The Westfield lodge must agree to accept the Elks from West Springfield and Agawam before a merger may take place.
The West Springfield-Agawam Elks lodge on Morgan Road in West Springfield.WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield-Agawam Elks Lodge voted Tuesday to merge with the Westfield Elks Lodge, according to officials of the fraternal organization.
That news was confirmed Wednesday by Arthur H. “Jack” Frost, past national president of the fraternal organization and currently a member of its national advisory committee, and Christopher J. Chistolini, exalted ruler of the Westfield Elks Club.
“They feel it is better for them if they merge with another lodge,” Frost said of the West Springfield-Agawam Elks Lodge No. 2174, which closed its doors Tuesday.
“We welcome their members and look forward to their participation in our lodge,” Chistolini said.
He noted that the Westfield lodge must agree to accept the Elks from West Springfield and Agawam before a merger may take place. Westfield lodge members will vote on the proposed merger when they meet Monday night. Chistolini said a two-thirds vote of those members present is required. Officials of the West Springfield lodge could not be reached for comment.
Chistolini said the Westfield fraternal organization has 361 members and is the only Elks lodge in the western district of Massachusetts to increase its membership each of the last two years. The average age of members in Westfield is 42 and 19 percent of the membership is female, according to him.
The West Springfield-Agawam Elks Club has 176 members. Neither Chistolini nor Frost would comment on why the West Springfield-Agawam group wants to merge with Westfield.
However, Frost said 176 is a low number when it comes to support a building on dues.
Frost also said his organization in general, like similar fraternal clubs, has a problem attracting younger members. He attributed that to the Elks’ image as “an old man’s club” and the fact that many families have two working adults and little spare time.
“They are busy raising their family and supporting their kids. I understand the time constraints,” Frost said. “Many years ago it was strictly a men’s organization. Getting rid of that stigma is our problem right now.”
The Elks organization, which has about 900,000 members nationally, has accepted women for about 20 years. The requirements to be a member of the Elks are being at least 21 years old, belief in God and American citizenship. About 19 years ago, the Elks had around 1.2 million members nationwide, according to Frost.
He said the fate of the Elks lodge hall on Morgan Road in West Springfield will rest with the new merged lodge if a merger is approved by Westfield Elks members.