Greetings to you all!!
It’s been an extremely busy month and there is so much to pass on to you all so here goes!!
The rescheduled Stated Meeting occurred with over 35 Nobles in attendance. 2 new Nobles were voted upon and will very soon be a part of our upcoming Ceremonial in June. Congrats to Noble John Sterritt and Noble Derek Pomerleau!! We look forward to welcoming them and their ladies and extended families to Bektash Shriners!!
HP&P Peter Raven and Lady Stacey put together a great program for this year’s Easter “Egg”stravaganza. Although the weather didn’t cooperate for the “Touch a Truck” event, they had plenty of other activities for all to enjoy. Even the Easter Bunny made appearances throughout the weekend!! HP & P Raven reported that they 50 baskets for folks to bid on and the Golden Egg and 50/50 outpaced the previous year’s totals. We are all looking forward to next year as this event continues to grow!! Great job everyone!!
The Recorders Seminar was extremely informative, covering many topics vital to our operation. Insurance and fundraising were a focus, and I’ll expound on those two topics here now.
Ensuring that we are properly covered for our activities is most important. Knowing when our Units and Clubs are parading, participating in other civic and or Shrine events or holding other activities is essential. Please, Unit and Club heads, notify the office of these activities!!
We are truly lucky to have as head of our Insurance Committee Ills P P Brent Norris. I have found his expertise to be invaluable. Please nobles, the next time you see Brent, thank him for his continued service to Bektash!!
The fundraising aspect of the seminar basically drilled into everyone the importance of ensuring that we do not blur the lines between what is a philanthropic fundraiser and a fraternal fundraiser. These lines cannot be crossed and it’s our job to ensure this does not happen.
In the very near future a new logo will be coming out pertaining to our hospitals. We have to be very careful in how it is displayed as just the mere sight of it instills that what we do is totally for the hospitals and we all know that this is not the case. Many of our units and clubs display this during their activities and thus we must ensure that we do not, as I mentioned earlier, blur the lines. Should there be any questions on this topic, your Divan can answer the specifics so please, don’t be afraid to ask.
I am pleased to announce, with Treasurer Walters, that the Audit that we have been working on with our CPA has been completed and a draft is in process of being reviewed by all as I write this. A quick review of the document indicated that we are doing things very well here at Bektash. That the appropriate procedures and practices are in place and most importantly, they are being followed.
Once this document is approved by the Divan, it will be forwarded to Imperial for their review.
This has been quite a process that began several years ago and so many have been involved in getting us to this point. Congrats to all that participated and worked so hard to get this Audit completed.
For everyone’s information, as you recall we have changed our By-Laws to now require a CPA review moving forward and this will begin for the tax year 2024.
Another item discussed at the Seminar was that of the dues cards. Nobles, we will all be getting new ones this year. That’s the teaser. More information as to what this will do for us will be coming as soon Imperial completes the process of getting up to speed for their issuance.
Otherwise, a lot of administrative matters were covered and a lot of knowledge passed on to us new guys from the elders. It’s always great to hear how it’s done in other places and how we all can benefit from their expertise!! I personally can’t wait to meet in Atlanta for more great discussions and information.
Getting back here to Bektash, there is so much going on!!
Information will be forthcoming on both the Imperial Session in Atlanta at the end of June, early July and the NE Shrine Association Field Days in September!! Watch your e-mails and this publication for further info on both!!
Our first Fun and Fellowship night on May 2 nd with a Mexican theme!! Come join the fun!!
As noted earlier, we have new Nobles to be initiated!! This will formally occur in June at the Ceremonial. Director Lothrop and Asst. Director Tuttle are looking for cast members so, if you can help, please reach out!! Sure to be a great event with some fun for all!!
And finally, thanks to all the Unit and Club Nobles that came to the meeting on the 19 th . A great discussion session with a lot of information disseminated and shared. Thanks to Col. Vachon and Ills. McIntosh for putting this together. And you Nobles are certainly keeping busy keeping the work of Bektash Shriners in the minds of people here in New Hampshire
Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon and thanks for reading!!
Fraternally,