AnnualReport2020

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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