Annual Report 2023-2024

SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION Established in 2016, Shriners International Education Foundation (SIEF) works to improve lives by promoting, supporting and fostering education, training, study and research, and leadership skills for all, including aspiring leaders within Shriners International, Masonic appendant and concordant bodies, and nonprofit organizations. SIEF believes that knowledge is the key to making the effective organizational decisions that are necessary for leaders to better serve their constituents, and its educational programs are part of that effort to make a difference. SIEF intends to empower the leaders of Shriners International and its philanthropy, Shriners Children’s, along with other related and like-minded organizations who share the mission and vision of the Shriners organizations, in supporting their charitable goals and mission to make the world a better place. To learn more, please visit shrinersinternational.org/education.

of education and leadership opportunities, training, study and research. It has become an important resource for Shriners, their ladies and the whole Masonic community. “In my opinion, education is the foundation for growth and permanence in our fraternity,” said Adrian Aguayo, who is a member of Anezeh Shriners and serves as regional membership director for Region 15, which includes temples in Puerto Rico, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. SIEF is vital to the future success and strength of our fraternity, and of members of the entire Masonic family including both men and women from appendant, allied and affiliated bodies, said Chief Membership Development Officer Bryan Harrison. The foundation is a perfect extension of the mission of Shriners International, which includes providing effective, attractive, quality programs and services for the Masonic community and fostering self-improvement through leadership and education. “The inclusion of ladies in these educational opportunities offers a great opportunity for them to better comprehend the fraternity and its philanthropy, resulting in more involvement by the whole family to enjoy the fun and fellowship that Shriners strive for,” Adrian said. “Temples all around the world now have the opportunity to better understand and learn about Shriners.” The Noble Academy, which provides chapter operations education for the entire Masonic community, was launched by SIEF in the fall of 2020 to create a collaborative learning environment for Shriners and Masons. With a senior membership education manager on the membership department staff, the future of SIEF is bright. Goals include creating a full learning ecosystem providing on-the-job and just-in-time resources, training and professional development, in addition to offering interactive learning experiences and comprehensive, topically based courses. The vision is to become the go-to source of education and training for the entire Masonic community and nonprofit organizations. Grounded in providing relevant, quality learning experiences, SIEF aims to provide best-in-class training to fuel its ultimate goal — changing lives for the better. If Masonry is all about studying and becoming a better man, Shriners is about the next step, said Adrian. “Shriners is the opportunity to put those studies in practice.”

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