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---The Eleven O'clock Toast---
At meetings and social events, when the clock strikes 11 p.m., the Elks conduct a special ceremony called 'The Eleven O'clock Toast". In the early days, the meetings were usually held on Sunday evenings and would break up around 11 p.m., at which time the members would toast their absent brethren with concern and hope that the reason for their absence was not serious. This tradition has continued on and is now a permanent ritual in the Order. When meetings and social events are occurring at 11 p.m., the group stops and the Exalted Ruler gives a toasts: "To our absent Brothers".
After women were allowed to join the Elks in 1995, the toast is now stated: "To our absent Members".
---The Original Jolly Corks Toast---
"Now is the hour when Elkdom's tower is darkened by the shroud of night,
And father time on his silver chime Tolls off each moment's flight.
In Cloistered halls each Elk recalls His Brothers where'er they be,
And
traces their faces to well-known places In the annals of memory.
Whether they stand on a foreign land Or lie in an earthen bed, Whether
they be on the boundless sea With the breakers of death ahead.
Whate'er their plight on this eerie night Whate'er their fate may be
Where ever they are be it near or far They are thinking of you and me.
So drink from the fountain of fellowship To the Brother who clasped your hand And wrote your worth in the rock of earth And your faults upon the sand.
TO OUR ABSENT BROTHERS"
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