Elks in Ballard (voluntary association)

Elks' Pledge or Plunge on New Years Day

 LINK  Back to a topic from a previous semester: that oh-so-American phenomenon, the voluntary association.  In Seattle the Elks are gaining younger members!  Status up-dates from an alum who lives in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard allude now and then to his presence at the Elks Club.  Now I learn that he is part of a trend.  Why are these people joining?  A clubhouse with a great view helps, but this article suggests that there is also some desire to be part of a group that does something worthwhile for the community.  So, in the context of this semester, we might wonder about the blending of the desire for the personal pleasures associated with the view and the public good (or social capital) being generated by participation in both social events and community projects.