COVID-19 Cancellations
COVID – 19 and Sportsman's Raffle Update
To the Nobility of Sesostris Shrine,
As we all know the world we live in has been turned upside down and is changing second by second. We found out yesterday that the Wilber Czech Days have been cancelled, along with Hickman Hey Days, Ladies Night out at the Shrine Center. The virus has changed our lives forever, but this too shall pass.
Within the last few weeks, myself and the Sportsman’s Giveaway Committee have met and tried to decide whether we should go forward with this fund raising event. We sent out 85 letters to our sponsors to seek their support for this year’s raffle. We got 14 responses back with most saying no. Since we get most of our start-up money from the sponsorships for the raffle, it would be exceedingly difficult to do the raffle this year without their support.
With the DHS rules on social distancing and the state of our economy, I felt, as did all the committee members that it is better NOT to have a raffle than to lose money. We have already lost $20,000.00 caused by the cancellation of the Circus. I feel in good conscience that another big loss is not in the best interest of the Shrine.
At this point the Shrine Center is not in financial straits. Due to Great Past leadership and the hard work of the Finance committee, Past Potentates and their divans, AND THE VERY HARD WORK OF THE SESOSTRIS NOBLIITY AND THE FAMILYS, we are in particularly good shape. I want to keep it this way.
As a committee, we are looking for different ways to raise money this year. In order to do this we are asking the clubs and units to hold small raffles for the Shrine’s General Fund. More information will be available in the next few days. If your club or unit has any fund raising ideas, please contact me or the office.
Pertaining to the opening the Shrine Center for events or meetings, the Shrine Center will stay closed until June 30, 2020 11:59pm, per the DHM guidelines. I know many may not agree with this decisions, during this difficult time, my goals have changed to:
- Leave the Shrine Center in the best financial shape I can.
- Keep all Shriners and their families safe and healthy.
We will get back to having fun this year, but, it will take time and hard work. We will get there, like we always do.
Like many other Shrine Potentates this year, this is not what we planned for. Lady Becky and I had many events planned for this year that have been or most likely will be cancelled. I’m sure the Sportsman’s Raffle won’t be the last event to be cancelled. But, in the grand picture, we will make it and come back stronger than we ever have been! Feel free to contact me.
Please be safe.
Dan Johnson
Potentate 2020