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.
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
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).
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 Captain of the
Guard
to Potentate, he will have had exposure to and responsibility for every
aspect of El Zagal'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
Click here to meet El Zagal's Divan
