Report of Special Committee on Smoking in the Shrine Center

The Committee is comprised of five members. The chair is Ill Sir Dion Newhouse, PP and the members are Noble Rob Paxio, 2^nd Ceremonial Master, Noble Paul Kienzle, Temple Legal Committee, Nobel Ed Tanuz, Director Emeritus-Directors Staff, and Noble Jerry Arnold, Past President Azayim Banquet Committee. There are four non-smokers and one smoker.

Ballut Abyad Shrine Center operates under the authority of the Iowa Corporation of the Imperial Council and is IRS designated as a 501(c)(10), not-for-profit, Fraternal organization. The Fez Club is a Members only club comprised of Shriners only. The Fez Club is a corporation in the state of New Mexico and the corporation exists as a legal entity solely for liquor and gaming licenses. The officers/directors are Potentate appointments. In accordance with the Imperial by-laws all clubs and units within the Temple jurisdiction are under the direct supervision of the Potentate and operate at his discretion.

Private clubs are exempt from the Albuquerque Clean Air Ordnance. The fact that we choose to  book private parties has no bearing on the status of the applicability of the ordnance because we invite whom we want to use our facility. All non-members must be sponsored guest of a member. As such they fall under the same rules as the member sponsoring them.

Because this is an emotional issue, there are certain facts that need to be considered before making a decision on smoking within the shrine center.

1.     The Shrine Center is for the use and enjoyment of ALL Shriners.

2.     The decision to make the center non-smoking should be a decision of the Nobility, realizing that the Potentate has the final word when it comes to the fraternal side of the Shrine.

Other mitigating circumstances that should be considered by all when deciding on the smoking issue are:

1.     The center sponsors Hospital Mini-Clinics requiring us to bring children and parents into the building.

2.     The center operates a Tele-medicine room requiring us to bring children and parents into the building.

3.     The center sponsors child care during Shrine functions and encourages parents to bring the children to the Shrine.

4.     The cost of building insurance is more expensive when smoking is permitted.

5.     The health of our Shriners and guest who are allergic to smoke and those that are on oxygen.

6.     The health code that prohibits smoking in food preparation areas and behind the bars.

7.     The cost of changing the ventilation system must go through the house rules committee and finance committee to the Board of Directors for proper budgeting.

It is the recommendation of this committee that the Nobility of the Temple be given the opportunity to decide the outcome of this issue. Each Noble should be given written notice that the motion to make the Shrine Senter a completely non-smoking facility will be brought to the floor at the April stated meeting, discussed and voted on. Those Nobles wishing to speak and vote must attend the April meeting to be heard.  Knowing that the Shrine Center is exempt from the ordnance, we suggest that each Noble search his own conscience and vote for the go of Shrine so that peace and harmony may return to the shrine center.

The committee wishes to thank you, Ill. Sir, for the opportunity to serve you and the nobility of this temple.

Fraternally Submitted 

Dion Newhouse