This presentation is based primarily on Past President Jim Whitehouse’s “talking points” put in place while he was on the ASOB line between 2000-2005. There has been nothing like it before or since and it is the cornerstone of what we need/have to better communicate to the entire ASOB as an organization. The outline proposed here would not have been possible without the grassroots work Noble Whitehouse provided.

An Introduction to the Association of

Shrine Oriental Bands

What is the ASOB?

What is The ASOB?IT IS perhaps the single most

misunderstood, enigmatic, underappreciated entity you do/can belong to (or ever will).

IT IS the Standard Bearer for all State, Regional and individual Shrine Oriental Bands across the North American Continent as well as Internationally.

IT IS sanctioned by the Imperial Council.

What is The ASOB?IT HAS a Website: www.asob.org (well

developed and maintained by Dave Glass/Ben Ali Shriners – Sacramento, CA)

IT WAS formed in 1928 at the Imperial Session in Chicago, Illinois

IT HAS the only professionally formatted publication in Shrinedom (Na Khabar).

Na Khabar

What is the NA KHABAR? IT IS the Best Association publication in

all of Shrinedom (Na Khabar - translated from Arabic means “the news” or “the message”).

Yearly dues go to fund this magazine (until recently, 100% went to this. With the advent of only one hard copy, the estimate is 50% of dues will go toward this effort)

What is the NA KHABAR?Units need to embrace this fraternal

vehicle because we will learn from each other just like we did our Masonic work. This is our only means of regular communication on a “band-to-band” and Association-to-Association” basis.

Only color publication in AAONMS with one “hard copy” and two electronically copies each year. It is also available on the ASOB website.

Discounted advertising rates are given to member bands

Dues: What does your $10.00 yearly dues actually pay for?

Your DuesTo begin with, not a single cent goes toward any ASOB Officer travel, lodging, meals, etc.

* All expenses incurred by your elected ASOB line officers are paid for out of their own pocket. This has been totally misunderstood for decades.

Where do your dues go?

At least 50% of it goes to pay for the NaKhabar publication

The balance goes for ASOB administrative costs:* Mailings (dues notices, Imperial correspondence, stationary, mailings between Canada and the US, etc.)

Where do your dues go?

• Fees ($100.00/judge) for Imperial competition

• To partially pay for trophies at the Imperial Session. This is a very small percentage as all competing Bands pay a fee of $2.00 per participating member that generally covers this cost unless there are only 3-4 Bands.

The Ladder of Smiles

What is the Ladder of Smiles?

IT WAS founded in 1961IT IS one of only two national

organizations with active Shrine units that contribute directly to the Shriners Hospital for Children Fund. (the other is the Clowns Sneaker fund)

IT IS the fundraising arm of ASOB.IT HAS contributed over

$2,500,000.00 to the Shriners Hospital for Children Fund since 1961

What is the Ladder of Smiles?Over $600,000.00 has been contributed in

the last five ASOB fiscal years since the implementation of the 100% Participation Program. Is this a COINCIDENCE?

The last two years the contributions have been over $150,000.00 each year.

The first time the yearly contribution went over $100K was 2007-2008

What is the Ladder of Smiles?100% of ALL monies sent to the Ladder of

Smiles go to the Shriners Hosital for Children Fund. There are NO deductions for any expense of any kind to operate ASOB.

All monies donated from Canadian Bands support Canadian Hospitals. U.S. Band donations support U.S. Hospitals

Shriners Hospital Operational Information

Current outlay per YEAR for Shrine

Hospitals = $826,000,000.00 (Million)

Current outlay per DAY for Shrine Hospitals

= $2,200,000.00 (Million)

Just 6 years ago these numbers were $600M and $1.6M (increase of 27.36% or 4.56% per year)

100% Participation Program/Initiative

Founded by Past ASOB President Jim Whitehouse in 2004-2005

The Goal: To have some area of participation from all Oriental Bands and Regional Associations in North America

This does not necessarily mean a monetary contribution in every case

Option: Contributions may be in the form of community service as long as the Ladder of Smiles is used as in identifying the service. The awareness of the Shrine Hospitals and their philanthropy is the key here.

Proven ways of Raising Money for the Ladder of smiles

Passing the hat at one UNIT stated meeting per year

Passing the hat at one SHRINE stated meeting per year. This may be as a result of informing the entire Temple of the purpose of the LOS

Donation jar at the barBad Word Jar (Nile OB)Birthday Bottle of Booze (Band buys a

bottle of booze each month and auctions it off)

More Proven ways of Raising Money for the Ladder of smiles

ONE dedicated event per year (fundraising or non-fundraising)

Fundraising event at your annual Ceremonial/Regional Association/Midwinter

Passing a motion to take any extra funds out of the unit treasury (no matter how small)

Having one band member donate a sum for the entire Band

Having a provision in your will to leave a sum to the LOS

You Ask:“How can this be communicated

and/or implemented?”

It should/has to come from the top downHowever: There only has to be ONE Noble to

enthusiastically buy into the program to make it viable initially

TALK about it…

Be proactive… Make something happen for the kids

Just Do it – you’ll be glad you did!

Thank You!