Mid West Shrine Association (MSA) history

With the Shriner’s founded in 1872, the Midwest Shrine Association was later created to engender greater fellowship among the several M.S.A. Shrine Chapters and their members and to secure greater recognition of the institution of the Shrine throughout the territory of this association.

The Imperial Shrine of North America recognizes about 20 regional Shrine Associations. These Associations allow individual Shrine Chapters to join for fun, fellowship and camaraderie. It also allows Shriners an opportunity to share ideas on how to improve Shrinedom in their areas. At many of the Association conventions Shrine Chapter Units compete against one another for who is the best, Chanters, Bands, Clowns, Motorized Units, Pipes & Drums, Foot Patrols, Horse Units, etc.

Today the Midwest Shrine Association has 14 Shrine Chapters as members from the States of Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Also, Chapters from the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba belong. These 14 Chapters have a combined membership of about 20,000 Shriners.

The Midwest Shrine Association holds an annual business meeting in early February. Those attending are normally the Shrine Chapter Officers along with committee heads that have an interest in topics to be covered at the session. Average attendance is about 250 Shriners. The summer session is normally held in mid to late August, on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The sessions usually include on or two major all Shriner parades and time for Shrine Unit competition. All MSA Shriners are invited to attend. In recent years attendance has averaged 800 to 1,500, of which two-thirds are Shriners and the balance Shriners Ladies. A different Chapter hosts these meeting each year.

The gatherings are not only a wonderful opportunity to share the message of the Shriner’s and the philanthropy they serve but also allow the hosting community to be part of something special and enjoy the fun and good will the Shriners bring to every event as they look to serve children and families around the world.