potentate's message - april 2020

Illustrious Sir John Arnould
2020 Potentate

So much has changed since I first wrote an article for this issue of the Arabian Knights. We have gone from two very busy months to everything is cancelled or postponed. All of April’s Shrine events are cancelled. Both Circus Park and Saginaw Shriners Hall are closed.

May’s Shrine events are cancelled or postponed. We will have digital business meetings in April and May. As government restrictions are lifted, and safety concerns lessen, we will reevaluate resuming meetings.

The Sportsman’s Raffle has been rescheduled for June 21. This is not an ideal day (Sunday), but Circus Park is rented every Saturday through mid-October, so our options are limited. We will not cancel a rental for a Shrine event as the income is even more needed than normal at this time. New tickets have been printed and are available from Phil Brack. Please get out and really push these tickets. We need this to be a major event for the Temple.

The Easter Party, Oasis Craft Show, and property cleanup are cancelled. The Arab Patrol Raffle Party is postponed to later date to be determined.

May’s Spring Ceremonial and the Scottish Rite Reunion have been cancelled. The Ladies Luncheon has been postponed and will be rescheduled when possible.

June events are still on for now. The Shriner’s Run is moving fast! Arab Patrol’s Steak Fry is cooking. The Car Show on June 21st is canceled but is being replaced with the Sportsman’s Raffle. We are waiting on updates from the Chicago Hospital, but it appears they will be cancelling the June 7 Hospital Day. We will keep you updated on this.

The Divan and Finance Committee are working diligently to establish policies and procedures for the handling of Temple funds. By the time you read this many of these policies will be in place. Our goal is to be able to generate realistic budgets that are attainable and manage funds to meet our obligations on timely schedules. Once we get the Temple policies in place, we will be working on the Association budget.

The 2020 Shrine Dues are past due. We still have several Nobles that have not paid their dues. Please get this into the office as soon as you can. You can pay online at www.ekshrine.com or by USPS mail. If you, or a Noble you know, are having financial burdens that make paying the dues difficult, please contact the Recorder or me. We can help you through this and maintain your Shrine privileges.

These times are trying. Please take care of yourselves and family. Your health and well being is of utmost importance. If you are healthy, strong, and able, please remember the many less fortunate in our communities. If you are able to volunteer in any way, please do. There are so many things that need to be done. You can assist at local foodbanks, deliver meals or groceries, sew masks for first responders, call shut ins. Remember the three principal rungs of Jacob’s Ladder – Faith, Hope, and Charity. The greatest of these is Charity!

We will update you to new developments as they occur. Visit our website, www.ekshrine. com; Facebook, Elf Khurafeh Shriners, and Instagram. Or call a Divan Member.

Prayers to our sick and shut ins, may you have a speedy recovery. God Bless our Temples of Mercy. May their hands heal our Shrine Children!

Your humble servant,
John E Arnould
Potentate

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