|
In February 1973, a group of
Nobles met in Greensboro, North Carolina,
with the idea of forming a new Shrine
Association. These Nobles represented the
nine Temples of North Carolina, South
Carolina and Virginia.
The first meeting was held at the Holiday
Inn on Interstate 40 in Greensboro with the
following Nobles attending: Oasis Temple:
Julian W. Helms; Omar Temple: Bill Seals and
Hugo A. Pearce;
Hejaz Temple: Walter L. Miller and Joe
Medlock; Jamil Temple: E. L. Stoudenmire,
John M. Terry, and J. W. Clamp; Acca Temple:
Russell Craig and Aubrey L. Stratton, Jr.;
Khedive Temple: James Boyles and Charles O.
Philpotts; Kazim: John Montgomery and C.
Jack Clements; Kena Temple: William L. Peele
and Harold F. Elsberg; Sudan: Bruce Boyette
and W. R. Redding. These Nobles were later
made representatives for life in the newly
formed South Atlantic Shrine Association.
William L. “Bill” Peele was chairman of the
meeting, several discussions were held and
appointments were made. Bruce Boyette was
appointed the develop the bylaws.
The next meeting was held in Charlotte,
North Carolina at the Oasis Temple. Again
Bill Peele acted as chairman and J. W.
“Jake” Clamp as secretary. After several
more meetings during the year and much
discussion and hard work the bylaws were
completed for the Association. The bylaws
were submitted to the International Shriners
and approved at the Imperial Session in
Atlantic City, N. J. in July of 1974. The
Imperial representatives approved the
charter for the South Atlantic Shrine
Association.
Philip Gray, Past Potentate of Omar Temple
was selected at the first Director General;
Richard Hussey as Parade Marshal, Hoyt
Graham as Director of Transportation, Herman
Jones as Housing Chairman, Tom Roberts as
Banquet Chairman, and William L. “Bill”
Peele as General Chairman. General Motors
furnished twenty-two Oldsmobile convertibles
for the parade.
The first convention was held in Myrtle
Beach, S. C. September 21,22,23, 1974. SASA
headquarters was the Landmark Hotel. On
Saturday, September 22, 1974, at the
President’s Banquet, the first elected
officers were installed: President, Philip
Gray, PP, Omar; First Vice President, Harry
M. Bryant, PP, Oasis; Second Vice President,
Louis E. McAllister, Chief Rabban, Acca
Temple; Third Vice President, Ronald K.
Terrell, Potentate, Hejaz Temple; Fourth
Vice President, Luther M. Cromartie, PP,
Sudan Temple; Fifth Vice President, Robert
H. Foxwell, Jr., Potentate, Khedive Temple;
Secretary/Treasurer, James W. “Jake” Clamp,
Recorder, Jamil Temple.
Attending the convention was Past Imperial
Potentate Aubrey Graham; Past Imperial
Chaplain Rev. Doctor Woodrow Wilson Hayzlett
and Chairman of the Board of the Greenville
Hospital, George Weathers.
William L. “Bill” Peele acted as chairman of
the fist convention and at the first
business session the representatives elected
Peele and the first S.A.S.A. President. The
first convention was a big success with
5,338 individuals registered.
Since the beginning the following Temples
have been approved and added to the
membership of S.A.S.A.: Tennessee: Kerbela and
Jericho; North Carolina: Amran; West
Virginia: Beni Kedem and Nemesis; Kentucky:
El Hasa; Kosair, Oleika and Rizpah. |
