Monday January 3, 2011

2011!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Years to everyone, Carrie and I were very low key this weekend.

I did perform one of the final acts as Potentate yesterday when I, along with several members of the Board of Directors, attended the Installation of the Board of Directors of Elf Khurafeh Shriners, our neighbors to the North. They had their installation in Clio, just off of I-75 in Clio, MI.

It was a very nice ceremony, and since the new Potentate likes the color red, every officer wore a dark red tuxedo shirt. I thought that it looked very nice. We share a very close relationship with the Nobles of Elf Khurafeh Shriners, and it was good to be in attendance. Last year we both had our installations on the same day and could not attend their ceremony. There will be large contingent attending our Installation this weekend.

Speaking of which, I am now on the clock, T minus 6 days until my term as Potentate is officially completed. It is a bittersweet feeling. I have tremendously enjoyed serving as a leader of this wonderful organization. I am so proud of all those Nobles who stepped up to the plate and volunteered their time and efforts to the improvement of our beloved Shrine. Carrie and I have been reviewing the events of the last year, and we are so elated over the outcomes. I look back 5 years ago after the completion of my Oriental Guide year, I had written down a list of goals I wanted to attempt to accomplish. In review, the only thing I did not assist in accomplishing is creating a Telemedicine program at Moslem for our patients. However, we are on that path, and the Potentate-elect is very committed to bringing this technology to our Shrine Center and ensuring we maintain and improve the quality of care to our children.

6 days, but we are not done. I will conduct my last Board of Directors meeting this afternoon, and then break out a very special treat for my fellow BoD's. On Thursday we will be having a little appreciation event for all the Event Chairman (i.e. Staff) who really made 2010 a special year.

The office is cleaned out, we have boxes of memorabilia all over the living room, trying to figure out what to do and where to display the items.

Enjoy the week, and I believe that our 3rd Annual Installation of Officers to be held this weekend will be the best yet, and Carrie and I are going to enjoy being on the sidelines applauding the new Officers that will lead our organization into the future.

One note: 5 years ago, I was the only member of the Board of Directors that was employed, the other members all retired. The most often criticism I heard about my being a candidate is that I still work and would not have time. Although, there were many Past Potentates that assured me that in the past, the entire Board used to work and take care of the business of the Temple during the evening, so I should not listen to this criticism. I do not know whether I had anything to do with the type of Nobles that comprise the 2011 Board of Directors, however, 5 of the 7 either own a business or are employed. What a turnaround. I am so happy that the Nobility understand that retirement is not a pre-requisite to serving as a leader of our organization.

The other big news of the week is the embarrassing loss by my beloved Wolverines. I know that everyone in the media, who created this story from the beginning, are calling for the firing of the current coach and his staff. I am not convinced he should be let go, he has a plan, he has a very young team, and we cannot afford to begin anew, especially with the Big Red of Cornhusker Country coming into our division next season. One of the news pieces they are talking about is the top ranked all round running back stating he is thinking about changing his commitment from Michigan to 'Bama, and that enough reason to get rid of Rich Rod. What they are not saying is that Rich Rod is the person who got this kid to commit in the first place, it is the Media that is forcing this kid to rethink his choice. No matter what, I bleed Maize and Blue, this past weekend a little more than usual, but I do not believe that Rich Rod should be let go. I would like to see what the progress of the 8 defensive starting underclassmen next season. Next year is a good year for Michigan, both Nebraska and Ohio State are home games, I dread thinking that an entire new staff would come in and begin again, it is hauntingly very similar to what Notre Dame has done the last 20 years, and we are not the Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!