AnnualReport2021

environment, to say the least. I did get the chance to spend a couple of days there while the tournament was going on, and got to award the trophy to the winner, Martin Laird. Even this was a strange experience, as I couldn’t hand it to him. The trophy was set on a table, and he picked it up. I said a few words of congratulations and that was it. Then came the cancellation of the Rose Parade, the East-West Shrine Bowl™, and more Association meetings. What we thought would never last a year ago, just would not seem to go away. I think that the ones affected most by this pandemic were two wonderful young people from the Midwest, Mia and Connor, our National Patient Ambassadors. I wish that you could have been with us a year earlier and seen the looks on their faces when we asked them to be National Patient Ambassadors! It was one of those priceless moments. They were absolutely bubbling with excitement, looking forward to their year representing Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the realm. And it never came to be. Mia lives just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, and Connor lives just outside of Chicago, Illinois, and until this year’s Imperial Session in Houston, Texas, they will have never met in person. They should have been at many activities throughout the year, but it did not happen. They have been troopers about it, however. They understand what is going on and have handled it well, and I applaud them for it. In the meantime, the Imperial Officers and their Ladies have stayed busy,

at headquarters are truly committed people who have total dedication to our mission and members. Our lives have revolved around you all and although we are stepping down, we have countless memories that you have helped us make together. Thank You. We wish Imperial Sir Bill Bailey and Lady Debby the absolute best in the upcoming year. We have become great friends during the course of our relationship, and I have every confidence that they will do an extraordinary job in guiding our organization forward.

as restrictions eased. The purpose of the visits was to listen to the concerns of the Nobility and Ladies, and encourage them to promote “Fun and Fellowship” within their Temple. Overall, the reactions were very positive; the Temples appreciated the Imperial Officers and Ladies taking the time to visit and listen. I hope and pray that this has a positive effect on our Fraternity.

as appropriate. At our fall board retreat, we talked about membership a lot. It is my feeling that we need to get back to the original foundation of the Fraternity, Fun

Finally, Lady Alice and I want to thank

everyone for the support that you have given us the last 10 years. This is a remarkable organization and we are proud to

and Fellowship, and I challenged each of them to visit as many Temples within their area as possible. Now this was easier in some areas of the

Thank you again.

Yours in the faith,

James R. “Jim” Smith and Lady Alice Imperial Potentate and First Lady Shriners International

be associated with it. The members throughout the world that we have had the opportunity to be with have truly become friends. The staff

country than others, and as I stated earlier, some Temples were closed, but there were contacts and visits made,

2020-2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

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