Nobles, Illustrious Sirs, Ladies and Friends of Bektash
The end of the year has come, and it is time to write my final Potentate’s message to the Nobles of Bektash as many others have done who have gone this way before me.
I leave this office with a full heart and of no regrets.
It has been an active and busy year. It seems like only a few months have passed. Lady Mili and I travelled a great deal during the year as we represented Bektash at all the Northeast visitations except for Newfoundland.
For counterparts that did not get a chance to bond well together due to the pandemic canceling the Assistant Rabban seminar, the 2023 Potentates of the Northeast made up for the lost time and pulled together even stronger. We supported each other in force and had an almost perfect attendance record in all the visitations and ceremonials.
Here at home in New Hampshire we continued our work in the quarries and worked tirelessly to support the Nobles of Bektash. Several of our units and clubs that are no longer in existence were cleared off of Imperial records. Paving the way for cleaner records being reported to Imperial going forward.
This year I had the honorable task of hosting the Temples of the Northeast Shrine Association. The first time that Bektash has hosted in fifteen years. When I was appointed into the Divan in 2018, I was then told that my year as Potentate was already set to be the year that Bektash hosts the NSA. Since then, many years of planning ensued to the final culmination of a successful event. As the outgoing President of the NSA, I now assume my newly elected role as Secretary Treasurer of the NSA.
I will also continue to serve on the Board of Governors at the Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada.
I also look forward to returning to the parade routes of the summer and rejoining the Mini-Kars.
I want to thank the officers of my Divan for their support as well as their challenges along they way. A lot of hard work was accomplished this year; Improvements to the building and parking lot; Readying the hall for various events to lawn care were all cared for this year with ease.
The biggest thanks of all goes out to Lady Mili. She has been by my side through this entire journey and has been through the hard times as well as the great times.
My Thanks also go to Angelline, Niko, Alianna and Kasia. They have all grown up in the Shrine world. Seeing their parents volunteer so much time to children that are not them. This has developed them into caring individuals who also value the embodiment of what we do as Shriners. I feel that I have successfully instilled the tenants of our Shriners Creed into them.
Before I close out my final message, I want to thank the chairs of our last event, the Bektash Christmas Party. Thank you Brett and Emilie Hunter. The place looked great and was well attended. I also want to thank my special guests, Shriners patient, James and his family. To see the fruits of our labors in our hall is the best thanks that anyone could want.
I congratulate, Potentate-Elect, Alan Fillingham and the elected officers of 2024.
The Divan and Bektash have my full support and well wishes for the ensuing year.
Paul M Little
Potentate 2023