Shriner Magazine - Summer 2023

Their Moment to Shine

ALEPPO AWARDS INCREASE RETENTION AND INVOLVEMENT

Fun and fellowship lie at the heart of Shriners philosophy, and by exploring everything that the fraternity has to offer, nobles are likely to find activities they love.

WITH THIS IN MIND , the Aleppo Membership Commit tee in Wilmington, Massachusetts, created two awards, the Rookie and Master Noble Awards, to create excitement and give nobles additional incentive to get involved. Noble Charles Bovaird, who initiated the retention awards program, then presented the concept to temples regionally so that they could consider rolling out their own version of the award. “In the course of engaging in activities, Shriners will get really educated on what’s involved in being a Shriner and get ting to know people and getting to be part of the fabric of the organization, which is important,” said Illustrious Sir Robert H. Brown, the immediate Past Potentate of Aleppo, who received the Master Noble Award earlier this year. These awards recognize what’s great about being a member in the fraternity and are given during ceremonials in January and June as well as in the fall.

“Post-COVID, we've seen a great response by both new nobles and those who were already members, to be more active as Shriners. We've even had nobles earn both the Rookie Noble award and the Master Noble award within this year,” said Brown, who added that he was destined to be a Shriner because his father was a long-time member. “I am certain that these two programs have helped raise the level of activity at Aleppo.” Initially, Brown said, he became more involved after his dad passed away and his children grew up. “Among other things, I have a motorcycle license and hadn’t ridden in a long time, so I joined the motorcycle unit as a way to get back into riding,” he said. From there he got to meet people from around the world with the same mission.

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SHRINER MAGAZINE: PRIDE AND TRADITION