Greetings to all from the office of the Recorder!
It’s been a particularly busy past few weeks for your Divan. My goal is to succinctly summarize Imperial Session and also give you all insight as to the goings on here at Bektash too!
Imperial Session
Ills. Thoroughgood and Lady Dixie, Ills. PP Murray and Lady Suzanne, CR Hunter and Lady Emilie, AR Raven and Lady Stacey, Treasurer Walters and Lady Donna and I, along with Lady Tracey Norris were in attendance for the Session.
Treasurer Walters and I attended our Treasurers and Recorders meetings which were conducted prior to the Session commencing. Important insight into the upcoming legislative proposals were learned by us which we passed on to Ills. Ken and CR Brett. There was little doubt that this information made them better prepared for the discussions that took place prior votes on legislation.
As you all can relate, the most important pieces of legislation this session had to do with finances and the hospitals. I will address the Iowa and financial parts first.
Brought to the floor was the issue of spouses of delegates travel (Mileage Allowance) reimbursement. This was narrowly defeated. Discussion prior to the vote both for this continuing and it ceasing was passionate and respectful. A point I did not know was that this allowance has been in effect since 1971. While no change occurred and finances being what they are, there is little doubt this will be a continuing item on the call.
The Per Diem of $20.00 per day for delegates was soundly passed and thus will be eliminated for the delegates attending future Imperial Sessions. There was little discussion relative to this from the floor as I sensed the feeling of many was that the $20.00 was meaningless to the delegates as most saw this as a way for Imperial to save some money. (The figure tossed about was a savings of approx. $50,000.00.)
Per Capita Tax was the final big financial matter. As you recall from my explanation at the June Stated Meeting, the provision was for an annual dues increase, the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus the percentage of decrease in Shriners International membership. Again, there was much passionate discussion on both sides of this issue. There came a point when a delegate rose and spoke to the fact that this could be a “blank check” written for future being there was no yearly cap to this proposal. And with that a motion was entertained from the floor to cap the yearly adjustment not to exceed $5.00 per year.
The motion was affirmed, and the proposal was amended to contain the language that the increase could not exceed $5.00 per year.
A call for the vote then occurred and the proposal, as amended passed.
This being adopted, I have already received notice from Imperial that the upcoming dues will increase from $50.00 to $54.00. (The actual formula for upcoming dues worked out to $4.18. From the proposal, the amount will always be rounded to the nearest dollar for and even amount.)
These were the most significant financial matters addressed. I would only note that the Article proposed on doing a Financial Compilation rather than a Financial Review was withdrawn.
Under the Retention of Membership, the issue with the Arkansas Grand Lodge has been handled and the wording of that matter has been amended with the word “Arkansas” removed. Handled by voice vote, this was adopted, and the Grand Master of Arkansas was in attendance. Thunderous applause was met with the adoption of this article and in a show of solidarity, the Grand Master and Imperial Potentate embraced on the stage post the vote. It was truly a great moment.
All of the “housekeeping” if you will matters passed. (Jurisdictional changes, affiliations, requirements to run for Imperial offices and new temples). It is important to note that we now have Temples on Cypress and in Africa!!
From the Colorado side, Chairman Leslie “Doc” Stewart gave an excellent report. He outlined how well we are doing but also cautioned everyone to understand that we need to be able to move quickly in this ever-changing environment of children’s health care.
A statistic he offered that was truly enlightening to all was that in the past 5 years, 80%
of Children’s hospitals have closed their doors. We are truly fulfilling an important need with the services we provide, and we continue to grow, seeing more patients in more locations than ever.
Doc Stewart reported that our hospital in Mexico continues to be the busiest of all in our system.
A statistic we should all be extremely proud of is that our doctors performed 227,697 procedures and 80,001 surgeries last year, which is a new record for us!
This all being said there were several pieces of legislation brought to the delegates to make the Shriners system better able to affiliate with and open treatment centers as opposed to the hospital model. The specific verbiage was “Other Affiliated Healthcare Relationships”.
And the concern of already existing Boards was put to rest in that if a current hospital or facility has a Board of Directors, they will remain. Shriners New England is an excellent example of this piece of legislation.
There were several pieces of legislation regarding emeritus Colorado members and them being allowed to vote also as Iowa corporation members. There was much confusion amongst the delegates on these matters, and they were defeated during this session, but I suspect these will be back, better clarified during next session(s).
The last piece of major business I am reporting on is that of former, at the beginning of Imperial, Oriental Guide Martin L. “Marty” Bartlett.
During the first session post the official opening of the Imperial Session, there were presentations offered by parties on both sides of the issue(s) regarding the Imperial Sirs suspension. Post these presentations the delegates voted that Imperial Sir Bartlett be reinstated and allowed to continue. Thus, the Imperial line was intact during the session.
When voting occurred for Imperial Officers, all progressed with the addition of our great friend and Tunis Shriner Richard Loomes being elected as Imperial Outer Guard!!
The official Imperial line is as follows:
Imperial Potentate Lawrence J. “Larry” Lieb
Imperial Chief Rabban Mark E. Hartz
Imperial Assistant Rabban Matthew “Matt” Sturlaugson
Imperial High Priest and Prophet Martin L. “Marty” Bartlett
Imperial Oriental Guide Timothy D. “Tim” Forbes
Imperial Treasurer Scott A. Schuster
Imperial Recorder Richard G. Burke
Imperial First Ceremonial Master Ron DeVoll
Imperial Second Ceremonial Master David C. Hamm
Imperial Marshal Dale R. Vrsalovich
Imperial Captain of the Guard Rick Holloway
Imperial Outer Guard Richard Loomes
Imperial Chaplain Jeffrey A. “Jeff” Geske
This concludes my report on the Imperial Session and should anyone have further questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me or Ills. Ken or CR Brett.
As for Bektash, well, last weekend was the Bektash Picnic hosted by Ills. PP Brent Norris and Lady Tacey!! Simply put, it was great!! Thanks to all who attended and especially to Ills Brent and Lady Tracey!!
There was a great group who went from the picnic to the Bank of NH Pavillion selling CDs. I am told they had a great time and while selling CD’s enjoyed a great show!! Thanks to all who helped out!!
Ills. PP Norris is putting together the annual Lady Amy Golf tournament which will take place on Sept. 21st at Pembroke Pines. Please put this on your calendar and provide whatever assistance you can for Bektash!! We will be looking for hole sponsors, players and people to help out on the day of as spotters on the course, registration of the golfers and raffle ticket sales just to mention a few needs. For the time being, if any of this is of interest to you, please reach out to us in the office and we will let you know of upcoming meetings.
August 14th will be our next Fun and Fellowship night. The theme will be “western” featuring a bar b que and cattle roping and branding!! (I want to see who is paying attention and actually reading!!) Anyway, I am quite sure it will be fun so please dress in your best western attire and see you there!! Yee Haw!!!!
Please don’t forget the Northeast Filed Days!! August 20th thru the 23rd!! Looking forward to a great time!!
I will conclude here as quite a bit has been covered. As always, thank you for the continued support of Bektash and our fraternity!! I look forward to seeing everyone at an upcoming event, at Bingo or the Northeast Field Days!!
Fraternally,
Lloyd