The North Carolina Mason

O n the week of Independence Day, the Shriners International 2023 Imperial Session met in Charlotte, North Carolina, drawing thousands of Shriners from around the world. Junior Grand Warden Steve Norris can be seen here participating in the Grand Masters Summit. Hosted by the Shriners International Education Foundation (SIEF), the Summit was an engaging two days of fellowship and personal and professional development. The event attracted an international crowd and a record number of participants, who in turn represent thousands of Masons in their jurisdictions. The small group setting provided Grand Masters and Grand Lodge Officers the opportunity to share rich conversations, discussing in-depth topics that were immediately relevant and applicable to advancing the health of ancient craft Masonry. Hosting the Grand Masters Summit is one way the fraternity builds relationships within the Masonic community. With such wide turnout, "the implications for future engagement and collaboration are significant," said Chief Membership Development Officer Bryan Harrison. Facilitating the Grand Masters Summit were James D. Cole, PGM (Virginia 2001), Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, USA, and Richard E. Lynn, PGM (Florida 1992), current Grand Secretary of Florida and the President of the Conference of Grand Secretaries in North America. Photo credit: Image courtesy of Shriners Magazine Fraternity Fosters Relationships with Fellow Grand Masters Hosting the Grand Masters Summit is one way the fraternity builds relationships within the Masonic community. This year's event attracted an international crowd and a record number of participants. FA L L 2 0 2 3 | 31

• Cover