140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Imperial Potentate's- News Letter

Dear Fellow Nobles,
Serving as Imperial Potentate is an honor, a privilege and a responsibility; I want to thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity to lead and guide our organizations.  Each day, I will do the very best I can to strengthen and enhance Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children®. 
I also want to thank everyone for their months of hard work and endless efforts to ensure that Imperial Session was everything it is meant to be. Director General John Massey and his entire team did an outstanding job, as did the staff at home office – from those in the public relations, donor development, fraternal and membership departments – to the executive teams for both Shriners Hospitals and Shriners International. Actually, every department at home office contributed to the success of Imperial Session in some way and while I cannot name each of you, I do want to acknowledge your work and thank you. I also want to thank the tour guides at both home office and the Tampa Shriners Hospital – you always do an outstanding job; we want to especially thank those who came in on the weekend to accommodate our guests.
We have a truly great team working with us at home office – and throughout our organizations, including our shrine centers, and we are confident that, working together, we will accomplish great things this Imperial Year.
Ethel and I also want to thank everyone for getting the First Lady’s program, The Sky’s the Limit, off to such a great start.
We appreciate being able to travel and attend the many different events and meetings, and the opportunity those provide for spending time with our nobles, and their families. It is such an inspiration and encouragement to learn about the work being done at the local level. We want to thank everyone for their tremendous hospitality and consideration. We are so amazed by – and grateful for – the many ways we are looked after, everywhere we go.
As you know, Shriners International is a global organization, with shrine centers and clubs in several countries, and hundreds of thousands of members around the world. While that is impressive, we need to be reaching many more potential members. We need to be sharing the story of our great fraternity, of what it means to us, of why we joined, and of what we have to offer. This is the time to be seriously focused and to remember to share your fraternal experience with your friends – actually, try to find a way to share your story with everyone you meet. You just never know when the idea you plant will take root, grow and eventually lead to the creation of a new noble.
Personal communications are critically important, and can be tremendously effective in reaching potential new members. However, it is important that we consistently reach as many people as possible. The availability of many forms of electronic communication should make getting the word out and sharing our messages to multiple, and large, audiences easier. We encourage you, and your shrine centers, to use these resources – including social media and YouTube – to help get the word out. We also need to promote our presence on television, and be sure people are aware of upcoming programs that will feature Shriners International or Shriners Hospitals for Children, as well as the airing of ads and PSAs.
The 30th annual Membership Seminar is scheduled for Oct. 13-15 in Tampa, Florida.  Please consider sending representation from your temple, whether it be Divan leadership or those on your membership team. These seminars provide important information and opportunities to share ideas with each other that can make a significant difference in the success of your membership recruitment, retention and restoration efforts. Please also consider inviting representatives from your Grand Lodges to attend. Partnering with your Grand Lodge can be mutually beneficial, as membership tactics can easily translate to Masonry and other fraternal organizations.
We can also raise awareness through our signature events. The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is coming up – it will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 6 in Las Vegas. The week-long tournament features many additional events and experiences, and is fun for the whole family. We want to thank the volunteers (who pay a fee to assist) for making that extra effort; their hard work contributes a great deal to the success of the tournament. Last year, more than 300 nobles (and family members) representing approximately 35 shrine centers volunteered, and we want to especially acknowledge their support and commitment. Among these volunteers were representatives from nine shrine centers and members of the Galveston Shriners Hospital’s Board of Governors who worked the holes throughout the tournament.  In a creative way to both support the tournament and conduct business, the Galveston and Los Angeles hospitals’ Boards of Governors also held their meetings at the event. We are very proud of our shrine centers and nobles for their outstanding support. We truly appreciate all of the volunteers who are so important to the Open – and we look forward to seeing them again this year.
In addition to being an outstanding opportunity to share the story of our fraternity, the Open is also a wonderful chance to showcase the amazing work of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Several patients will be present, including our National Patient Ambassadors and patient volunteers who act as standard bearers.  They are a stunning testament to our health care system, and to their own perseverance and strength of spirit.
I just want to make a quick mention of the East-West Shrine Game, which will be held Jan. 21, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida. This event is also an opportunity for world-wide exposure, as well as a time for our nobles to share some great football and an amazing tailgate experience. Think about being in Florida in January.
Thank you for your continued support and for everything you do for our two great organizations. I look forward to our working together, and accomplishing great things.
Yours in the faith,
Chris L. Smith
Imperial Potentate

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Make A Difference

PLAN FOR “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” MONTH
In October, The Grand Master of California is requesting that all Lodges join with our Youth Orders, to organize and work side by side on service projects for our communities.
Start now to develop together and then publicize your activity.
Consider support of public schools or other public assistance/relief programs.

British 3rd & French 1st

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Masonic activity not often available here will be a British Third Degree
Demonstration held at Pasadena Lodge  272, starting at 4:00 PM on September 5th

Limited to Master Masons. For details  and reservations, contact Wor. John
McDannel at (626) 791-3221.

Valle de France Lodge 329 is pleased to  again confer the French First Degree for
all Masons to attend, on September 28th , at the Van Nuys Masonic Center.

The new Downtown Masonic Lodge (UD) invites you to its Institution Ceremonies
on September 30th, at the L.A. Athletic  Club facilities. Starts at 7:00 PM, with
social mixer at 8:00 PM. For reservations,  contact Chris Holme at (818) 512-0212.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Do you have a Spirit?

SHC Tampa helps Spirit Halloween with new tagline
 
One of our wonderful donor organizations, Spirit of Children, was interested in having a new tag line to better capture the essence of their mission and presence in the Child Life world. So, they turned to the 134 children's hospitals they partner with to get suggestions for a new tag line that would help increase awareness of the Spirit of Children program, and how their hospital visits make for a more positive experience for children and their families. 

Who provided the winning tagline that was chosen? None other than our amazing Child Life team, Tara Paustian and Julie Fannin. Way to go, Child Life! We are super proud, and you should be, too. To see a copy of the new brochure with their newest tagline, stop by to see Tara or Julie the next time you are at the Tampa hospital and pick one up for yourself. While you're there, make sure to congratulate them and give them the kudos they deserve.

"Spirit of Children provides a Prescription for Play...Touching the lives of hospitalized children in a fun, not so scary way."
Check in your town to see if you are going to have a Spirit store for this Halloween ? and make sure that SHC is represented 

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Louisiana Flooding Relief

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Masons of California
Relief Appeal for Louisiana Flooding
Dear Brethren:

We are receiving reports and following the news regarding the torrential rainstorms
and severe damage caused by massive flooding in Louisiana – the worst natural disaster
in the United States since Hurricane Sandy.

At this time, thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed, leaving more
than 70,000 reportedly displaced, and thousands more without power. Recovery is
expected to take months. The Grand Lodge of Louisiana has reported that many
brothers and Masonic family members have been displaced as a result of the disaster,
and that multiple lodge buildings have been heavily flooded.

At the request of the Masonic Service Association of North America, The Grand Lodge
of California has established a Louisiana Flood Relief Fund in response to this devastating
natural disaster. All gifts received for this relief appeal will be transferred directly to the
Grand Lodge of Louisiana for distribution to those in need.
Please mail your gift to:

Grand Lodge of California
Louisiana Flood Relief
Attn: Denise Avila
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Checks should be made payable to the Masonic Service Association of North America.
Please mark clearly on your check that you would like your gift to be directed to the 
Louisiana Flood Relief Fund.
For questions related to making a donation, please contact Annual Fund Manager Denise Avila.
Please join Jeanette and me in our prayers for those affected by this disaster, especially our
brother Masons and their wives, widows, and families, as well as those emergency workers
risking their lives to help rescue others.
Sincerely and fraternally,

M. David Perry
Grand Master

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Salt Lake- Walk of Love 9/17/16

Nobles and Ladies All,
Please go to Salt Lake City Walk For Love on the web and sign up to sponsor team "Scoliosis Superheroes" for the walk on September 17, 2016. Our Katy Litwiller and her Mother Jenny will be walking for all of us at El Zaribah. We have also attached the note and card that Katy has been passing out to all. Become a Virtual Walker today and continue the support for all we do for our Shrine Kids.

Walk for LOVE - Salt Lake City 2016

Scoliosis Superheroes

Why We Participate
Shriners Hospitals for Children® has a mission to provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special health care needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment. If you register or donate to Walk for LOVE™ you can show support for the children like me and our families who need Shriners Hospitals for Children.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Their 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Please Support Us!
Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided care for more than 1.3 million children. Thanks to supporters like you, Shriners Hospitals for Children is able to offer comfort, hope, and life-changing medical services to children, regardless of their families’ ability to pay.
We just signed up. Please sign up.
Thank you.
George and Lady Dorothy

WE PUT CHILDREN FIRST
El Zaribah Shriners
George Mather, Potentate 2016

Saturday, August 13, 2016

SCAFRA Oct.6-7-8 2016 New Shrine Fund Raiser

ANNUAL MEETING and SEMINAR   October 6, 7, 8 2016
You’re All     Welcome In    Billings
President    Dick Paul P.P.
On behalf of the Board of SCAFRA and the members of Al Bedoo Temple let
me invite you to attend the 30th Annual Meeting and Seminar for the members
of SCAFRA. Our Director General, Larry Tipton P.P. and past Circus Chair
for Al Bedoo has the wheels in motion for a great and informative seminar and
a lot of fun in the off hours.
Our theme in 2016 is to go back to the 50s with a classic car show as well as
some of your favorite Juke Box music and tremendous western cooking. The
program is being finalized and we have a tentative program for you to review
in this edition of the Fund Raiser.
We in the Shrine are facing some very significant challenges with fund raising
the most critical for our operational survival. The key to all this is finding new
members and of course a lot of hard work. We hope we will have some new
ideas and showcase successful fund raising teams at this years seminar.
Come and enjoy some Western hospitality and take home valuable ideas for
your future.

TENTATIVE  AGENDA OF SEMINAR FOR NOBLES  October 6,7,8
We are pleased to confirm registration costs for both the Nobles and the Ladies will remain the same as in previous years: $330 per Noble and $150 per Lady.

The Hotel, we will be holding the seminar in, has been confirmed: the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings Montana, Great location!

 The Billings committee have selected using the Al Bedoo Shrine Center for all events,which is a short 7 - 10 minute drive from the hotel. They will have a continuous shuttle service available that will be convenient and on time for all events. Al Bedoo is the host for the PNSA summer session
this year and they will be well practiced in shuttling members to and from the hotel and the Shrine Center.
Marketplace
Set up Wednesday October 05 1 pm to 9 pm
Set up Thursday October 06 8 am to 1 pm
Open for Business October 07 1 pm to 8 pm
 Marketplace Mixer 6 pm to 8 pm
“Dinner on your own”
Marketplace will not be open Friday October 08, and the
Marketplace vacated prior to Friday, 8 am.
Registration & Information Desk Thursday October 06 9 am to 7 pm Friday October 07 7 am to 5 pm
Saturday October 08 9 am to 1 pm
Program: Thursday October 06
Transportation 8 am to TBD  Marketplace open 1 pm to 8 pm Marketplace mixer 6 pm to 8 pm
Friday October 07   Transportation 7:30 am to TBD
08:00 to 09:00 am Breakfast
09:00 to 09:30 am Open Session -Colors/pledge
09:30 to 10:15 am Meet the Marketplace Q &A
10:15 to 11:00 am Approved Shrine Marketing
11:00 to 11:45 am A new Shrine Fund Raiser
 “Shriners Blues, Brews & BBQs
Noon to 1:00 Lunch
1:00 to 1:45 pm How to promote an Event
2:00 to 2:45 pm Workshop Rotation #1
3:00 to 3:45 pm Workshop Rotation #2
Shuttle transport available continuous to hotel or Temple. 4:00 to 5:30 pm Mix and Mingle and share ideas from the day and from home. 6:00 pm Buses loading for a short ride
 Reception time  7:00 pm Dinner  50’s Evening hosted by
 Al Badoo Shrine Great night of  Fun & Food
Return schedule will be announced
Saturday October 08  Transportation 7:30 am to TBD
 8:00 to 9:00 am Breakfast
 9:15 to 10:00 am Workshop Rotation #3
10:15 to 11:00 am Workshop Rotation #4
11:15 to Noon Wrap up & last chance for answers
 “Bear pit session”
Noon to 1:00 Lunch
 ANNUAL MEETING  1:15 pm Registration for the Annual meeting by the Voting Delegates
1:30 pm Annual Meeting
5:30 pm Transportation to Temple
7:00 pm Reception and Closing Banquet
M

Shriners day


Wednesday, August 3, 2016