MINUTES OF THE TEXAS SHRINE ASSOCIATION

MID-WINTER SESSION

FEBRUARY 5 – 7, 2009

TYLER, TEXAS

v The following Association Officers, Past Presidents, Divan Members and visitors were present:

Association Officers

Sam Khoury Potentate - El Mina President

Steven P. O’Neal Chief Rabban - Moslah 1^st Vice President

James Hughes P.P. - Suez 2^nd Vice President

Lawrence A. Winkle P.P. - Hella Sec-Treas.

Potentates

Everett L. Harvell, Jr. Al Amin

James Strayer Alzafar

Ken Aldridge Arabia

James R. “Jim” Smith Ben Hur

Ronald Smith El Maida

Sam J. Khoury El Mina

Roger Fuller Hella

J. A. “Jay” Baker Karem

Horace Melton Khiva

Mark R. Elgin Maskat

Allen Miller Moslah

Mark Douglas Sharon

Ben Brewer Suez

Past Presidents

Earl “Buddy” Story 1986 Sharon

Lawrence A. Winkle, P.P. 1988 Hella

Vern G. Ellis, MD, P.P. 1997 Moslah

Roger Nelson, P.P. 2001 Hella

Greg “Snake” McEwen, P.P. 2004 Karem

Imperial Officers

Jerry G. Gantt Imperial 2^nd Cer. Master Arabia

James L. “Jim” Cain Imperial Outer Guard Al Menah

Distinguished Visitors

MW David Counts Grand Master Grand Lodge of Texas

RW Dwayne Bearden Grand Tiler Grand Lodge of Texas

M. Douglas Adkins S.G.I.G. Orient of Texas

Steve Reiter Administrator Houston Hospital

Wayne Lachut Imp. OG Candidate Ismailia Shriners

Jack L. Rosette, M.D. Hospital Trustee Cand. Kerbela

Divans and Others

Al Amin

Eduardo “Ed” Aguilar, CR; James L. “Jim” Caughman, AR; Max D. Maughan, HP&P; James Woods, OG; Vincent Ares, P.P., Treas.; John J. Miller, P.P., Rec.

Alzafar

Rick Reyes, CR; G. I. Flores, AR; Robert Jones, HP&P; Thomas G. Young, OG; Don Starnes, Rec.; Frank B. Hunter, P.P.

Arabia

Michael E. Ellis, CR; John McDonald, AR; Dale DeFoor, HP&P; Bob Sharpe, OG; David Ashley, Treas.; Harry M. Pressman, Rec.; Jerry Grizzle, P.P.; William “Bill’ Walker, Chief Admin.; Paul Weber, Colonel; Jerry M. Glenn, Chief of Staff

Ben Hur

Walter E. “Gene” Sanders, CR; Michael Ford, AR; Ed Whitmore, HP&P; Richard H. McNabb, OG; Billy J. “Bill” James, Treas.; Boyce Freitag, P.P., Recorder; Wendell Koenig, P.P.; Charles Farnham, P.P.; Eddie Daffern, P.P.

El Maida

David Peck, CR; Nickie Keene, AR; Steven G. Miller, HP&P; Jim Davis, P.P., Rec.

El Mina

Raymond Rubio, CR; Brad Corley, AR; Fred Easley, HP&P; Mark Kordie, OG; Lester Smith, Treas.; Ken F. Tenhet, Rec.; Frank W. Schurwon, P.P.; William Howell, III, 1^st Cer. Master; Kenneth Wheeler, 2^nd Cer. Master

Hella

Robert D. Sparks, CR; Jerry R. Garey, AR; Roger Carney, HP&P; Morgan Robnett, OG; Roger Nelson, P.P., Treas.; Don Young, Executive Aide; Lawrence A. Winkle, P.P.; M. Douglas Adkins, S.G.I.G., Orient of Texas; Jimmy Lewis

Karem

James W. Koehler, CR; David Buckles, AR; Larry J. Taylor, HP&P; Sam Moore, OG; Bobby S. Westwood, Treas.; Michael W. Burney, Rec.; Glen Dale Boyd, P.P.; Greg “Snake” McEwen, P.P.; Ralph Reynolds, P.P.

Khiva

Ben Watson, CR; Glenn Pate, AR; Mike Grafton, HP&P; Rodney Weaver, OG; Jim Osborne, Treas.; Wilton Manley, Rec.; Reuben C. McGilvary, III, P.P.; Don Higgs, P.P.; James W. Downs, P.P.

Maskat

Robert “Bob” Hamblin, CR; Poney Thompson, HP&P; Mark Reed, OG; John L. Tunnell, P.P.; Rec.; Ronnie James, P.P.; MW David Counts, Grand Master

Moslah

Steve O’Neal, CR; Richard P. Evans, AR; Patrick Bobbitt, HP&P; Steve Jones, OG; George Chaggaris, Treas.; Don R. Russell, P.P., Rec.; Vern Ellis, P.P.; Tom Smith, Imp. Donor Relations

Sharon

James F. Booker, CR; Carl Auvil, AR; David Hamm, HP&P; Joe Youngblood, OG; Melvin Ruyle, Treas.; Earl “Buddy” Story, P.P.; Scott Kelly, P.P., Rec.; Billy Rozell, P.P.; L. A. “Pete” Peters, P.P.;

Suez

Jimmy Sharp, CR; Manuel Olivas, Jr., AR; Charles F. Miller, HP&P; Patrick Fenner, OG; John Fredrick Simpson, P.P., Treas.; Sam Worbington, P.P., Rec.; David Martin, P.P.

(111 Nobles Present)

The TSA Mid-Winter Session was called to order at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2009, by TSA President Sam Khoury, Potentate, El Mina Shrine Center, at the Holiday Inn Select, Tyler, TX. After the opening prayer by Jim Booker, Chief Rabban, Sharon Shrine Center, and presentation of colors by Sharon Shrine Center’s Legion of Honor, the Shriners’ Pledge of Allegiance was led by 1^st Vice President Steven P. O’Neal, Chief Rabban, Moslah Shrine Center, and the pledge to the Texas flag by 2^nd Vice President James Hughes, Past Potentate, Suez Shrine Center. A moment of silence and prayer was had to remember the recent loss of Deputy Imp. Potentate, Terry McGuire, Alzafar Shrine Center, San Antonio, TX, who passed away on January 11, 2009 after a short illness. Imp. Sir McGuire was scheduled to become the Imperial Potentate of the Shrine of North America in July, 2009.

President Khoury welcomed all of the divans of the Texas temples to the Mid-Winter session being held in beautiful East Texas and introduced the Imperial officers present, including Imp. Sir Jerry Gantt, Imperial 2^nd Ceremonial Master, Arabia Shrine Center and Imp. Sir Jim Cain, Imperial Outer Guard, Al Menah Shrine Center. President Khoury then thanked all who send cards and letters regarding the recent hurricane that devastated Galveston Island and the southeastern Texas coast area. On September 13, 2008, Galveston Island was hit a direct blow by the hurricane which became the third most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States. The cost to the coast of Texas and inland was estimated to be over 24 billion dollars. President Khoury lives in Bridge City, TX which was literally destroyed by the storm surge. As a result of the extreme damage done to the island, it was necessary to close the Galveston Burns Hospital for an indefinite period of time. At this time it is not known when the hospital will be able to reopen. Further, it will be necessary to move the 2009 TSA Ceremonial Session from Moody Gardens in Galveston to another location. This will be taken up by the Time & Place Committee.

Ill. Sir Mark Douglas, Potentate, Sharon Shrine Center, extended a hearty welcome to the assembly from the 1,600 Shriners in Sharon’s jurisdiction and promised that a good time would be had by all.

Secretary-Treasurer Lawrence A. Winkle presented the minutes of the previous Ceremonial session, and moved approval. The motion was seconded and passed without discussion. A financial report of the TSA was given and the report was also approved. The following Tribute was then unanimously authorized by the assembly with a statement that it be made a part of the minutes of the meeting:

TRIBUTE

The Texas Shrine Association lost one of its most respected members, Imp. Sir Terry McGuire, Alzafar Shrine Center, on January 11, 2009. He was currently serving his 12^th year as a member of the Board of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children and was slated to serve as Imperial Potentate from 2009-2010. Imp. Sir Terry’s fraternal and professional accomplishments were many. He made enormous contributions to Shrinedom and the Texas Shrine Association. He was faithful in attending and supporting the activities of the Association and he will truly missed by his many friends in the Texas Shrine Association and throughout Shrinedom and Masonry.

TSA 1^st VP Steve O’Neal introduced the living past presidents of the Texas Shrine Association that were present. President Khoury then had a representative from each Shrine Center introduce the divans and attendees from their respective temples.

President Khoury then recessed the meeting for the purpose of committee meetings by the Purposes and Policies Committee and the Time and Place Committee.

Ill Sir Roger Nelson, P.P., Hella Shrine Center, chaired the Time and Place Committee, and reported that the years, dates and locations of the TSA meetings are as follow, which were approved by a vote of the assembly:

TIME AND PLACE

YEAR AND DATE TYPE SESSION LOCATION TSA PRESIDENT HOST TEMPLE

2009

June 4 - 6 Ceremonial Wichita Falls El Mina Maskat

2010

Feb. 4 - 5 Mid-Winter Waco Moslah Karem

June 3 - 5 Ceremonial Fort Worth Moslah Moslah

2011

February 3 - 5 Mid-Winter Midland Suez Suez

June 2 - 4 Ceremonial Houston Suez Arabia

2012

February (TBD) Mid-Winter Dallas Sharon Hella

May 30 – June 3 Ceremonial Tyler Sharon Sharon

1^st Steve O’Neal, Moslah Shrine Center, chaired the Purposes and Policies Committee. Noble Jimmy Lewis, Hella Shrine Center, appeared on behalf of the Texas State Horse Patrol Association (TSHPA) and requested that the association be allowed to not compete at TSA in Wichita Falls this year, but, instead, to compete at Imperial in San Antonio and on behalf of TSA the day before. He argued that the horse patrols would only be required to pull their horses one time for both competitions, rather than twice. After discussion the Purposes and Policies Committee recommended disapproval of the request. After discussion before the assembly, the recommendation was considered and denied.

Noble Kenneth Sapp, Moslah Shrine Center, discussed the Strategic Imperial Shrine Membership program with the assembly. He presented figures reflecting the numbers of nobles created, affiliated, restored, demitted, suspended and expired for each Texas temple during 2008. Suggestions for membership included having the Potentate appoint “Ambassadors” to each Blue Lodge in its area; sponsor chili cook-offs or similar events and invite all local Lodges, DeMolays, Rainbows, etc. to participate; paying a noble’s dues for a year if he brings in a certain number of new nobles; each Divan member pledging to bring in at least one new noble during the year and challenging all members to do the same. Noble Sapp pointed out that if membership is one of our most important issues, all Shrine Centers should attend the membership seminar to be held in October, 2009. Last year only 6 out of the 13 Texas Shrine Centers attended the membership seminar. If membership is one of our most important areas, all Shrine centers should send a qualified representative. Rick Reyes, Chief Rabban of Alzafar Shrine Center, also encouraged all Shrine Centers to make membership one of their prime responsibilities during the upcoming Shrine year.

Most Worshipful David Counts, Grand Master of Masons in Texas, brought greetings from all Texas Masons. He expressed his sadness in the loss of Imp. Sir Terry McGuire, because both had agreed to work closely together during the Masonic year to bring the Shrine and Grand Lodge even closer together. The Grand Master feels that Masonry is beginning to thrive in Texas after many years of steady decline. There are now a little over 96,000 Masons in Texas. In 1957, only 27 members of the Texas legislature were not Masons – today, only a few are members of the fraternity. All areas of Masonry are suffering financially as our membership continues to fall. In order for Masons to continue their charitable endeavors it is imperative that everyone work to get responsible young men in our communities involved and members. MW Counts then brought an update on the current situation pending before the legislature as to property taxes.

After his presentation, Ill. Sir Mark Elgin, Maskat Shriners, made a presentation of a Grand Master’s fez to Most Worshipful Counts.

Imp. Sir Jerry Gantt, Imperial 2^nd Ceremonial Master, Arabia Shrine Center, discussed the recent East – West Shrine game. The game was held for the third year in Houston and was very successful. The game is being sought by both Orlando and Tampa, FL, in addition to Houston and the decision has not been made as to the location. This decision will be made on March 1, 2009 (Orlando was selected as the 2010 site for the game). The Justin Timberlake golf tournament in Las Vegas benefiting the Shrine Hospitals was absolutely first class and was a great success.

Noble Michael L. Ford, AR, Ben Hur Shrine Center discussed a resolution that he proposed to present at the 2009 Imperial Session. The resolution would require the Recorder to keep additional information about members in the records of the Temple and forward applicable information to the recorder of the Temple wherein the Noble is currently residing. The resolution is supported by other members of the Ben Hur divan and by Noble Bruce Thomson, Imp. Rep., Alzafar Shrine Center.

Noble Tom Smith, Imperial Donor Relations Committee, stated that the 100 Million Dollar Club is known by Shriners, but he hears very little concerning charitable remainder trusts, annuities, and the like. These are very important parts of the donor relations program and all Shrine Centers need to have members who are aware of these giving programs and be prepared to discuss them when called upon to do so. The IHOP National Pancake Day benefitting Shriners hospitals is going very well. IHOP has developed a commitment card and this has already generated over $60,000.00. As National Pancake Day is set for February 24, 2009, Fat Tuesday in Louisiana, Noble Smith passed out Mardi Gras beads and necklaces to remind all to get out and work at the IHOP stores on that date.

Steve Reiter, Administrator of the Houston Shrine hospital brought greetings and an update on hospital programs. Even though Houston is not designated as a research hospital, research for 2009 at the Houston hospital is budgeted for over $519,000 for basic science projects and clinical patient projects. The hospital is developing new programs with a minimal outlay of any new monies required. These programs include sports medicine, brachial plexus palsy and craniosynostosis.

To close the day, Ill. Sir Pete Peters, P.P., Sharon Shrine Center, introduced the Sheriff of Smith County, J. B. Smith. Sheriff Smith is the chief law enforcement officer in Smith County, but is also a humorous motivational speaker who has spoken many times on the national level. He gave his approach on how to stay happily married.

Saturday Morning Session

Ill. Sir Ralph Reynolds, P.P., Karem Shrine Center and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Houston hospital, spoke with pride of the achievements of the hospital and his desire to make this hospital the best in the Shrine system. He discussed the possibility of reinstituting “Divan Days” at the hospital. A straw vote indicated that the divans were interested in having such a visitation day.

Secretary/Treasurer Winkle discussed the fact that TSA had made no donation in memory of Imp. Sir Terry McGuire and discussed various things that the association could do. After discussion, Ill. Sir Roger Fuller, Potentate, Hella Shrine Center, moved that TSA donate the sum of $4,000.00 to Charlene McGuire’s 2009 program. After being seconded by Ill. Sir Jim Smith, Potentate, Ben Hur Shrine Center, the motion was unanimously approved. The Shrine Centers then drew names for the Imperial ladies that each temple would honor at the Texas Breakfast. TSA directories were prepared and passed out to all temples.

Once again, the Temple Oriental Guides continued to lose their fezzes and other items and contributed $2,082.00 to the hospitals which will be donated at the Imperial session.

Ill. M. Douglas Adkins, S.G.I.G., Texas appeared on behalf of the Texas Scottish Rite Masons. He brought a very motivational talk about our Masonic duties toward our fraternity and our brother Masons. He emphasized the importance of all Masonic bodies working closely together to serve our various charities and increase our fraternal membership.

Ill. Sir Wayne Lachutt, P.P., Ismailia Shriners, announced that he would be running for Imperial Outer Guard in 2009 and Ill. Sir Jack Rosette, MD, P.P., Kerbela Shriner Center announced his candidacy for Imperial Hospital Trustee. Both Nobles stated their qualifications and solicited the support of representatives to the Imperial Shrine Session.

There being no further business, the business meeting concluded at 11:30 a.m. Peace and harmony prevailed.

Respectfully submitted,

Lawrence A. Winkle

Lawrence A. Winkle

Secretary/Treasurer