AnnualReport2020

2019•2020 YEAR IN REVIEW Stronger Together

2019•2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

Stronger Together

Fraternity Imperial Potentate Message .............................. 2 Shriners International ............................................. 6 Executive Vice President Message ............... 7 International Growth ............................................... 8

Statement of Principles Fun, Fellowship, Philanthropy …

Masonic Relations .................................................... 10 Traditions and New Initiatives ........................ 12 Temple Fundraising and Ladies’ Groups ... 14 Membership Development .............................. 16

Shriners International is a fraternity with nearly 200 temples in several countries, thousands of clubs around the world, and hundreds of thousands of members dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. While members enjoy the fraternity’s brotherhood, fun and fellowship, they are also dedicated to supporting their philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children®.

Temple Highlights ................................................... 20 Reaching Out During the Pandemic...........24 Imperial Divan Officers ........................................ 26 Board of Directors ................................................... 27

Past Imperial Potentates ................................... 28 Financial Highlights ................................................ 31

Philanthropy Chairman of the Board

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding educational programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are

of Trustees Message ........................................ 32 Shriners Hospitals for Children ...................... 36 Executive Vice President Message ............ 37 Our Mission ................................................................... 38

Medical Affairs............................................................ 40 Highlights in Medical Care ................................ 42 Awards ............................................................................. 48 Medical Advisory Board ..................................... 49

eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Shriners Hospitals for Children

Planning for the Future....................................... 50 Nursing Report ........................................................... 52 Increasing Outreach.............................................. 58 Responding During the

Shriners International shrinersinternational.org facebook.com/shrinersinternational twitter.com/shriners youtube.com/ShrinersTV instagram.com/shrinersinternational Follow Us:

relies on the generosity of donors to carry out its three-part mission of patient care, research and education. Direct donations, proceeds from fundraising events, estate gifts and support from the Shriners fraternity allow our internationally renowned health care system to provide care for thousands

Coronavirus Pandemic.....................................60 Research Report ....................................................... 62 A Budget for Today’s Needs and

Tomorrow’s Goals .............................................. 66 Financial Highlights ................................................ 67 Board of Trustees..................................................... 68 Board of Directors................................................... 69 Support

Shriners Hospitals for Children shrinershospitalsforchildren.org facebook.com/ShrinersHospitalsforChildren twitter.com/shrinershosp youtube.com/user/shrinershospitals instagram.com/shrinershospitals

of patients each year. Shriners Hospitals for Children is grateful to every donor who helps make this work possible.

Supporting the Mission ........................................ 70 Donor Relations ......................................................... 72 Marketing and Communications ................. 74 National Signature Events ................................. 78

First Lady’s Program .............................................. 82 National Patient Ambassadors ...................... 83

International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607

Copyright © 2020 Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children ® . All rights reserved.

A Message from our Imperial Potentate

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aware of how much I believe in the power and potential of each of us individually, and all of us collectively, to have an impact, or to make a difference. I can tell you, with complete certainty, that, every day, you had an impact on us, and strengthened our commitment to you, and to our fraternity and philanthropy. Very few people are given the opportunity to serve as Imperial Potentate. In addition to being very grateful for this chance, I am also extremely appreciative for the experiences of the past year. One that was particularly meaningful and, in fact, unforgettable, was the November visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It is totally awe-inspiring to stand on that ground, and silently share a few moments of reverence and reflection for all the brave and generous men and women who selflessly gave their lives to protect our way of life, and the world from brutal tyranny. I thank the members and leadership of the International Association Legions of Honor for allowing me to participate in this momentous event, and for all they do to honor the people of our armed forces. Our February trip to Panama is another truly amazing and meaningful experience we will never forget. The Abou Saad Shriners deserve accolades and appreciation for their dedication and assistance with the annual outreach clinic, a combined effort of our Shreveport and Salt Lake City hospitals this year. More than 800 children were seen over the course of four days. Approximately 200 are expected to eventually come to the U.S. for surgery, orthotics/prosthetics or other care at our facilities. This clinic has the support of the Panamanian government, which provides access to the host hospital. In addition, the First Lady of Panama visits the clinic A Time of Meaningful Events

to show her support and increase local awareness of Abou Saad Shriners and Shriners Hospitals for Children. In addition to the outreach clinic, while there, I, along with several other Imperial officers and executive leaders of both Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals, helped facilitate the approval process for a Latin American Shrine Association, which would have received its charter at the cancelled Imperial Session. This is one of the pieces of business that needs to be addressed – and we will do that. Latin America is a region that is highly interested in the possibilities and potential offered by Shriners International, and we, in turn, want to take advantage of every opportunity to assist our nobles in the region, and encourage membership growth. Re-establishing a Presence Much closer to home, and also in February, I was pleased to officiate at the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Shriners International display in the Family of Freemasonry exhibit at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. We had an exhibit there for many years, which was closed about eight years ago. I am very glad to have our fraternity

Dear Fellow Nobles, This has certainly been an incredible year, with truly unexpected challenges. No one could have anticipated a pandemic literally threatening our lives, while totally upsetting everything from plans and expectations to our daily routines. Of course, we are all deeply disappointed by the cancellation of Imperial Session. Cheryl and I were so looking forward to sharing that special experience, and the unique hospitality of the Midwest, with all of you. Yet, even in the midst of incredibly difficult, almost unbelievable situations, we, the Shriners family, looked outward and found ways to help our communities, and one another. I have never been more proud to be a Shriner, or more proud of my fellow nobles then I am today. As we all do our best to cope with the overwhelming upheaval and threat caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, remember that none of us is alone. We are part of a huge, global familyof determined, hopeful and compassionate Shriners. We will see each other through this crisis, and on to an even stronger future. As I write this message, we are working hard to determine the best way to accomplish the necessary business of Imperial Session, provide everyone with anticipated information, and, hopefully, some other interesting elements. An UnforgettableYear Even with all the serious issues caused by this horrendous pandemic, Cheryl and I are, and will always be, deeply grateful for the past year, and for the opportunity to serve as your Imperial Potentate and First Lady. Throughout our travels and visits to temples and health care facilities, we were met with graciousness, kindness, and appreciation. We were inspired by your enthusiasm, dedication,

represented again. If you’re in the area,

be sure to visit. It is well worth the time.

commitment and support of the missions of our Shriners organizations. I’m sure you are

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The Power of One While we attended countless events and participated in many unique and special opportunities this past year, the fraternal issue closest to my heart is increasing our membership. Why? Because being a member of Shriners International provides access to a brotherhood that has the power to impact lives in more ways than I can count, as well as the opportunity to make the world a better place. The other side of this – equally important to me – is recognizing the unique strength and power of each person to truly make a difference – the power of one – and the magnitude of that power when we combine our efforts and work together. That, very briefly, is one of the guiding tenets of my life, and the impetus behind JUST ONE , my membership development program, which asked each noble to bring in or restore JUST ONE member. I am truly honored and grateful for the enthusiastic, overwhelming response, and thank every one of you for participating. occurred when Shriners International joined with the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Scottish Rite Southern jurisdiction to introduce the beafreemason.org website that will benefit every Grand Lodge in the United States, and help build the membership in their subordinate lodges. We all realize that we must build Blue Lodge Masonry throughout the world so that we can continue to do the charitable work that we have done for many years. THANKS to Sovereign Grand Commanders David Glattly and Jim Cole for being such great leaders in our fraternity. beafreemason.org Another highlight of the year

Final Thoughts I want to take just a moment and welcome Bryan Harrison, our new chief membership development officer. He started right in the midst of the virus situation, and we applaud his confidence and ingenuity in this difficult time. I am confident he will serve our fraternity well, and accomplish great things. And, as I prepare to end my year as Imperial Potentate, I want to wish Imperial Sir Jim Smith and Lady Alice every success in their coming year. Lady Cheryl and I took on the leadership roles of this great fraternity last July with the hope of leaving the fraternity at least a little better than we found it. We hope we have done that. Thank you for all that you do for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children, and for your support and hard work this past year.

Yours in the faith, Jeffrey L. Sowder Imperial Potentate Shriners International

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Shriners International

Shriners International is a global fraternal organization with temples, clubs, units and members around the world. Dedicated to the Masonic principles of brotherhood, relief and truth, and the goals of fun, fellowship and philanthropy, the organization offers men of all ages opportunities for personal growth, activities, friendship and camaraderie. In addition, these compassionate and dedicated individuals strive to improve lives and communities. Shriners are men of good character who share common values, including a commitment to charity and to one another. Since 1872, that dedication has guided the

members of this amazing organization. As it has for nearly a century, the fraternity continues to work to make the world a better place through its philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children. The members of Shriners International take great pride in having established what has become one of the world’s best-known and best-loved pediatric

The Mission of Shriners International is to:

• Be the premier fraternal organization for men of good character.

health care systems. These generous, compassionate men are also intensely proud of Shriners Hospitals' ongoing commitment to provide quality care to the patients, regardless of the families’ ability to pay for services. The dedication of Shriners

• Provide attractive, quality programs and services for its members, their families and their friends in a spirit of fun, fellowship and social camaraderie.

International to its mission has earned the respect of people across the globe. The traditions

• Foster self-improvement through leadership, education, the perpetuation of moral values and community involvement.

and efforts of individual Shriners and the Shriners International organization continue to make a difference in our world,

• Serve mankind through the resources of its philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children.

and to be noticed and appreciated worldwide.

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and, therefore, face a new and dangerous threat from exposure to coronavirus. In their capacity as policemen, firefighters, EMTs, public health professionals and as members of other groups, including our military, these Shriners are doing astonishing work in extremely difficult circumstances. Many Shriners serve as health professionals and are literally on the front lines, exposing themselves and their families to very serious and foreseeable health risks, but continue to serve, nevertheless. All of these nobles are true representatives of the servant’s heart. Another example of this courageous servant’s heart is Dr. Romeo Gregorio Macasaet III, a Mabuhay Shriner. Dr. Macasaet and his wife, who is also a doctor, provided care and treatment to patients in Manila during the coronavirus wave that washed over the Philippines. Both of these physicians were fully aware of the serious risks they were taking in providing care to others. Both contracted the virus and became seriously ill. Dr. Macasaet ultimately passed away as a result of caring for others. Dr. Macasaet leaves Mabuhay Shriners, and Shriners all over the world, with an example of courageous service in the face of known dangers. He is one of a number of great Shriners who are quite correctly called “heroes” because of their selfless service. As men of character and compassion, Shriners welcome the opportunity to serve others. For generations, Shriners have provided transformational care to children and emergency assistance to communities. During this unprecedented period, Shriners have demonstrated the same character, compassion, and courage as they have on countless previous occasions. Providing selfless service to others

to others, and difficult for them to understand, a Shriner knows that a big part of the benefit of being a Shriner is not what you get, but rather, what you have the opportunity to selflessly provide to others. While we have lost irreplaceable nobles to this worldwide pandemic, we have not lost the fraternal bonds that tie us together in a spirit of unity, as we share the heart of a servant. There are men of character and compassion around the world who are not yet Shriners, but who wish to share in the blessings that Shriners receive by working selflessly on behalf of others. There are unique opportunities, during and after the course of this emergency, to share with prospective Shriners the amazing benefits that result from being a Shriner and developing a servant’s heart. As the world adjusts to a new normal, we anticipate having to overcome serious, but surmountable, financial challenges. Due to our unique and extraordinarily strong fraternal ties, we expect to thrive while many organizations simply will not survive. Undoubtedly, emerging from this difficult period will test us, but the resolve and determination of Shriners is unique and unequaled.

A Message from our Executive Vice President

Shriners Have a Servant’s Heart

As I write this in April, we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It should come as a surprise to no one that Shriners are at the tip of the spear in the battle to provide desperately needed relief. The Boards of Directors of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Board of Trustees of Shriners Hospitals for Children and the leaders of our local hospital boards have worked exceptionally hard during this period to provide critically needed resources to aid in the fight, and have been in close collaboration with governmental entities. At the direction of those Shrine leaders, the staffs at our hospitals and headquarters worked tirelessly on behalf of our patients and families, their communities and one another. We are proud of their ingenuity, professional judgment and spirit of compassion and cooperation. We are proud of their amazing effort, and all they were able to accomplish under extremely trying circumstances. Our temple leaders have not only reached out to nobles in need of care, but have found numerous ways to be of service to those in their communities. Additionally, a great number of Shriners serve professionally as first responders

We should look forward to overcoming the challenge. Yours in the faith, John C. Piland Executive Vice President Shriners International

is not merely what Shriners do, it is who Shriners are. Shriners

consider the hard work they do for others to be a blessing, not a burden. While it may be a strange concept

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International Growth

Continuing Growth and Success Internationally

The Shriners fraternity continues to experience growth and interest around the world. Our emphasis on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth speak to men everywhere, leading to impressive membership numbers in our international temples. Today, Shriners can be found on six continents, and are members of nearly 200 temples and thousands of sponsored clubs located throughout the world. At Shriners International Headquarters, our global influence is visibly evident. The flags of the United States and Canada are flown at all times, and the flags of other countries or jurisdictions where temples are located are rotated monthly. International Membership Development Our fraternity includes nine international temples: Abou Saad (Republic of Panama), Agila (the Philippines), Al Rai`e Saleh (Puerto Rico), Amal (Brazil), Anezeh (Mexico), Bolivia (Bolivia), Emirat (Germany), Hikmat (Brazil) and Mabuhay (the Philippines). In 2019, six of the top 10 temples with the highest percentages of membership growth were international ones: Anezeh 45.5% (#1), Amal 25.5% (#2), Agila 9.4% (#4), Al Rai`e Saleh, 8.1% (#6), Mabuhay 7% (#7), and Emirat 7% (#8).

In addition, Bolivia, at #11, was also a Hall of Fame Member for 2019, posting 4.9% growth. With 1,153 creations, the nine international temples recorded impressive overall membership growth of 6.8%. Meeting in Panama In February 2020, Latin American Shriners gathered with fraternity and hospital leaders in Panama City, Panama. Meeting topics for the nobles included how to start and maintain a successful Shrine association and how to improve temple membership. An exciting and meaningful information session was led by the chief of staff of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Shreveport. He provided information on planning and executing a successful international outreach clinic. Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder attended, along with his Lady Cheryl. Also present were Imperial Sirs Jim Smith and Bill Bailey and their ladies, Imperial Sir Ed Stolze, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shriners Hospitals for Children Imperial Sir Jerry Gantt and his lady, and Shriners Hospitals for Children Trustee Peter Diaz, M.D., and his lady.

Both executive vice presidents – John Piland, EVP of Shriners International, and John McCabe, EVP of Shriners Hospitals for Children – were also present. In addition to informative meetings, an outreach clinic was held, featuring staff from both our Shreveport and Salt Lake City hospitals and assistance from Abou Saad Shriners. More than 800 children were seen over the course of four days, with many of them scheduled to come to the U.S. in the future for care at our facilities.

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Masonic Relations

Strengthening and Improving Ties with Fellow Masons and Masonic Groups

Arkansas Masonic Grand Lodge and Shriners Reunite Few developments are as satisfying as a family reconciliation. A key breakthrough for Masons and Shriners took place at the 2019 Imperial Session. After months of behind-the-scenes discussions, representatives of Shriners International adopted a resolution promoting reunion with the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. The key proviso was that action items outlined in the resolution would come to fruition only if the Grand Lodge of Arkansas declared amity, again listing Shriners International as a recognized, civic organization. To the great gratification of the entire Shriners brotherhood, Most Worshipful Grand Master Jesse Sexton released the declaration of amity by official statement on July 16, 2019. During the schism, men were allowed to join Arkansas temples without being Masons. With the agreement now in place, all future candidates for creation in Arkansas temples must again be Master Masons, and at some point, after a period of adjustment, it can once more be stated that “All Shriners are Master Masons in good standing.” In February 2020, Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder and members of the Imperial Divan traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend the Conference of Grand Masters of North America in celebration of the fraternity’s continued partnership with Masonic efforts and organizations. While attending the conference, they encouraged Masonic unity between leaders of Shriners International and Conference of GrandMasters

Tyler Moyer, DeMolay International Master Councilor (left); Jeffrey L. Sowder, Imperial Potentate, Shriners International (center); Jared Repolge, DeMolay International Congress (right)

Each of the nearly 300 attendees paid $20 for a ticket, and the funds were given directly back to DeMolay, yielding a donation of almost $6,000. We are proud of our connection to the family of Masonic organizations, and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to promote Masonic values and ideals. A Commitment to Supporting Freemasonry During this Imperial year, members of Shriners International collaborated with members of the Northern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite to strengthen the relationship between Shriners International and Freemasonry. Working together, representatives from the two groups developed strategic plans to help increase membership. To this end, they created a marketing campaign to represent Freemasonry across North America. This included developing a new, centralized membership acquisition website, beafreemason.org . Shriners

Grand Lodge officers from around the world, and strengthened working relationships with counterparts from several Masonic- affiliated organizations. During the conference, Shriners International hosted the traditional Frank S. Land Memorial Breakfast. The event is named in honor of Past Imperial Potentate of Shriners International and founder of DeMolay International Frank S. Land, as the tenets of Freemasonry and the shared values of the two organizations are exemplified in his life and legacy. Land founded DeMolay International in 1919, served as Potentate of Ararat Shriners in 1931 and as Imperial Potentate in the 1954-1955 Imperial year. The breakfast brought the leaders of Masonry together for an hour of fellowship and camaraderie. A highlight of the program was the keynote speech by DeMolay's International Master Councilor, Noble Tyler Moyer (Zembo Shriners), who spotlighted the importance of Masonic unity.

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masonic relations manager, as a special representative of

clubs, units, parades and social functions. Also on display are photos of the mechanical parade that is now on display at Shriners International Headquarters, as well as historic and current photos of Shriners on parade, units, bands and famous Shriners. Other items on display include: • Past Imperial Potentate fez worn by Imperial Sir Jack H. Jones • Collection of Shriner lapel pins • Syria Shriners souvenir glass from 1902 Imperial Session in San Francisco, California • Imperial Session badge from 1909 Imperial Session in Louisville, Kentucky • Pyramid Shriners publication from 1901 Shriners Hospitals for Children: This display shares the story of the origin of Shriners Hospitals for Children and the mission and roles that Shriners play in support of the health care system. Historic and current photos of patients, staff and Shriners are on display, as well as: • Letter from hospital superintendent to patient's family from 1934, including a photo of the patient, George Riley, who is referenced in the letter • Doorknob from 1922 from the first Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana • Dr. Scholl's Pedograph, an early device used to study children's feet East-West Shrine Bowl: This display explains the origins of this special tradition, as well as its connection with the National Football League and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Items on display include: • A 1941 game ticket

International is providing the information collection solutions and data security for the website, as well as continued support and strategic collaboration. The initiative was unveiled at the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. In addition, in an effort to provide membership support for Freemasonry in Florida, Shriners International developed a pilot social media marketing campaign to generate leads for the Grand Lodge of Florida. This consisted of more than a dozen Facebook and Instagram advertisements over a four-month period, all created around the concept, Not Just a Man. A Mason . The initial results of the campaign were very promising and generated a significant number of leads. Masonic Renewal Committee Though not directly related to Shriners International through any official ties, the Masonic Renewal Committee (MRC) has always maintained a strong relationship with the Shriners fraternity. Imperial Sir Jack Jones was a founding member of and served on the Masonic Renewal Committee until his passing in 2017. A function of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, the MRC is tasked with promoting membership resources, tools and trends throughout the local Masonic Grand Lodges. At a meeting held at Shriners International Headquarters in Tampa, Florida, the last weekend of January 2020, the members of the Masonic Renewal Committee discussed the important matters of mentoring, new member orientation and membership engagement. During this meeting, they also elected two newmembers to their "core" committee: Noble John Piland (Ansar Shriners), executive vice president of Shriners International, as the representative of Shriners International. Noble R. J. "Jody" Meguiar (Egypt Shriners), Shriners International’s membership program and

DeMolay International. The MRC also presents a

humanitarian award to Masonic leaders who are active in their community, Freemasonry and philanthropy. Noble Bob Conley, Past Grand Master of Michigan (Saladin Shriners) was elected to receive the Jack H. Jones Humanitarian Award, which was presented at the Conference of Grand Masters in February 2020. Shriners International Display at the Family of Freemasonry Exhibit In November 2019, a Shriners International display opened in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. The Family of Freemasonry exhibit includes displays from other organizations in the Masonic family, including the Grottoes of North America, Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite and youth organizations. The display was officially dedicated by Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder in a ribbon- cutting ceremony on February 22, 2020, George Washington's birthday. It was an exciting event for the fraternity, which had a fraternal room and two hospital rooms at the memorial from 1945 through 2012. The display includes four sections: Shriners International History: This exhibit tells the story of our fraternity’s origins and founders William "Billy" Florence and Walter Fleming, M.D. It includes a book dating back to 1870 with the petitions for membership of the first thousand members of Mecca Shriners/Shriners International. Also on display is an historic Mecca Shriners fez and an early Potentate's jewel. Who are the Shriners?: Here visitors can learn about the fraternity and its structure, as well as activities Shriners participate in, including

• A football autographed by players from the 1957 game • A 1949 game program

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Traditions and New Initiatives

The Shriners fraternity strives to honor its past, while incorporating new elements to keep the fraternity both traditional and current

Successful marketing campaigns frequently offer incentives. A multi- level program for recognizing and rewarding top-line signers was instituted to increase enthusiasm for the JUST ONE initiative. The rewards were: • Level 1 – Upon creation or restoration of one member, the top-line signer was mailed a postcard and JUST ONE pin from Imperial Sir Sowder. • Level 2 – Upon bringing in or restoring two members, top- line signers were listed in Shriner Magazine: Pride and Tradition. • Level 3 – With three new creations or restorations, top-line signers were sent a certificate of appreciation and a letter of commendation from Imperial Sir Sowder. • Level 4 – After five creations or restorations, the top-line signer responsible for 10 additional Shriners were expecting to attend a special JUST ONE VIP reception with the Imperial Divan at the 2020 Imperial Session in Kansas City, Missouri. Unfortunately, this opportunity, like so many others, had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Alternative plans will be made to appropriately honor these incredibly dedicated nobles. Extensive communications were put in place to support the program, including video addresses by Imperial Sir Sowder, a dedicated website, getjustone.org, for registering recruits and restorations, additional JUST ONE web pages on Shriners Village, email blasts and promotion in the weekly Membership Update e-newsletter, received a personal phone call of appreciation from the Imperial Potentate. • Level 5 – Top-line signers

and the creation of collateral and special referral cards. Additionally, temples were encouraged to honor members who respond to the challenge of helping grow Shriners membership. Imperial Sir Sowder firmly believes the fraternity has a bright and strong future, provided every member remains dedicated and committed to doing their part to increase membership. Shriners International Awareness Day On June 6, 1876, the Imperial Grand Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for the United States of America, the original governing body of our fraternity, was founded. While our order has seen many changes throughout the years, our vision and mission remain unchanged. Shriners International continues to be more than just a fraternity; it is an organization of men dedicated to brotherhood, compassion and service to others. To honor our rich history and celebrate the founding of our Imperial Council 144 years ago, June 6 is recognized as Shriners International Awareness Day. It’s a day when nobles worldwide are encouraged to proclaim their pride in being a Shriner. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate our enthusiasm for and dedication to our brotherhood by using social media and the internet to post information, attending and/or organizing a special event, wearing fraternal apparel when appropriate and inviting the community and the media to learn more about Shriners International and the local temples. Shriners International appreciates the dedication of the men and

Before Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder became a member of the Imperial line of the Shriners fraternity, he was a leader of Masonry in Kansas. During that time, he led a fundraising effort to raise $15 million in four years for cancer research at Kansas University, allowing the school to be designated as a National Cancer Institute, under the name Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute. When Sowder was working to raise those funds for cancer research, he discovered the power of one – the difference one person can make. That lesson of JUST ONE has become a belief and a guiding force in his life. He has used it to inspire his fellow nobles to, one by one, increase membership, and he used it throughout his year as Imperial Potentate to remind us all that each one of us matters, has a responsibility to our fraternity and philanthropy, and can make a difference. Multiply that one by every noble – and it becomes a big difference. At Imperial Session in 2019, he introduced the JUST ONE campaign to increase Shriner membership. The program emphasizes the philosophy that every person can make a difference. If every current Shriner commits to recruiting or restoring “ JUST ONE ” noble to his temple, the ranks of the fraternity would swell tremendously. In response, thousands of nobles enthusiastically answered Imperial Sir Sowder’s call to action by becoming top-line signers for newly created nobles or restored members.

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women of World War II and their sacrifices for our great country, and the importance of honoring June 6 as D-Day. It is humbling to share our founding day with this momentous and historic event. As a group and individually, Shriners are proud of their fraternity and eager to celebrate Shriners International. Shriners Legacy Program Generation by generation, Shriners International continues to grow. As grandfathers, fathers and uncles put on their fez, participate in temple activities and volunteer on behalf of the philanthropy, the young are watching. The Legacy Program is a meaningful way for Shriners to show their pride in passing on such a meaningful tradition. The program is open to all nobles whose family members are also Shriners – fathers, sons, grandfathers, brothers, cousins, brothers-in-law, etc. Nobles join the program by visiting Shriners Village and entering their Shriners family legacy information. They can then download a certificate and order legacy pins for a contribution of $5 or more. Nobles who became Shriners after 2012 receive a free pin and up to two for Shriner legacy family members. Shriners International Educational Foundation The Shriners International Education Foundation (SIEF) was created to support and expand educational opportunities and leadership development of our fraternity members and allied organizations. Since establishing SIEF, we’ve expanded offerings to include distance-learning programs via live webinars and on-demand video training, and enhanced program content at our seminars. Kosair Charities also believes that education is a critical component to the success of our fraternity and we are honored by their support of SIEF,

through a generous grant of $50,000 to further enhance training programs for current and future fraternity leaders – helping to provide the necessary tools to more effectively lead our hospitals and temples. John Piland, executive vice president of Shriners International, accepted the grant on behalf of Shriners International at the Shriner Appreciation Reception hosted by Kosair Charities on Oct. 3, 2019. The evening celebrated the history of both organizations, while providing an update on grant recipients and future goals, and recognizing key honorees. Representatives of Kosair Charities attended the 2020 Assistant Rabban Seminar in Tampa, Florida, March 9-11, 2020, and the closing reception was named in their honor. We thank the board of Kosair Charities for their generous support of Shriners International and their commitment to educating future leaders of Shriners International. Anniversary of the Editorial Without Words The photo known as the "Editorial Without Words" is one of our fraternity’s most recognizable images. It was taken almost by accident, 50 years ago, on June 11, 1970, in Evansville, Indiana. This special moment, captured for all time, eloquently illustrates

young girl who needed help. On this day, Noble Hortman lifted Bobbi Jo Wright and her crutches and carried her from ride to ride. A local newspaper photographer, Randy Dieter, captured the photo with a long lens as the two walked past him. Dieter wouldn’t realize until much later how much impact that single image would have. Neither would the Shriners, or Bobbi Jo herself. Today, Wright lives independently and is active in her church. She spends much time and energy traveling and speaking on behalf of Shriners Hospitals for Children and meeting and encouraging other patients and families. The famous photo has been reproduced on stained-glass windows, mosaics, tie tacks, pins, and more. A larger-than-life replica of the "Editorial Without Words" stands outside the Shriners International Headquarters building in Tampa, Florida, and statues mark many temples and Shriners Hospitals locations. A version of the image is used as the Shriners Hospitals for Children logo.

the relationship between our fraternity and philanthropy. Hadi Shriners in Evansville was holding its annual summer picnic. Patients were invited,

and everyone enjoyed a day of food, fun and carnival rides. Toward the end of the day, Shriner Al Hortman, who became

a Shriner after his daughter, Laura, was treated at Shriners Hospitals for

Children, noticed a

Bobbi Jo today

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Temple Fundraising and Ladies' Groups

The hard work and generosity of the temples and ladies' groups is critically important to both the fraternity and the philanthropy

Third-party Fundraising This year was an exciting year of transformation for our third-party event fundraising efforts. Having identified opportunities to increase program efficiencies and rebrand, the team created the Proud Supporter Program, a new name that reflects the generous nature of our donors. The Proud Supporter Program has made important parts of the donation process quicker and smoother, with a better experience for donors. This includes more expedited approval times for events, sending headquarters-managed donation receipts and thank-you notes, and more timely “impact touches” for the events that fall under headquarters management. With more interaction between event coordinators and donors, the Proud Supporter Program is seeking to increase donor satisfaction, and with it, the number of repeat events. The new program provided an opportunity to rebrand and better identify approved supporters. In addition, since the program has its own logo and media assets, it helps ensure that the Shriners Hospitals for Children logo will be used appropriately. An example of the Proud Supporter Program’s success is its work with a teenager from Memphis, Tennessee. Aaron, who is an officer

Members of the fraternity play important roles in the day-to-day operations of Shriners Hospitals for Children, and the health care system depends on them in a variety of ways. Shriners generously volunteer their time and energy at Shriners Hospitals locations and at special events, all in support of the philanthropy’s mission to improve the lives of children. Along with donating countless hours as volunteers, members of Shriners International also participate in fundraising efforts to support the health care system. In 2019, Shriners International temples hosted 425 events and raised more than $8.2 million for the benefit of Shriners Hospitals for Children. From that, more than $2.4 million was used to help offset the temples’ $13 million expense of transporting patients to and from the hospitals for care and conducting off-premises clinics in 2018. The most frequently hosted type of fundraiser was the paper crusade. In 2019, 91 paper crusade events raised more than $3.8 million. Golf tournaments were also a prominent fundraiser, with 57 tournaments raising $732,982. Football games were also popular. The 31 football games held over the course of the year raised $776,817, in addition to raising awareness and generating goodwill for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Other events sponsored by temples throughout the year to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children included fishing tournaments, horse shows, concerts, raffles, sporting clays, dinner parties, motorcycle rides, auto races, dances and rodeos. Shriners Supporting Their Philanthropy

saw how prostheses were made for children with limb deficiencies. The tour opened the teen’s eyes to the loving and charitable work of Shriners Hospitals. In October 2019, Aaron embarked on a four- day bike trek from Al Chymia Shriners in Memphis to Al Menah Shriners in Nashville, Tennessee, a grueling distance of 230 miles. Along the way he

raised more than $20,000 to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children — St. Louis. We are so privileged to have Proud Supporters like Aaron who so generously help us in our mission of improving the lives of children.

for DeMolay International- Tipton Chapter, was traveling in Mexico with his family. With the encouragement of his DeMolay Dad, Noble David Nutzell, they visited Shriners Hospitals for Children — Mexico.

Aaron enjoyed interacting with patients and even

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TEMPLE FUNDRAISING at a GLANCE:

425

Fundraising Events

$ 8.2

Million Raised

91 Paper Crusades $3.8 Million Raised

57 Golf Tournaments $732,982 Raised

31 Football Games $776,817 Raised

Ladies' Groups The ladies’ organizations, including Daughters of the Nile, Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America, and Shrine Guilds of America Inc., are a very special part of the Shriners Hospitals for Children family. The women of these organizations contribute millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to Shriners Hospitals. They also help Shriners Hospitals for Children provide the family-centered care the system is known for, by donating much-needed items such as clothing, quilts, books, toys

and games. Members of the Shrine Guilds of America Inc. focus their efforts on providing education to children during their stay at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

In April 2020, Daughters of the Nile Supreme Queen Dale Obernolte passed away. All of the ladies’ organizations as well as Shriners International grieve her loss and are grateful for her service and leadership over the years. Supreme Queen Dale led by example, and her signature statement, “Remember Leave a Little SPARKLE Wherever You Go!” will continue to inspire all who follow in her path.

Shriners International is grateful to the members of the ladies’ organizations for their support of our philanthropy and its mission to improve the lives of children.

2019•2020 YEAR IN REVIEW | 15

Membership Development

Increasing membership is critically important to the Shriners organizations. Many efforts are underway to make a significant difference in both awareness and numbers.

The Importance of Membership Dear Fellow Nobles,

We stress membership development because we want to share this life with as many good men as possible. And, as I have said all year, JUST ONE of us, and every one of us, can help make that happen. Thank you for being part of and continuing this effort.

Among his goals, Harrison said, is focusing on challenges and opportunities at the temple level, including increasing investment in building leadership capacity. In addition, he said, he will be looking Ultimately, he said, it’s all about the connections between people, process and purpose. “We can improve our member recruiting and retention when we strengthen the story of our ‘why’,” Harrison said. Harrison joins us following eight years of employment as director, councils & networks of the Specialty Equipment Market Association. He has gained first-hand knowledge of working with and through volunteers by serving in leadership positions at several nonprofit organizations, including the Tennessee Society of Association Executives, where he received the Association Executive of the Year Award in 2019. An outstanding communicator, Harrison recently at strategies to increase member involvement.

When the subject of membership development is raised, have you ever (mentally or actually) just rolled your eyes, and said, "that’s all leadership ever talks about?" Be honest. So, why do we “always” bring up the importance of increasing our membership numbers? And why do we say it is the responsibility of every noble to work on this? The obvious answers would be that the fraternity – and the temples – need appropriate funds to operate effectively; that we support one of the most amazing and generous philanthropies in the world, and, as part-owners, we need to do our part financially, as well as volunteering. More members means we are more financially sound and stable. Those are valid reasons, but they are secondary ones. We want to encourage good men to join us because, as Shriners, they will have unique opportunities to experience what it means to be part of a selfless, compassionate brotherhood; to improve the world and their home communities; to make incredible differences in the lives of children; and to have fun. Shriners are known and loved worldwide because of what they believe in and stand for, and for their actions on behalf of their fraternal family, and others. Every one of us shares in the amazing accomplishments of the patients of Shriners Hospitals for Children – from first steps to first words spoken clearly – and in the joys and sorrows of our fraternal brothers. Each one of us truly is part of a worldwide caring family.

Yours in the faith, Jeffrey L. Sowder Imperial Potentate Shriners International

Welcoming a New Chief Membership Development Officer This year, Shriners International was pleased to hire Bryan Harrison as the fraternity’s chief membership development officer.

received a faculty position with the Institute of Organization Management, an intensive professional development organization for chamber and association executives operated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. In addition, he holds several professional certifications. We are very excited to have Bryan Harrison leading our fraternity’s membership efforts.

Harrison brings to our organization extensive knowledge obtained through formal training and success in association and nonprofit entities. His experience and skill sets, which include strategic planning, component relations and motivational speaking, will lead our organization in setting the vision and direction for membership growth and engagement.

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2019•2020 YEAR IN REVIEW | 17

2019 Membership Seminar

Shrine Association Meetings

for a humorous, yet powerful, glimpse of fraternal life, including conflict resolution, diversity, communication and servant leadership.

The Shriners International 2019 Membership Seminar was held in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 24 – 26. The successful annual event is dedicated to instruction and motivation centered on membership growth, and is supported by Shriners International Education Foundation. The “Just One Piece at a Time” theme emphasized solving the puzzle of increasing the ranks of active and engaged Shriners. The seminar featured classes, interactive roundtable discussions, and speakers focused on the 4Rs of membership development (Relationships, Recruitment, Retention and Restoration). The meeting provided ample networking time, and nobles were encouraged to share “Tell Your Story” accounts, offering best practices and recalling their membership development achievements. More than 300 people attended the event, including Shriners from 120 temples, and representatives of the Grand Lodges, Scottish Rite (NMJ and SJ), Daughters of the Nile and Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America. The enthusiasm of attendees could be seen by overwhelming participation in the pre-con sessions, with inaugural pre-con workshops for MDS 101/201 and social media overflowing with participants. The Membership Executive Networking Party Committee, consisting of nobles and ladies, also conducted an interactive game night as an example of something temples could present to interest potential new members, furthering their own membership development efforts. Among the event’s highlights was Shriners Hospitals for Children Patient Ambassadors sharing their inspirational stories throughout the seminar to reinforce the connection between the fraternity and its philanthropy.

The business meetings for our Shrine associations are extremely important for our fraternity, and it is critical that temple Divan officers attend them. The business sessions allow Imperial officers to make presentations about hospital issues, membership, public relations, marketing and communications and more. Those attending have the chance to meet the candidates for Imperial Outer Guard. Participation at Shrine association meetings provides an opportunity for nobles to collaborate on membership ideas and resources and cultivate relationships with one another, which helps to increase and strengthen their own membership efforts. This year the coronavirus pandemic forced many of the spring association meetings to be canceled. However, association meetings that did go forward featured presentations focused on ways nobles can collaborate on Masonic family events, interest-based activities, club and unit development and community engagement. In addition, the meetings provided updates on our new BeaFreemason and BeaShrinerNow web platforms.

Fezcast: Resources for Shriners to Share is now into its second year. This monthly electronic newsletter provides Shriners with links and information to enhance and improve their communication efforts. It puts resources including videos, social media tips, toolkits and other content to share right into their hands. Strengthening our communication efforts will help us all better support the fraternity, as well as Shriners Hospitals for Children. Shriners International encourages all nobles to take advantage of all that Fezcast and Shriners Village have to offer.

Doing so helps everyone stay up-to-date on fraternity and philanthropy happenings.

Resources Help Build Connections New Uses for Video

A series of vignettes featuring some of our Shriners and their ladies was filmed, covering topics of interest to nobles. These 15- to 30-minute videos were released in phases throughout 2019. The first video was included with other resources, such as a “meeting-in-a-box” toolkit,

loaded on a flash drive and mailed to temple Recorders. The collection of resources helped temples add content and value to local meetings. In each video, the dynamic personalities bring their own experiences together

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