A Thousand Oaks man has been named Elk of the Year for his district by the governing California-Hawaii Elks Association.

Bill Miller, a member of Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge No. 2477 received the honor in August. His selection marked the first time the award has been won by a local member.

“It’s quite an honor,” said Sally Claunch, local lodge leader, known as Exalted Ruler.

Claunch nominated Miller for his involvement in Girl and Boy Scout activities. A longtime Boy Scout leader, Miller says he was looking for something to do after retiring from an engineering job building airplane windshields and canopies for 35 years. Neighbors took him to a couple of Elks meetings and, after he joined the lodge two years ago, Miller got the Elks involved in Scouting activities. As the lodge Scout Committee chair, Miller oversees support for 200 Scouts through nine Boy Scout units and six Girl Scout troops. He and Bill Sternberg, the district’s Scouting chair, instruct the Scouts in skills such as knot tying to help them advance to a higher rank.

One of the Boy Scout troops is based at Casa Pacifica, the Camarillo residential facility for troubled children. There are six boys in that troop, which Miller calls a special unique situation.

“I enjoy the kids, but it’s not just me. A lot of others help out,” said Miller, who first became involved in Scouts through his son. Miller served in a leadership role until his son left for college.

Miller also helps at the Elks weekly Saturday barbecue on Conejo School Road. To increase public awareness, Miller created a display board that provides information to barbecue customers about the Elks and its Scouting activities.

“One of our focuses is always on youth, and what better way than through Scouting to be a positive force,” Claunch said.

Claunch, a teacher at Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, is the first female leader of the lodge. The Elks were established in New York City in 1868, but women were not permitted to be members until nine years ago.

With 572 members from Camarillo to Agoura, the group’s activities include community service as well social events. Members recently raised $800 for members of an Elks Lodge in Louisiana devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Elks Lodge 2477 meets weekly on Wednesdays at the lodge on Conejo School Road. For more information, call (805) 496-2477.

––Sophia Fischer