How One Self-Proclaimed Misfit Turned His Passion Into a Club at Shriners International

When you join a group, you want to feel a sense of belonging. But, in 2018, when Todd Kirchoffner joined the El Zagal Shriners in Fargo, North Dakota, he felt like a misfit, he told friend and fellow noble Mike Hennebry. “He said he didn't feel he fit into any one unit or club,” said Hennebry, a Shriner since 2000 and a highly active member. “He’s not a social butterfly.”

So, to better connect with his new brothers, Kirchoffner wanted to form a club inspired by his abiding passion for barbecue. He’s such a fan of the cuisine that he even built a smoker in 2018, complete with a pig-shaped head sporting a fuchsia snout and ears. Hennebry loved the idea and, since he had leadership experience from El Zagal’s motor corps, set out to help his friend establish a group serving up good times and great eats.

He recalls the process as simple, in part thanks to his past leadership roles but also because other El Zagal members were more than happy to lend a hand in getting Misfits BBQ – named after Kirchoffner’s initial feeling of being an outsider – up and running. Hennebry met with the young members club, Yoshi, which gladly shared a copy of its bylaws and answered questions. “I edited the bylaws to fit our club and presented them to the potentate for him to review and sign,” he said. “It was really very easy to start.” Since then, it’s been a “blur of nonstop fun,” Hennebry said.

Except for their timing: Misfits BBQ officially opened in January 2020, right before the outbreak of Covid. However, the club has remained nimble (like switching from delivery to drive-through for contactless service and using social media to advertise), adapting to challenges by consulting other clubs and units of El Zagal. The group also discusses issues at the end of each meeting in its “kangaroo court,” said Hennebry, a past president of Misfits BBQ. Making sure every member feels heard is an important part of retention, he said, and the club currently stands at 20 members strong.

For other Shriners considering starting clubs or units, don’t hesitate, Hennebry said. Find a few other like-minded individuals to form your initial group, tap the knowledge of those members or others within the Shrine to get things done and consult the Divan if you’re having trouble. “I've never run into any obstacles within the Shrine where somebody doesn't want you to do something because they think it'll take away from them,” he said. “We're all there for the same purpose: We want to grow membership. We want to keep the club and the units in the temple active.”

For nobles seeking to improve their skills and leadership, Shriners International offers online and in-person educational classes in various areas, including membership, marketing, accounting and technology, for members at all levels.

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