A lifelong connection to Shriners has sprouted into a recent election victory and service in a national office with Shriners Hospitals for Children for a Shelby County man.

Shelbyville’s Bill Rasner explains.

Running for national office offers significant challenges and travel.  With two of the six board seats up for election Rasner captured the second seat by a scant four votes.

Rasner’s background and professional history led him to another responsibility as a board member.  He found out about that at his first meeting.

Serving on the board of directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children comes at a crucial time in the organization’s operation.

Rasner has served in several offices over the years.  One of those roles dealt specifically with the type of medical changes Shriners is now implementing across its sytem.

Years of involvement with Shriners didn’t mean Rasner was always seeking such leadership roles.  At first, he says he was just a volunteer looking to make a difference. Locally, Rasner served as president and treasurer for the Shelby County Shrine Club.  He was Potentate for the Shriners for Murat based in Indianapolis and continued on to become recorder and business manager for Shriners of Indiana.

For Rasner, the influence of Shriners has always been a factor for him and his family.