Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you hold the title of Master Mason in Freemasonry, you qualify and are invited to join the Shriners. In order to become a Shriner you must ask a current Shriner to support and sponsor your application. This site makes that process easier by helping you with a virtual mentor who can answer your questions and guide you through the petition process and help you get to know members of your local Shrine Center. If you are not a Freemason, you must achieve that first. Ask for a virtual mentor on this site who will assist you on that journey. Once you are a Master Mason you will then be eligible to petition to become a Shriner. Click on https://beafreemason.org/ page for the first step and then click on https://www.beashrinernow.com/ page and you will be guided toward the right direction. A virtual mentor can also help assist you with every step along the way. Just fill out the form online at https://webfez.shrinenet.org/nextstep and a mentor will help you get started. There are many benefits to becoming a Shriner. Shriners are a well-known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic activities. You will have the opportunity to develop long lasting relationships with like minded men from all over the world and engage in social activities and events that are available for the entire family. You may Participate in many special interest groups with Shriners that allow like minded men to enjoy some high-spirited fun like: Motorcycles, Rod & Gun Club, Parades, Go-Carts, Clowns, Golf, Competitions, attend Special Events are all examples of these types of groups. The Shriner's are privilege of supporting the "World’s Greatest Philanthropy,” Shriners Hospitals for Children® and Shriners have many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction in helping children. So won't you Be a Shriner Now and visit - https://www.beashrinernow.com/

Shriners International describes itself as a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. They are also Famous and have Fun with a Good Purpose - Shriners Hospitals For Children.

All Shriners are Masons, but not all Masons are Shriners. Shriners International is a spin-off from Freemasonry, the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. Freemasonry dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen gathered after work in shelter houses, or lodges. Over time, the members organized into Masonic guilds and the tools of their trade – the square and compass – became the symbol of their brotherhood. Over time, Masonry evolved into an organization that began to accept members who were not craftsmen. Today, Masonry is built upon a foundation of improving character and strengthening communities, though the square and compass are still the symbols of the fraternal brotherhood. When Shriners International was first founded in 1872, the organization built on the principles that guided Freemasonry, while adding an element of fun and ultimately, philanthropy, that set Shriners International apart. The two organizations are also structured similarly: Shriners have Shrine Centers and Masons have a Blue Lodges or Craft Lodges. Members of the Masonic lodges are required to learn about their fraternity and earn a series of Masonic degrees. When a member has completed the third and final degree he becomes a Master Mason and is then eligible to become a Shriner. Additional courses of Masonic study are available – these are known as the Scottish Rite and the York Rite. To learn more about how to become a Mason and a Shriner please visit our website at https://www.beashrinernow.com/

Having fun and helping children in need is the hallmark of the Shriners fraternity. Shriners’ ladies have the opportunity to also enjoy the same camaraderie and purpose through several independent organizations that women who are related to a Shriner are eligible to join. They inlcude Daughters of the Nile (DON), The Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America (LOSNA) and The Shrine Guilds of America. All three of these organizations support Shriners Hospitals for Children®. See https://www.ladiesorientalshrine.org/ page for more information.

A Brother’s Love: Makes Anything Possible The official Shriners song is told from the perspective of a parent with two sons. You will see that there is a dual meaning to the word brother: one that talks about the care and love of a young sibling, and also the Shriners’ brotherly love that comes to show us that A Brother’s Love: Makes Anything Possible.

Freemasonry is a rewarding experience and membership is open to all men aged 18 years or over. Like many membership organizations, there are certain prerequisites that potential members must satisfy when applying to be a Freemason. To become a Freemason a person needs to: Be a Law abiding person Have a belief in a Supreme Being Have made his decision to join Freemasonry by his own free will and not for any personal gain or reasons of idle curiosity. As Freemasonry offers many unique benefits, these prerequisites ensure that those who join get the most out of becoming a Freemason. If you satisfy these requirements and are interested in joining Freemasonry please see our page at https://beafreemason.org/

The Editorial without words is the most well known and recognized photograph taken 50 years ago on June 11, 1970, in Evansviller, Indiana. It was taken during Hadi Shriners' summer event. Shriner Al Hortman, was helping a little girl that needed help. the noble carried the little girl and the crutches from ride to ride. The photograph is so popular that a replica stands outside Shriners International Headquarters in Tampa Florida. For more information about our hospitals click here

The Divan is the “board of directors” or “executive council” of the organization, and serves as the management team for both fraternal and business activities of the Shrine. Each Shrine Center has its own Divan, and the minimum number of Divan members is set by Imperial by-laws at five, with each of these being elected by the Nobility (membership). Therefore, all Shrine Centers have at least five members on the Divan. The Divan is usually a "progressive" line, which means that one new person is appointed or elected to the line each year, the other members of the Divan move "up" one position, and the top man retires from the line and becomes a Past Potentate. Here are the 5 positions: 1. Potentate – This is, the Chairman of the Board of a Shrine Chapter. It is an elected position. The Nobles vote, annually, for their choice of Potentate. 2. Chief Rabban – 1st Vice President. As with the Potentate, this is also an elected position. 3. Assistant Rabban – 2nd Vice President. This is also an elected position. 4. High Priest and Prophet – 3rd Vice President. Another elected position. 5. Oriental Guide – 4th Vice President – Yet another elected position.

The first Shrine Center established was Mecca Shriners, at the New York City Masonic Hall on September 26, 1872.

Walter M. Fleming was the first Potentate. In 1875, there were only 43 Shriners in the organization.

The first Shriners Hospital in the system opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana. It provides pediatric orthopaedic care and cleft lip and palate.

The chief executive officer for the Shrine of North America is the Imperial Potentate, who is elected for one year. He visits many of the Shrine Temples and hospitals and generally supervises both fraternal and hospital policy. Please visit our page for more information here - https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en/who-we-are/leadership/imperial-divan

More information about our Shriners Children's locations here https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en

First you need to make an appointment in one of our locations. Simply call the appropriate intake number to request an appointment. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need. If an intake representative is not immediately available, please leave your name and contact information and an intake representative will contact you within two business days. For more information please go here https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en

Children up to age 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children if there is a reasonable possibility they can benefit from the specialized services available. Acceptance is based solely on a child's medical needs. For more Information please check Love To the Rescue Website.

The scimitar stands for the backbone of the fraternity, its members. The two claws are for the Shriners fraternity and its philanthropy. The sphinx stands for the governing body of the Shriners. The five-pointed star represents the thousands of children helped by the philanthropy each year. The emblem also bears the phrase “Robur et Furor,” which means “Strength and Fury.”

Shriners Creed Shriners believe in God and that He created Man to serve His purposes, among which is service to others in His name. ​ We believe that care for the less fortunate, especially children who suffer from burns and crippling disease, is our institutional calling. ​ We are patriots, each willing to serve his country with fidelity and courage. We cherish independence under law and freedom with responsibility. ​ We honor family. We respect our parents, wives and children. We should instill in our children the tenets of this creed and the heritage from which it emanates. ​ As individuals we pledge ourselves to integrity, virtue and nobility of character. ​ Our intentions will be honorable, our relations will be trustworthy and our spirits forgiving of each other. ​ As brothers we offer each other fraternal affection and respect. Together we will support each other in adherence to this creed, so that we and our communities will be the better because of our fraternity and its principles. ​ As Shriners we look beyond ourselves to serve the needs of others, especially children who cannot help themselves. We believe Shriners Hospitals to be the world’s greatest philanthropy, and we covenant with each other to support its “temples of mercy” with spirit, time, talent and means.

Walter M. Fleming, M.D. & William J. “Billy” Florence

Burn Care Spinal Cord Injury Craniofacial and Cleft Lip/Palate Sports Injury and Fractures Neuromuscular Orthotics and Prosthetics Rehabilitation and Therapy

Yes there are plenty of famous Shriners and Masons. Franklin D. Roosevelt Dec. at 63 (1882-1945) from Hyde Park, New York, United States of America Buzz Aldrin Age 89 from Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States of America Clark Gable - Actor Age Died at 59 (1901-1960) from Cadiz, Ohio, USA John Wayne - Actor Dec. at 72 (1907-1979) from Winterset, Iowa, United States of America Harry S. Truman - President Dec. at 88 (1884-1972) from Lamar, Missouri, United States of America Harry Houdini Age Died at 52 (1874-1926) from Eurasia, Hungary, Central Hungary, Budapest George M. Cohan Dec. at 64 (1878-1942) from Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America Ernest Borgnine Dec. at 95 (1917-2012) from USA, Connecticut, Hamden Gerald Ford - President Dec. at 93 (1913-2006) from Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America Gus Grissom Dec. at 41 (1926-1967) from Mitchell, Indiana, United States of America Warren G. Harding Dec. at 58 (1865-1923) from Ohio, Morrow County, United States, with Territories, Blooming Grove Thurgood Marshall Dec. at 85 (1908-1993) from Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America Gordon Cooper Dec. at 77 (1927-2004) from Shawnee, Oklahoma Kris Kristofferson Age 82 from Texas, USA, Brownsville Mel Blanc Dec. at 81 (1908-1989) from USA, California, San Francisco Johnny Cash - Famous Western Cowboy Actor Dec. at 71 (1932-2003) from USA, Arkansas, Kingsland Count Basie Dec. at 80 (1904-1984) from Red Bank, New Jersey, United States of America Glenn Ford - President Dec. at 90 (1916-2006) from Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, Quebec, Canada Will Rogers Dec. at 56 (1879-1935) from Oologah, Oklahoma, United States of America Dick Powell Dec. at 59 (1904-1963) from USA, Mountain View, Arkansas Thomas P. Stafford Age 88 from Weatherford, Oklahoma Gene Autry Dec. at 91 (1907-1998) from Tioga, Texas, United States of America Cecil B. DeMille Dec. at 78 (1881-1959) from Ashfield, Massachusetts, United States of America Nat King Cole Dec. at 46 (1919-1965) from Montgomery, Alabama Duke Ellington Dec. at 75 (1899-1974) from Washington, D.C., United States of America Barry Goldwater, Jr. Age 80 from Los Angeles, California, United States of America Douglas MacArthur Dec. at 84 (1880-1964) from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America Sugar Ray Robinson Dec. at 68 (1921-1989) from Detroit, Michigan, United States of America Michael Richards Age 69 from Los Angeles, USA, Culver City, California Jack Kemp Dec. at 74 (1935-2009) from Los Angeles, California, United States of America Norman Vincent Peale Dec. at 95 (1898-1993) from Bowersville, Ohio John Philip Sousa Dec. at 78 (1854-1932) from Washington, D.C. David Pearson Age 84 from Spartanburg, South Carolina Dave Thomas - Founder of Wendys Restaurant chain Dec. at 70 (1932-2002) from Atlantic City, New Jersey Louis B. Mayer Dec. at 73 (1884-1957) from Minsk, Belarus Earl Warren Dec. at 83 (1891-1974) from Los Angeles, California, United States of America Hubert Humphrey Dec. at 67 (1911-1978) from Wallace, South Dakota, United States of America Bob Dole Age 95 from Russell, Kansas, United States of America Oliver Hardy Dec. at 65 (1892-1957) from Georgia, USA, Harlem Walter Chrysler Dec. at 65 (1875-1940) from Wamego, Kansas Arnold Palmer - Golf Pro Age 89 from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States of America Irving Berlin Dec. at 101 (1888-1989) from Mogilev Region, Belarus Jack Warner Dec. at 86 (1895-1981) from London, United Kingdom Jack Dempsey Dec. at 88 (1895-1983) from Manassa, Colorado, United States of America Red Skelton - Comedian Dec. at 84 (1913-1997) from Vincennes, Indiana, United States of America J. Edgar Hoover - President Dec. at 77 (1895-1972) from Washington, D.C., United States of America John Diefenbaker Dec. at 84 (1895-1979) from Neustadt, Ontario, Canada Bart Starr Age 81 from Montgomery, Alabama Claire Lee Chennault Dec. at 65 (1893-1958) from Commerce, Texas Ty Cobb Dec. at 75 (1886-1961) from Narrows, Georgia, United States of America Wiley Post Dec. at 37 (1898-1935) from Grand Saline, Texas Roy Rogers - Actor Dec. at 87 (1911-1998) from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America William Jennings Bryan Dec. at 65 (1860-1925) from Salem, Illinois, USA Harold Lloyd Dec. at 78 (1893-1971) from Burchard, Nebraska, United States of America Charles Horace Mayo Dec. at 74 (1865-1939) from Rochester, Minnesota Audie Murphy Dec. at 46 (1925-1971) from Texas, USA, Kingston Tom Mix Dec. at 60 (1880-1940) from Mix Run, Pennsylvania, United States of America Happy Chandler Dec. at 93 (1898-1991) from Corydon, Kentucky, USA Mel Carnahan Dec. at 66 (1934-2000) from Birch Tree, Missouri, United States of America John J. Pershing Dec. at 88 (1860-1948) from Laclede, Missouri Caleb Bradham Dec. at 67 (1867-1934) from Chinquapin, North Carolina Arleigh Burke is listed (or ranked) 62 on the list Famous Shriners Members Arleigh Burke Dec. at 95 (1901-1996) from Boulder, Colorado Friz Freleng Dec. at 89 (1906-1995) from Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America Edgar Buchanan Dec. at 76 (1903-1979) from USA, Missouri, Humansville Carl Ballantine Dec. at 92 (1917-2009) from Chicago, Illinois, USA Jonathan M. Wainwright Dec. at 70 (1883-1953) from Fort Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington Roy Acuff Dec. at 89 (1903-1992) from Maynardville, Tennessee, United States of America Anton Cermak Dec. at 60 (1873-1933) from Kladno, Czech Republic Fiorello H. LaGuardia Dec. at 65 (1882-1947) from Greenwich Village, New York City, New York, United States of America Sam Nunn Age 80 from Macon, Georgia, United States of America William Raborn Dec. at 85 (1905-1990) from Decatur, Texas, United States of America Omar Bradley Dec. at 88 (1893-1981) from Clark, Missouri, United States of America Lloyd Bentsen Dec. at 85 (1921-2006) from Mission, Texas, United States of America Sam Hornish, Jr. Age 39 from Defiance, Ohio John Buchanan Age 87 from Sydney, Canada Paul Whiteman Dec. at 77 (1890-1967) from Denver, Colorado, United States of America Ransom E. Olds Dec. at 86 (1864-1950) from Geneva, Geneva Township, Ohio Lou Sekora Age 87 from Hafford, Canada Mel Tillis Age 86 from USA, Florida, Dover Harold Washington Dec. at 65 (1922-1987) from Chicago, Illinois, United States of America Don DeFore Dec. at 80 (1913-1993) from USA, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Monte Blue Dec. at 76 (1887-1963) from USA, Indianapolis, Indiana Brian Donlevy Dec. at 71 (1901-1972) from Portadown, United Kingdom Ken Maynard Dec. at 70 (1928-1998) from Albury, Australia Cy Young Dec. at 88 (1867-1955) from Gilmore, Ohio Norm Crosby Age 91 from Boston, Massachusetts, USA Tris Speaker Dec. at 70 (1888-1958) from Hubbard, Texas Jimmie Rodgers Age 85 from Camas, Washington, United States of America Ray Nitschke Dec. at 62 (1936-1998) from Elmwood Park, Illinois, United States of America Trent Lott Age 77 from Grenada, Mississippi, United States of America Strom Thurmond Dec. at 101 (1902-2003) from Edgefield, South Carolina, United States of America Charlie Louvin Dec. at 84 (1927-2011) from Henagar, Alabama, United States of America Sid Gillman Dec. at 92 (1911-2003) from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America Conrad Burns Age 84 from Gallatin, Missouri, USA Ernest King Dec. at 78 (1878-1956) from Lorain, Ohio Arthur Godfrey Dec. at 80 (1903-1983) from New York City, USA, New York Yale Lary Age 88 from Fort Worth, Texas Burl Ives Dec. at 86 (1909-1995) from USA, Illinois Carl Perkins Dec. at 66 (1932-1998) from Tennessee, Tiptonville, Lake County, United States, with Territories Jack Elway Age 29 from Englewood, Colorado Avery Brundage Dec. at 88 (1887-1975) from Detroit, Michigan, United States of America Ben Agajanian Age 99 from Santa Ana, California Foster Brooks Dec. at 89 (1912-2001) from Louisville, Kentucky, USA Clyde Beatty Dec. at 62 (1903-1965) from Bainbridge, Ohio, United States of America Max Bell Dec. at 60 (1912-1972) from Regina, Canada Joe Foss Dec. at 88 (1915-2003) from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States of America Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. Dec. at 57 (1887-1944) from Cove Neck, New York, United States of America Danny Thomas Dec. at 79 (1912-1991) from Deerfield, Michigan, United States of America Charles Coburn Dec. at 84 (1877-1961) from Macon, Georgia, United States of America Wallace Beery Dec. at 64 (1885-1949) from USA, Missouri Joe E. Brown Dec. at 82 (1891-1973) from Holgate, Ohio, United States of America Conrad Nagel Dec. at 73 (1897-1970) from Keokuk, Iowa, United States of America Tony Martin Age 54 from Te Kuiti, New Zealand Buck Jones Dec. at 51 (1891-1942) from Vincennes, Indiana, United States of America Chill Wills Dec. at 76 (1902-1978) from Texas, USA, Seagoville Frank Stallone Age 68 from New York City, New York, United States of America Edgar Guest Dec. at 78 (1881-1959) from Birmingham, United Kingdom Roy Clark Age 85 from Meherrin 'Little' Jimmy Dickens Age 98 from Bolt, West Virginia, West Virginia, United States of America Bernt Balchen Dec. at 74 (1899-1973) from Tveit, Norway Harry C. Stutz Dec. at 54 (1876-1930) from Ohio Royal Dano Dec. at 72 (1922-1994) from New York City, USA, New York Buck Trent Age 81 from Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States of America Ballington Booth Dec. at 83 (1857-1940) from Brighouse, United Kingdom Earle Combs Dec. at 77 (1899-1976) from Kentucky Jerry Narron Age 63 from Goldsboro, North Carolina Samuel McLaughlin Dec. at 101 (1871-1972) from Enniskillen, Ontario George Bancroft Dec. at 74 (1882-1956) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America Charlie Walker Dec. at 79 (1911-1990) from Nottingham, United Kingdom Harlan Carey Brewster Dec. at 48 (1870-1918) from Harvey, Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada W. A. C. Bennett Dec. at 79 (1900-1979) from New Brunswick, Canada Dana X. Bible Dec. at 89 (1891-1980) from Jefferson City, Tennessee Walter M. Schirra, Sr Harry Assu Colonel William (Buffalo Bill) F. Cody Jimmy Dolittle Fred Humes Dec. at 75 (1896-1971) from Dents Run, Pennsylvania, United States of America David Ragan Age 33 from Unadilla, Georgia

Shriners International has a master database of all Shriners and Courtesy Records called WebFez. Visit https://webfez.shrinenet.org/ to Register & Update your personal information on the master database. You may also pay your dues online here.

Black Camel is a list of the nobles that have passed away.

Yes There are several different ways that their members can pay their dues online or in person. You can use a personal computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet to pay your dues online from any location. It is quick, simple and very easy to do. Nobles can pay using Headquarters WebFez website, please register and log in to be able to make a payment on their personal record. Nobles can go directly to ShrineTempleDues.org Walk into the Shrine Center and Pay their dues in the front office. Attend a Shrine Meeting or Event and Pay their dues to your Shrine Office representative.