Red Oak’s Mann installed as BPO Elks District Deputy

Justin Mann, a member of Red Oak Elks Lodge No. 1304 was recently installed District Deputy at the BPO Elks National Convention in Atlanta. Mann will serve the southwest Iowa lodges in Atlantic, Creston, Des Moines, Indianola, Newton, Red Oak, Shenandoah, and West Des Moines for one year.
“A district deputy is a liaison or contact between a local lodge and grand lodge.  If any issues arise during the year, the lodge will contact me and I will communicate with grand lodge to try to find a quick resolution to the issue or problem,” explained Mann, who has been an Elk for nearly nine years.
At the national convention, Mann said they visited numerous attractions, such as the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
“The convention lasted four days.  I think the biggest highlight was being in an auditorium with nearly 6,000 people at the convention center,” Mann said. “It was a very big crowd.”
Mann said he enjoys being an Elk because he’s able to meet so many interesting people, some who have become good friends.
At the Red Oak Lodge, Mann has held the positions of Exalted Ruler, Loyal Knight, and Lecturing Knight.  He is currently in his third year as treasurer. At the state level, he was the Southwest Vice President for two years and served as the Esquire to the District Deputy last year.
“Usually, you hold an office at the state level for a year, and assist a district deputy for another year, and then you are installed as a district deputy for a total commitment of three years,” explained Mann.
The BPO Elks is one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States. In the 154 years since the Order’s founding, the BPO Elks has made charitable donations totaling approximately $12 billion.