AnnualReport2021

A MESSAGE FROM f IMPERIAL POTENTATE

elected a new slate of Imperial Officers and Trustees, along with approving a new association, the Latin American Shrine Association (LASA), and Imperial Sir Ed Stolze’s selection of Reno, Nevada, for the 2024 Imperial Session. And the new Imperial year officially started. ADAPTING TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES Before long, we discovered the remarkable adaptability of the human soul. No one ever heard of ZOOM before 2019, but it was becoming a part of most people’s lives – not only for business meetings, but also for social gatherings. Games were being played and families were staying connected on ZOOM. Although it was not the same as being together, able to shake hands and hug, it filled the void. People became innovative on its use.

needed a backup plan, although what were the chances that this would still be around four months from now – very unlikely! Well, the rest is history! After years of preparation by a dedicated committee planning what would be a knockout Session in Kansas City, after great anticipation by Imperial Sir Sowder and Lady Cheryl, looking forward to celebrating his year as Imperial Potentate, the plug had to be pulled, all because of a plague called the coronavirus, which had started somewhere in China months ago. Instead, we decided to go virtual and have a Special Session in July that was solely for the purpose of electing Imperial Officers and Trustees. Over 1,000 Nobles joined us electronically, as a limited group of Imperial Officers, Trustees and Ladies were in the ballroom of the Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel. We practiced for hours the night

I t all began with a trip to San Antonio, Texas, for an initial meeting on the formation of the Fun and Fellowship Council in February of 2020. I had just returned home after a meeting at headquarters in Tampa, and since December had been hearing about a virus called the coronavirus, which had started somewhere in China and was beginning to run rampant throughout the world. When I arrived at the hotel in San Antonio, it was eerie. What normally was a vibrant, busy environment was very quiet. Upon check-in, the clerk told me that business had dropped off to almost nothing. Lady Alice called and told me that there was panic at the supermarket – you had to stand in line just to get in. Was this a dream, a nightmare in fact? No, it was the start of what became a worldwide pandemic. Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder called to discuss what was going on; could this affect the upcoming Imperial Session in Kansas City, Missouri? Maybe we

“Before long, we discovered the remarkable adaptability of the human soul. No one ever heard of ZOOM before 2019, but it was becoming a part of most people’s lives – not only for business meetings, but also for social gatherings.”

Lady Alice and I had looked forward to traveling and visiting throughout the realm, seeing Nobles and Ladies whom we had established relationships with

before – we wanted to make sure the meeting went flawlessly the next day. Finally, the Special Session began, and after four and a half hours, we had

FUN e FELLOWSHIP

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