Nile
Shriners

Shriners come from all walks of life. We are members of the community who are working or retired, members of the trades, business professionals, business leaders and men who want to just have fun. We are fathers, uncles and sons. We are also brothers. When you become a Shriner, you become part of a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care of children and families in need through Shriners Hospitals for Children regardless of their ability to pay.

While our backgrounds and interests may be diverse, what binds us together are shared values and a desire to have fun, do good and build relationships that can last a life time. Is it time for you to learn more about Shriners International? Visit www.beashrinernow.com and find out. You can also go to our Join Nile page for what it will take to join.

Dale Newman | Potentate 2022

As we continue to deal with COVID 19 and changes that it has brought to our lives, we need to find reasons to come together and not more things that divide us.  I know that the biggest change I noticed was not being able to come together as brothers and just enjoy each other’s company.   Hopefully, that will continue to change, and we will be able to gather more throughout the year.  

 This year we have a lot of reasons to celebrate, we have the privilege of celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the Shriner’s and the 100^th anniversary of Shriners Hospital for Children.

In 1872 a group of Mason’s looking for Fun and Fellowship held the first meeting of the Mecca Shriners in New York City and as that message of Fun and Fellowship spread, the membership grew.  The idea of Fun and Fellowship continued until we decided we needed to give back then in 1920 when, by a unanimous resolution, the nobility decided to open a hospital.  In 1922, our first hospital was opened in Shreveport, Louisiana specializing in orthopedic care of children.  This is a feat that should be celebrated and a story that needs to be told.

We will be focusing on the fellowship with some of the events that we will have this year these will include a Mardi Gras themed Potentate’s Ball, the Annual Masonic Family Picnic, and several membership events. 

As Freemasonry teaches us that we must work to improve ourselves every day and that is one of my goals for this upcoming year.  I believe that we must not only focus on improving ourselves but our fraternity as well.  This can be improving our building (like the roof replacement that just happened), our golf course (like the drainage repairs that the grounds crew was able to complete during the COVID lockdown) and our relationships.  We will do this by improving our relationship with Grand lodge, our blue lodges, and our appendant bodies.  We have started working closely with Grand lodge and hope to continue with more of our masonic family.

Recently, myself and others were able to accompany some of the WA Grand Lodge to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  While there, we were able to attend a lodge meeting in which someone had cut the power to the building, and we ended up meeting in the courtyard by the light of a gas station sign. This is where the true fellowship happens, when things don’t go exactly right, and you adapt and learn from the situation.  We have built some great relationships with Brothers from Mexico but, we built stronger relationships with Brothers from Washington. 

 We have started conversations with other appendant bodies to share calendars and seeing where and when it makes sense for us to share resources and how we can support each other.  It has always been my belief that “Raising Tides raise all ships” and the more we work together, the more we all improve.  And that is the ultimate goal “Make today better than yesterday.”

Thank you for the support you have shown me and the Divan, we will continue to work for you and The Nile. 

Thank you all. 

At the recent Conference of Grand Masters in Louisville, Kentucky, Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder, along with Scottish Rite Sovereign Grand Commanders David A. Glattly, 33° (Northern Masonic Jurisdiction), and James D. Cole, 33° (Southern Jurisdiction), announced a formal partnership on the Path Forward for Freemasonry.

As part of that initiative, the three leaders announced BeaFreemason.org, which features a wealth of information including an explanation of Masonic terms, lodge life, symbolism, degrees and family organizations. Launched in mid-February, this first-of-its-kind site introduces Freemasonry to men who are looking to "become the best version" of themselves. The site has a "Get in Touch" button, so prospects (in North America) can fill out a short form that will put them in touch with a Masonic leader in their local area. We hope you share this helpful site with men that you know who are committed to lives of honor, integrity and character.

For more information, go to: beafreemason.org