Seating arrangements are flexible, depending upon the size of the room, the size of the head table and the number of guests. However, it is proper to honor the Illustrious Potentate, Divan and their ladies at the head table or in other locations with members of the host club or Unit.
Four Variations of seating are preferred at the head table:
Potentate, or his designated representative.
Potentate and Chief Rabban.
Potentate, Chief Rabban and Divan Representative.
Potentate, Chief Rabban, Asst. Rabban, and Divan Representative.
The Potentate is to be seated to the right of center head table with the Chief Rabban, etc., and their ladies to the right of the potentate. To the left of center table should be seated the president of the Shrine club or Unit officers (in order of office) and their ladies.
Members of the Divan not seated at the head table should be seated one or two at a table with Shrine club or Unit officers, or members of the Nobility. It is helpful to have a Shrine club or Unit member assigned to each Divan member so that the seating arrangement is known in advance.
The Potentate, in all cases, should be the last one to be introduced. No one should be introduced after he has finished his remarks. The meeting should be closed or adjourned immediately, after which entertainment, refreshments, dancing and socializing are in order.
Whenever the Potentate is introduced, the Nobles should stand. We should show respect to the office of the Potentate. This pertains alike to Shrine club, Unit and Temple meetings.
When one of your brother Nobles has been visited by the Black Camel, please arrange for visitation to the bereaved family. Notify the Recorder immediately of the passing of your brother Noble, giving the date and name in full.
When it is the desire of the family of a deceased Noble to have a Masonic funeral, contact the Secretary of the Blue Lodge to which the Noble belonged and funeral arrangements may be completed to meet the requests of the family.
The Potentate, Officers and Nobles should remove their Fez Upon entering a church edifice, undertaking establishment or memorial site for any Burial or Memorial Service. The same mark of respect should be observed at graveside and Nobles should remain with head uncovered until they return to the street curb.
Each Temple is instructed to provide and display at all Shrine parades and Shrine functions the four National flags under which Shrine Temples Chartered by the Imperial Council operate - that is, the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. These four National flags should also be properly displayed at all Shrine Meetings.
National Flags should not be dipped at any time. It is noted the some Colors Squads dip the Canadian, Mexican and Panamanian flags in salute at the reviewing stand. This is not proper. No National flag is to be dipped at the reviewing stand. Flags other than National flags may be dipped.
All pilgrimages, tours and cruises, when sponsored by a Temple or if otherwise identified with the Order, are "public appearances." Such public appearances are not permitted in any place until notice of such appearances has been given to the Potentate of the Temple having jurisdiction of the territory where such public appearances is to be made and his approval obtained.
No Shrine club or Shrine Unit shall sponsor a tour or cruise without the consent of their Potentate who, in turn, needs to obtain approval from the Imperial Potentate.
Whenever complimentary tickets are sent by any Shrine club or Shrine Unit to any member of the Divan, it must be so stated that the tickets are complimentary. Members of the Divan should not be sent tickets for them to sell.
President or Director asks everyone to proceed to their table for dinner.
Ask everyone to stand for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Proceed with dinner.
Opening Remarks by the President or Director
"Illustrious Sir, Members of the Divan, Past Potentates, Officers of the _______ club or Unit, Nobles and Lovely Ladies".
Now introduce your Officers of club/Unit and thier Ladies. Take up any and all business for your club. (It is not your obligation to introduce any of the Divan members or guests of the Potentate. The Potentate will call upon the Divan Rep. at the proper time to make these introductions.)
Ask First Lady of Aladdin Temple to stand - present gift to First Lady.
Now, introduce the Illustrious Potentate as Follows:
"At this time it is my honor to present the Illustrious Potentate of Aladdin Temple,
Gary Parks"
Now, before relinquishing the podium, you may make any presentations to the Illustrious Potentate at this time. (If there is a check involved be sure to check with the Chief Aide for the proper manner in which the check is to be written, i.e. Temple, Hospital, etc.)"
Remarks by the Potentate:
After a few words of gratitude for the invitation to visit, he will call upon the Divan Rep. to introduce everyone in the Potentates Party.
The Potentate may then call on certain Committee Chairman to talk about their activities. (Membership, Tabloid, Hospital, Circus, Travel, etc.)
The Potentate will say a few words and then turn the meeting back to the President/Director.
President / Director
(*NOTE: NO ONE speaks after the Potentate, except the President, to close the meeting, call for the benediction and introduce any entertainment, if scheduled.)
In your closing remarks, be sure to thank everyone for coming and then proceed to close.