Dave is wrong on the point of a Shriner needing to be a Mason. Several members of the old community belonged to these clubs. One in particular, was a Shriner but couldn't get past the black ball deal to get into the Masons. I also knew one fellow that loved being called on for advice, although his life was a mess. This guy started out as a Lutheran and Mason. Worked his way up to a Shriner and then changed churches, became a Catholic, and worked his way up the Knights of Columbus.
Myself, I never even joined the Elks. Like Will Rogers said, "I would never belong to an organization that would have me as a member.