It is a great honor and privilege for me to serve as Potentate for Murat in the year of 2012. I wish to thank you for your confidence and electing me to this office. No man can lead without the support of those around him and I have the best supporter in my wife of 42 years, Faye.

The theme for this year is BOLDLY GO. Yes, it does come from Star Trek but it also applies to Shriners. We must Boldly Go into our communities and promote Masonry, Shrinedon, and our Hospitals. Boldly Go in a new way to grow our membership.

I would like for you to welcome my appointment to the Divan line, Charles B. Shull.I know he will be a great addition to the leadership of Murat for years to come. Chuck and his lady Pam are easy people to get to know, I encourage you to get to know both of them.

Throughout this year you will see pictures of Our Hospitals in the Murat Magazine. There will be a monthly contest to see if you know where each specific Hospital is located. A HINT: the elevation of each hospital city will be provided with the picture, you need to use Google Earth to find that elevation. The correct entries submitted to the fraternal office will be in the drawing at the next Stated Meeting.

This year if going to be a busy one with some new events as well as our annual events. So that you can put these events on your calendar now, I will list the first part of the year:

Jan. 21: Leadership Seminar with a new format that includes the Ladies.

Jan. 24-28: Florida Visitation Jan..

Feb 17: Little Pig

Feb 23: Informational presentation on Potentate trips — Holiday World on June 9 & Panama Canal Nov. 2-11.

March 1-4: The greatest show on earth Murat Shrine Circus

March 24: OH WHAT A NIGHT Potentates Ball

May 1: Murat Ceremonial

May 10-13: Smokey My. Fun Fest

May 24: Memorial service

May 23-27: the 500 festivities

June 23: Potentates Parrot Head Party

July 1-5: Imperial Session in Charlotte N.C.

All of the details will be listed in future Magazine. The full year of events can be viewed on the Murat web page, which includes a lot of other very useful information.

My door will always be open for you to come in and talk, for it is only with your support and hard work that our Fraternity and Hospitals can survive and Boldly Go forward.

BOLDLY GO…….

May God Bless,
Charlie Crabtree
Illustrious Potentate