HISTORY OF THE DAVIS OASIS

In the fall of 1995, Noble Forrest S. Sutton Jr. and a small group of local Shriners joined together to discuss the possibility of forming an Oasis in Vicenza, Italy.  The purpose of this proposed group was to promote a closer fraternal relationship among all Nobles of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine who were either resident or stationed within the country of Italy, north of and including Rome, to enable these Nobles to develop and enhance a community Shrine relationship, to make it possible for these Nobles to maintain contact with each other, and to generally further the purpose of the Shrine in accordance with the bylaws and policies of the European Shrine Club, the parent organization.

On February 8, 1996 an initial meeting was held to draw up and sign the charter's constitution and bylaws. The constitution and bylaws were signed by the charter members and the officers elect. The officers elected were Noble Forrest S. Sutton Jr., President; Noble Robert Launius, Vice President; Noble Glen Ashley, Secretary; and Noble Clarence Daniels, Treasurer.  On February 9, 1996 a memorandum was submitted to the Commander of the 22nd Area Support Group, Caserma Ederle requesting approval to operate as a private organization.

The charter, confirming the establishment and operation of the Davis Oasis, was granted by the European Shrine Club in Heidelburg, Germany on April 3, 1996.  The first logged minutes of the Davis Oasis are from the April 4, 1996 meeting held in Vicenza, Italy.