WESTERN SHRINE ASSOCIATION

2015

Las Vegas, April 22nd through 25th, 2015

Headquarters Hotel The Westgate Resort & Casino

REGISTRATION PACKET

Revised: April 20, 2015

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EL ZARIBAH SHRINERS Present a Fantastic WESTERN SHRINE ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE Wednesday, April 22nd through Saturday, April 25th, 2015

Nobles, Ladies, Friends, & Guests,

My Lady Mary, Director General Noble Pat McNichols and his Lady Miki, the Progressive WSA Line, and I would like to Welcome You to WSA 2015 at our Headquarters Hotel, The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino! The 2015 Team has been working very diligently over the last year and a half to make WSA a turn-key event for any Temple to host and we feel that we are finally here. We are a separate organization with our own EIN Number, Bank Account, and Website. Committees have been appointed per our bylaws with members from different temples in WSA to oversee all the work that the progressive line does to ensure responsibility and accountability, and we have brought back competitions. All this was at the request of the voting Nobility from 2013 to now. Finally, all the hard work has paid-off and now we have a fantastic platform from which to start; where any Temple (no matter how small or big) can host the convention in one place year after year providing familiarity, fun, and friendly competition amongst Temples. We still have room to grow and I am certain the officers in the coming years will continue to improve upon this platform and grow this event even larger into the future. Remember Nobles, this is YOUR Association it’s only as good as WE make it. This is the start of something big and there will be a few bumps in the road this year, but nothing that we can’t overcome together working as a team. Please do not hesitate to call or email us with any questions, we want to make sure you have the correct information and you enjoy your time in Las Vegas. We have put some buffer time in the schedule so you can explore and enjoy all that Las Vegas and its surrounding areas have to offer. We have a great tour to the Mob Museum planned, a Fantastic Golf Outing at the Las Vegas National Golf Club (Ladies bring your clubs too), a Fun Ladies Luncheon, Wine Tasting event, and an Outlet Mall Shopping Trip. It all kicks off with the Welcome Champagne Reception Wednesday Night with Champagne and heavy hors d’oeuvres so get your tickets fast!! I wish you all safe travels and we will see you in Las Vegas!!

Ill. Sir Chris Hagenian WSA President Potentate El Zaribah Shrine Phoenix, AZ

GENERAL INFORMATION

$99.00 WSA Registration The registration fees belong to Shrine Association (WSA). The registration fee covers the Noble and his Lady (or significant other) for the convention. All WSA scheduled events require a WSA registration badge to participate. The WSA badge is marked for the events that you paid for during registration and the badge is your access credential to those WSA events.

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WSA registered participants receive:

• Access to WSA activities designed to show Shriners young and old what being a Shriner is all about. They call the Shrine the playground of Masonry, think of WSA convention as your personal Big Playground in Las Vegas. If you don’t have fun it is your own fault. • Areas are set aside for WSA participants to use for their relaxation and a place to make new and renew friendships with Shriners and their ladies from across WSA. More detail will be provided to you at WSA registration. • Access to a 900 SF suite on the upper floor of the hotel. This suite will be the WSA Hospitality Room. Registered WSA attendees have access to free beverages and snacks during the convention. This is just another place to relax and make new and renew friendships. The hours are listed in the schedule of events. Once again, if you don’t visit you will be missing a fun place to mix with fellow Shriners and their ladies. • For those registered at the hotel and registered for WSA, there are reduced fees throughout The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, to include special discounts to On- property Shows and other featured activities. Check your hotel registration packet for details. These coupons print out automatically at the front desk when you check-in. • March 31, 2015 Announcement - Hotel has announced they are going to utilize their Tempo Lounge as Shrine Central from the dates of Wednesday, April 22nd thru Sunday, April 26th. At the Tempo Bar any Western Shrine attendee with a badge will be given 50% of any drinks/cocktails during these five days.

Business Meeting. All Temples in good standing with WSA are “automatically” a member, this includes all the Nobility of that temple (there are no dues cards for this). The voting reps of WSA are: Current Potentate, Chief Rabban, Assistant Rabban, High Priest & Prophet, Oriental Guide, Recorder, Treasurer, the Immediate (Junior) Past Potentate of your Temple, WSA Officers, and any Past WSA Presidents. All Nobles are welcome to attend the business meeting to understand what is going on with WSA and interface and learn from the Imperial Presentation that have an impact on our fraternity.

For the Ceremonial, candidates will need to register, but since the ceremonial is an activity open to the public, the nobles may attend as long as they will not be participating any activity that requires them to register to participate in the event. The Mandarin degree does require the Noble to register to participate.

Final Thoughts: WSA has considerable costs associated with putting on the annual WSA convention. Through your registered participation, you help WSA cover the costs for services that are necessary to provide an organized and rewarding experience. In addition, WSA requested from the hotel access to meetings rooms for Registration, Ceremonial, WSA business meeting, Unit Competition, a large hall for our Vendor Boutique, and areas for bands and other groups to perform on the property. In exchange, WSA has guaranteed a number of hotel room nights. Your registration to stay in the hotel helps control the actual costs of the WSA convention.

$1.00 Candidate Registration We understand Candidates for the ceremonial have a larger expense to furnish and might not be at the convention for the entire duration. This is a reduced rate FOR CANDIDATES (and their Ladies or significant others) ONLY.

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WESTERN SHRINE ASSOCIATION 2015 Tentative SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday April 22 Registration 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Hospitality Room Open 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Hotel Check-in Starts 3:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Welcome Champagne Party 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Westgate Hotel – Tempo Lounge Hospitality Room Open 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort

Thursday, April 23 Registration 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Legion of Honor Breakfast 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Vendor Boutique Open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Hospitality Room Open 1:00 PM - 1:00 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort WSA Business Meeting 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Ladies’ Lunch 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Westgate Hotel – Crown Room Imperial Membership Seminar 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Outlet Mall Shopping Trip 1:30PM – 5:30 PM Meet & Greet Imp. Outer Guard 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Westgate Hotel – Crown Room Candidates Counterparts Dinner 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Westgate Hotel – Ballroom

Friday, April 24 Golf Outing 6:45 AM – 12:00 PM Las Vegas National Golf Club Hospitality Room Open 8:00 AM – 2:15 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Vendor Boutique Open 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Mob Museum Trip 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Mob Museum Trip 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Downtown - Fremont Street “Q” Luncheon - Invitation Only 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Offsite (must show current dues card) Clown Competition 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Band, Motorized Vehicle, & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Keystone Cop Competitions Wine Tasting 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Westgate Hotel - Hospitality Room Hospitality Room Open 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Caribbean Pool Party 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Westgate Hotel - Poolside Show Time 8:00 PM Choose your Show at the Westgate Fremont Street Night Time 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM Downtown - Fremont Street Experience

Saturday, April 25 Vendor Boutique Open 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort WSA Ceremonial 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Westgate Hotel Banquet Room Hospitality Room Open 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort Cocktail Hour 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort President’s Dinner – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Westgate Hotel – Ballroom Theme Competition Awards, Presentations, Officer Installation Close WSA 9:00 PM Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Resort

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REGISTRATION HOURS Wednesday April 22nd - 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Thursday April 23rd - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM Friday April 24th – TBD (if there is an event we will be there) Saturday April 25th – TBD (if there is an event we will be there)

WSA BUSINESS MEETING Thursday April 23rd 8:40 AM to 11:30 AM Hospital Presentation – Imp. Sir Douglas E. Maxwell Chairman, Board of Trustees (20mins.) Presentation from those seeking Imperial or Trustee Office (7mins. Per Candidate) 11:30AM -1:00PM Working Nobles Lunch - Free with RSVP (Membership Seminar)

IMPERIAL MEMBERSHIP SEMINAR Thursday April 23rd 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM 11:30AM -1:00PM Working Nobles Lunch - Free with RSVP (Membership Seminar)

Returning to our roots and what has made us one of the world’s best philanthropy. Working with the Blue Lodges can pay many bonuses in our struggle to survive and grow. Our roots all start from being a Mason and as the Blue lodge goes, so go our Shrine. Recruitment and Retention are a very important part in growing our numbers, but just, if not more important is once we get a new member we need to make sure they feel wanted, needed and included so that retention is a much smaller part of Membership. For all of us that are actively involved in our Fraternity, we know the feeling we get with that involvement. Pass it on!

LADIES LUNCHEON Thursday, April 23rd 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM In addition to a great buffet lunch, there will be a cosmetology demonstration with gift bags and Imperial Lady Cheryl Sowder will talk on Membership and Hospital news.

OUTLET MALL SHOPPING TRIP Thursday, April 23rd 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM Taxi fares to the Outlet Mall start at $15.00 and can go as high as $31.00 one way, depending on traffic. Our price for this is round trip by bus. As if the Las Vegas casinos don’t have enough ways to part you from your money, the Outlet Malls provide more ways for you to leave your money. Spend the afternoon on a fun bus ride and shop to your heart’s content.

COUNTERPARTS DINNER Thursday, April 23rd 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM This event is a real fun tradition within WSA. It is a time for members of the current Divans and Past Potentates to mingle and enjoy a great time. This is an active event to reminisce, share ideas and make plans to strengthen the Shrine organization.

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GOLF OUTING Friday, April 24th 6:45 AM – 12:00 PM Las Vegas National Golf Club Las Vegas National Golf Club, located less than 10 minutes from the , is a classic and traditional style 18-hole championship golf course that provides golfers of all skill levels with a unique challenge and a fun, enjoyable experience. The par 71 course features thousands of trees, well positioned sand bunkers and a few water hazards that protect lush fairways and manicured greens. "The National", designed in 1961 by architect Bert Stamps, has a rich history to say the least. The course hosted a number of LPGA & PGA events including the Tournament of Champions, Sahara Invitational and the Las Vegas Invitational.

MOB MUSEUM Friday, April 24th 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Taxi fares to the Fremont Street Experience start at $15.00 and can go as high as $31.00 one way, depending on traffic. Our price for this is round trip by bus. Located in the heart of , the mob museum showcases both sides of the notorious battle between and law enforcement. With high-tech theater presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts, and interactive exhibits, you can finally discover the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

FREMONT STREET DAY TIME EXPERIENCE Friday, April 24th 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Taxi fares to the Fremont Street Experience start at $15.00 and can go as high as $31.00 one way, depending on traffic. Our price for this is round trip by bus. Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the mob museum showcases both sides of the notorious battle between organized crime and law enforcement. With high-tech theater presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts, and interactive exhibits, you can finally discover the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

FREMONT STREET NIGHT TIME EXPERIENCE Friday, April 24th 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM Taxi fares to the Fremont Street Experience start at $15.00 and can go as high as $31.00 one way, depending on traffic. Our price for this is round trip by bus. Glittering lights. Stunning visual and sound effects. Crowds of people. Just another night on the Las Vegas Strip, right? Wrong. Welcome to the Fremont Street Experience located in fabulous downtown Las Vegas. This project blends vintage Las Vegas with high-tech wonder, live entertainment and more to create an attraction that rivals the famed Vegas Strip. It provides an intimate party atmosphere with a laid-back feel and a group of great casinos in close proximity to one another. The most obvious and largest part of the Fremont Street Experience is the Viva Vision canopy and light show. The canopy towers 90 feet above the ground and spans the length of five football fields. Featuring more than 12 million LED modules and a 555,000-watt sound system, the light show attracts tourists and locals alike. New Viva Vision shows are created each year and are rotated in and out. The Fremont Street Experience staff can choose from a library of about 15 shows at any given time.

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Thrill seekers can breeze right beneath the Viva Vision canopy on a thrilling zip-line called Slotzilla. Riders are launched out of an enormous slot machine and across the Fremont Street Experience. There are many food spots including a Piccadilly Pizza, a gourmet coffee stand, a popcorn cart, as well as cheap eats at Mermaids casino. These include deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Twinkies, chocolate-covered bananas or hot dogs for only 99 cents and mini-chicken sliders for $5.99. The Beef Jerky Store not only offers more flavors of this classic snack than you can imagine (including veggie options!), but you'll find a variety of chocolates, candy and a wide selection of Hawaiian food favorites. That's a whole lot to chew on. Shops on the Fremont Street Experience include various paintings as well as kiosks selling souvenir items like engraved rice grain jewelry, unique T-shirts, hats and much more. There is an Indian arts and crafts market, too. The Heart Attack Grill offers humungous burgers and fries served to you by waitresses dressed like nurses. The restaurant takes the term "Eat your heart out" to a whole new level: Customers weighing more than 350 pounds eat for free. Looking for something healthy instead? Located right next to Heart Attack Grill, Fremont Mediterranean Cafe offers hummus, falafel pitas, as well as meat or veggie skewers that will have your taste buds thanking you. If your desire is for something sweet, the restaurant also sells gelato and coffee drinks. At the end of Fremont Street Experience, the keeps the party going. Dubbed Fremont Street East, you'll find a handful of eclectic bars, lounges and even a coffee bar/record store/two-story art gallery. Hipsters and artsy folks will definitely feel at home. With all the different interests offered here, there is always something fun for everyone to "experience."

UNIT COMPETITIONS Friday, April 24th 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM Shriners love to show off their talents playing in a band, riding a motorcycle, or figuring out a drill or performance to entertain others. There will be competition between Bands of all varities, Oriental Bands, Go Karts and Motorcycles, and Keystone Cops’ groups. The leader of the unit/club needs to pay the registration fee via the WSA Registration form. The rules for the competitions are available online at www.WesternShine.org

CLOWN COMPETITION Friday, April 24th 9 AM until 4 PM If you or your family enjoys Clowns, this may be an experience for you. The free Clown competition brings the Clowns from across WSA sharing their great skills in makeup and the various types of Clowning. Clowns will competing in four categories: Make up; Paradability; Skits 1 man, 2 man, and Unit; Balloons, single and multiple. The registration forms for participants are available online at www.WesternShine.org

WINE TASTING Friday, April 24th 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM This is just what the title says “Wine Tasting”. This should be a fun activity. The price is right! More details are available online at www.WesternShine.org/Activities

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CARIBBEAN PARTY Friday, April 24th 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Join us poolside for a WELCOME TO WSA party. Meet and greet old friends. The El Bekal Steel Drum Band will provide the joyful sounds from the Caribbean for all to enjoy.

SHOW TIME Friday, April 24th 8:00 PM Pick from multiple shows at the Westgate Resort Hotel & Casino (Everyone on their own. Special Show Pricing and 2 for 1 Tickets for those staying in the WSA Room Block; coupons will be available in your check-in packet at Hotel Room Registration)

CEREMONIAL AND MANDARIN DEGREE Saturday, April 24th 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM This Ceremonial is in Memory of Illustrious Sir Larry Kesselring President of WSA 2004

9:00am – 10:00am 1st Section- El Bekal proudly presents their Ritual Teams. This Shrine Ceremony is for the entire family. Ladies, children, friends, and Shriners are welcome to attend. This is a great way to share in the ritual and presentation that show what we are all about. Come and experience the beautiful Shrine Ritual and impressive Arch Degree Teams. 10:15am – 12:30pm Mandarin Degree $30 - This is a fun degree that will be provided by the Mandarin team from El Bekal. Make sure you sign up at Registration to show your interest in participating. It is fun!!! 1:00pm – 2:00pm Candidate Fezzing

PRESIDENT’S BANQUET Saturday, April 24th No host Cocktail party at 5:00 Dinner at 6:00 Finish off your 2015 WSA Experience by attending the President’s Banquet. The theme for the evening is “Speakeasy”. Join us for an evening culminating activities, awards, and entertainment. Dress for the evening is business casual, no shorts or jeans please. After 3 days of fun and camaraderie it will be time to say good-bye until next year.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Hotel reservations are to be made by Early April, 2015, directly to WESTGATE HOTEL AND RESORT HOTEL 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Resort phone: 702-732-5111

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AIRPORT SHUTTLE

Transportation from airport is via Taxi or Bell Trans for a fee. There is no hotel shuttle.

Bell Trans – offering limo service, airport transfers, taxis and more. Getting to and from our off Strip Las Vegas resort couldn’t be easier! If you are seeking Las Vegas limo service, airport transfers, taxis and more, Bell Trans – the leader in the Las Vegas transportation industry since 1970 – offers a variety of transportation options for any occasion or need.

Conveniently located at both McCarran International Airport and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino with staff available to service all your transportation questions and needs, Bell Trans can provide you with airport transportation (for a fee) to or from Westgate Las Vegas via their Airport Shuttle, Private Limousine, Sedan or Bus Service.

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