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The Fez:
The Imperial Council has adopted the fez as the exclusive type of
head covering to be worn by all Nobles of the Mystic Shrine when
appearing as such. This means all nobles must wear their fezzes at
stated meetings, ceremonials, Shrine parades, caravans, special events
and any other Shrine related activities. The fez is never worn at a
Masonic Lodge communication or meeting.
As a Noble, you are particularly admonished never to wear your fez
in any company or place in which you would decline to introduce your
mother, wife, sister or daughter. Never forget this. No other person
is ever allowed to wear a Noble’s fez.
The fez is not a display case or bulletin board. The Potentate,
Divan Members, Past Potentates and the Grand Master may have their
titles embroidered in small letters in gold or silver bullion, silk or
rhinestone jewels on one line beneath the emblem on the fez. Active
members of official uniformed units or official clubs of a temple may
likewise have the names of their units or clubs on one line beneath the
emblem on the fez. Any official appointment of the Potentate may have
his title beneath the emblem as above for the term of his appointment.
The fez shall be worn in its proper shape without crushing,
creasing or alteration; and no device, ornament, title, wording or
adornment other than allowed by Article 13 of the Imperial Council shall
be permitted. Not more than two pins or clasps, without supplemental
embellishments, may be used to secure the tassel in place. The fez may
be worn only at meetings and gatherings of Nobles held under the
authority of some legal body of the Order. It may not be worn when or
where prohibited by the Imperial Potentate. The fez as a general rule
is not worn on Sunday, as the temple is not permitted to meet on that
day. Hospital Day in
Lexington is normally on a Sunday and you may were your fez while
attending that function.
Military Salute:
The military salute is
used when reciting the Shrine pledge of allegiance and during the
playing of the national anthem of the
United States of America,
Canada, Mexico and Panama.
Colors:
A Noble who is wearing his fez will execute a right hand salute
when the Colors are within six paces of him. He will not remove his
fez. After the colors have passed, he should drop his right hand. A
Noble who is not wearing his fez places his right hand over his heart
instead of the right hand salute.
Auditorium:
In an auditorium, he should hold the salute until the Colors are
posted after the pledge of allegiance and/or playing of the national
anthems.
Parades:
Only the Color party of each temple is saluted when passing in
review.
Meetings and Ceremonials:
Current dues card and password is required for admittance to all
Temple Ceremonials and Business Meetings.
Prayer:
During the offering of prayer, the fez should be removed and held
in the right hand over the heart.
The Salaam:
A Noble addressing the Potentate while he is presiding in the East
should always give the salaam. The salaam is always given by the
Potentate and members of his Divan when receiving the Imperial
Potentate, Imperial Officers, and past Imperial Potentates do not salaam
in return but give the sign of the order.
Salutations:
An Imperial Officer as well as a Past Imperial Potentate is always
addressed as “Imperial Sir”. A Potentate or Past Potentate is addressed
as “Illustrious Sir”.
Dress:
The proper attire for a Shriner at any given function is what fits
the occasion. Under normal circumstances the Potentate will publicize
the dress code.
Introduction of dignitaries:
The presiding officer of a Shrine Unit or Shrine Club should
introduce the dignitaries that are there to visit them. There may be
information that our Potentate needs to get out and it’s through these
dignitaries the information is disseminated. At the beginning of your
meeting you should determine who is present and you can check you
calendar/directory as to who these people are. At the end of the
meeting you should call upon each one in reverse order according to
rank. Begin with Past Potentates, any Temple Trustees that are present,
and then the Outer Guard or the lowest ranking officer present and
ending with the Potentate or the highest ranking officer as the last
speaker. No one should speak after the Potentate or the highest ranking
officer with the exception of the presiding officer who will immediately
close his meeting. |