to assure the Board of Grand Trustees that he is and will remain self-sustaining and able to pay all costs of maintenance and other expenses at the Home and the costs of burial. The resident shall deposit with the Elks National Home an amount of money deemed sufficient by the Board of Grand Trustees to meet contingency expenses and shall execute an agreement that he will from time to time, as required by the Board, make, execute and deliver to it such amendments or modifications of the agreement and of the amount to be deposited that may be necessary or desirable as determined by the Board.

Section 2B. Partial Maintenance Application. For an applicant who does not have sufficient income and/or assets to meet the minimum financial requirements of the Board, a partial maintenance application shall be made and in the application the subordinate Lodge must assume responsibility for all charges that cannot be met from the applicant's income, and at the time of demise, funeral and burial expenses. The applicant shall enter into an agreement conveying and assigning all of his right, title and interest in and to any and all property, real or personal, to the Board of Grand Trustees in trust to be applied to the payment of any expense incurred or paid for his maintenance in the Home. The applicant will agree to execute and deliver such amendments or modifications of his agreement as may be made necessary by regulation of the Board or amendment or enactment of any Grand Lodge Statute thereafter adopted.

Section 2C. Application for Apartment Residency. For an applicant who desires residence in the independent living apartments. The applicant must assure the Board that he is able to meet all costs under the financial plan that he chooses.

Section 2D. Each resident, regardless of type of application, shall retain from his monthly income at least the amount specified by the ACR Standards and Regulations for personal incidental expenses.

Section 3. All applications for admission to the Elks National Home shall be reviewed by the Home physician and by the Executive Director, who shall report their recommendations in writing to the Board.

Section 4. Subject to the ratification by the Board of Grand Trustees, the Home Member, together with another member of the Board of Grand Trustees and the Executive Director, shall accept or reject all applications; provided, however, that admissions to the ACR shall be subject to a probationary period of six months during which time or at the end of which time the application may be rejected if the probationary resident is found to be physically or mentally unable to care for himself. Said Members and Executive Director may cause a supplementary physical examination to be made and may require further proof of eligibility. The Home physician shall perform a supplemental physical examination of the probationary resident in the ACR upon his arrival at the Home and shall make a recommendation based thereon to the Board. During the probationary period, the Executive Director, after affording the probationary resident an opportunity to be heard, is authorized to require him to vacate the Home if the Executive Director finds him unqualified as a resident of the Elks National Home. The Executive Director shall report each such action to the Board of Grand Trustees, who shall review the matter and take final action on the application.

Section 5. Each resident at the Home shall have the right to withdraw voluntarily from the Home at any time.

Section 6. Any resident who has committed an offense against the laws of the Order or has violated the rules and regulations herein or has defied the authority of the Board or of the Executive Director, shall be reported to the Board by the Executive Director; the Executive Director, after affording the offender the opportunity to be heard, is authorized to require the offender to vacate the Home pending a review by the Board of the violation.

Section 7. In the event of withdrawal or dismissal of the resident from the Home, the Board shall apply all funds or property and assets which have been conveyed to it or deposited with it to the payment of all expenses incurred or paid in connection with the resident's admission and maintenance in the Home, and the balance of said funds or property and assets shall be returned to the resident or disposed of in accordance with his agreement with the Home.

Section 8. In the event of death of a resident of the Home, any property and assets remaining in the hands of the Board, after lawful payment of all expenses and charges incurred by the resident, shall be paid over as the deceased resident has legally directed or shall be distributed under applicable law.

Section 1. The Elks National Home is a residential Home for retired members of the Order who can care for themselves. It is not a hospital or nursing home for the care of sick or disabled Elks or for those suffering from incurable, infectious or contagious diseases, from mental or emotional disorders, or from any other causes which have already rendered them unable to care for their daily needs.

Section 2. The Elks Statutes prohibit the Home from being converted into an infirmary or hospital, except as the temporary illness of the residents may require. The Home includes both independent living apartments and an Adult Care Residence (ACR) licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Home makes medical care and assisted living available to residents in a special care facility as allowed by the state licensing, but the Home is not licensed to provide skilled nursing or intermediate care as defined under the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia and consequently cannot provide such services to residents. Physicians are available to see residents during scheduled office hours at the Home and are on call in case of medical emergency.

Section 3. A physician or the Executive Director is authorized by agreement to transfer a resident from the Home for hospitalization or other medical care should he deem it necessary.

Section 4. Each resident, while in residence at the Home, will apply for such medical care benefits as he may be entitled from governmental agencies.

Section 5. The cost of medical services is the responsibility of the resident; however, the Home will assist the resident in filing health insurance claims under Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage.

Section 1. These Rules and Regulations are adopted for the information and guidance of the residents and compliance therewith is required.

Section 2. Meals shall be served at such hours as may be fixed by the Executive Director and directed by the Standards and Regulations of the Department of Social Services.

Section 3. All residents are required to give due attention to the cleanliness and appearance of their persons as well as of their apartments. The Executive Director is authorized to insure compliance with this provision with such additional directives as may be approved by the Board. The Executive Director shall also issue such directives as are found necessary concerning the use of their apartments by the residents.

Section 4. An ACR resident who plans to vacation away for a period of time is requested to inform a nurse on duty at the Elks National Home and obtain a written slip to deliver to the receptionist at the front desk. Upon returning to the Home, he/she should report to the receptionist or security guard at the front desk. Independent apartment residents are requested to inform the receptionist at the front desk when they plan to vacation away.

Section 5. Should any resident feel himself aggrieved by the action of the employees, he should lodge his complaint with the Executive Director.

Section 6. Conduct unbecoming an Elk by a resident will subject the offender to disciplinary procedures by the Executive Director.

Section 7. The residents shall not gamble (unless at an activity event sponsored by the Home), smoke in bed, or engage in any activity that might cause harm to other residents. Boisterous conduct, altercations, or other actions in the buildings, grounds, adjacent grounds, or in the local community or area which might be considered to the detriment of the good will of the community toward the Elks National Home will not be tolerated and are possible grounds for expulsion.

Section 8. Residents are not permitted to bring animals into the ACR section.

Section 9. Residents must adhere to the weapons policy set forth in their agreement with the Home.

Section 1. While the general supervision of the Home is vested in the Board, the day to day management of the Home is entrusted to the Executive Director, who shall be held responsible for the observance by the residents of all Rules, Regulations and directives and for the proper performance by the employees of their duties. The Executive Director shall transmit to the Board, through the Home Member, regular verbal or written reports of the Home, its residents and operation. The Executive Director shall inform the Board of any needs of the Home and shall make suggestions which would assist in the operation, maintenance and management of the Home. The Executive Director is expressly authorized, for and on behalf of the Home, to establish, close out, maintain, deposit into and withdraw from bank accounts of various types including but not limited to regular and/or special checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposit, earmarked fund accounts and trust accounts, provided, however, that all such accounts shall be established only in banking institutions which fully insure such accounts up to a specified maximum amount under F.D.I.C., F.S.L.I.C. or other federally sponsored deposit insurance coverage, and provided further, that at no time shall the total amount on deposit in any single banking institution exceed the maximum amount of deposit insurance provided by such institution.

Section 2. The Executive Director is further expressly authorized to take all such actions as may reasonably be required in connection with the conduct of the ordinary and usual business of the Home and/or with regard to emergency matters requiring immediate action, including but not limited to entering into contracts for goods and/or services to be provided to the Home. With regard, however, to all matters which cannot reasonably be considered either routine or emergency items of Home business, the Executive Director shall take no action, nor shall he enter into any contracts, either oral or written, without in each instance obtaining in advance the approval of the Home Member. Monthly statements of all funds received and expended of the Home operation shall be made to the Board. The Executive Director shall keep the Home Member advised of the procedures followed in operation of the Home and shall be guided by the advice of the Home Member in such matters.

Section 3. Residents shall have access to a physician at the Home. The physician/s, with such medical assistance as may be needed, shall render medical assistance to the residents. The physician’s recommendations shall be carefully considered for action by the Board.

Section 4. The Executive Director, within budgetary limits, shall have authority to hire employees for the care, operation, maintenance and management of the Home. He shall be responsible for careful inspection of all food furnished the Home and the food prepared for each meal, to assure that food that is unsatisfactory in character or improperly prepared, is not served to the residents.

Section 5. All officials and employees of the Home shall conduct themselves in their association with the residents so as to exemplify kindness and consideration, thus assuring the residents that they have, indeed, found a Home.

Section 6.010. The Board of Grand Trustees shall have supervision and control of the Elks National Home, engage a resident Executive Director and other necessary employees, fix their compensation and adopt rules and regulations for its management, which shall be issued in pamphlet form. It shall designate one of its members as the Home Member to exercise immediate supervision thereof and he shall visit the Home at least once every ninety (90) days and report all actions on his part to the Board for its ratification.

The Executive Director before entering upon the discharge of his duties shall furnish a surety bond approved by the Chairman of the Board of Grand Trustees.

Section 6.020. The Home shall be maintained for qualified members of the Order and shall not be converted into an infirmary or hospital, except as the temporary illness of the residents may require.

Section 6.030. An applicant for admission to the Home must have been in good standing in the Order for a period of five (5) consecutive years immediately prior to filing his application. The Board of Grand Trustees may, by unanimous vote, waive this requirement.

Section 6.040. Each applicant for admission to the Home must apply in writing on forms furnished by the Executive Director of the Home, and the application shall include a certificate from a duly qualified physician setting forth the applicant's physical condition. A Lodge shall assist the three members set out in Section 6.060 by giving such information as the members may require to pass upon the application. The applicant shall execute the papers and documents necessary to enable the Board of Grand Trustees to determine if he has sufficient assets or income to pay his maintenance, expenses and burial.

01 The Lodge of affiliation of a member applying for admission to the Elks National Home should make a thorough investigation. Other Lodges with jurisdiction over the present or former residences of the applicant should be asked to assist if it is deemed advisable. However, the responsibility for the facts set forth cannot be shifted to the assisting Lodges.

Section 6.050. All applicants must be approved at a regular meeting of the Lodge of which the applicant is a member. The approval shall be evidenced by a certificate of approval signed by the Exalted Ruler and Secretary.

Section 6.060. Should the members hereinafter stated and the Executive Director conclude that the applicant has insufficient assets, it shall refer the application to the Lodge of which the applicant is a member. If the Lodge at a regular meeting approves the application under the terms suggested by the Board of Grand Trustees, after notice of such terms has been mailed to each member of the Lodge notifying them of the date of the voting on such application, which shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to such regular meeting, the Board shall further consider the application and may by majority vote accept or reject him.

Subject to the ratification by the Board of Grand Trustees, the Home Member, together with another member of the Board of Grand Trustees and the Executive Director, shall accept or reject all applications. Said Members and Executive Director may cause a supplementary physical examination to be made and may require further proof of eligibility.

Section 6.070. Any member of the Order in good standing may avail himself of the privilege of the Home as a visitor at a rate and under conditions fixed by the Board of Grand Trustees. All monies derived from this source shall be credited to the budget of the Home and used to reduce the operating cost.

Section 6.080. If money or property, real or personal, is assigned or set over to the Board of Grand Trustees by a resident of the Home, the same shall be held by the Board in Trust for the resident. If after lawfully applying all or any portion thereof toward the maintenance, expense or burial of the resident, any part thereof remains unexpended, the same shall be paid over as the deceased resident has legally directed, or it shall be distributed under the applicable law.

Should a member terminate his residence at the Home, any of his funds held by the Board after the payment of maintenance, expenses or other charges shall be returned to him.

The Board is hereby vested with the necessary power to carry out the provisions of this Section.

Section 6.090. Any funds or property collected, raised or contributed by members or Lodges of the Order or from any other source in connection with the Elks National Home, are hereby appropriated for the purposes for which they are so collected, raised or contributed.

Section 6.100. The Order shall pay the construction, maintenance and operation costs of the Home.