Hand book of Procedures and Regulations for the Divan, Officers, Units and Clubs of Ballut Abyad Shrine
BALLUT ABYAD SHRINE
2008 ORIENTATION MANUAL
Manual's Table of Contents
Imperial Council …………………………………………. p. 1
The Fez …………………………………………………... p. 2
Sponsoring a Child for a Shrine Hospital …………….. .....p. 3-5
Parades …………………………………………………... p. 6-7
Flag Protocol …………………………………………….. .p. 8
Miscellaneous Protocol ………………………………….. p. 9
Membership …………………………………………….... p. 10-11
Public Relations and Publicity …………………………... p. 12-13
Divan Duties …………………………………………….. p. 14-20
Aide Duties ……………………………………………… p. 21-23
Unit and Club Heads …………………………………..... p. 24-29
Membership
Publicity
Meetings
Ladies
Programs
Temple Liaison Officer
Officers and Elections
Communication
Conclusion
Shrine Visitation Protocol ……………………………… p. 30-32
Seating Charts
THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL
http://www.nmshriners.com/imperial_shrine.htm
The Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America is the governing body of all Shrine Temples and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Its headquarters are in Tampa, Florida. At the present time there are 191 Shrine Temples located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.
The Imperial Council is composed of two distinct and separate corporations. One, the Iowa Corporation, governs the Shrine Temples and their membership. The other, the Colorado Corporation, governs the twenty-two Shriners Hospitals for Children and their operation.
As of 2006, there were approximately 410,000 Shriners in North America. The first Temple was Mecca Temple in New York City. Today, Shrine Temples are located from Anchorage, Alaska, to the Panama Canal Zone and from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The first Shine Hospital was built in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1922. Today, there are twenty-two Shrine Hospitals from Canada to Mexico and from Honolulu to Boston. Since the first hospital opened, over 750,000 children have been treated. The 2006 operating budget for the hospitals was $649 million. This budget includes $33 million for various research projects and $33 million for capital expenditures. These hospitals have been a primary means of making many children whole again and able to have a more normal and happy life.
Ballut Abyad Temple works primarily with the hospital in Los Angeles. This hospital, because of revised earthquake standards, will have to be rebuilt in the next six years. Plans are underway to begin that rebuilding process. There are a number of screening clinics in Albuquerque and Hobbs to see if a child can be helped by the Shriners Hospitals. In 2007, the number of children screened totaled 255 with 32 children accepted into the program, bringing the total number of children in the program to 444. The amount spent on the program in New Mexico in 2007 was $128,000. Without the screening clinics, the cost would be more than $100,000 higher.
REMEMBER, “No man walked so tall ‘til he stooped to help a child.”
You, my Brother, are a member of the “World’s Greatest Philanthropy.”
THE FEZ
The Fez is the most recognized symbol of our Order. It is to be worn by all Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at all Stated (regular) meetings, ceremonials (initiations), Shrine parades and caravans, and special Shrine events. The Fez may not be worn at other than official meetings and functions.
The Fez is not a bulletin board. Titles of the Divan and Officers of the Temple are allowed on ONE LINE underneath the emblem on the Fez. Active members of official uniformed units may likewise have the name of their unit on ONE LINE beneath the emblem on the Fez. Any official appointee of an Imperial Potentate or Potentate may have his title beneath the emblem, as above, for the term of his appointment. No more than two pins or clasps may be used to hold the tassel in place. No other device, ornament, title, wording or adornment is permitted. (See Imperial Bylaws, Article 13.)
SPONSORING A CHILD FOR A SHRINE HOSPITAL
You may always contact Erlinda Ballut Abyad's Hospital Coordinator click here
Application and admission to Shriners Hospitals for Children is a very simple process and yet seems to be unclear to many of the Nobility. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Club and Unit officers, as well as the Divan and Aides, to familiarize themselves with this process.
ACCEPTANCE FOR TREATMENT IN ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITALS: There are two ways a child may be accepted for treatment in one of our orthopedic Hospitals:
--Completion of an
Application for Treatment Form #1036
with sponsorship by a Shriner.
Patients referred by Shriners must have an application form completed and
returned to Ballut Abyad
Temple. The application is then reviewed at the hospital prior to a medical
examination. If the review
is
successful, a medical examination is scheduled and the child is then screened by
the medical staff to
see
whether or not he/she can be helped by the
You may down load the 1036 form: http://www.shrinershq.org/files/PDF/hospitals/application_.pdf
--Medical examination in a
screening clinic
sponsored by one of our Shriners Hospitals. Appointments to
this
clinic may be arranged by a telephone call to Ballut Abyad Shrine Temple
(505-265-0800 x103).
Final
acceptance is contingent upon the review of the application by the Board of
Governors of the
Shrine
Hospital.
ACCEPTANCE FOR TREATMENT IN BURN HOSPITALS:
--ACUTE BURNS—The
handling of an acute burn is an emergency situation and must be handled as
expeditiously as possible. In case of an emergency, contact the Hospital
Chairman in your area or call
the
Shrine Office (505-265-0800 x103).
--PATIENTS WITH HEALED
BURNS, including
the loss of function in any part of the body such as
deformities or excessive scarring, should be handled in the same way as an
orthopedic case. In many
cases,
the patient may be accepted at one of the orthopedic hospitals rather than a
burn hospital.
Parents or guardians will be notified as to the status of the application. If the application is approved, notification will be sent as to future procedures.
WHAT SHOULD A COMPLETED APPLICATION CONTAIN?
In order for a Shriners Hospital to process an application quickly, the proper information needs to accompany the application. The application cannot be processed without the required information, and the child’s treatment could possibly be delayed due to missing information. The following is what should accompany an application:
--The application itself should be completed.
--The financial portion should
not
be left blank. If the family is currently on some type of assistance,
this
information should not be withheld.
--Please note:
It is important to fill
in the financial section of the application including questions about
insurance, health plans, and family income. If the patient needs some services
that the Shriners Hospital
cannot
provide, and the patient is covered by insurance, the insurance company will be
billed for that
service. If the patient is not
covered by insurance, the Shriners Hospital will be billed, and will pay for,
the
needed service. In any event, the patient will
not
be financially
responsible. The family income
category is simply for the purpose of demographic information—what patient
income levels are being
treated
by Shriners Hospitals for Children.
--A birth certificate should also accompany the application—a baptismal certificate is not acceptable.
--A past medical history of the child should be completed and returned.
--An immunization record should accompany the application.
--If there has been a death, divorce or separation within the family
structure, the proper documentation
should
be contained within the application.
If all of the proper information is returned with the application, we can ensure a speedy response from the Hospital regarding the child’s acceptance or rejection into the Children’s Hospital Program.
ACCEPTABLE CASES
--Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
--Back problems
--Club feet
--Dislocated hip
--Hip dysphasia
--Legg-Perthes disease
--Leg length discrepancies
--Amputation or deficiency of limbs
--Fractures (non-emergency)
--Orthopedic congenital deformities
--Orthopedic sports injuries
--Osteogenesis imperfecta
--Rickets
--Polio
--Musculoskeletal disorders
--Pediatric and orthopedic problems related to:
--cerebral palsy
--spina bifida
--Deformities due to burns
--Scar revision
--Reconstructive surgery
--Cleft lip
--Microtia
--Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
--Arthrogryposis
--Genetics
NON-ACCEPTABLE CASES
--Epilepsy
--Heart problems
--Hemophilia
--Eye and/or hearing problems
--Kidney problems
--Saddle-nose deformity
--Severely retarded or brain damaged
PARADES
click here for Parades approved by the Potentate Bill Broughtall
Your Potentate and Divan encourage every parade unit to participate in civic parades whenever possible. This is one of the finest ways we can put Shrinedom before the public.
How your unit and its members conduct themselves in these activities does much to govern whether the impression received by the spectators is good or bad. Therefore, it is important that all street parade unit heads and members be thoroughly aware of certain ground rules which must be observed in order for them to appear as a representative of our Temple.
According to the Imperial Bylaws:
--“The units are a part of
the working corps of the temple and are under the control of the Potentate and
must be composed wholly of Nobles.” (Sec. 336.1)
Therefore the Potentate
will appoint a person to
coordinate all Temple Parade Units participating in any parade or exhibition.
--“No temple unit is
permitted to participate in a parade or public exhibition without the express
approval
of the Potentate.” (Sec. 336.2(b))
Requests for approval
should be made through the Temple
Recorder. In this way, the Potentate will have the opportunity to learn of
civic parades that have invited
Shriners to participate, and this information can be circulated to other parade
units. Your request
should contain as much information as possible and, in particular, the date,
time, plan and name and
contact information of the person in charge of the parade.
--“Public appearances by
units are under the auspices of the temple with which they are identified and
are
not permitted in any place outside the temple’s jurisdiction except with the
consent of the Potentate of
the temple having jurisdiction.” (Sec. 336.2(c))
Thus, if you desire to
parade outside the jurisdiction
of Ballut Abyad Temple, the Potentate must request and obtain permission from
the other Temple’s
Potentate. Likewise, if you desire to invite a unit from another Temple to
parade in our jurisdiction,
their Potentate must approve and request permission from our Potentate.
--“In parades of temples at
annual sessions of The Imperial Council or in parades or public exhibitions
under the auspices of temples or Shrine associations, only Nobles shall
participate.” (Sec. 336.2(a)
--“Units
and their members are prohibited from accepting any reward or compensation for
participating in
parades and exhibitions.” (Sec. 336.2(d))
This does not prohibit
the receipt of trophies or similar
awards, nor does it prohibit the reimbursement of direct expenses of a parade or
exhibition, but it
forbids the recovery of expenses which would have been incurred even without
such parade or
exhibition and a unit may not accept compensation or other remuneration in the
guise of expense money.
According to the Shrine Protocol booklet:
--Only Shriners are
permitted in Shrine parades.
--Whenever possible, all Shrine units should be kept together in a
Shrine section of a parade.
--No impersonations of ethnic groups, females or political figures are
allowed in parades.
--No motorized vehicles shall engage their sirens, flashing lights or
colored lights. They are to use their
turn
signals and other items required by law.
--Motorcycles, scooters, and other motorized vehicles shall obey local
laws regarding speed, prudent
operation, and
in jurisdictions where applicable,
the use of hard helmets instead of fezzes.
--Neither candy nor other objects shall be
thrown
to spectators along the parade route.
--No demeaning displays, or discharge of firearms of any type,
or other items that may be considered in
poor
taste, are permitted.
--Members of
participating units shall not
drink any alcoholic
beverages before or during any parade,
and
they shall be circumspect in the use of soft drinks in public places so as not
to give the impression
they
are drinking alcoholic beverages. No one will be permitted to appear in the
parade or exhibition
who, in
the judgment of the potentate, is under the influence of alcoholic beverages.
Offenders shall be
subject
to immediate removal from the parade or exhibition.
--No national flag shall be lowered or dipped when passing the
reviewing stand or elsewhere.
--Parade marshals shall enforce all Shrine parade regulations and they
shall report any violations to the
potentate of their temple. Failure on the part of a temple potentate to
cooperate with parade marshals
shall
be reported in writing.
--Each potentate is personally responsible and accountable for
knowingly permitting any violation of
parade
regulations. Temple potentates are required to review parade regulations with
their temple
marshal, the parade marshal, and their unit heads.
Order of Parade
Formation for Shrine Units in Civic Parades:
--Colors
--Host Temple Potentate and other distinguished guests
--Divan Officers
--Other Shrine Units as the Marshal directs
FLAG PROTOCOL
--Position
and size: All
nations designate the position on the right as the position of honor.
International
usage dictates that when flags of two or more nations are displayed together,
they should
be flown from separate staffs of the same height and should be approximately
equal in size.
--Stated meetings and
functions: At
Shrine functions and meetings, the four national flags should be
displayed in the position of honor at the Potentate’s right or the speaker’s
right as he faces the audience.
It does
not matter whether the flags are behind, along side, or in front of the speaker
on a raised
platform—they should always be to his right. Another important point is that
the flag of the country in
which
they are being displayed should be on the speaker’s extreme right. (Canadian
law does state that
when
three flags are flown together, the Canadian flag should occupy the center
position.)
At the stated meetings in the Temple auditorium, and certain other special occasions, the Legion of Honor will present the colors. The Legion will gather at the back of the right side aisle, facing the stage, of the auditorium. On the order of the Potentate, they will march down the aisle with the colors to the stage, turn and face the audience. After the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, they will post the colors, starting with the American flag to the extreme right of the speaker, followed by the other three national flags and the New Mexico state flag. (If there are not enough Legion members to post all four national flags, only the American flag will be posted and the other flags will be posted before the meeting begins.) The Shrine flag will be on the other side of the stage. After posting the colors, the Legion will exit the stage up the other aisle.
--At parades:
When in procession, the flag of the country in which the parade is taking place
should either
be on
the marching right, that is, the flag’s own right, or if there are a great
number of other flags, it may
be in
the center in front of the line. It is strongly suggested that the four
national flags representing the
Shrine
(United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama) always be paraded side by side, in
front of state,
province or other local flags, with the flag of the country in which they are
being paraded having the
position of honor on the marching right. Again, as above, if there are not
sufficient numbers to parade
all
four national flags, only the American flag should be paraded.
--The Fez:
A Noble wearing his Fez does not remove the Fez during the
Pledge of Allegiance or during
the
National Anthem of the United States.
Instead, he performs a
military salute. If viewing a parade
with his Fez on, he
should execute a military salute when the Colors are within six paces of him and
hold
the
salute until after the Colors have passed. The military salute is also used by
the leader of a uniformed
unit
when passing in review and the reviewing officers return the salute.
MISCELLANEOUS PROTOCOL ISSUES
--Altar:
As in Masonic Lodges, no one, except in a few defined cases, should pass between
the Altar and
the Potentate when he is presiding in the East.
--Voting:
When the ballot box is
being used to vote, the box is taken first to the Potentate, then to the Chief
Rabban,
and so on down the line.
--Salutations:
In tiled meetings, when
addressing the Potentate when the Potentate is presiding in the East,
a Noble
should always give the Salaam. The Potentate should give the sign of the Order
in return.
The Salaam is
given by the leader
of a uniformed unit that is performing or working for the Potentate.
The Potentate
returns with the sign of the Order. If the Potentate is proceeding through an
Honor Guard,
only the
first rank
on either side of the Guard gives the Salaam. Other members of the Honor Guard
should stand
at attention.
--Titles:
A Potentate or Past
Potentate is always addressed as “Illustrious Sir.” The prefix “Past” is not
used in
addressing a Past Potentate. Members of the Elective Divan should be referred
to by the title of
their
office or by “Noble.”
MEMBERSHIP
click here for Petition and additional Ballut Abyad Membership Information
Membership is the lifeblood of any organization. Without members, the Temple, the Shrine, and eventually the Children’s Hospitals will cease to exist. It is the responsibility of all of the Nobility to recruit members for the Shrine.
NEW MEMBERS: New members have to be Master Masons in good standing. If you know someone who would make a good Mason, you can get a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry in a variety of places including Lodge Secretaries, the Grand Lodge Secretary or from the office of Ballut Abyad Temple. If you know someone who is already a Master Mason but is not a Shriner, you can get a Petition for Initiation into the Order from the office of Ballut Abyad Temple.
AFFILIATION BY DEMIT: This is for a Noble of another Temple who wishes to transfer his membership to the Ballut Abyad Temple.
Procedure for Affiliation by Demit: Click here for : Petition for Affiliation
--Before a Noble can apply for Affiliation by Demit, he must have been
a resident in the jurisdiction of our
Temple for at
least six months.
--It is the responsibility of the Noble of our Temple recommending
the applicant to ascertain that the
applicant for transfer by Demit has a current dues card from his present
Temple. Imperial Law states
that before a Noble can transfer to another Temple he must be a member in good
standing in his present
Temple. Also, if his present Temple has an assessment against the applicant, he
must discharge his
obligation before his present Temple will issue a Demit to the requesting
Temple.
--Life membership in one Temple
does not
carry over to another Temple. A Permanent Contributing
Membership (PCM) does carry over.
RESTORATION: This is for a former Noble who has been suspended for nonpayment of dues in a previous year.
Procedure for Restoration
Click here for: A Petition for Restoration
--The Noble recommending a reinstatement of a former Noble suspended
for nonpayment of dues in a
previous year is also responsible for inspection of the current year’s dues card
in a Blue Lodge.
Imperial Law states that a Noble who has been suspended for nonpayment of dues
may be restored by
written application accompanied by written evidence that he is in good standing
as a Master Mason.
--Cost of Restoration for a former Noble suspended for nonpayment of
dues includes the current year’s
annual
dues as well as the delinquent dues.
--Return the completed application form with a check in the proper amount to the Recorder’s office.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: This is for a Noble who desires to maintain membership in more than one Temple. He must pay dues to each Temple in which he holds membership.
Procedure for Associate Membership:
click here for a: Petition for Associate Membership
--The Noble who is responsible for having a Noble become affiliated by
Associate Membership is
responsible for completing an Associate Membership form. (These forms are
available in the Temple
office.)
--The Noble completing the form needs to check the dues card of the
Noble requesting the Associate
Membership. Imperial Law states that before a Noble can become an Associate
Member of another
Temple,
he must be in good standing in his present Temple.
--The Noble completing the form is also responsible to explain to the
Noble requesting Associate
Membership that a Life Membership and/or a Permanent Contributing Membership (PCM)
in his present
Temple does not carry over to our Temple.
Dues to Ballut
Abyad will be the current annual dues unless
he wishes to purchase a Life and/or PCM in this Temple.
--Upon completion of the form, return it to the Recorder’s office with the proper amount that is due.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: This is not transferable to another Temple. It costs 20 times the annual dues. This pays your Temple dues for the rest of your life as long as you are a member of Ballut Abyad Temple. With a Life Membership, you pay only the annual hospital levy and per capita tax.
PERMANENT CONTRIBUTING MEMBER (PCM): This membership is transferable to any other Temple and costs $150.00. This pays your hospital levy for the rest of your life and can be transferred to any Temple that you might wish to transfer to.
The Life Membership and PCM Membership relieve a Noble of payment of dues to Ballut Abyad Temple for the Noble’s lifetime with the exception of the annual per capita tax.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY
There is a vast difference between Public Relations and Publicity although they are often considered to be the same.
PUBLICITY is a story in the media or circulated about the Temple. Its purpose is to promote a project or to inform the Nobility and/or the public of something that Shriners have done, are doing, or are about to do.
PUBLIC RELATIONS, on the other hand, is our image—what we are—in the eyes of the public, Masonic or not. This can be good or it can be bad, and each of us helps to make it one or the other. Our goal, of course, is good public relations so that our image is positively enhanced.
Each of these, publicity and public relations, is very important to Shriners, individually and collectively. Public Relations is what we are and how we live, not just what we say we are. It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Intent is one thing, performance or behavior is something all together different. Remember—actions speak louder than words and if we do not act or perform in a positive manner, there are no words that can disguise that fact.
Each Noble is helping to form the public’s opinion of the Shrine in almost everything he does, and this is especially so when he is wearing his Fez and/or representing our Temple and Shrinedom in general. Even a philanthropy as great as our Shriners Hospitals for Children can be damaged to some extent if we fail to remember what we have learned and what we are admonished to do all along our journey in Masonry. Every effort should be made by the officers of all Clubs, Units and the Divan of the Temple to encourage proper conduct. It is a subject that deserves more frequent attention than it sometimes receives.
PUBLICITY is, for the most part, a badly neglected area in the Shrine and among other fraternal groups. Almost without exception, this is the fault of the organization. Shriners in any community are numbered among the leaders of the community. What we do is news and it would be a rare media professional who would hold otherwise. However, we have to let them know about it.
The person who is designated to perform this important task should know people in the media in his town and surrounding area. Ideally he should know them on a personal basis, not just a note mailed in now and then. The publicity effort will bear more fruit if the same person, provided he does his job, carries on this task over an extended period of time.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this relationship is that the Shriner always be perfectly honest with the media professional. Never mislead and don’t exaggerate. If the relationship is based on honesty, the media door is more apt to be open. If you are found to have exaggerated or misled the media professional, it will be difficult if not impossible to reestablish a trusting and open relationship.
As for the mechanics of the job, be prepared when you see or contact the media person. Have all of the facts and be certain that all of the names and titles are correct. The story that you want published or aired in the media should answer these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and sometimes How?
Copy for any media professional should be typewritten or word processed. Not only is it easier to read, but it frequently will avoid errors. If the publicity person cannot type or word process, he should make arrangements with someone to do so. Never use single spacing. The media professional is a busy person so help them out as much as possible.
The story or item that you send should be of interest to a fairly large number of those who will read, see or hear it. The media professional is the final judge of what he or she will use. Send them the story and realize that you will win some and lose some.
DUTIES OF THE ELECTIVE AND APPOINTIVE OFFICERS OF THE DIVAN
DIVAN
The Divan consists of all officers, both elected and appointed, from the Potentate to the Outer Guard. The officers of the Elective Divan constitute the Board of Directors of the Temple.
POTENTATE
Click here for the Bio on Potentate Bill Broughall
Click here to Email The Potentate
The Potentate is the Chief Executive of the Temple and Chairman of the Board of Directors. His plans and responsibilities are to be upheld by all Nobles of the Temple. He is responsible to the Imperial Council for the governance of the Temple. The entire operation of the Temple is the responsibility of the Potentate, and the welfare of its members rests upon his plans, organization and supervision. When the Potentate is unable to personally attend official functions of the Temple, Units or Clubs, he shall name a Noble to represent him, giving preference to the Chief Rabban, other Elected Divan, Appointed Divan, Past Potentates and Personal Aides.
Duties and Responsibilities:
--The
Potentate is to ascertain that all activities, procedures and officers comply
with the Imperial Code,
Bylaws
and General Orders and also with the Temple Bylaws and accepted policies.
--He shall
appoint the Temple officers and committees that need to be appointed. --He
shall require that
accurate records are kept and just accounts rendered. --He shall require
that regular returns are made
to the
Imperial Council and that candidate fees, annual per capita taxes, hospital
levies and assessments
are
promptly paid.
--He shall insure that the requisite stated meetings be held.
--He may
issue orders to Nobles, Clubs, Units, and organizations within his jurisdiction
to comply with
matters
over which he has jurisdiction and authority. All such orders shall be in
writing.
--He shall,
with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint a Temple attorney who is a
Noble and a
member
of the Bar. (See Imperial Bylaws Sect. 327.1.)
ELECTED DIVAN
The elected officers of the Temple, in addition to the Potentate, are the:
Chief
Rabban
Assistant Rabban
High Priest and Prophet
Oriental Guide
Treasurer
Recorder
Their basic duties are as follows:
CHIEF RABBAN
Click here for the Bio on Chief Rabban Lonnie Hedrick
Click here to Email the Chief Rabban
The Chief Rabban is the second ranking officer of the Temple and shall:
--Preside
at Temple meetings in the absence of the Potentate and carry out all functions
of the Potentate in
his
absence. If the office of the Potentate becomes vacant for any reason, he shall
act as Potentate until
a
special election is held.
--In conjunction with the Board of Directors, prepare the Temple budget for his year as Potentate.
--Plan his activities and confirm those of the Units and Clubs for the year he is Potentate.
--Confirm dates and places for trips during his year.
--Supervise and monitor circus productions.
--Plan
appointments for Appointive Divan and Aides and approve all appointments for his
year as
Potentate.
--The Chief
Rabban of the Temple shall be allowed such privileges as might be required for
him to
proceed
with plans and organizational work for the ensuing year, so long as that work
does not interfere
with or
affect the current activities of the Temple.
--He shall
have license to canvass the Units for budgetary information and have access to
Temple records
as
might be required. He shall have the authority to spend moneys for advance
meetings and expenses
approved by the Potentate, and these expenses will be charged to his year’s
operating budget.
(See
Imperial Bylaws Sect. 327.2.)
--Liaison
for: Director’s Staff
Artesia Shrine Club
Espanola Valley Shrine Club
Los Alamos Shrine Club
Roswell Shrine Club
Temple Lodge #6
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
ASSISTANT RABBAN
Click here for the Bio on Assistant Rabban Ray St. John
Click here to Email the Assistant Rabban
The Assistant Rabban is the third ranking officer of the Temple and shall:
--Preside at Temple meetings in the absence of the Potentate and the Chief Rabban.
--Seek out and negotiate contracts for his circus, subject to final approval by the Potentate.
--Plan his anticipated year activities as Potentate and establish
dates for Ceremonials and for Temple
housing
during WSA, SDA, and Imperial conventions for his year.
--Chair the House Rules Committee.
--Liaison for:
Air Patrol
BASGA
Eddy County Shrine Club (Carlsbad)
Lea County Shrine Club (Hobbs)
Ruidoso Shrine Club
Zia Daylight Lodge #77
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
HIGH PRIEST AND PROPHET
Click here for the Bio on the High Priest and Prophet Duane Crapser
Click here to Email the High Priest and Prophet
The High Priest and Prophet is the fourth ranking officer of the Temple and shall:
--Be the Divan representative for general supervision of the lounge and dining room.
--Be a member of the House Rules Committee.
--Liaison for:
Azayim Banquet
Committee
Nomads
Patrol
Clovis Shrine Club
San Juan Shrine Club (Farmington)
Montezuma Lodge #1
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
ORIENTAL GUIDE
Click here for the Bio on the Oriental Guide Joe Shelton
Click here to Email the Oriental Guide
The Oriental Guide is the newest member of the Divan and the fifth ranking officer of the Temple. He shall:
--Be a member of the House Rules Committee.
--Act as an assistant to all of the other officers of the Elected Divan.
--Liaison for:
Alb-A-Kar
Ritual Staff
Bab-B-L Shrine Club (Raton)
Indian Patrol Shrine Club (Gallup)
Las Vegas Shrine Club
Sandoval Lodge #76
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
TREASURER
Click here for the Bio on the Treasurer Lawrence Bennett
Click here to Email the Treasurer
The Treasurer is the Chief Financial Officer of the Temple and shall:
--Act as custodian of all funds.
--May sign checks for the withdrawal of funds with the Potentate or the Recorder.
--Examine the financial records and books of the Temple as often as necessary.
--When requested at any meeting of the Temple, give a financial report
of the income and expenditures of
the
Temple since the last report.
--Prepare from books and records of the Temple, and submit at its
annual meeting, the following
information:
--An annual statement of the financial condition;
--An annual operating statement;
--Any other supplemental report or statement necessary to
disclose the true financial condition, the
nature and current value of assets, the operating results, and the income and
sources thereof of the
Temple and any affiliated subsidiary or appendant corporation or fund.
--Present his books and papers to the auditor whenever required. (See Imperial Bylaws Sect. 327.4.)
RECORDER
Click here for the Recorder's Web Page
Click here to Email the Recorder
Click here to contact Ballut Abyad's Office Manager Maggie Cremer
The smooth functioning of the Temple is in the hands of the Recorder, who represents the Nobility and Divan as their agent. The Recorder must be many sided—an historian who knows his Temple’s background; a business man who will keep the Temple’s accounts in balance; an administrator who is keeper of the Temple’s records and its property; a counselor on Imperial Law, Temple policies, and the relationship with other Temples; an arbitrator when necessary; and, above all, a prime mover to keep the Temple functioning. As a result, he shall:
--Perform the duties of his office as required by the Imperial Bylaws, Sect. 327.3.
--Bring to the attention of the Potentate and other officers’ specific functions they are required to attend.
--Bring to the attention of the Potentate and the Divan any knowledge
he might have in regard to deviations
from
the Bylaws or policies by Shrine Units, Clubs or any member of the Temple.
--If time permits, he shall attend Shrine Club and Unit functions with
the particular objective of promoting
Temple
goodwill.
--Serve as a member of the Board of Directors as Secretary and Agent
of the Ballut Abyad Shrine
Corporation.
--Supervise and be responsible for the efficient operation of the
Temple business offices consisting of a
staff
of personnel performing a variety of administrative, clerical and accounting
duties.
--Certify and verify charges billed to the Temple for supplies or
services rendered and assures that such
bills
are paid in full. Issue purchase orders numbers to those individuals authorized
to buy in the name of
the
Temple.
--Be familiar with and capable of operating the business office computer system.
--Keep a complete inventory of all Temple equipment and property and
see that insurance is kept in force
at all
times in the amount directed for necessary protection.
--May sign checks with the Potentate or the Treasurer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors consists of the Elected Divan. It is the governing body of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Corporation and is responsible for disseminating Temple policies. Three members constitute a quorum.
--The Board shall meet on the call of the Potentate who is the
Chairman of the Board of Directors.
He must call a meeting when requested by three or more members of the Board.
Meetings may be
conducted in person or by other means of communication by which all members of
the Board can
be connected.
--The Recorder shall give not less than three days written notice of
the time and place of the meeting.
Notice
may be waived in writing prior to or subsequent to such meeting.
--The Chief Rabban, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, shall
prepare and complete the proposed
Temple
budgets for the ensuing year. (For a more complete description of the duties of
the Board, see
Imperial Bylaws, Sect. 327.8.)
APPOINTED DIVAN
The Potentate will honor certain members of the Temple by appointing them to the following positions on the Appointive Divan. These positions are for ONE year only. The members of the Appointed Divan are:
--First Ceremonial Master
--Second Ceremonial Master
--Director
--Marshal
--Captain of the Guard
--Outer Guard
--Chaplain
--Orator
Their basic duties are as follows:
FIRST CEREMONIAL MASTER
Click here for the Bio on the 1st Ceremonial Master Richard Almeter
Click here to Email the First Ceremonial Master
--Assist in Temple Ceremonials and other activities as requested.
--Call upon the Second Ceremonial Master for assistance which will
provide the Second Ceremonial
Master with the
training and experience to handle his activities.
--Attend all official Temple functions and as many social functions as possible.
--Liaison for:
Greeters
Yacht Club
Las Cruces Shrine Club
Rocket Shrine Club (Alamogordo)
White Sands Shrine Club (Tularosa)
Albuquerque Lodge #60
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
SECOND CEREMONIAL MASTER
Click here for the Bio on the 2nd Ceremonial Master Daryl Wilson
Click here to Email the Second Ceremonial Master
--Assist the First Ceremonial Master in the official functions of the Temple
when requested to do so
by the First Ceremonial Master or the Potentate.
--Attend all official Temple functions and as many social functions as possible.
--Liaison for:
Clowns
Locomotive Patrol
Deming Shrine Club
Grant County Shrine Club (Silver City)
Santa Fez Shrine Club
Mesa Lodge #68
--Chairman of the Hospital Crusade.
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
DIRECTOR
Click here to email the Director Alvin Johnson
The Director is in charge of all Temple ceremonials, coordinating all activities through the Potentate, and keeping the Recorder informed of times, locations and costs of all functions.
His basic duties are as follows:
--Responsible for providing to the Potentate a trained staff for
safely conducting candidates during the
Second
Section of all ceremonials.
--Has charge of all ceremonial and association stunt competitions and
is responsible for the efficiency,
discipline and well-being of the unit at all times.
--Ensures that all precautionary measures are taken to guard the
physical well-being of all members of the
unit
and the candidates under the charge of the Director’s Staff during the
ceremonials.
--If he cannot perform his duties, he shall notify the Potentate and
recommend a replacement for the
position.
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
MARSHAL
--Responsible for assisting in all official parades sponsored by the
Temple and for designating the line-up
of the
units.
--Set up the Temple for all Stated Meetings.
--Maintain and set up the P.A. system prior to the Stated Meetings.
--Announce to all Nobles that the Temple will be called to order by the Potentate.
--Obtain the microphone and gavel from the Recorder’s Office prior to the meetings.
--Coordinate with the transportation unit the number of automobiles to be used for Shrine parades.
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
Click here for the Bio on the Captain of the Guard Barney Doyle
Click here to email the Captain of the Guard
--Responsible, with the assistance of the Outer Guard, for tiling the doors of
all official Temple Stated
Meetings, ceremonials and such other functions and activities as may be required
or directed by the
Potentate.
--Is in charge of the Greeter unit, which will assist him in securing
or tiling all doors of the Temple or
other
buildings.
--When the doors are tiled, will ensure that each Noble presents a
current dues card and gives the first and
second
word to gain admittance. If a Noble has a current dues card but does not
remember the words,
he will
examine the Noble off to the side and assist him in recalling the words. If a
Noble does not have
a
current dues card, he will not be admitted and will be referred to the
Recorder’s office.
--Liaison for:
Caravan Club
Pipe Band
Sierra Shrine Club (Truth or
Consequences)
Hiram Lodge #13
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
OUTER GUARD
Click here for the Bio on the Outer Guard Edward Baca
Click here to Email the Outer Guard
--Assist the Captain of the Guard in tiling the outer door for all
official Temple functions, ceremonials and
such
other functions as may be required or directed by the Potentate.
--Liaison for:
Legion of Honor
Provost
Shrine Band
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
CHAPLAIN
Click here for the Chaplain's Web Page
The Chaplain provides the prayers for the Shrine Stated Meetings, and for social and other functions as directed by the Potentate.
ORATOR
The Orator’s duties are as prescribed by the Shrine ritual and as directed by the Potentate.
NOTE: If it is impossible for you to perform one of your duties, for example, to make a visitation that you are the Divan Liaison for, please try to trade visitations with another Divan member or get that duty covered in some way. If you cannot do so, please let the Potentate and Chief Aide know as soon as possible so that they can try to get it covered.
AIDE DUTIES
POTENTATE’S PERSONAL AIDE
This position is one of honor as it is generally occupied by a close personal friend who becomes a traveling companion of the Potentate. His duties are to attend to the Potentate’s needs and see that he has a list of all Divan members in attendance at meetings, etc., so that the Potentate can give proper recognition during introductions. The Personal Aide also sees that the Potentate and his Lady are properly seated at functions, etc. The Potentate may request that other duties be performed by the Personal Aide.
CHIEF AIDE
Click here to Email the Chief Aide Noble Roy Leeper
The Chief Aide provides leadership and motivation necessary to achieve the Potentate’s objectives. He reports directly to the Potentate, receiving guidance and direction from him, and has a day-to-day working relationship with the Potentate’s Personal Aide.
His specific duties and responsibilities are to:
--Supervise all Divan Aide activities.
--Provide a list of Aides and the “Schedule of Duties” as directed by the Potentate for the following:
--Western Shrine Association Convention
--Potentate’s reception
--Family picnic
--Shrine circus
--Potentate’s personal parties
--Other Temple functions designated by the Potentate
--Potentate’s visitation to Shrine Clubs
--Annual orientation
--Plans arrangements for the Potentate’s official visitations with
Shrine Clubs. He advises the Potentate of
the
names of those Divan Officers, Aides, and Nobles going on the visitation who
would be available
and
willing to serve as required.
--Works with the Divan Liaison Officer and the Liaison Aide to ensure that Club visitations go smoothly.
--Purchases and sees that refreshments are provided for Divan
meetings, Club visitations and other
functions designated by the Potentate.
--Maintains close oral and written communication with the Divan,
Aides, and Nobility so that they are
constantly informed of activities and functions in which they could become
involved.
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
DIVAN AIDE
Each member of the Divan from the Chief Rabban through the Outer Guard, with several exceptions, selects a Noble of his preference to assist him in completing his duties.
The Divan Aide’s duties are as follows:
--To accompany his Divan member on his official Club/Unit liaison visitations
--Assist the Club/Unit to ensure that the visitation is successful
--Assist the Chief Aide on the Aide’s Liaison visitation and other Temple and social functions as requested
--Assist with the running of the Shrine Circus
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
TEMPLE AIDE
These aides are appointed because of their personality, wit, knowledge, and dedication. Their primary duty is to aid and assist the Potentate as requested. They are responsible to the Potentate by way of the Chief Aide who conveys and coordinates the requests of the Potentate.
Some of the specific duties are:
--Be the Temple liaison for public relations and welcoming
--Escort visiting guests
--Be a committee of the Temple and respond when the Potentate requests
--Assist in serving refreshments
--Assist in decorating the Temple and taking down decorations for
specific functions, occasions,
and
seasons
--Perform other duties as assigned by the Potentate.
NOTE: If for some reason it is impossible for you to perform your assigned duty as an Aide, for example, not being able to make a visitation that you are the Liaison Aide for, please try to trade off with another Divan or Temple Aide or in some other way get the responsibilities covered. If you cannot do so, please notify your Divan member and the Chief Aide as soon as possible so that they can make arrangements to have the duty covered.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE!
A reminder to Divan officers and aides: More problems are caused within an organization by the failure to communicate or by miscommunication than any other single factor. Communication within the Divan, between the Divan and the Nobility, between the Divan and Aides, and between the Divan and the Clubs/Units is extremely important. The Divan is a guest of the Club/Unit during the visitation with that group. Communication with the Club/Unit officers before the visitation is important. If it is a Club visitation, the Divan Liaison and the Chief Aide, should be in communication with the Club well before the visitation dates. If you receive a communication from the Club requesting information about activities, how many people are coming, preferences, desired schedule, etc., or if a Club/Unit requests information about Shrine policy and procedures, or any other topic, please respond as soon as possible. If you do not know the information, please get in touch with someone who does know and ask that they respond. The inability of the Club/Unit to get in touch with someone to answer their questions, or the lack of a prompt response after getting in touch with someone, is disrespectful to the Club/Unit/Noble and is apt to create ill feelings and future problems. The Temple depends on successful and prompt communication. COMMUNICATE!
UNIT AND CLUB HEADS
Shrine Law says that Temple Units and Clubs are under the control of the Potentate, must be composed wholly of Nobles in good standing, and are part of the working corps of the Temple. (See Imperial Bylaws Articles 36 and 37.) As a Unit or Club head, you are responsible for the management and control of your Unit and Club. You are to exercise your powers and perform your duties in a manner which will bring credit to your Club or Unit and to Ballut Abyad Temple.
Although you were elected as President or leader of your Shrine Club/Shrine Unit, your term of office does not begin until you are installed by the Potentate or his designee. The Potentate has the power and duty under Imperial Shrine Law to replace any elected or appointed officer if he believes it to be in the best interest of the Temple.
When a Shrine Club or Unit has been established under the guidance and leadership of the Temple, it should be off to an excellent start. The Potentate would not have given his approval to the organization if he had not been convinced that a sufficient active membership potential existed. Although the Potentate and his Divan stand ready at all times to extend extra effort to help new clubs and units, as well as older ones with problems, what your Club or Unit accomplishes, and how you do it, is your responsibility and the decisions are yours as long as they are in keeping with Imperial and Ballut Abyad Temple policy.
The Potentate may, on occasion, call upon a Club or Unit President/Commander for assistance from his members to perform various tasks to support Temple activities and/or work sessions.
For a Club or Unit to be successful, careful planning and organization for the entire year’s program is imperative, with careful attention paid to motivating your membership. You should consider appointment of the following committees, or assign a person to work on these areas:
--Membership
--Shriners Hospitals for Children
--Publicity
--Program and entertainment
--Finance and fundraising, e.g., paper crusade, onion sales, circus,
etc.
--Transportation (if a parade unit)
As soon as the chairmen of the committees or people have been assigned, they should be called to a special meeting with the Club/Unit officers so that the purposes of their committee or area of emphasis may be outlined and a discussion conducted to decide the detailed procedure by which they should manage their program for the year.
It is important that the Club/Unit officers and working committees or people assigned to an area continue to meet together periodically in order to reach a consensus on the goals for the year ahead.
It is the duty of each committee chairman or individual assigned to an area to take the lead in performing their assigned duties, but you must be the leader in encouraging dedicated performance and ensure the cooperation and assistance of all members.
All Clubs and Units have individual Web Pages. These Web Pages are for the benefit of the Club or Unit and the content of each page may be altered by submitting your information and request to the Webmaster of Ballut Abyad Temple webmaster@nmshriners.com
Unit Pages http://www.nmshriners.com/units.htm
Club Pages http://www.nmshriners.com/clubs.htm
Each Club and Unit has and email address and these addresses are hyper-linked to the President and Secretary of each Club or Unit. These Email address are not case sensitive and they may be changed to suit your personal preferences. Just contact the Webmaster.
UNITS
CLUBS
AirPatrol@nmshriners.com
Bab-B-L@nmshriners.com
Al-B-Kar@nmshriners.com
Clovis@nmshriners.com
Azayim@nmshriners.com
Deming@nmshirners.com
Band@nmshriners.com
Eddycounty@nmshriners.com
BASGA@nmshriners.com
EspanolaValley@nmshriners.com
Caravan@nmshriners.com
Indianpatrol@nmshriners.com
Clowns@nmshriners.com
LasCruces@nmshriners.com
Directorsstaff@nmshriners.com &