Al Kaly Shriners Southern Colorado

Official Visits

To assist Club and Unit officers, the following Shriner Protocol is furnished for OFFICIAL VISITS ONLY:

1. The Club or Unit officers will be seated at the head table. If the Potentate is present, he should be seated on the president’s right. When ladies are present, the Potentate’s lady is seated at the president’s left, and the president’s lady is seated at the Potentate’s right. Nobles and their ladies are seated as couples; alternately at the right and left, next divan member in descending order will be at the head table. Example: Chief Rabban, Assistant Rabban, etc.
2. Invocation – with respect to those of faiths other than the Christian faith, let us be mindful of the times when the Invocation is given to all Shriner’s functions by employing the basics of Masonic fraternity (fez is placed over the heart).
3. The Shriner’s’ Pledge of Allegiance – make sure that the flag is in the proper place and that the noble selected to lead knows and gives the Shiners’ pledge (use hand salute). At Shiners’ functions, the four national flags should be displayed in the position of honor at the Potentate’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. It does not matter whether the flags are behind, alongside, or in the front of the speaker, on a raised platform. They should always be to his right. Another important point: The flag of the country displayed should be on the speaker’s extreme right.

1. A BRIEF word of welcome by the unit/club president.
2. Dinner
3. After dinner, gain the attention of the assembly before proceeding to the next item on the agenda. Use the gavel with authority. It is embarrassing to a speaker, whether it is the Potentate, a member of the divan, president or noble, to be denied those few moments of respectful silence.

Introductions:

1. The president introduces his officers and ladies, if present (not forgetting his own lady).
2. The president will introduce the Potentate, who will introduce the Divan and their ladies.
3. Business, if required – be brief.
4. The president will ask the Potentate for remarks. The Potentate is always the last to speak.
5. The Potentate will ask for the closing prayer and dismiss.
6. Entertainment or dance

Other items to remember:

1. The Potentate and Divan, Chief Aide, aides, ambassadors, hospital representatives and Past Potentates should be invited by individual invitation, giving the place, time of social hour, time of dinner, and the price. Members and guest invitations are at the discretion of the Unit/Club.
2. The Potentate or any member of the divan will be glad to assist anyone with questions concerning protocol.
3. The Potentate, the divan, Chief Aide, aides, ambassadors, hospital representatives, and past Potentates should be invited to each club or unit for an official visit. The Potentate, the Recorder, and their ladies have always been guests of the club or unit. However, if more than one visit is made during the year, they expect to pay their way unless otherwise notified. The divan expects to pay their own way for all functions.
4. Official visits are normally the unit/club’s one big event of the year. They should be designed to be a fun time for all the nobility and ladies; therefore, diversification from the traditional meeting is encouraged. When scheduling the event please try to keep the cost reasonable. High-cost events may discourage some nobles from attending. The shrine fez is to be worn at official visits and it is recommended that it be worn at all shrine club/unit meetings. Removal of the fez at an official visit is at the discretion of the Potentate.

Shrine Parade Regulations

1. Non-Shriners. Other than the police escort, dignitaries, distinguished guests and Shriners Hospitals for Children patients, only Shriners are permitted in Shrine parades.
2. Cadence. Marching cadence will be 110 steps to the minute, except for specialized units which may require a different cadence.
3. Interval. Intervals of not over 80 feet between temples and 40 feet between units are to be constantly maintained.
4. Impersonations. No impersonations of ethnic groups, females, or political figures are allowed in parades.
5. Vehicle equipment. No motorized vehicles shall engage their emergency sirens or lights.
6. Safety laws. Motorcycles, scooters, and other motorized vehicles shall obey local laws regarding speed, prudent operation and the use of hard helmets. In states where helmets are not required, the temple potentate may direct helmet use for safety reasons instead of fezzes.
7. Throwing objects. Neither candy nor other objects shall be THROWN to spectators along the parade route. A Shriner may walk along the edge of a parade route and hand out candy, Shrine information or other appropriate objects. [No latex balloons.]
8. Demeaning displays. No demeaning displays, or discharge of firearms of any type, or other items that may be considered in poor taste are permitted.
9. Alcoholic beverages. Members of participating units shall not drink any alcoholic beverages before or during any parade, and they shall be circumspect in the use of soft drinks in public places so as not to give the impression they are drinking alcoholic beverages.

Civic Parades

1. Approval. Units and clubs that participate in non-Shrine parades may do so only with approval from their potentate. Should they be requested to participate in the jurisdiction of another temple, they will also need the permission of the potentate of that temple. Practice good Shrine etiquette when parading in non-hrine parades and follow the protocol set up by the host sponsor of the parade.
2. Shrine Parade Regulations 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 13 apply to civic parades as well.
3. Only Shriners are allowed to participate in a Shrine unit in civic parades.

Shrine Parade Protocol from the Shriners International Protocol Revised January 2012

Salute
The military salute is used when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and during the playing or singing of the National Anthem. If uncovered, come to attention, and face the flag. Any veteran (retired or previously active duty) may use a military hand salute. This is purely optional.

A noble wearing his fez will execute a right-hand salute when The Colors are within six paces of him; he will not remove his fez. After The Colors have passed, he should drop his right hand. In case the same Colors pass the same point again, as frequently happens in a Ceremonial procession or in display drills. The Colors need not be saluted again. The same applies to street parades.

Shrine Pledge of Allegiance
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Country for which it stands; one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The Salaam
A noble addressing the Potentate while he is presiding in the East should always give the Salaam. The Salaam is always given by the Potentate and members of his divan when receiving the Imperial Potentate, Imperial Officers, and Past Imperial Potentates. The Imperial Potentate as well as the Imperial Officers and Past Imperial Potentates do not Salaam in return but give the Sign of the Order.