Sesostris Shrine

Main Navigation

Top

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:
1. Leave the Shrine Center in the best financial shape I can.
2. 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
read more
Potentate's March/April Message

        It’s hard to believe that two months have already gone by. First, I and
Lady Becky and the 2020 Divan would like to say THANK YOU for allowing us to
serve as your leadership. It is an honor we do not take lightly. Thank you again for
allowing us to serve Sesostris Shrine.
        On a personal note, I would like to thank all who were able to help or see
the Divan installation. I hope all had a great time!
        I was pleased to see the Scottish Rite with many people there and having
fun laughing and enjoying themselves. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about my
pin, the Flying Pig. But, after telling the reason I picked my pin, and hearing everyone
laugh and telling me how much they liked it, I thought it was a good choice. I think
that set the year for having fun, and that’s what we need to do!
        I hope all enjoyed the meal and the guest speakers at the Shrine Center.
I hope to have more speakers throughout the year. I believe we don’t hear enough
from the kids and family’s we help. It brings a new light on what we do, and why.
        The Divan and I are implementingsome new changes at the Shrine
Center this year. We have voted to upgrade our computer server and software. We
all felt this needed to be done to help the Center run more efficiently and keep our
information safe. Second, with the money we received from the State of Nebraska
we have voted with the Finance Committee and the nobility to build an enclosed
storage building on the property north of the Shrine Center in the gated area. Thus,
this will give us more storage. Please give Doug Krogman a big THANK YOU
for this! He has spent many hours behind the scenes working on this. Thank you,
Noble Doug! Also, Noble Gene Casper will be our contractor. Thank you guys for
all your hard work!
        Also, we voted to work with a company so we can start paying for our
events on the website. When we have an event at the Shrine Center, you can run a
tab at the bar, and pay with a credit card, and many more things. It’s in the planning
stage, so be patient. I think it will be a change for the better!
        The Divan ladies have taken on a project of their own. So, look and help
support their fundraiser.
        We have a NEW CIRCUS coming to town this year. It’s Cindy Migley’s
Circus Spectacular at the Lancaster Event Center, March 12-15. We will have eight
shows. Please come out and help support our NEW circus!
        Please look at the Shrine website, calendar and the email blast for
upcoming events. This is the best way to keep informed on what is going on! It’s
going to be a fast and FUN year! So please keep up to date on events.
Thank you for all you do!

Dan & Becky Johnson
Potentate & 1st Lady 2020

read more
Potentate's Trip
September 26 - October 1
Boston, The Freedom Trail & Plymouth

Informational Meeting - Feb 19th

Deadline for Reservations - July 20th

read more