Zuhrah's Divan & Appointments
Divan

Potentate's Appointments

Potentate's Aides

Zuhrah's Living Past Potentates

Zuhrah's Office Staff

What's a Divan?

According to Webster's Dictionary, the word has several meanings, but only one of which applies here: "in Oriental countries, a royal council or council room."  It is pronounced di-van, with emphasis on the second   syllable.  (Note: if emphasis is placed on the first syllable, it's meaning changes to "a large, low couch or sofa...")

In the context of the Shrine, the Divan is the "board of directors" or "executive council" of the organization, and serves as the management team for both fraternal and business activities of the Temple.  Each Shrine Temple has it's own Divan, and the minimum number of Divan members is set by Imperial by-laws at five, with each of these being elected by the Nobility (membership).  Therefore, all Shrine Temples have at least five members on the Divan, but some have seven, and some, like Zuhrah, have ten.  For most temples that have more than five members on the Divan, the additional positions are usually appointed by the Potentate.  Like most Masonic organizations, the Divan is usually a "progressive" line, which means that one new person is appointed or elected to the line each year, the other members of the Divan move "up" one position, and the top man retires from the line and becomes a Past Potentate.  In addition, two more elected officers are considered part of the Divan, namely the Recorder (Secretary) and Treasurer.  These two officers, however, are not usually part of the "progressive" line, and may serve in the same office for more than one year (if so elected).  It is also Zuhrah's tradition that two more appointed officers are considered part of the Divan, namely the Chaplin and the Imperial Representative, although they do not normally participate in managing the business affairs of the Temple.

Each position in the line has it's own title, derived from Arabic tradition, and each has it's own set of defined duties and responsibilities.  Potentates (both past and present) are addressed as "Illustrious Sir", Imperial Potentates (both past and present) and members of the Imperial Divan are addressed as "Imperial Sir", while all other Shriners are addressed as "Noble".  Assuming an individual is re-appointed and/or re-elected to the Divan each year, in the time it takes to move up from Outer Guard to Potentate, he will have had exposure to and responsibility for every aspect of Zuhrah's operation.  In order from top to bottom they are:

 Potentate -- President or CEO of the organization (elected)
 Chief Rabban -- elected
 Assistant Rabban -- elected
 High Priest and Prophet -- elected
 Oriental Guide -- elected
Treasurer -- elected
Recorder -- elected
 First Ceremonial Master -- appointed
 Second Ceremonial Master -- appointed
 Marshal -- appointed
 Captain of the Guard -- appointed
 Outer Guard -- appointed

Zuhrah's tradition is that the Chief Rabban has the responsibility of choosing who he will appoint as Outer Guard to serve if or when he is elected Potentate.

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