Shriners Announce Fund-Raising Guidelines For Temples
The Associated Press
Domestic News
PM Cycle
October 28, 1986
TAMPA, Fla. - The Shriners have agreed to a new set of fund-raising guidelines after a newspaper reported that less than one-third of the money raised by the fraternal organization each year goes to its charities.
A list of 10 recommendations was unanimously adopted Monday by the Shriners board at a quarterly meeting, according to a news release.
The standards "are intended to assure the public that information on Shriners fund-raising activities is sufficient to easily identify those activities which benefit the Temples and those which benefit Shriners Hospitals," said Mike Andrews, Shriners public relations director.
Under the guidelines, all 189 temples nationwide must maintain detailed financial records relating to all fund-raising, the head of each temple must approve all fund-raising done under the auspices of his temple, and temple accounts must be regularly audited or reviewed by accountants.
The internal investigation was prompted by a series of articles this year in The Orlando Sentinel which reported that less than one-third of the money raised by the organization each year goes to its 22 hospitals and three burn centers. Of $10.7 million the Shriners took in nationally through charitable events in 1984, only $2.7 million went to the hospitals, the Sentinel said.
The Sentinel reported that the remainder of the money was spent on travel, food and entertainment for Shrine members.
Further Reading:
The Royal Order of Jesters - The Shriners Secret Society Secret Society - 'Mirth is King'
