Melvin Harrison — President

Inside this issue:

Dennis Feyh—

1st Vice President 2

Bob Bulman—

2nd Vice President 3 Fred Jex—

3rd Vice President 3 Jimmie Goodman—

3rd Vice President 4 Ralph Calhoun II—Secretary

-Treasurer 4

Matt Noell Director Temple

Accounting 5

James McConnell—Imperial

Treasurer 6

Al Madsen—Imperial Poten-

tate 7

Photos from Charlotte 2012 9

A Publication of The Shrine Treasurers Association

August 2012 Volume 15, Issue 1

STA Ledger

Special Date to

Remember

Mid-Year Meeting

Tampa FL

March 22nd –25th 2013

My fellow Treasurers, I hope everyone made it back from the Imperial Session in Charlotte, N.C. I was looking back and realized that over half of this year has gone by already. There was a lot of good information presented to us at the annual meeting on Sunday morning. Were you there to get this information to take back to your Shrine and put to good use in helping you with your job? The weather was extremely hot while we were there with the parade be-ing very HOT, but we were very well received by the crowd watching the pa-rade. Are you now back at work and looking at your budget and making sure all the numbers are in accord with what you had set for the year? Remember you are the C.F.O of your Shrine and re-sponsible for the accounting of the in-come and expenses that are received and spent. You should also be thinking about your upcoming budget meetings with your

Chief Rabban for next year budget. You have a very integral part in that budget decision so make sure your input is there and you attend all meetings . It is also time to be thinking whether or not you will be running again for Treasurer. I know it seems early to be thinking about it but before you know it will be there and the decision must be made. The Executive Committee met on Satur-day afternoon and worked on the speakers and schedule for our seminar next March 2013 in Tampa, Fl. Please put that on your schedule for next year to attend if possible. We have a lot of information and good speakers lined up to present this to you to help you as Treasurers. Should you have ideas as to what you would like to have presented please contact our Sec/Treas Ralph Calhoun with your ideas. Also if you would like to run for the STA line of officers please send your resume to Ralph as soon as possible. If you are thinking about running send your resume and if you should change you mind later you can always pull you resume out. I would like to congratulate Imperial Sir Al Madsen on being elected as our new Im-perial Potentate for 2012-2013. Also elected Imperial Treasurer Jim McConnell who will replace Imperial Sir Gene Brace-well who retired. Imp Sir Gene will be greatly missed but I'm sure Jim will do an admirable job as his replacement. Also congratulations to Imperial Sir Doug Max-well on being re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Shriners Hospitals For Chil-dren. Imp Sir Doug has done a great job since taking over as Chairman of the Board. In closing everyone please have a safe and

enjoyable rest of the summer.

Glad to see so many Treasurer’s in Char-

lotte. This had to be one of the hottest

Imperial sessions in a long time in many

ways. President Mel ran our Sunday meet-

ing in good fashion. Past President Ron

Bass assisted with the flow of dignitaries

and speaking guest as time permitted.

Shrine Attorneys gave a very good report

on the current affairs affecting the nobility

in Arkansas and Michigan. Michigan has

resolved their problem and hopefully Ar-

kansas will soon. We received several notes

and comments regarding the impromptu

surveys on Sunday, Treasures liked the

sharing of mutual concerns. What other

surveys would you like to have? Send me

an email with ideas. Sharing time with us

Sunday morning was the entire line of Im-

perial Officers, two of the candidates for

Outer Guard and several of the Trustee

Candidates. Our thanks to our Secretary/

Treasurer Ralph Calhoun who organized

the majority of events while we were in

Charlotte.

It’s time to start thinking about budgets for

next year already. All Treasurers should

make sure that an amount is included for

the Treasurer to attend the spring meeting

in Tampa and the annual meeting in Indian-

apolis. Information that is available in

Tampa is amazing. We have the ability to

visit the National Headquarters, have

speakers from national Headquarters at no

cost to STANA as they are located only a

few miles from our hotel. Training sessions

offer valuable information for you to take

back to your Shrine Center. If you have

any specific request, please email Ralph

Calhoun and he will do his best to accom-

modate your request.

Mark your calendar for March 23—26,

2013 at the Wyndham Hotel in Tampa.

Book flights now. Take advantage of any

cheap fares that you can. The room rate at

the Wyndham is very reasonable.

Your ideas and suggestions are requested

for topics to discuss at the spring meeting

in 2012 and 2013. All suggestions will be

considered for inclusion. Any suggestion

for the Ladies shopping trip or agenda

would also be appreciated.

Any Treasurer who is interested in becom-

ing an officer of STANA should submit a

resume to Secretary / Treasurer Ralph Cal-

houn. You will find it to be a pleasure to

work with such dedicated and knowledge-

able shrine leaders from around the coun-

try.

“sharing of mutual

concerns … Training

sessions offer valuable

information ”

Page 2

STA Ledger

Dennis Feyh —1st Vice President

“Controversy, sure there

always are passionate

items”

“make sure there is a

line item in their budget

for … our winter

meetings in Tampa,

March 22 – 25, 2013”

Page 3

Bob Bulman — 2nd Vice President

Controversy, sure there always are pas-

sionate items that need to be discussed

and resolved. The elections are always

interesting. If you were not able to at-

tend you missed a stimulating session

for all Nobles of Shrine International.

So if at all possible make your plans now

for the 2013 Imperial Shrine Session in

Indianapolis IN. July 2013.

Our STANA meeting on Sunday July 1

was outstanding! Of course the Imperial

Divan came and visited us. We had up-

dates from out going Imperial Treasurer

Gene Bracewell, and Ted Corsones re-

view part of the CALL for us. (Thanks

Ted!)

Now is the time to mark your calendars

for STANA’s Mid-Winter meeting in

Tampa FL March 22 – March 25 2013.

We are meeting at the Wyndham Hotel

If you have an interest in being a part of

the leadership of STANA please send

your resume to Ralph Calhone. Several

individuals have already expressed an

interest.

STA Ledger

Dr. Fred Jex — 3rd Vice President

Greeting fellow Treasurers: Hope everyone had a GREAT time in Char-lotte, Kathy and I sure did. Being from South-eastern Michigan (North of Canada) we always have a problem with the temperature at the Conventions, but not this year (it was just as hot at home). I see a trend to push for new Nobles to replace those who have fallen away from our Fraternity. Why don’t we find out why we are not retaining those existing Nobles? What are we not provid-ing for them that brought them to us originally? Are we conducting exit interviews? It is Budget time for our Chief Rabbans; make sure there is a line item in their budget for you and your Lady to attend our winter meetings in Tampa, March 22 – 25, 2013.

Your officers are here to serve you, please do not hesitate to contact any of us

“Together we can

share ideas and

continue to help the

Shrine prosper”

…

www.shrinetreasurers.org.

… “This is your best

source for

information”

Page 4

Jimmie Goodman — 4th Vice President

STA Ledger

Ralph Calhoun II — Secretary-Treasurer

Today is another hot and dry day in south Texas and with

our being over half way through the year we must really

concentrate on increasing our temple membership and

balancing the budget before Santa Claus comes. Every

year at this time , is a time for soul searching for us and

panic for some temples. One of the sometimes over-

looked areas in the budget is not allowing for the treasur-

ers and the recorders funds to attend the midwinter meet-

ings. There is a wealth of information which we can take

advantage of by having our meeting in Tampa. This al-

lows us to keep the expense down and yet have a top

quality group of speakers. Please make every effort to be

present with your lady if possible in Tampa on March 22

thru March 25, 2013. We had a super time in Charlotte with updates on the good ; as well

as the indifferent or not so good. We certainly hope that in the end a positive result will

appear. Until we meet again, keep the faith and strength to meet and overcome the not so

pleasant areas.

Well, what an exciting time we had in Charlotte, NC at our 134th Imperial Session. Those of you who missed it, you missed a great time. Don’t forget the wonderful installation of our new Imperial Potentate Al Madsen. What a great video of two extraordinary individuals who are Shrine Ambassadors that was presented to the Nobility. I urge everyone to get a copy of this video and show it to everyone you know. We also, viewed a video of our 140 year history of who we are what we are and what we represent, this is another video I urge everyone to view or purchase from Shriners International. The Executive meeting of the Shrine Treasurers Asso-ciation Officers was informative and fruitful. Your Of-ficers put together a package for the membership at our next meeting in March 2013. The Mid-Winter meeting will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, Tampa, Florida March 22nd – 25th. There are some Temples who have not paid their 2012

Association dues. We ask that you check your Temple records and ensure that your Asso-ciation dues have been paid for 2012. If they have not, we urge you to send them in imme-diately. Please send your dues to Ralph Calhoun (Secretary/Treasurer - STA). My address can be found on our website at www.shrinetreasurers.org. We soon will be sending out dues notices starting in November for the coming year 2013. Please continue to check this website. This is your best source for information. It contains everything you need to know about the Shrine Treasurers Association. If you need additional information you can con-

tact me at calhounra@comcast.net. (Continued)

“I still occasionally

see A.A.O.N.M.S on

Form 990 and

Financial Statements.

We changed our name

in 2010 to Shriners

International from

Ancient Arabic Order

of the Nobles of the

Mystic Shrine.“

Page 5

How many times have you heard “I don’t like the Master, President, Director or Po-tentate”. Yes, they may be in charge but we are not supporting them. We are supporting the very foundation of which we have taken our obligation. This is why it is imperative we support our organization without it, it will surely die. We should also remember why we joined.

Every organization has well defined guide-lines and also defines our responsibilities. In essence, it primarily states that, we have an obligation to promote organizational “Espirit de Corps” and insure our organiza-tion exists and survives long after we are gone.

It is everyone’s responsibility to be in-volved not just the STP. So, I ask you to take a moment to re-connect, re-involve and re-commit yourself by taking an active part and support our organization with all your heart, because without YOU it will surely die. You are the key to its life and longevity. Let us remember to support it when we can, and whenever we can. We all have something to offer. We cannot do without “YOU”!

Again, thank you for allowing me to be your Secretary/Treasurer for another year. Until we meet again at our Mid-Winter in March 2013 in Tampa.

Ralph Calhoun II — Continued STA Ledger

Matt Noell — Director of Temple Accounting Fraterna l greet ings t o a l l S h r i n e treasurers. Hopefully eve ryone made it h o m e from Ses-sion safely. I’d like to take this oppor tu -nity to

share the following important information. General Order No. 1, Series 2012-2013 should be released in mid-August and cop-ies mailed to the temples. My office is working to update the Tem-ple Financial Manual (B.A.T.S.) and we anticipate the changes being posted to our two websites by August 31, 2012 for your use. Thanks to the temples and temple CPAs that provide valuable feed-back. I still occasionally see A.A.O.N.M.S on Form 990 and Financial Statements. We changed our name in 2010 to Shriners International from Ancient Arabic Order

of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Please make sure your CPA and / or tax preparer make the change going forward. As a reminder of the requirements of my office and due dates, please note the fol-lowing: 2011-2012 Temple Budget and Compari-son Report was due to my office by March 1, 2012. 2011 Reviewed Financial Statements were due to my office by May 1, 2012. 2011 temple, group, holding company and any other Forms 990 were due to the IRS by May 15, 2012 unless an extension was filed with the IRS. Please forward copies of all completed 2011 Forms 990 to my office. The Temple’s Report of Hospital Patient Transportation Fund for Year Ending December 31, 2011 was due May 15, 2012. Any of the aforementioned documents may be sent via PDF to my e-mail ad-dress or facsimile to (813)281-8460. As always, should your temple have any

questions or concerns, please give me a

call at (813)281-7169 or send an e-mail to

mnoell@shrinenet.org.

“there are exciting

things going on with

our philanthropy …

Shriners Hospitals

for Children.”

Page 6

STA Ledger Jim McConnell — Imperial Treasurer

The Shriners International Annual Session

of 2012 is now history. For those of you

who were in attendance you know the ses-

sion was very well run by Imperial Potentate

Michael G. Severe and the debate was pro-

ductive and lively at times. There were sev-

eral proposals on the call which amended

the bylaws of Shriners International, and are

of interest to temple treasurers. Going for-

ward a hospital levy and the per capita tax

for the then current year will be neither col-

lected from candidates initiated in Novem-

ber or December nor remitted to the Impe-

rial Treasurer. Dues from October 1 to De-

cember 31 are 25% for members restored or

affiliated and from October 1 to October 31

are 25% for candidates initiated. The temple

may collect such dues as may be appropri-

ate, but not to exceed 25%, from candidates

initiated from November 1 to December 31

for the then current year.

I can report to you that there are exciting

things going on with our philanthropy.

Shriners Hospitals for Children, is expected

to be on track to a balanced budget in two to

three years, if the assumptions being used

turn out to be valid. Attention is now being

focused on our fraternity, Shriners Interna-

tional and the Shrine temples. Membership

losses continue to be of the greatest concern

and threat to the viability of our fraternity.

Certainly the effect on the finances as dues

revenue continues to decline is having an

effect on the budgeting process. The Impe-

rial Membership Committee has developed

several programs which provide tools that if

implemented should help turn membership

around. In addition there must be account-

ability and transparency over financial re-

porting at all levels. I am looking forward to

working with you and the Imperial to make

this happen.

I would like to commend and thank the offi-cers of the Shrine Treasurers Association, both current and past who have provided such informative and productive meetings during the many years that I have had the pleasure of attending as a temple treasurer and as the Imperial Auditor. Also thank you for your support, friendship and help in al-lowing me to serve our great fraternity and the world’s greatest Philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, as Imperial Treas-urer. I also thank all of you for allowing me to be a part of and to serve the Shrine Treas-ures Association. I am looking forward to being with you at future association meet-ings and if there is anything that I can do to help make this a better organization, please do not hesitate to ask.

Page 7

We want to thank you for the trust placed in us to lead the fraternity, and for all the support we received at the Imperial Session in Charlotte, N.C. We started working right away. Our first official visit was on Sunday, July 8, after the 138th Imperial Session ended. We greeted the Daughters of the Nile Supreme Queen Suzi Schumacher and her team at Latona Court #154 Temple Ceremonial and Ban-quet, held at the Scottish Rite Temple in Charlotte. Ten years ago - soon after being elected to the Imperial Divan as the new Imperial Outer Guard at the Imperial Session in Vancouver, B.C., Canada – Hadji Shriners presented an invitation to visit them in beautiful Pensacola, FL, in 2012. We headed there next. Many thanks to our hosts, Potentate Dan Bodiford and Chief Rabban Tony Stepleton, and their Ladies, Lora and Cathy. This trip certainly brought back some wonderful memories, having served at NAS Whiting Field as an Airman in the US Navy, which is in nearby Milton,

FL. A highlight of the weekend was a tour of the Naval Air Museum and the Blue An-gels performed an airshow in my honor (just kidding)! After leaving Pensacola, Lady Jan and I headed to Shriners International Headquar-ters in Tampa, FL, for Town Hall Meetings with the leadership and staff. We thanked them for their service to the Shriners frater-nity and Shriners Hospitals for Children®. We shared information on our programs along with the Pageant DVD and the DVD of the two new Patient Ambassadors, Hunter Woodhall and Jérémy Gabriel, all of which were very well-received. The Imperial Divan Retreat/Planning meeting in Traverse City, MI, was the next destination. The location allowed us to meet with Michigan’s Grand Master Dean Barr to discuss lifting the restrictions on the four Shrine temples in Michigan. Past Grand Master Robert “Bob” Conley was also in attendance for this meeting, along with Executive Vice President Jack Jones, Deputy Imperial Potentate John Ci-notto, and Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder. Grand Master Barr agreed to lift ALL restrictions on the four temples in Michigan, effective that day. The Michigan Grand Master called each temple Potentate on his way home, advising them of his decision. We next traveled to Emporia, KS, for the 39th Kansas Shrine Bowl Game on Satur-day, July 28. There were more than 1,200 in attendance for the banquet on Friday eve-ning. It was a great event! Our hats are off to the five temples in the area – ISIS, MIRZA, MIDIAN, ARAB and ABDALLAH – for their enthusiastic sup-port of the game and its participants. Ex-ecutive Director Emeritus Dave Mize and his lady, Jeanette, were honored for their many years of service as they turned over the responsibilities for the game to Drew Gaschler, executive director.

Al Madsen — Imperial Potentate Chairman of the Board of Directors

STA Ledger

“Family

Fun,

Fellowship

and

Brotherly

Love”

Page 8

STA Ledger

After leaving the Kansas Shrine Bowl Game, I traveled to Little Rock, AR, to meet with the Grand Master of Arkan-sas, Robert Jackson, to discuss lifting restrictions on the two Shrine temples there, SCIMITAR and SAHARA. The Shrine TEAM attending this meet-ing with me included Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder, Trustee and PGM Bobby Sim-mons, North Carolina Grand Master Robert “Bob” Gresham, Grand Master of Oklahoma Randall Rogers and Grand Master of South Carolina Jay Adam Pearson. In the three hours of talks on Sunday night and another four hours on Mon-

day morning, many issues were identi-fied and a course of action to rectify these issues was charted by both bodies. It can be said that peace and harmony prevailed in all discussions and that both the Grand Lodge of Arkansas and Shriners International are unwavering in finding solutions to all matters and con-cerns. It’s been a busy month. Our next stops include visiting the gravesite of one of our fraternity’s founders, William Jer-myn Conlin (“Billy” Florence was his stage name), and the Midwest Shrine Association Meeting in Grand Forks, N.D.

Yours in the faith,

Alan W. "Al" Madsen

Imperial Potentate

Shriners International

Family Fun, Fellowship and Brotherly Love

Al Madsen — Imperial Potentate Chairman of the Board of Directors — Continued

“peace and harmony

prevailed …

unwavering in finding

solutions to all

matters and concerns”

Page 9

Photos from Charlotte STA Ledger

Thanks Gene for all you have done!!!

Lots of lively discussion