FROM THE 4th VICE PRESIDENT
Contributed by Ill.E. Thomas Rockey, PP, 4th Vice President
Nobles:
I would like everyone to know that I will do my best to serve you as fourth vice president of NYOSA. My objective for this year is to focus in on all the new Oriental Guides who are my counterparts. When I became Oriental Guide of Ismailia in 2003 I had never been a member of the Divan and it was all very new to me. My predecessors guided me along and I gradually became confident in the functions of my temple. However, my active participation in NYOSA over the past 5 years helped me broaden my knowledge. I learned that Ismailia's way was not always the only way or the best way. You can pick up so many new and innovative ideas by moving outside your comfortable little circle. It can help you make your temple stronger.
If you want to get everything you can out of your years in line and especially your year as potentate, you and your lady should try to participate in every NYOSA, Shrine and International event that you possibly can. It's hard at first when you and your lady don't know anyone but that changes fast. If you make the effort to get to know others, especially your counterparts, by the second or third get together you have already made many new friends. The lasting friendships that you form with your counterparts and other nobles across New York and Ontario are the most rewarding memories you will have when "your " year as potentate is done.
When you see how much knowledge you gain and how much fun you have, you will hopefully take it back to your Temple's nobles. Encourage them to come along with you to a ball or to a Session. It may be just what you need to get nobles motivated to become more active.
