Potentate's Message
Potentate's Message for Spring 2008
Let me start by thanking the Nobility of KORA SHRINERS for electing me to serve in the office of Illustrious Potentate for 2008. It is an honor that I will cherish forever.
For those who were unable to attend the Annual Meeting in January, the Uniformed Units of KORA under went some changes. We had several Unit Directors that were awarded Emeritus status; Dick Libby with the Arab Patrol, Mike Blais with the Clowns, Arthur Jordan with the Log Rollers, Dwight Merrill with the Funsters, Everett Kaherl with the Highlanders and Bud Gellatly with the Second Section. Having done that, we needed to replace those directors. We have seven new unit directors; Fred Friend with the Arab Patrol, Steve Moore with the Clowns, Albert Cannell with the Log Rollers, Glenn Cole with the Facts & Figures, Arlan Saunders with the Funsters, Red Therrien with the Highlanders, and Butch Craig with the Second Section. Congratulations to all!
By the time this is published and in your hands, the Shrine Club “Annual Meeting Tour” will be history. It is a long stretch of meetings, but it is well worth the time to get out and talk with the Nobility, some of whom are unable to get to the Temple. Many good ideas are passed along at these meetings. While I am on the subject of Shrine Clubs, please try and make an effort to get to your local club. This is where you can interact with those in your community and develop stronger Masonic and Fraternal ties. If you don’t know where your local club meets, a listing of club presidents is in the SANDS or simply call the Temple office and they will point you in the right direction. Become active, you’ll enjoy it.
Membership is still a concern and on the front burner. Last year our Membership Chairman, Everett Kaherl worked very hard to get Membership headed in the right direction. By all accounts, we had a tremendous year. However, we, and I mean we, still have a problem. On December 31, 2007, we suspended 169 members for non-payment of their dues. This is an area that we have a chance to control. Everett has mentioned at each of the Shrine Club meetings we attended that his goal is to setup a group of three or four Nobles, acting as an ad hoc membership committee. These Nobles could meet before the monthly club meeting, thus saving a trip to the Temple. You, at the club level, have a better idea as to what is happening in your area. By keeping it local, we can have a firmer grasp on membership and what problems may be out there.
While I am on the subject on membership and suspensions, the Potentate’s Project this year deals with that. While some members just are not interested in remaining a Shriner, a number are very interested, but are just unable to pay their dues. Let’s face it, by the time you pay Blue Lodge, Scottish or York Rites, and Shrine dues, it can add up to quite a sum. We have established a fund called KORA KARES. This fund will be used to assist those who may need some help with dues. This will be done on a case by case basis. The Membership Committee will contact the Noble and if they find assistance is warranted, we can give that Noble some help. We have Nobles being suspended with over 30 years of membership in KORA. Our Blue Lodge lessons teach us to lend a helping hand to Brothers in need, so lets do just that. To help fund this project, lets keep collecting bottles and cans as we did last year to fund Ill. Sir Tom’s project to improve the Temples PA system. We will of course accept any donations you may wish to make.
Our Spring Ceremonial will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Temple. After the business meeting and the First Section if we have any candidates, and we better, we will repair to the Oasis for some refreshments and a little Circus fun. I won’t tell you what you may encounter, but by the time dinner is served; you will have Circus on your mind. Upon returning to the Ceremonial Hall, we have the great fortune to have a patient from our hospital system to share their story. Our hospital system is why we exist, never forget that. Please plan on attending.
Our largest fundraiser by far is still the Kora Shrine Circus. The circus has undergone a major change this year. Our promoter of 39 years retired unexpectedly at the end of last year’s shows. The Circus Committee looked around, spoke with a number of new promoters and chose Hamid Circus to promote our shows this year. Hamid does a number of “Shrine Circuses” and comes highly recommended. You will see information about the circus throughout the SANDS, so please pitch in and help make this our best Circus in years!
Our Screening Clinics will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The locations are listed in the SANDS. Paul Bacon has been hard at work to improve the clinics. Let’s get out there and find some kids that we can help.
Our Summer Ceremonial will be held at Bayley’s Camping Resort in Scarborough, June 6 & 7. While the final pieces are still being put in place it will be a fun and relaxing time for all. For those who wish to camp for the weekend, Bayley’s is already accepting reservations. Please make sure that you mention that you are with KORA. Look for more information, along with a reservation form in the next issue of the SANDS.
I am going to wrap it up for now, but don’t forget we have much more happening. In July we have the Car Show/Fly-In and Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. In August (please note the date change) we will be attending the Northeast Shrine Association Field Days hosted by Bektash Shriners in Manchester New Hampshire. In September, Ladies Night will be held at the Wyndham Hotels in South Portland (formally the Sheraton). In October, we will hold the Fall Ceremonial and in November, the FEZtival of Trees.
I’ll see you along the road………………….
Glen Lalumiere, Potentate
Past Messages
Need more information?
Please contact us by phone at 207-782-6831 or by e-mail at office at korashriners.org. We would be happy to either provide you with the information you need or point you to where you need to go.
