AnnualReport2021

A FRATERNITY’S FLEXIBILITY From racquetball to cornhole, to cooking and barbecue clubs. Brewmasters and taprooms. Remote- control planes. Camping, RVs, “land yachters,” and enthusiasts of seagoing vessels. Music and technology. If you can dream it, you can do it, with Shriners International. The fraternity is structured to support the interests of the nobles, and to encourage new ideas. It’s always been true, but this year the fraternity put a renewed effort behind the idea. The “Build Your Own Experience” concept sets Shriners apart. While other organizations, including Freemasonry, offer a more predetermined and uniform experience for all members, Shriners International fosters creativity. The opportunities for nobles – and prospective nobles – to enjoy fun and fellowship are numerous. Ideas about recreation, free time and fun are ever- changing. As some activities fall out of favor in a natural rhythm, others come into fashion. There are always hobbies and interests that aren’t yet represented within Shrinedom. As nobles share their ideas and begin to get their activities off the ground, buy-in comes naturally from the temples, and groups grow organically. When we show internally the fun that we have, we are also showing the community who we are and what we are doing. And prospective members see that, too. As nobles continue to create the experiences they want to have, their efforts are noticed. “It is catching on,” Chief Membership Development

Officer Bryan Harrison said. “Guys may say, ‘I didn’t know I could build my own unit.’ As we gain new members, they will continue to innovate.” One area where Harrison sees promise and growth is in units based on occupational interests. While professional organizations gather people together, the focus is on networking and talking business. With Shriners, people with similar professional backgrounds or in a common industry may get together. “But not to talk shop,” Harrison said. “To have fun.” We congratulate all temples and nobles who have found a way to build their own experience this year, and thank them for their efforts. FUN IN’21 It’s a hallmark of Shriners International – the opportunity for men of good character to enjoy fun and fellowship. As the fraternity works to increase its membership and adapt to a challenging and changing world, Imperial Potentate Jim Smith encouraged temples not to shy away from having fun. Not despite the global pandemic, but even because of it. As the global health crisis wore on, nobles found that they depended on their bonds of brotherhood more than ever.

As all Shriners know, building membership is crucial to the survival of this great fraternity. Getting back to its original reason for being is one powerful way temples can attract new members and retain and restore those who have already joined. “The time is right to promote fun and fellowship,” Smith said. In his Imperial Potentate’s acceptance speech, Smith pointed out that the temples having the most success in increasing membership are the ones that are re- energizing their efforts to make things fun. He said people are looking for wholesome family fun, date nights, and other recreational activities – and they may not realize the Shriners fraternity can offer all that and more.

FUN e FELLOWSHIP

20