Shriner Magazine Spring 2023

VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 1 • SPRING 2023

Inside this Issue:

9 Lebanon Temple a Dream Come True 9 Taking the Snow Road to Shriners Children’s

9 Mini Lizzies Drive Change 9 Celebration of the Century

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A Message from Your Imperial Potentate

DEAR FELLOW NOBLES,

Everyone can relate to the phrase “Back in the Game.” We use it to describe how the care and support Shriners Children’s provides helps our patients return to the games and sports they love. But the phrase means more than just that. It describes our goal of helping each patient discover their potential and achieve their goals – helping them get back in their game, back to their life. Every year, our signature events, including the East-West Shrine Bowl™, Shriners Children’s Open™, Shriners Children’s College Classic™ and Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic™ raise the profile of both Shriners Inter- national and Shriners Children’s, and generate funds in support of our organizations. These events strengthen our position in “the game,” and, again, help us to help our patients find their way back to “their game.” The phrase also applies to membership – every one of us needs to either “Stay in the Game” or get “Back

in the Game” of reaching out to others and inviting them to join us in the work, fun and fel- lowship of our amazing fraternity. We also need to be sure we are being as active and involved in both the fraternity and philanthropy as possible. Our future depends on our commitment and dedication to “our game.” I am reminded of the well-known quote of Hall of Fame football coach and motivational speaker Joe Gibbs: “You win with people!” Every single one of you is valued, needed and important. Only with the effort and commitment of every one of us will we meet our goals and further our mission. Thank you for all you do for the Shriners organizations.

Kenneth G. "Kenny" Craven Imperial Potentate, Shriners International

Yours in the faith, Kenneth G. “Kenny” Craven

A Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees

DEAR FELLOW NOBLES,

In 2022, our healthcare system provided care for 57,987 new patients who now know the unique brand of hope and healing that can only be found at Shriners Children’s. We want to offer our compassionate, life- changing care to as many children who need it as we can, regardless of where they live. That’s the goal of the More Kids in More Places initiative. Our telehealth program, international strate- gies, outreach clinics and increased emphasis on community affiliations are all part of a major effort to reach More Kids in More Places, and pro- vide care closer to their homes. These efforts also establish additional access points, or ways and places to obtain care from Shriners Children’s. Our goal of reaching more kids includes estab- lishing three more clinics that will be affiliated with quality hospitals in Mexico later this year. This will take some pressure off our hospital in Mexico City, especially in serving children from Latin America.

A huge goal of our international strategy, that I am truly excited about, is placing more emphasis on training local medical professionals to provide specialized care in their country, rather than just sending our medical staff to do the work. For example, Michael Wattenbarger, M.D., from our Greenville location, recently traveled to San Salvador in El Salvador, to present a semi- nar on spine surgery and train local doctors and nurses in these sophisticated orthopedic surgical procedures. We are also working toward having an educational program in orthotics and pros- thetics at the University of Panama. These initiatives truly highlight the mission of Shriners Children’s – and we greatly appreciate the support of both the fraternity and philan- thropy as we move forward.

Jerry G. Gantt Chairman, Board of Trustees, Shriners Children’s

Yours in the faith, Jerry G. Gantt

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

About Our Fraternity Founded in 1872, Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. With approximately 200 Shriners temples in several countries and thousands of clubs around the world, the members of Shriners International are known for their fellowship, brotherhood, compassion and generosity. The fraternity established Shriners Children's as its official philanthropy in 1922, and continues to govern it today, while striving to make the world a happier, better place. About Our Philanthropy Shriners Children's™ is one of the largest pediatric sub-specialty healthcare systems in the world, with locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our staff is dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding educational programs for medical professionals.

BROTHERHOOD 2 A Message from Our Leaders 4 A Legacy of Leadership 10 New Temple a Dream Come True in Lebanon 13 Honoring History, Looking Ahead 15 Regional Membership Directors Bring Resources PHILANTHROPY 5 Celebration of the Century 6 The Snow Road to Shriners Children’s 8 What We Call Success 16 Helping Kids Get Back in the Game

Find Us Online

shrinersinternational.org

shrinerschildrens.org facebook.com/ShrinersChildrens twitter.com/shrinershosp youtube.com/shrinershospitals instagram.com/shrinershospitals facebook.com/shrinersinternational twitter.com/shriners youtube.com/ShrinersTV instagram.com/shrinersinternational

FUN AND FELLOWSHIP 12 Mini Lizzies Drive Change 14 Gear Up for Imperial Session

BEING GOOD STEWARDS: As a nonprofit organiza- tion dependent on donations, it is critically important that Shriners Children's uses all funds wisely and effec- tively. The Oversight Committee investigates and reports on activities conducted for the benefit of Shri- ners Children's that have incurred, or apparently may incur, an appreciable financial loss. The Committee also checks on actions or possible actions of the Joint Boards that may not have followed appropriate practices or been fully vetted or disclosed. Findings are reported during Imperial Session. For more information, call 866-290-7637 or visit shriners.ethicspoint.com .

ABOUT THE COVER: Nobles attending the 2023 Membership & Marketing Conference in Grapevine, Texas, take a break from the classroom to have a little Texas-style fun and fellowship during an excursion to Billy Bob's Texas.

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A Legacy of Leadership

Three members of the Buchan family have served as their temple’s Potentate – one for three terms

LAST OCTOBER, IN A CONGRATULATORY NOTE to Illustrious Sir Shane Buchan recognizing his commitment to Philae Shriners, Imperial Potentate Kenneth G. “Kenny” Craven said this:

“I am honored to recognize and thank you for your remarkable and inspiring dedication to your fraternity, and especially to your temple, Philae Shriners. Your incredible work is noticed and greatly appreciated. Serving as an executive and a Divan member of your temple for the past 20 years, and taking on the temple leadership as Potentate for three terms is a remarkable legacy, and one the members of Philae can also be proud of. Your family’s legacy of leadership – your father serving as temple Potentate in 2002, your service in 2010, 2011 and 2020, and your brother, Shawn being the current Potentate*– is truly extraordinary and more than worthy of celebration. Having a father and two sons serve the same temple as Potentates just may be a fraternal first!”

Shane’s brother, Shawn, said that becoming Shriners, followed by taking on leadership positions at their temple, was a way to honor their father. “The fact that my brothers and I followed our father, Gerald W. Buchan, was a tribute to him. He was a great, honest and trustworthy man who urged us to be better men, and was a strong supporter of the Masonic principles as a way to do that,” said Shawn.

Philae’s youngest Potentate, serving at age 42. After also serv- ing in 2011, he wanted to provide leadership a few years later. Legislation was passed at Imperial Session allowing him to run for the Divan again if he was unopposed. He was elected to the Divan again, went through the offices, and was elected Poten- tate for the third time, and served from June 2020 to May 2021. Philae Shriners, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada,

supports and serves Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, and IWK Hospital in Hali- fax. Activities to promote the hospitals and the fraternity include participating in 15 to 20 parades throughout the year and putting on a “Christmas Fantasy” children’s event every fall.

“As for the Shriners fraternity and philan- thropy, our father had a love for children. He was always teasing, playing with, helping and going out of his way to be involved in children’s lives, so the Shriners was a natural progression for him as a Mason and a man.” Shawn shared that in 2010, Shane was

*in 2022

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Celebration of the Century

WESTERN-THEMED GALA IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, RAISES FUNDS FOR THE PHILANTHROPY

It was a Texas-sized good time at the Celebration of the Century gala in Houston, Texas.

A BIG THANK YOU!

The star-studded event, held last November at Minute Maid Park, was the highlight of Shriners Children’s centennial year celebrations. Throughout the evening, patients and families shared inspiring stories about how Shriners Children’s has changed their lives – and the lives of more than 1.5 million children since 1922. Nearly 1,000 nobles, guests and Shriners Children’s representa- tives attended in Texas chic attire. The group known for its distinctive headgear switched things up for the night, with many donning a cowboy hat instead of the fez. The gala was emceed by Houston meteorologist and local personality Frank Billingsley, and featured welcome remarks from Imperial Potentate Kenny Craven and First Lady JJ Craven. The always-entertaining Cowboy Auctioneer Heath Hale and his team led attendees through an auction of incredible experiences – from an eight-day vacation in an oceanfront St. Martin villa to a seven–night stay in the tower wing of a chateau in Normandy, France, and even an evening with Cole Hauser of the hit TV show Yellowstone – to raise funds for Shriners Children’s. Country music singer-songwriter superstar Dierks Bentley closed the evening with a high-octane musical extravaganza. The event raised more than $1.6 million for Shriners Children’s. The gala was chaired by Maria and Eduardo Morales, who were accompanied that evening by their daughters Valentina and Victoria. Centennial Sponsors included the Morales’ company Mexcor Inter- national; Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods; and Moore.

Shriners Children’s is grateful to Celebration of the Century Centennial Sponsors Mexcor International; Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods; and Moore.

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The Snow Road to Shriners Children’s

WITH A NOBLE’S HELP, A FAMILY GETS LIFE-CHANGING CARE BY CRAIG CHASTAIN

To this day, I blame much of the misadventure on Hannah. My wife’s friend had volunteered to dog-sit Hannah, my wife’s treasured Lhasa Apso, while we drove our son from our home in Seattle, Washington, to Shriners Children’s Portland for surgery.

IT SHOULD HAVE JUST TAKEN an hour to drop Hannah off on the way. But two drives, a ferry ride, a big hill and a very big snowstorm posed barriers no one expected. It had been an uphill climb just to get to this point. Our son Jeremy had been born with a cleft palate, a serious medical condition that had required three surgeries while he was still a baby. Growing up, he had endured many more procedures and the cruel teasing of his classmates. His doctors were able to make occasional progress for Jeremy, but it was determined that further intervention should wait until he had passed a growth period, and the prognosis for a successful surgery was enhanced. The time seemed right in fall 1990. Jeremy needed a medical team specializing in pediatric facial/cranial surgeries to rebuild his face using, among many resources, a bone extracted from his hip. One such super-team was located at Shriners Children’s Portland. But we were advised that the wait for care would be more than a year, by which time Jeremy would be past 18 and ineligible for treatment at Shriners Children’s. That is when my Uncle Walker stepped in to save the day. Uncle Walker was a Shriner, a member of Al Malaikah Shriners. Elected to the Imperial Divan, Walker Kisselburgh served as Imperial Potentate in 1985-1986. Like all nobles, he took great pleasure in being able to help children get the medical care they need. In 1990, he had the opportunity to help his own nephew.

His assistance was instrumental in getting our son into Shriners Children’s Portland before he turned 18. With Uncle Walker’s help, we were able to navigate mountains of paperwork outlining the need and urgency for Jeremy’s care. Having Walker Kisselburgh’s signature helped open the doors of Shriners Children’s in time for our son. A firm and immoveable surgery date was set for the second week of December. We planned to travel to Portland the day before the surgery. It was a 200-mile drive straight down I-5. All we had to do was drop off Hannah on the way, adding about an hour to the trip. Enter one of the most impactful northwest snowstorms in decades. What should have been an easy drive turned into a vehicular version of the Iditarod. Seattle media started making dire prognostications early in the week, scaring everyone into clearing grocery shelves and grab- bing up every set of tire chains in the region. We were faced with making the trek in our tractionless Nissan compact coupe: I would be tasked with getting us safely to Shriners Children’s without snow tires, chains, or any skills or experience driving in snow. First we had to deliver Hannah to her dog-sitter, Allison. Getting to Allison’s house entailed a drive, then a ferry ride, then continu- ing on the road. The snow began in earnest during the ferry ride. By the time we got to Allison’s, it had become the “Snowmaged- don” predicted by the local TV, radio and print weather teams.

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What should have been an hour-long drop-off turned into five hours trapped behind a jackknifed semi truck. In a city unaccus- tomed to this kind of storm, my fellow drivers found an inventive way to escape our entrapment – we each backed up onto the freeway going the wrong way. After Jeremy and I got out and pushed, the maneuver got us turned around and headed south on I-5, and able to continue our journey. We could now focus on the safe delivery of our son to the hospital, which we determined meant to drive safely. This approach was lost on a number of our fellow drivers, many of whom ended up in the ditch or colliding with bridge abutments, various immoveable objects or each other. With the snow coming down in near white-out conditions, we set the Nissan on a wimp mode of 25 mph. At that speed, we calculated, it would take us 10 hours – getting us to the hospital just in time to check in by 8 a.m. We stayed on course and out of the ditch all the way to Port- land, arriving less than an hour before check-in. Thankfully, the steep road up the hill to the hospital had been plowed and sanded – an extraordinary effort I like to think was just for us. After a dramatic arrival at the front entrance, Jeremy and my wife went inside while I attempted to pry my hands off the steering wheel. We dozed in the waiting room while the surgeon and his support staff worked their magic. The doctor emerged after several hours with a full report: The procedure had gone exactly as planned, and the results would be life-changing. We stayed in Portland for several days, until the doctors determined that Jeremy was well into his healing and recovery. The drive back was uneventful until we got off the ferry and started to see downed trees and power lines. It was a week before our power was restored and our son returned home. Decades later, the rewards of our ordeal remain. Shriners Chil- dren’s and my Shriner uncle blessed us beyond measure. With the help of additional procedures provided by the Navy, Jeremy’s childhood cleft is no more. Now 49, Jeremy is a happy, healthy and handsome man who works renovating houses and is still not crazy about hospitals.

Now 49, Jeremy is a happy, healthy and handsome man who works renovating

houses and is still not crazy about hospitals.

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What We Call Success

SHRINERS CHILDREN’S IS PROUD TO PROVIDE CARE THAT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGES LIVES

In 2021, Shriners Children’s provided care for 141,017 patients, including 55,183 new patients who now know the unique brand of hope and healing that can only be found at Shriners Children’s.

WE ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE transformative care, and to watch as our patients’ lives change and improve, and they begin to believe their possibilities have no limits. Success means a wide range of things for our patients: from gaining independence in day-to-day living to participating in sports and art. Shriners Children’s is dedicated to helping our patients achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Kiley

BACK IN THE GAME

The medical teams at Shriners Children’s are especially attuned to an athlete’s concerns, as well as the differences between an adult athlete’s body and that of a young, still-growing athlete. They work as a team to get them back in competing shape. Sometimes athletes are wary of seeking treatment for pain or injuries because they are afraid they won’t be allowed to play. However, many conservative methods that don’t require surgery or long recovery times, such as rehabilitation programs, arch sup- ports, bracing and taping, are often successful in treating injuries. “Rehabilitation, specifically physical therapy, can assist in con- servative management of many sports injuries in order to return an athlete to full participation in their chosen sport as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Physical Therapist Mary K.V. Eighmy, PT, D.P.T., with Shriners Children’s Erie. This conservative management worked for Kiley, a 15-year-old basketball player who was sidelined last summer when she was injured during a tournament. Kiley had fractured her knee and bruised her kneecap, which required 12 weeks of physical therapy at Shriners Children’s Lexington. For Kiley, it was valuable time to heal and also to maintain and build her strength to prevent more injuries. "When I hurt myself, it felt like it was the end of the world,” Kiley said, “but coming to Shriners Children's helped me know that I could go back to playing and not get hurt again, and that I could be better in time for the season to start again.” With the help of the team at the Shriners Children’s Lexington, Kiley is back on the court and intends to play basketball in college.

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Abie Orofacial clefts are one of the most common birth differences in the United States. Many babies born with cleft lip also have an opening in the roof of their mouth called a cleft palate. This occurs when the tissues that form the roof of the mouth don’t join together before birth and can cause functional changes in breathing, hearing, speaking and eating. Children may require multiple surgeries to correct the mouth, jaw and nose. Craniofacial differences can be caused by a combination of genetic and/ or environmental factors and are sometimes diagnosed before birth. Our physicians often meet with expectant parents to discuss our approach to cleft lip and/or palate repair and to help them know what to expect after delivery and in their baby’s first few months. Cleft repair at Shriners Children’s is done by experienced pediatric surgeons. Other members of a child’s care team may include speech therapists, audiologists, dentists and dental radiologists, child life special- ists and anesthesiologists. FACING CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE

Abraham, called “Abie” by his family, was treated by Eric Liao, M.D., at Shriners Children’s Boston. “As soon as we met the cleft team, we knew we had found the right people to take care of Abie,” his mother, Marcy, said. Marcy recalled underestimating how dramatic the outcome of Abie’s surgery would be. “I remember Dr. Liao assuring us that once the repair was made, it would look like it never happened,” she said. “I didn’t think it was possible at the time, but he was right.”

“I’d like to say thank you to Dr. Gupta for fixing my spine and for putting up with me every time I asked when I could go back to dance …”

Chloe Shriners Children’s offers a variety of options for treatment of scoliosis. Sometimes a patient’s scoliosis is severe enough to require surgery. Chloe, an artist and dancer, was diagnosed with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis when she was 11. Shriners Children’s Chicago’s Chief of Staff Purnendu Gupta, M.D., explained that the diagnosis is done through a clinical exam, a neurologic exam and X-rays. “Here at Shriners, we have EOS technology, which is a way to do X-rays with less radiation,” Dr. Gupta added. Eventually, Chloe needed spinal fusion surgery, which Dr. Gupta performed, and she was officially cleared to return to dance just over a year later. “I’d like to say thank you to Dr. Gupta for fixing my spine and for putting up with me every time I asked when I could go back to dance,” Chloe said. “You’ve been so kind, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve done for me.” CUSTOM-MADE CARE

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Every temple has its own unique origin story. For Lubnan Shriners, U.D., based in Lebanon, that story starts halfway around the world, in California and New York. The driving force behind this is Noble Raffy Timonian. The story is also a prime example of the strong connection between Masonry and Shriners. Masonry is well-established in Lebanon, where there are 13 lodges that operate under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York (GLNY). “My journey in Freemasonry started in New York Lodge #1902,” Timonian said. “In 1992, my residence was split between Lebanon and California. Being a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, I applied and became a Shriner under Al Malaikah in November 1992. In 1993, I went back to Lebanon and started working on the local lodges.” In 1997, Timonian affiliated with Mecca Shriners in New York City. He brought “a good number” of Masons to New York, he said, helped create them as Shriners, and started the Nobles of Lebanon Shrine Club in Beirut, Lebanon, under Mecca. “Since then, we have been working on the ground trying to help the children in need in Lebanon,” Timonian said. “We could only work as a club because we belonged to New York and there was no Grand Lodge in Lebanon. In 2018, GLNY chartered the Grand Lodge of the F & AM of Lebanon. “I have the honor of serving as the first Grand Master, with the first term ending in November 2024,” Timonian said. The idea of starting a Shriners temple started to look like a dream that could come true. In 2019, Timonian met with Chairman of the International Development Committee Imperial Sir Ed Stolze, who helped with all the necessary steps. Lubnan Shriners received its dispensation on July 4, 2022, at Imperial Session in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lubnan Shriners' leadership met with several government officials, parliament members and influential people in Lebanon to explain who the Shriners are and how the Shriners Children’s healthcare system can help children in Lebanon. “We are working very closely with several doctors to identify children in need of our medical intervention, in full support and cooperation from theOrder of Doctors in Lebanon,” Timonian said. New Temple a Dream Come True in Lebanon

THE LEBANON SHRINERS HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO ORGANIZE IN ORDER TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF THEIR AREA.

Lubnan Shriners are committed to the physical, emotional and educational well-being of children in Lebanon, reaching out to local orphans, and supporting children with special needs.

Lubnan Shriners is thrilled to be able to sup- port its community in numerous ways. As Lebanon navigates difficult economic times, parents are concerned about putting food on their tables, Timonian said. So Lubnan Shriners provides food rations for families. In addition, the temple sup- ports children’s well-being not only when it comes to their physical health, but also their mental and cultural development. For example, their "Music for Lebanon" program is designed to focus on music as an integral part of education. The pro- gram introduces children to classical music through free live concerts, giving them the chance to get introduced to various musical instruments. The program also covers the cost of music lessons. “Our goal is to put a smile on every child's face, one child at a time,” Timonian said.

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Paul Curran Emirat Shriners GERMANY

Lefteris Kanellos Emirat Shriners Alasia Club CYPRUS

Brock McConkey CPO Shriners Children’s NEW ENGLAND

Kypros Panaretos Emirat Shriners Alasia Club CYPRUS

Patrick Abdelkarim Lubnan Shriners LEBANON

Michel Timonian Lubnan Shriners LEBANON

Chris Chrysouliotis

Emirat Shriners Alasia Club CYPRUS

“ … the temple supports children’s well- being not only when it comes to their physical health, but also their mental and cultural development . ”

In January, several members of Lubnan Shriners assisted with a Shriners Children’s outreach clinic held in Cyprus. Lubnan Shriners sponsored the family of a little girl born with a hand deformity, and members of the temple includingMichel Timonian, Patrick Abdelkarim, as well as Dr. Hanna Ltief accompanied the family from Lebanon to Cyprus, helping to make sure they got to their hotel and their clinic appointment. The nobles attended the outreach clinic for three days, lending support and serving as interpreters when needed. In addition to helping interpret for physician consults, they interpreted for Shriners Chil- dren’s genomics research project for the Lebanese family as well as for patients and families from Egypt and Jordan. Also traveling with the Shriners was Dr. Youssef Bakhach, president of the Lebanese Physician Associ- ation. Dr. Bakhach spent time with Shriners Children’s specialists and learned about the healthcare system’s outreach clinics. “The support of the nobles of Lubnan Shriners in helping children receive the care they need is so impactful,” said Laura Kozloski, Executive Director of International Strategy for Shriners Children’s. “The goal of Shriners Children’s is to help kids get care close to home, and the Lubnan Shriners’ local knowl- edge and deep dedication to helping children is a critical resource. “We are so thankful for the assistance of the nobles who attended the Cyprus clinic and those who helped from their home base in Lebanon,” Kozloski said.

Shriners Children’s New England Prosthetics and Orthotics Manager Brock

McConkey cares for a patient at the Cyprus clinic, which was supported by Lubnan Shriners.

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Mini Lizzies Drive Change

IN REBUILDING A BELOVED UNIT, MODESTO SHRINE CLUB BOOSTS BONDS OF BROTHERHOOD

The Modesto Shrine Club has changed gears.

THE CLUB , part of Aahmes Shriners, which is based in Alameda County, California, on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay area, has gotten its once popular Mini Lizzies back on the roads! The Mini Lizzie Unit is dedicated to the idea of promoting the philanthropy, Shriners Children’s, through the high visibility of the Shriners in local parades. The unit also serves to unite Modesto’s Shriners and Masons. Starting in the 1960s with only six cars, the Modesto Shrine Club Mini Lizzies (MSC Minis) began to show up in local parades first in its hometown, then slowly were invited to other com- munities to participate in events from Fourth of July to rodeos, to Almond Blossom Festivals, Apricot Festivals, Celebrations of Lights, and Veterans Day Parades. In later years, the cars and their fez-wearing drivers were invited to Modesto’s annual Graffiti events, where they promoted Shriners Children’s, according to Noble Dave Menshew, Ed.D. When the unit first started, all the cars were owned and main- tained by the MSC and hauled to the ever-increasing number of events. The unit began to grow and added so many cars that

it was transformed into one where each noble who wanted one would purchase and maintain it at his own expense, a model that exists to this day. But sadly, over the years, the unit dwindled to fewer and fewer cars, with attrition, change in focus by the nobles, and for other reasons. “Then, when so many other organizations were shrinking because of the COVID pandemic, the Modesto Shrine Club began to add members and Mini Lizzies. After asking several nobles, it appeared that this was the result of having more time at home to work on projects,” Menshew said. Enter Noble Tom Gutierrez, a particularly talented mechanic and problem solver who began to build his own cars from scratch. Noble Lee Coleman, already a highly trained mechanic with many years of experience and who was one of the forces keep- ing cars in the parades, worked with and encouraged Gutierrez. “Under the direction of these two excellent and dedicated Masonic brothers, new life was breathed into the unit, which by late 2022 now boasts 15 cars with new members being added monthly to the Modesto Masonic Lodge 206,” Menshew said. The Modesto Shrine Club Mini Lizzies were started by Masonic brothers who had joined the Shriners and wanted to find ways to support Shriners Children's Northern California. The incubator for this became Modesto Lodge #206, from which most of the Modesto Shrine Club members began their Masonic journeys. Over many years the lodge and the club have worked together hosting events and meetings and shar- ing resources to promote Masonic principles and support the nobles in pursuit of helping the patients of Shriners Children's. “Never a day goes by when members of both groups aren't involved in some activity that represents the Masons and the Shriners well and serves to help those children in need,” Menshew said. “(We hear from grateful parents) that Shriners Children’s helped their children when they most needed it.”

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Honoring History, Looking Ahead

JUNE MARKS SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS DAY AND LEGACY MONTH

Shriners come from every place and all walks of life.

A Special Milestone ON JUNE 6, 1876 , the fraternity’s Imperial Council was founded. To honor this historic event, Shriners International celebrates June 6 as Shriners International Awareness Day.

One thing nobles all have in common is a delight in telling others about our fraternity and philanthropy. Shriners International Awareness Day, marked annually on June 6, offers a perfect opportunity for nobles to spread the word about the fun, fellowship and philanthropy that comes with being a Shriner. Shriners International Awareness Day celebrations include a pride in the fraternity and a goal of increasing membership. If you aren’t sure what your temple is doing, check with your Potentate or membership chair. Maybe they need your help!

What You Can Do:

Tell your neighbors , friends and colleagues about the fun and fellowship you enjoy as a Shriner. Wear your fez , when appropriate. Display our logo on your hat, shirt, lapel pin or other apparel.

Shriners Legacy Month Shriners International Legacy Month, celebrated in June, is a time to celebrate nobles who make their fraternal membership a family tradition – welcoming grandfathers, fathers, sons, uncles and nephews, in-laws and others who have multiple Shriners within the same family. It’s an opportunity for temples to promote membership and honor their Legacy members. The fraternity's Legacy Program offers several opportunities for special recognition for registered members. Once registered, each Legacy may request his recognition certificate through his temple office and visit the Member Center online to purchase a special Legacy lapel pin. June is a wonderful month to celebrate your membership as a Shriner!

Invite a Master Mason to become a Shriner.

Organize or participate in events at your temple, in your community or online.

Reflect on what the fraternity means to you.

To learn more : Scan the QR code or visit shrinersinternational. org/en/member-center/membership/legacy . To register : visit the Member Center on shrinersinternational.org .

For consideration in a future issue of Shriner Magazine , let us know how your temple celebrates Shriners International Awareness Day. Send an email to Marketing@shrinenet.org . TELL YOUR STORY

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Biggest Event of the Year Gear Up for the Fraternity’s

Imperial Sir Kenny Craven and First Lady Jennifer “JJ” Craven are excited to invite you to join them in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 149th Imperial Session. For nobles who have never been to Imperial Session, take it from those who are regulars:

“It’s an experience you need to try at least once,” encourages Bob Keep, a Shriner of nearly 30 years and Past Potentate of WA WA Shriners in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Fellow Shriner of 46 years and current Vice President of the Dixie Shrine Association Ben Hart agrees. “If the Imperial Session is near your home base, and attendance does not cause a financial hardship on your family, attendance will allow you to meet the National Patient Ambassadors, Imperial officers and nobles from throughout the world,” says Hart, who is a member of Marzuq Shriners in Tallahassee, Florida. Keith Stika, Membership Chairman of Omar Shriners in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, agrees. “It’s great to put a face behind the handshake,” he says. Imperial Session has been a treasured yearly tradition since 1876. Guests have the opportunity to attend a variety of open meetings and workshops; presentations; and the biggest Shriners parade of the year. Hart says the annual event enables him to keep up with current legislation and provide timely reports back to his temple. But it’s not all business. Guests can also attend countless social events and friendly unit competitions and performances. Keep has traveled to Imperial Session five times. The furthest he’s traveled was from Saskatchewan to sunny Florida. He attends because he enjoys the fellowship and camaraderie of all the Shri- ners and their wives and meeting nobles from around the globe.

Hart has attended Imperial Session seven times, since 2015. “In addition to keeping myself updated on Shrine- dom, I get to see friends I have made in the fraternity and get to meet new friends each year,” he says. The longest distance he’s traveled for Session is last year, from Tallahas- see, Florida, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. To Stika, the membership training is invaluable: “Being able to exchange ideas with those who cannot come tomem- bership seminars and are not part of a team at their temples.” Stika, who has attended three times and is looking for- ward to this year’s event in Charlotte, also loves meeting his Shriner counterparts from overseas. Keep says when you’re not a delegate and not a part of the business sessions, the Shriners Zone, marketplace and entertainment opportunities provide fun and fellowship. In addition, the host cities always offer plenty of shopping, dining, museums and entertainment for nobles and families who would like to explore. Imperial Session is also about making memories and furthering the missions of Shriners International and Shri- ners Children’s. Stika’s advice to nobles? “Go if you can. See all you are allowed to see. Visit the marketplace. Take in local sights.”

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Reno, Nevada | June 30 - July 4, 2024 Atlanta, Georgia | June 29 - July 3, 2025 Tampa, Florida | July 12-16, 2026

WHEN : July 2-6, 2023 WHERE : Charlotte, North Carolina LEARNMORE : imperialsession.com

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RMDs Help Boost Membership Efforts

REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORS BRING TRAINING AND RESOURCES

The Great Escape. Armageddon. The Avengers. Anyone who has been to the movies knows: Before you can save the world, you have to gather your team.

IT HAPPENS HERE IN SHRINEDOM, TOO. A noble with an idea gets the green light to move forward, gathers a couple of nobles with skills – or enthusiasm – and pretty soon a temple has a new craft beer club or an event so successful it will become a tradition. And it couldn’t have happened without everyone working toward the same goal. And now, a committed team is a resource for member recruiting and retention. As temples work on the local level, teams have also been put into place at the Imperial and regional levels to support them. Each year, the Imperial Potentate makes appointments to committees and working teams to assist their assigned temples with fraternal operations and performance. Once such team is the Membership Executive Committee. Composed of dedicated nobles who are leaders within the Shriner and Masonic commu- nity, this group’s mission is to help strategically plan and direct membership programs designed to assist temples, clubs, and units in membership recruit- ment, retention and restoration. Complementing their service in a tactical role are 15 Regional Membership Directors (RMDs), each assigned a geographic region. Serving as the initial point of contact for temple leadership and local membership teams, RMDs provide assistance and guidance regarding membership operations. The RMD role is designed as an investment by Shriners International in sup- port for each temple, assisting with membership efforts, providing counsel on best practices and resources available through Shriners International, and serving as a conduit of information to share temple requests, opportunities and challenges with the Office of Membership Development. The structure helps temples drill down on their specific needs. “As an RMD, I am able to work with local temples in my region with ideas that work here but wouldn't be as helpful in other areas,” said Duane Crapser, Past Potentate of Tigris Shriners and RMD for Region 11. “When planning trips to temples in Region 11, I was asked to bring ideas to increase membership and fellowship and not just a PowerPoint from Imperial,” Crapser said. “This was the catalyst of my 2023 NYOSA Tour to Shrine Temples.” Region 11 comprises the Shrine Centers that make up the New York Ontario Shrine Association (NYOSA), geographically consisting of New York State and southern Ontario, Canada. “Being a Shriner has changed my life,” Crapser said. “Every opportunity I get to talk about our Shrine family, I do. I love our kids and feel promoting membership will bring more to our community … It is my goal to have NYOSA jurisdiction thrive with new Shriners and their families joining us.”

REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORS

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Dustin Hatfield , P.P., Calam Shriners

Steven R. "Steve" Gough , M.D., P.P., Ballut Abyad Shriners

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William P. "Bill" Leedy , P.P., Mizpah Shriners

4 Lynn D. Misialek , P.P., Kem Shriners 5 R odney E. Weaver , P.P, Khiva Shriners

6 Rodney T. “Rod” McGrath , Ararat Shriners, and Zachery G. "Zac" Castillo , Akdar Shriners 7 George E. “Ed” Brown , Jr., P.P., Hadji Shriners 8 J ason H. Turner , P.P., Hejaz Shriners 9 Brad E. Prout , P.P., Anah Shriners 10 Richard W. Jessop , Rajah Shriners 11 Duane Crapser, P.P. , Tigris Shriners 12 Thomas H. Holt, P.P. , Yaarab Shriners 13 Raymond A. "Ray" Lynch, P.P. , Azan Shriners 14 Gardner D. Burton , P.P., Scimitar Shriners 15 Adrian Aguayo Macias , Anezeh Shriners

Learn more: bit.ly/SIRMemDs

MEMBERSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Imperial Sir Kevin R. Costello , Chairman Imperial Sir Matt Sturlaugson , Vice Chairman Michael J. Fox , P.P., Kerak Shriners MW William A. "Bill" Garrard, P.G.M. , El Zaribah Shriners Steve J. Livernash , Zor Shriners G. Sam Montgomery , P.P., Abou Ben Adhem Shriners

Jordan W. Settle , P.P., Jaffa Shriners Louis H. "Lou" Worthy , Omar Shriners

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P.O. Box 31356 Tampa, FL 33631-3356 813-281-0300 Change Service Requested

Helping Kids Get Back in the Game

SPORTS OFFER FUN AND FELLOWSHIP WHILE SUPPORTING THE PHILANTHROPY

When competitors take the field, it’s a win- win-win-win-win situation for Shriners International, Shriners Children’s, temples and nobles, and patients and families. It’s been an exciting year for our organizations’ signature events, and there’s no sign of slowing down.

The East-West Shrine Bowl™ , held Feb. 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada, once again proved it is more than just a game, mixing the best in col- lege football with the most inspiring of patient stories. The East and West teams were coached by staff from the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, and in a big win for our athletes, head coaches Bill Belichick of the Patriots and Arthur Smith of the Falcons were also on hand at practices – providing an excellent chance for our athletes to show their talents in hopes of being drafted into the NFL. The 23rd Annual Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, wrapped up as this magazine was going to print. Louisville, Michigan, Rice, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU took the diamond for this premier nine-game tournament.

Next up? We’re back in Las Vegas October 9–15 for the Shri- ners Children’s Open , where top PGA golfers will take the links at the beautiful TPC Summerlin. The fun and games are all in service of Shriners Children’s, rais- ing the healthcare system’s profile and providing opportunities of a lifetime for patient ambassadors. Meanwhile, nobles and ladies who attend as volunteers or spectators also make memories to cherish. If you haven’t yet attended an event in person, is this the year you and your temple consider planning a trip? If not, gather together for fun and fellowship by hosting watch parties and local tie-in events.

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