The annual meeting for Zor Shriners on January 14th went very well. I am happy to report that I was elected to be your new potentate. We have a very busy year ahead. One of my goals is to increase the screening clinics throughout Zorland from two or three to five or six to benefit both the Chicago and Twin Cities locations of the Shriners Hospitals for Children®.

Another goal is restoration of members who have been dropped because of nonpayment of dues. We are going to look back five years for a list of Shriners who have been dropped for this reason and try to get enough members restored to cover the possible loss of members who will be riding the Black Camel in 2012.

We plan to hold Cold Sands for new candidates wherever necessary. We will be continuing the mentor program that past potentate Steve Peterson began to keep the new members active. We will have a full effort drive for new members through our “blue” lodges.
I will be appointing potentate’s aides to help carry out some of the goals I have mentioned. Because the territory that comprises Zor covers is about 300 miles long, there may be times that I need assistance. This has worked well in other Shrine centers.

My slogan for this year is “We drive so kids may thrive”. It refers to our service of driving patients to the clinics for treatment as well as personally having the energy to carry out our goals. Many years in the car business, both sales and service, are behind my slogan. My trading pin this year pictures a car..

So keep up your drive so the kids may thrive. Until next time, I am Potentate Larry Riemenschneider.