Terms Common to the Shrine
Chaplain – responsible for giving the prayers at the Temple. Offers prayers, blessings & benedictions as called upon.
Crescent & Scimitar – the Shrine emblem.
Divan – the group of governing elected and/or appointed officials of each Shrine Temple. The top five officers typically progress towards the Potentate position.
Fez – the red headgear worn by the Shriners; a symbol of the fraternity.
Hospitals – the Shrine has 22 hospitals to help children with orthopedic, spinal column, cleft lip and palate, and burn needs and much more.
Illustrious Sir – title of the present and past Potentates.
Imperial – the governing body of Shriners International
Imperial Session – annual business meeting of Shriners International. Delegates from each Temple meet to discuss and vote on a variety of business matters pertaining to the fraternity and Shriners Hospitals for Children. During each Imperial Session, a new Imperial Potentate is elected. Host cities are many times in or near the hometown, or close to the hometown, of the incoming Imperial Potentate.
Imperial Sir – title given to an officer of the Imperial Divan.
Lady – a spouse or female friend of a Shriner
Mason – every Shriner must be a member of this Fraternity, except in Arkansas.
Noble – the title each Shriner is addressed by.
Potentate – the President or CEO of the Shrine Temple, elected for a one-year term.
PNSA – Pacific Northwest Shrine Club – the group of 18 Shrine Temples in our geographic area who meet on an annual basis to celebrate, entertain and have unit/club competitions.
Shriners – the authorized term for referring to the local nobles.
Shriners Hospitals for Children – Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay
Shriners International – Shriners International, also commonly known as The Shriners or formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is a Masonic society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Stated Meeting – the regular business meeting for the Nobles of the Temple; they occasionally schedule activities that include the ladies and guests.
Temple – authorized term for referring to the local Shrine building. Can also be referred to as the local Shriners and their organization.