Ben Ali Shrine Center, Sacramento, California, bears the charter No. 154 and is one of seven Centers in California, one of 19 in the Western Shrine Association, and one of 191 in North America. The territorial jurisdiction of Ben Ali Shrine Center is a sizeable one, including twenty-three counties, which ranges from San Joaquin to Siskiyou from Alpine to Trinity, and east to the Nevada state border. This territory comprises over 44,200 square miles, an area exceeding that of the State of Ohio, and one that is larger than some countries in the world today. The Shrine reaches its sizeable jurisdiction in a very direct way through its Shrine Clubs, which currently number thirty-three, and which extend from Escalon on the south, to Siskiyou on the north. Each one has its corps of officers, its budget, and is program of activities. Yearly each one is the source of many new candidates for the Shrine's exciting ceremonies. Shrine Clubs literally are the lifelines of the Shrine. Likewise, in many communities throughout the Shrine's jurisdiction, there is at least one official representative of the Potentate who acts as the "eyes and ears" of the Shrine Chief Executive Officer, during the year of his administration. In addition, since the days of its origin, Ben Ali has frequently held special meetings, and has staged certain of its ceremonies in different communities throughout its official domain. Ben Ali is proud of its history. Since 1922 the Shrine's name and its fez have been synonymous with wholesome fun, convivial fellowship, and the cheerful support of good causes. The Shrine numbers in its members outstanding leaders in virtually every walk of the political, economic, educational, social, civil, religious, and cultural side of life. It is an organization noted for having fun, but its constructive purposes, characterized by "hospitality without rudeness and jollity without coarseness." Ben Ali traditionally has prided itself on the fact that it attempts to improve whomever and whatever it touches - persons, places, and things.
