Although the Sundre Royal Purple Society no longer belongs to the Sundre Elks Club, officials say the goals of the organization haven't changed.
“We are still here and we do still exist,” said honoured royal lady Brenda Johnston. “The organization was started to work for the betterment of your communities, mostly children and seniors, and I firmly believe that that's what we need to work for.”
The grand lodge executive, who is the main executive for Elks Canada, decided earlier this year the club would no longer have an auxiliary, which is the Royal Purple, she said.
The change came into effect May 15 and the Sundre Royal Purple Society is now a stand-alone organization, rather than an auxiliary to the Elks.
But Johnston said this doesn't change much at the local level.
“We will continue to work with the Sundre Elks as we always have in the past,” she said.
“At the local level here in town it's been fine. At the provincial level there's been some struggles and at the national level there's been some struggles,” she added.
“I think the top people in the Elks just thought that the Royal Purple members would just roll over and join them and not fight for their own organization.”
The Royal Purple Society belonged to Elks Canada for 100 years. Johnston has been involved with the society for 30 years, is a past national president and currently sits as the provincial president.
She is passionate about the organization and everything it has to offer.
“When the organization was started in 1914 women didn't have a lot of rights. They do now,” she said.
There are currently 15 active members in the Sundre Royal Purple Society, but 40 members in total – all women. However, members also encourage men to join and are always looking for more members.
For more information on joining the society people are asked to contact Johnston at 403-638-2540.
