The Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international fraternity of approximately 600,000 members who belong to Shrine Temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Founded in New York City in 1872, the organization is composed solely of Master Masons, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons or Knights Templar York Rite Masons.

The Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called "the heart and soul of the Shrine.

The red fez with a black tassel, the Shrine's most distinctive symbol, has been handed down through the ages. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured - the holy city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shrine's Arabic (Near-Eastern) theme, around which the color and pageantry of the Shrine are developed.

In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Freemason, or Mason as it is most commonly referred as. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known Fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses, or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own desire to be Fraternal Brothers.

The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three Masonic Degrees. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree), but if a man wishes to further explore the allegory and symbolism learned in the Blue Lodge, he can join the Scottish Rite and/or the York Rite, both of which elaborate on the basic tenets of Freemasonry.

Every Shriner is first a Mason: however, in many parts of North America, Masonry does not solicit members. In these areas, no one is asked to join. A man must seek admission of his own free will. A man is a fully accepted "Blue Lodge" Mason after he has received and proved proficiency in the first three degrees, known as Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

After that, he can belong to many other organizations which have their roots in Masonry and which have Blue Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite. Only when a Master Mason has proven proficiency in the Third Degree can he petition to become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.

 The Shrine is as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. It was tied to an Arabic theme by its founders, Billy Florence, an actor, and Walter Fleming, a physician. Fleming and Florence realized the fledging fraternity needed a colorful, exciting backdrop. It is believed that Florence conceived the Shrine's Near Eastern setting while on tour in Europe.

As the legend goes, Florence attended a party in Marseilles, France, hosted by an Arabian diplomat. At the end of the party, the guests became members of a secret society. Florence realized this might be the ideal vehicle for the new fraternity, and he made copious notes and drawings of the ceremony.

When Florence returned to the States, Fleming agreed, and together they created elaborate rituals, designed the emblem and costumes, and formulated the salutation.
Though the Shrine is not itself a secret society, it still retains much of the mysticism and secrecy of its origins.

The Shrine supported various charities almost from its inception. In 1920, however, the organization voted to adopt its own official philanthropy, dedicated to providing free orthopedic medical care to children in need, and the first Shriners Hospital was built in Shreveport, LA., in 1922. The Shrine's philanthropy eventually expanded to 22 "Centers of Excellence."

The membership of the Shrine of North America continues to decline at an alarming rate. In fact, every 24 hours, the Shrine loses 46 Nobles.

While this statistic is shocking, with a cooperative effort throughout Shrinedom, it is not irreversible.

The slogan — Membership... TOGETHER WE CAN — signifies the joint effort that must take place in order to reach that goal.

Imperial Potentates since Imperial Sir Robert N. Turnipseed and the entire Imperial Divan are determined to make membership a priority.

"In order for our great fraternity to succeed, we must make sure every Noble understands the significance of membership," said Imperial Sir Turnipseed. "This is not an issue to be take lightly."

Imperial Membership Chairman Gary W. Dunwoody stated at that time that he was dedicated to making a difference in the membership challenge of the Shrine. "At our annual Membership Seminar and in our efforts throughout the year, the Nobles who serve on the Imperial Membership Committee, as well as the Temple Membership Chairmen, work toward increasing the Shrine's membership. However, in order to make an impact, each individual Shriner must make this same commitment and work together to bring in new Nobles," said Imperial Sir Dunwoody.

If the Shriners don't pull together and start making strides toward increasing our membership, the Shrine will cease to exist as we know it.

Remember: The key to our future is Membership... TOGETHER WE CAN.

For more information and a Petition to join the Shrine, feel free to contact the the El Katif Shrine Office at: shrineoffice@elkatif.org