Let me first say, thank you to all those who voted for me as the next Imperial Potentate, and for those who have helped Sharon and me prepare for this honored position. It’s not possible to name everyone who had an impact on us over the years. However, I must recognize the Nobles and Ladies of Al Aska Shriners, the staff at Shriners International Headquarters, our families and the many Nobles we met in our travels over the past decade.
I am especially honored to be elected to this position because I don’t feel that I am different from any other Noble. Any Representative to the Imperial Council is eligible to campaign for the Imperial Line. I just happen to be lucky enough to get elected. For that, I thank all of you.
I also want to give a special thank you to the person who has done more than anyone else over the years to bring us successfully to this point — my Lady Sharon. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Without her support, assistance and help, I wouldn't be here today. It is one of the greatest feelings in life to know that you are married to your best friend. Thank you so much, my dear.
Sharon and I will do our very best to deserve the trust that you have placed in us. Why do I say “we?” It’s because I feel that Sharon and I are partners in this venture.
I have used the words “who would have thought” a number of times in the past, and it is especially applicable at this time. It goes like this… When I joined the Shrine, who would have thought that I would be Potentate of Al Aska Shriners? Then, who would have thought that I would be elected to the Imperial Divan? I am a firm believer that if you have a goal and desire it enough, you can make it happen. It takes drive, desire, direction and, at times, sacrifice. The thing to remember is that you can accomplish whatever it is that you desire.
One of my goals this year is to help make our great fraternity and our great philanthropy even better tomorrow than they are today. Can that be done? Yes, most definitely.
Are there challenges? Most certainly. Foremost, we must increase our membership. I believe we are on the right track. Our Membership Committee has made progress on many fronts to assist our Temples in resolving this situation. The Membership Committee has used the term “TEAM” — Together Everyone Accomplishes More. I agree that working together is always more successful than working alone.
However, when you spell MEMBERSHIP, it begins with M-E… ME. And when we say that membership begins with ME, it means we must be involved on a personal level. ME and only ME can get results.
I also believe that our Shrine, and more especially our Shriners Hospitals for Children, has a PARTNERSHIP WITH HUMANITY. We partner with so many different aspects of society — our patients, our employees, the vendors, the communities in which we have facilities… the list goes on. In a partnership each side shares. Each one gives, receives and participates.
If you stop and think about it, numerous partnerships permeate our lives and those of our hospital and fraternal activities. It will be the task of each of us to strengthen those ties so that both sides of these partnerships become better.
There is another thing we must do… that is to have FUN. Masons who wanted an organization that was dedicated to having fun founded our fraternity in 1876. Since that time, we have evolved in many ways, but we should never lose sight of the fun part. We can and will work hard for our fraternity and philanthropy. While we are working, we will also have fun.
This Imperial Year, you will hear me stress increasing our membership, strengthening our partnerships with humanity, and remembering that membership begins with ME.
Once again, Sharon and I thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you this Imperial Year. I would like to leave you with a quote from Winston Churchill:
Thank you for all you give to our great fraternity and to the “World’s Greatest Philanthropy.”
Sincerely,