SIEF: A Journey of Education

The Shriners International Education Foundation aims to enhance leadership skills in the Masonic community.

Shriners International Education Foundation (SIEF) was established in 2016 to support and improve lives through the promotion of education and leadership opportunities, training, study and research.

It has become an important resource for Shriners, their ladies and the whole Masonic community.

“In my opinion, education is the foundation for growth and permanence in our fraternity,” said Anezeh Shriner Adrian Aguayo.

“I am a true believer and supporter of SIEF,” said Adrian, who is Regional Membership Director for Region 15, which includes temples in Puerto Rico, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. “The level of support that we are getting has been invaluable for temples in my region.”

SIEF is vital to the future success and strength of our fraternity, and of members of the entire Masonic family including both men and women from appendant allied and affiliated bodies, said Chief Membership Development Officer Bryan Harrison. The foundation is a perfect extension of the mission of Shriners International, which includes providing effective, attractive, quality programs and services for the Masonic community and fostering self-improvement through leadership and education.

“The inclusion of ladies in these educational opportunities offers a great opportunity for them to better comprehend the fraternity and its philanthropy, resulting in more involvement by the whole family to enjoy the fun and fellowship that Shriners strive for,” Adrian said. “Temples all around the world now have the opportunity to better understand and learn about Shriners.”

The Noble Academy, which provides chapter operations education for the entire Masonic community, was launched by SIEF in the fall of 2020 to create a collaborative learning environment for Shriners and Masons.

“By attending the virtual event series and monthly meetings, temples are more involved now in gaining membership and are using more and more every day the tools that SIEF offers to grow, maintain and restore membership,” Adrian said.

With a senior membership education manager on the membership department staff, the future of SIEF is bright. Goals include creating a full learning ecosystem providing on-the-job and just-in-time resources, training and professional development, in addition to offering interactive learning experiences and comprehensive, topically-based courses. The vision is to become the go-to source of education and training for the entire Masonic community and nonprofit organizations.

Nobles who are new to the fraternity will have opportunities through SIEF to advance and enhance their leadership skills to lead the way in the future.

Experienced nobles will find opportunities to increase their leadership skills and enhance their business acumen to successfully lead in new roles to advance the mission of Shriners International. Grounded in providing relevant, quality learning experiences, SIEF aims to provide best-in-class training to fuel its ultimate goal – changing lives for the better.

If Masonry is all about studying and becoming a better man, Shriners is about the next step, said Adrian. “Shriners is the opportunity to put those studies in practice.”