Journalist Jordan Howard (OU)
The first day of session is always slightly chaotic, filled with unknown challenges and times of uncertainty. If you ask delegates with higher star counts, most will tell you that this feeling has been intensified by the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with case numbers decreasing, restrictions lifting, and protective measures being taken, returning and new delegates can finally experience what a pre-covid O.I.L. session would have been like.
However, many uncertainties persist. One that haunted this session was whether or not delegates would be attending a session at the State Capitol or if challenges would require a different venue. Luckily, this session will be the first session back in the capitol since the beginning of the pandemic, and delegates will get to spend the last portion of their time at session on capitol grounds.
The other portion of session is spent at a suspicious-looking building owned by a club of men who enjoy wearing tiny red hats and driving even tinier cars. These men are formally known as Shriners and are a fraternity of individuals dedicated to fun, fellowship, and philanthropy.
The Shriners are a large organization with roughly 200 national chapters and thousands of clubs spread across six continents. Additionally, the organization is known for its shows of prestige and wealth. It has several notable members, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Buzz Aldrin, and Jack Warner, to name a few.
As legend has it, Shriners International was founded in 1872 by two men who attended an Arabian-themed party and found the imagery, attire, and activities of the East fascinating. This influenced the organization’s traditions and culture. Delegates can see the East’s significant influence on the fraternity when pulling into the Shrine Center’s parking lot, which is surrounded by sphinxes. Inside the strange building, members can also view fraternity regalia and hundreds of distinctive red Fez hats. This headpiece was common in the Ottoman Empire or common day Morocco.
Today, the Shriners are mostly known for their tiny cars, tiny hats, circus, and philanthropic work. The Shriner’s most impressive charitable work was the creation of their hospital network, the “Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.” The Shriner Imperial Council voted to establish the first Shriner hospital in 1922, which was initially designed to support the medical needs of children who suffer from diseases, spinal cord injuries, and birth defects like cleft lip. Now the organization sponsors 22 medical facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They fund their hospitals by hosting events, accepting charitable donations, and membership costs and fees. With this structure, the Shriners were able to cover all medical expenses for their patients. In 2012, this policy changed so it only covers the costs of children 18 years or younger.
O.I.L. is very fortunate to have the opportunity to hold an in-person session and are very grateful to the Shriners for allowing the use of their facilities.
