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Shriners of North America
Shriners of North America is a fraternity of approximately 400,000 members, who belong to 191 temples (chapters) in the
U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Members, known as Shriners, are also Master Masons, meaning they also belong
to the Masonic fraternity.
The basic organizational unit of the fraternity is the temple, which is governed by an elected board, known as the Divan.
The Divan is headed by a Potentate, who is presiding officer of the temple.
All temples are subordinate to the Imperial Council, which is composed of elected representatives from each temple, past
and present Imperial officers, and emeritus representatives. The Imperial Divan, the fraternity's governing board, is headed
by the Imperial Potentate and consists of 13 elected officers. A new officer is elected to the Imperial Divan each year. Every
officer, except the Imperial Treasurer and Imperial Recorder may be re-elected.
Within each temple, there are also clubs and units for members with various interests and hobbies. The fraternity may
be best known for its colorful parades, circuses and clowns - but there are also many other opportunities to participate for
members. From leadership development and public speaking to "networking" and special interests - there truly is
something for everyone.
Shriners of North America's best-known symbol is the distinctive red fez worn by Shriners at official functions. The fez
derives its name from the city of Fez, Morocco, and was chosen as part of Shriners' Near East theme. This theme was developed
in the 1870s by Walter M. Fleming, a prominent New York physician, and William J. "Billy" Florence, a popular actor.
Legend has it that Florence discovered the Near East theme when he attended a party in Marseilles, France, hosted by an
Arabian diplomat. When he returned to the U.S., he explained the theme to Fleming, and the two men began laying the foundation
for the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, or as most people know it today, Shriners of North America
- a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The first Shriners
temple, Mecca Shriners, was organized in New York City in 1872.
By the turn of the century, membership numbers had climbed to more than 55,000. Individual temples had always supported
various charitable activities, but along with increased membership came an increased desire to establish an official philanthropy.
In 1920, Shriners voted to establish a hospital but changed their recommendation from one hospital to a network of hospitals
after months of research and discussion. This proposal was approved at the 1921 annual international convention, known as
the Imperial Council Session.
The first Shriners Hospitals for children opened in Shreveport, La., in 1922, and by the end of the decade, there were
13 additional Shriners Hospitals providing expert specialty care to children with orthopedic conditions, at no charge.
By 1936, the fraternity separately incorporated the philanthropy, creating a wholly distinct charitable corporation to
distinguish its philanthropic activities from fraternal activities.
In the 1960s, three additional hospitals were opened to provide burn care, and in the 1980s, Shriners Hospitals opened
the nation's first spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers specifically designed for children. In 2005, the hospitals recognized
the lack of available, comprehensive treatment for cleft lip and palate, and began planning a nationwide program to address
this need.
Today, there are 22 Shriners Hospitals providing specialized care at no charge to children with orthopedic conditions,
burns of all degrees, spinal chord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. All services continue to be provided at no charge.
Shriners Hospitals for Children relies on the generosity of donors, past and present, to provide the necessary resources
to care for children every day through treatment, research and education.
For more information about Shriners of North America, please visit www.shrinersshq.org or call Shriners International
Headquarters at (813) 281-0300.
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