Convention 2018 in Gettsyburg

Who's ready for Convention 2018? PA DeMolay Convention is the annual meeting for the members and advisors of Pennsylvania to get together for fun and fellowship during the summer. The members get a chance to vote for their Elected State Officers, receive awards and scholarships for their hard work throughout the year, and, the most important element of a DeMolay Convention, have lots of fun with their friends from across the commonwealth. This year, Convention will take place in Gettysburg at the Eisenhower/Aspire Hotel and Convention Center from July 20th-22nd, 2018, and it promises to be like no other.  

For those arriving early on Friday, there will be an optional activity at All-Star Sports, which is conveniently located next to the hotel. The fun includes go-karts, mini golf and laser tag. Later on, the Friday night activity is a Civil War style escape room at 1863 Escape. You and your team will have one hour to solve the challenge and escape the room.

Saturday morning will be the annual business session where we will elect the officers that will serve Pennsylvania DeMolay for the 2018-2019 year. During the luncheon, awards and scholarships will be given to well deserving recipients; including RD of the Year, Most Visitations, Membership Awards, and Outstanding Chapter. In the afternoon there will be a special Photographic Scavenger Hunt that will take you to various battlefield sites. After dinner, an experienced tour guide will take groups of DeMolays and Advisors on a ghost tour of haunted areas of Gettysburg at Gettysburg Ghost Tours. The weekend will be complete with the installation of our next Elected State Officers on Sunday morning. 

Register now for Convention 2018! You will not want to miss out on this fun-filled event that only comes around once a year.

For the convention packet and all of the registration materials follow the link below

https://pademolay.org/pa-demolay-convention/ 

Until next time - Dad Joe Pullin 

   

Reasons to be at Convention 2017

Convention 2017 is roughly a month and a half away. Are you registered yet? If not then what are you waiting for? If you're looking for more reasons why you should be there, then look no further. Here are the top ten reasons why you should be at the PA DeMolay Convention in Breinigsville, PA. 

10. Members will have the chance to participate in Ritual Competitions, from the Flower Talk to Ceremony of Light. 

9. You'll have the chance to stay at a fancy hotel, the Holiday Inn of Allentown, for the entire weekend. 

8. The hospitality suite will be a nice place to relax with plenty of food and drinks, hosted by the members and Advisors of Allentown Chapter. 

7. You'll get your very own copy of the 2017 PA DeMolay Convention Yearbook, with pictures and memories that remind us of the year's activities and adventures.

6. Friday, there is a optional opportunity to play Laser Tag at Lehigh Valley Laser Tag. The cost is only an additional $17 with registration. 

5. Also on Friday, participants will go to a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs baseball game (the Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies). There will be a firework presentation, and the first line signer on the most petitions from last Convention to this Convention will throw out the first pitch at the game.  

4. Your chapter will have the chance to receive awards during the business session and luncheon. Awards include Outstanding Chapter, RD of the Year, Visitations, Publications and many more. 

3. You'll get the chance to vote on your Elected State Officers for the 2017-2018 term. This includes the election of the State Sweetheart as well. 

2. After the luncheon on Saturday, participants will enjoy the rest of the night at Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom. A traditional picnic dinner will also be provided at the park.

1. Convention gives you the chance to see friends from the entire state of Pennsylvania for a great brotherhood atmosphere. 

Are you convinced yet? Registration is due June 1st, so don't wait too long. Hope to see you in the Lehigh Valley area this summer.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin 

Top Ten Reasons to be at Convention 2016!

Its the middle of May, which means the clock is ticking and Convention is right around the corner. This year, the annual Convention will be held at the Seven Springs Resort in Champion, PA from July 15 to 17, 2016. If you've never been to a PA DeMolay Convention, your probably asking yourself "Why should I go to Convention?" Below are the top 10 reasons why you should be at Convention 2016.

10. Members will have the chance to compete in Ritual Contests, from the Flower Talk to the Ceremony of Light.

9.  You'll get the chance to stay at a fancy hotel for the entire weekend.

8.  You'll get a free copy of the 2016 Convention Yearbook, with pictures and memories from all of the year's great activities. 

7.  Convention will be loaded with fun activities to fill the entire weekend. We start at the Caddie Shak Family Fun Center, which will have Mini Golf, Go Karts, Bumper Boats and much more. Then on Saturday, the Seven Springs Resort has several fun activities including the Alpine Slide, Disc Golf, Paddle Boats and Summer Tubing.

6.  Convention will provide food for every meal.  

5.  Your chapter will be able to receive awards based on the accomplishments they have performed throughout the year. 

4.  You'll have the opportunity to congratulate "Dad" Sam Williamson on being elected to the DeMolay Hall of Fame in person. The actual induction takes place on June 17 in San Diego, California.

3.  You'll have the chance to vote on your Elected State Officers for the 2016-2017 term. This includes the election of the State Sweetheart as well.

2.  This will give you a chance to get out of the house for the weekend.

And the number 1 reason that you should be at Convention 2016...

1.  Convention gives you the chance to see friends from the entire state of Pennsylvania for a great brotherhood atmosphere.

Hopefully this is enough to convince you that you should be at Convention this year. Registration is due June 5th, so get it in soon to guarantee that you won't miss out.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin     

Make Yourself Feel Distinguished!

Have you done a lot of work for your local community or taken an active role within your church? Do you continue to get good grades in school and help out with responsibilities at home or in DeMolay? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some type of recognition for all of this hard work? Well there is, and it has always been available for any DeMolay who wants to earn it.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding overall service performed by a DeMolay member. The areas of service include religion, community, DeMolay, education and home, among others. A jurisdiction can award two recipients per year, one for each half of the DeMolay year. The award is typically awarded at the annual convention; however it has been awarded at other events at the Executive Officer’s discretion. For example, since I couldn’t make convention, my DSA was awarded to me at the 2008 Basketball Tournament.

This sounds great, but how do I apply? There is no formal application for this award. Rather, the applicant, working with the Advisory Council, will need to assemble a package of materials demonstrating his service in various areas. The Advisory Council generally assists in soliciting recommendations from individuals who have worked with the applicant in various areas of service. The nomination for the Award officially comes from the Advisory Council, though a member may apply for his own nomination through his Advisory Council.

The Distinguished Service Award has not been awarded in Pennsylvania since 2013, meaning for two years no one has applied for this award. If you know someone that is eligible for this award, click here for the list of materials needed to apply.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

DeMolay New Year's Resolutions

As we prepare to make the best of the new year, January 1st is the time that we set personal goals to help improve ourselves for the future. Every year we set New Year's resolutions that include losing weight, finding a better job and improving our social presence. Although the goals would be different in concept, DeMolay Chapters should set resolutions as well. We should always be looking for ways to improve our DeMolay experience for the benefit of ourselves and the chapter. Here are a few goals that we should take into consideration to help improve that experience:

Membership

The organization of DeMolay thrives on membership. Without bringing in new members to share the experience, our organization will cease to exist. Chapter members should think of new ideas that they can use to bring members into the organization. What makes DeMolay appealing to you? What drives you to continue to come back to DeMolay on a regular basis? Share this information with all of your friends that are not in DeMolay and they might be interested in joining. Hold prospect parties that will draw the interest of local prospects of the community. Ask Masonic members if they have a son or grandchild who may be between the age of 12 and 21. Think outside the box and start helping improve our great organization.

Ritual Work

One goal that every member of the organization should consider is to learn a new ritual part. It can be from any piece of the ritual. Chapters may need someone to perform a ceremony for lodges, such as the Flower Talk or Ceremony of Light. You may want to learn a part for the DeMolay Degree, such as Jacques DeMolay or one of the Inquisitors. Perhaps you would like to help chapters with Installations by doing a part in this ceremony. All of these suggestions are great parts to learn and can help make the DeMolay experience better. 

Learning Your Obligations

Every DeMolay should take the time to learn the obligations that they received at the altar. The DeMolay oath and obligation should be important to every member because it is what we as members believe in. Also, learning the obligations will mean that you can help obligate members into your chapter. 

Earn Your Representative DeMolay Award

Six months after joining DeMolay, every member has the opportunity to earn their Representative DeMolay Award. This award consists of a self evaluation that measures multiple areas of life including social, emotional, physical and DeMolay. Our founder, Frank S. Land, once said that "Every DeMolay should be a Representative DeMolay." 

Become a Leader of the Chapter

One of the most important lessons DeMolay can teach is leadership. Become a leader within your chapter. You could start by taking the lead in planning an activity and working with a committee. Once you're ready, go about the process of becoming Junior Councilor and work your way to become Master Councilor of the chapter. 

These are just a few of the common goals that members of DeMolay may look to achieve. Other goals include, but are not limited to, earning merit bars, completing each lesson of the Leadership Correspondence Course and making life long friends. Good luck in your venture to make 2016 the best year of your DeMolay experience.  

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

A HISTORY, A RANT, AND A USEFUL LESSON

A Brief History of the DeMolay Awards for Heroic Action

(A Personal Rant by "Dad" Thomas R. Labagh, Masked as Informative History)

Introduction

You have probably heard that a camel was created by a committee whose task was to design a horse.  The basic premise is that poorly-led decision-making by a group can lead to very bad decisions.  The humps of a camel, its very slow pace, its poor temperament are all taken to be deformities that resulted from a bad design for a horse.  Sort of like the Ford Edsel was a bad design for a car.  Or a Ford Pinto. Or the Pontiac Aztek.   Or the AMC Gremlin.  (Well, pretty much ANY car produced by the American Motor Company.) You get the idea.

DeMolay International is not immune to the vagaries and vicissitudes of committee-think. Committees change.  Often.  The are appointed by the Grand Master, who can reappoint or totally replace a Committee and its leadership at will.  Sometimes they change dramatically each year, as a result of political appointment, or disagreement over the direction of a previous administration or disappointment with previous committee action (or inaction.)  Sometimes they stay stable for a long period of time, which could also make them very static, un-moving, mired in tradition, or unoriginal. (After a 10-year run as Chairman of the DeMolay International Ritual and Regalia Committee I have requested to be replaced by the incoming Grand Master-- it is time for new leadership and new ideas.)   

An Unofficial History of DeMolay International's Awards for Heroic Action

DeMolay history has to be written from a collection of diverse sources, since there has been no official Historian tasked to keep adequate records.  Much can come from the Proceedings of the Grand and Supreme Councils, where available, and from publications throughout the years, and random committee files that may still be in existence.  So, in trying to come up with a history of the DeMolay Awards for Heroic Action, I had to rely on some very different sources that were not terribly accurate, at times. But they gave me enough information to reveal some interesting facts  The sources are italicized.

1926

Article 10 of the Grand Council Bylaws and Statutes includes the creation of the Medal of Heroism for one who has voluntarily risked his life in saving or attempting to save… or sacrificed himself in an heroic manner.  Three were immediately approved, with Arthur Whitehead, Old Colony Chapter, Quincy, Mass as the first member elected to receive the DeMolay Medal of Heroism (from the C. A. Boyce history of DeMolay) 

(Image from the 3rd Ed. of the Members Record Book)

1948

Members Record Book reported that less than 30 Medals of Heroism had been granted since 1925.

1959

Members Record Book reported that fewer than 45 Medals of Heroism had been granted since 1925.  This also depicted the old medal design. 

1960

DeMolay Handbook depicts the new design for the Medal of Heroism and the Medal of Valor, and reports that less than 50 Medals of Heroism had been awarded since 1925.  (CHANGE #1- ADD NEW MEDAL OF VALOR.)

1964

The 1969 Members Record Book reports that at the 1964 Annual Session a special Certificate for Saving A Human Life was authorized.  Also, that “fewer than 45” had been awarded – (the 1969 number was obviously not updated since 1960.)   (CHANGE #2 - ADD CERTIFICATE FOR SAVING A HUMAN LIFE)

1965

DeMolay Handbook still reporting less than 50 Medals of Heroism had been awarded since 1925.

1967

Article X of the Statutes of the International Supreme Council includes the “Medal of Valor” for circumstances of valor not justifying the “Medal of Heroism: and a “Certificate of Merit for Saving a Human Life”  

1968

A reorganization – Statutes of the International Supreme Council–  Statute 211.6 Defined the Medal of Heroism; statute 211.7 Defined the Medal of Valor; and statute 211.8 Defined the Certificate of Saving A Human Life

1969

Also,– Statutes of the International Supreme Council– section 211.8 became a MEDAL for Saving a Human Life  (Statutes)  Also reported in the 1970 DeMolay Handbook that the Medal had been approved at the 1969 ISC Session.  (CHANGE #3 - CHANGE CERTIFICATE TO A MEDAL)

1974

DeMolay Handbook still reporting that fewer than 50 Medals of Heroism had been awarded.

1981

DeMolay Handbook still reporting that fewer than 50 Medals of Heroism had been awarded.

1983
The Committee on Medals of Heroism and Valor recommended that all 3 be combined into one medal for saving a human life. This was rejected by the Supreme Council. (Proceedings 1983)

1984
Legislation was approved to eliminate the Medal of Valor and to Award the Medal of Heroism to one who risked his life; and the Medal for Saving a Human Life for one who saved a life, without personal risk (such as a CPR rescue.) This is the way it stood until 2013. (Proceedings 1984)   (CHANGE #4 - ELIMINATE THE MEDAL OF VALOR AFTER 24 YEARS OF EXISTENCE.)

2013
Rules and Regulations 206.6 was amended to eliminate the Medal for Saving a Human Life, and to reinstate the Medal of Valor, and broaden its requirements to include “ one who has “performed an act of saving or ATTEMPTING to save a human life.”  (Proceedings 2013)  (CHANGE #5 - REINSTATE THE MEDAL OF VALOR AFTER A 20-YEAR ABSENCE, AND ELIMINATE THE MEDAL FOR SAVING A HUMAN LIFE)

The humorous part of this is that, of course, DeMolay International already has a bunch of Medals for Saving a Human Life in stock, which they cannot now use, (or even sell on eBay) and it does NOT have any Medals of Valor, since it had been eliminated 20 years earlier.

A good program, left alone, was used sparingly, but consistently from 1926 to 1960.  (Remember that Dad Land died at the end of 1959.)  But then the Committee got loosey-goosey with the criteria for the awards, and decided to lessen the blow of a rejection by first giving out a certificate, and later a medallion for good intentions and effort.  Since the death of Dad Land, committees have made no less than FIVE MAJOR CHANGES in the program.   

WHY?  

What was SO IMPORTANT that they had to monkey around with the standards for one of the most unique and prestigious awards granted by the Grand and later the International Supreme Council?

Committees acting on whims, or misunderstandings, or a lack of historical perspective, have made these 5 significant changes to the program, such that, now, if you see a Medal of Heroism, or a Medal of Valor, or a Medal for Saving a Human Life, the only one that has a standard you can count on is the last one, for it specifically is given for SAVING A HUMAN LIFE, whether at personal risk, or not. The rest of the awards have been rendered meaningless by this unnecessary ping-pong game with award criteria.  And now, in 2015, we have legislation before us to "clean up" the DI Bylaws, Rules and Regulations from the 2013 change.

When will the madness stop?

END OF RANT.  ALMOST.

So, what can we learn from this?

Fraternities are institutions run, generally, by well-meaning volunteers in a variety of committees.

Committees generally make quick decisions, under the leadership of one or two really well meaning volunteers.

Committees generally act in good faith, but occasionally can be mis-led.

Committees can get bored with certain subjects, and can make snap decisions rather than informed decisions.

But without committees, we'd have dictators, manipulators and controllers who would make decisions on their own, without input or understanding of the will of the people.  

Governments are run by committees. Religious congregations are run by committees. Businesses are run by committees. Athletic leagues are run by committees.  Fraternities are run by committees.  And yes, DeMolay Chapters are run by committees.  Or at least, they are supposed to be.

Who runs YOUR Chapter?  The Master Councilor?  The Chapter Advisor?  The Advisory Council?  Or the members, through the use of carefully selected committees?  The DeMolay Method is to teach the committee process in all Chapters, to help equip the members for effective service as an adult in business, government, and any group where decisions need to be guided and carefully considered.

Remember that as bad as committees can be, they are still a better solution than surrendering all decision-making powers to a self-appointed committee of one.



TRL Notes:
Originally published 5/8/15
Revised 5/23/15 to add image of original Medal of Heroism

The Temporal Value of a Memory

Earlier this week, I received an email that is not all that uncommon. In it, a gentleman was inquiring as to the value of some of DeMolay Merit Bars that had belonged to one of his family members. The man had fallen on hard times and was hoping that it might have some value that could help him with his situation. Sadly, Merit Bars don't have much of an after market, so I had to break it to him that the piece he had didn't have much worldly value.

However, in his email, the man discussed the history of the set of Merit Bars; how it had belonged to an important family member and it had become an heirloom to himself and his children. It was obvious that the thought of parting with the piece to help his situation was tough on him. Fortunately (at least in one way) the value of the piece to he and his family far, far outweighed the value of resale. Thankfully, the bars will stay with him and be passed down to the next generation of his family.

This story brings up a good point. What is the value of the regalia that we obtain? Sometimes, it can be quite valuable monetarily, being composed of precious metals or precious stones. More often, it is simply an outward display of our dedication, rendered in metal with enamel and made to look quite impressive. The regalia has value, not because it's worth money, but rather because it represents the hard work, time, and effort that went into earning it. The medallion and cordon of a Chevalier or a Legionnaire are pretty much nil in terms of metal and materials. But, the sentimental value they retain is priceless for nearly every recipient.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we'd like to thank all of those who have labored on behalf of DeMolay and may have earned an honor or award. In that same vein, we hope that those who have received awards and honors are thankful - not for the physical emblem they have received, but rather for the experiences they've passed through to earn it.

In the words of our motto for our 90th Anniversary - "It's not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage that you leave behind."

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A Different Kind of Legion of Honor

DeMolay International met over this past weekend, with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with the annual meeting of a national organization. One piece of business that the organization must transact each year is the approval of nominations for DeMolay honors. This includes the Chevalier, Cross of Honor, and the Legion of Honor. PA DeMolay was pleased to have all of our Honors approved and a complete list will appear on the PA DeMolay website in the next day or so. However, the timing was fortuitous, as we recently came into possession of an interesting piece of regalia.

The Legion of Honor is most recognizable for its Red and White Cordons, from which is suspended the jewel of a Legionnaire. Anyone who has been around DeMolay, for even a brief period of time, will probably have seen these honors being worn by deserving men. But, there was a time, when innovations in regalia weren't all that uncommon. Enter the Legion of Honor breast jewel.

This jewel, purchased at auction, has a pin back, for affixing to a jacket or other garment. The Ribbon is white, being suspended from a top bar that says "Honorary." The Legion of Honor medallion that hangs from it is significantly smaller than the one comes on the cordons; it measures only two inches from top to bottom. The medal itself also says "Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor," telling us that the drop was designed specifically for this award. These jewels are somewhat rare, with only a handful being held in collections across the Country (and in Brazil.) We're not entirely sure why these jewels were made or who distributed them (we presume that DeMolay International did) but it is an interesting addition to our collections.

While we are the subject of jewels and honors, we took some time to produce some high quality, high resolution images of some other DeMolay Honors and Awards, which you'll find below. You are welcome to use them in your publications and for promotional purposes. As always, you can click the image for a larger version.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

The Key to What?

As a DeMolay (or Advisor) you can earn several awards which are unique in name - specifically the Blue Honor, the Advisors Honor Key, and the Zerubbabel Key. These awards are designed as breast jewels, consisting of a ribbon with a small charm hanging from the bottom. What do all of these awards have in common? They are referred to as a "key;" but, they aren't in the shape of a key as we know it. So, why are they called that?

When DeMolay was founded in 1919 there was a specific piece of men's fashion that was all the rage - the pocket watch. Time keeping technology has a unique history, but to summarize, by the time our Order was founded, the height of this trend was the man's pocket watch. These watches were entirely mechanical, keeping time with a complex series of springs and gears. There were no batteries, no digital outputs, and they certainly would not have been comfortable to wear on a wrist. When you think about it, it's pretty amazing that man designed such precise mechanical means to keep track of the world, down to the second. But, how does this relate to the Key awards?

Since their first inception in the 16th Century, many clocks and watches required a little piece of metal to wind them using a small stem. These would be inserted into a hole on the timepiece and turned, just like a key in a lock. Hence, these little tools became known as watch keys. They remained common for clocks and watches up until the last quarter of the 19th Century, when other winding mechanisms were developed.

Often, watch keys were attached to a pocket watch chain and affixed to a piece of clothing. This served a two fold purpose. First, it would "catch" the watch should a man have dropped it, thanks to the chain. Second, the chain provided a nice way to attach the key and keep it with the watch so it wouldn't be lost. Over time, men took to this fashion trend and watch keys started to become ornate pieces of jewelry all to themselves. As watch makers standardized their key sizes, jewelers were able to sell specially crafted keys on the secondary market as a luxury product, commonly made out of silver and gold. This gave way to the fashion trend we have today - watch keys as gifts and awards.

In the late 19th and early 20th Century, it became common for high schools and universities to award a watch key to their graduates. These could be very plain or very ornate, depending on the wealth of the institution. When schools stopped giving away the keys, the Greek letter system picked up the trend (which continues to this day for many fraternities and sororities.) Think of it as the first "rear window cling." A young man, fresh out of school, would wear his institution or fraternity's key with pride, giving him a way to discover other alumni throughout his travels.

This Past State Master Councilor's Key belonged
to Bro. Kendig C. Bare, who served as SMC
in 1934-1935.

Of course, DeMolay was (and has always been) a champion of education and a fraternal body. Since giving keys was a trend in schools and collegiate organizations (as well as business), it seemed only logical to give keys in recognition for achievements and as awards. Thus was born the Blue Honor Key, the Advisor's Honor Key, and the Zerubabbel Key. Other DeMolay awards have also appeared as keys in the past, including PSMC keys (see right.) By the time watch keys went out of style, the dies for these awards had been long paid for, and they were ingrained in the DeMolay program.

Hence, today, we still give out these awards. In modern times, they are suspended from a breast ribbon; but, if you stumble across old versions of these jewels, you'll often find them loose, not being connected to anything. In the early days, they would have been presented and worn using a pin or on the traditional pocket watch chain. Attaching them to a ribbon is a more modern invention, implemented when the trend of watches fell out of style.

So, next time you wear a "key" award, realize you are continuing a trend that is close to two hundred years old!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony (with research from several books and internet sites.)

Thanksgiving with a Twist

In a recent discussion among members of a Masonic group, the topic of awards and honors came up. This group, as a whole, offers no nationally sponsored awards or honors to recognize members and how have been instrumental in the success of the program. When this idea was brought to them, many said they were happy that no such award existed. This perplexed me a bit. Having come from a DeMolay background, I see great value in well used awards and honors.

Their concerns generally came in one of three ways. First, they didn't like the idea that people would be "in it" for recognition. Next, they were concerned over the hurt feelings that might come up as a result of someone not being recognized. Lastly, many felt that the positive feelings they get from serving was reward enough (and should be enough of a reward for everyone else too.) While I understood their concerns, I found it hard to accept that the bad outweighs the good when it comes to rewarding our members for a job well done.

However, they bring up some good points. Everyone, at some point in their life, gets passed over for a promotion, an award, or something else they truly believe they deserve. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it becomes a good time to reflect on what you are truly thankful for. While being a Chevalier is a great honor, many will tell you that the events leading up to receiving the cordon of a Chevalier are much more important than the actually knighting. The real "reward" was the enjoyment building up to the receiving of such an honor, not the intrinsic value of what was given.

As you look back on your DeMolay experiences, don't just think about the things that you didn't do, or the things that didn't work, or even the awards you think you deserve. Think about what a wonderful time you've had in the organization and be thankful for that. I know I am.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Who should we be honoring?

With DeMolay International Session in full swing in Louisville, KY, lots of buzz is going around on the future of our organization. One of the most controversial topics on the agenda for this year is opening up the Legion of Honor to non-Masons / non-Senior DeMolays who volunteer with our organization. Over on Facebook, the Proud DeMolay profile has had a long discussion with over 40 comments on the subject. I have been one the people commenting back and forth. In an effort to solidify my opinion on the subject, I offer to you this blog post. As an aside, this is in no way the opinion of PA DeMolay, its Executive Officer, members, or volunteers. This is just my personal opinion - although I suspect many will agree.

I am absolutely in favor of creating a new classification of the Legion of Honor called the Civic Legion of Honor. This honor would be bestowed on non-Masons / non-Senior DeMolays for outstanding service to the order. It would have a different color cordon, but would in every way resemble the other two types of the Legion of Honor. It would also carry the same weight and same nomination process.

Why am I in favor of this? Primarily for two reasons.

1. The Legion of Honor has already been given to a non-Mason. Back in the 1930's, "Dad" Land presented the Legion of Honor to Herbert Hoover, who served as President of the United States. Hoover was a proponent of the DeMolay program, even having members meet with him for photos on the White House lawn. Hoover has public squares, schools, towns, and even a dam named after him. While he is a much maligned President, he was still a fantastic public servant. However, there is no reputable record of Hoover being a Mason. Many websites claim he was, but if you look at the actual research it has never been proven. "Dad" Land thought it was important to honor this non-Mason for his work, so why can't we honor those individuals who are making the difference in our programs? (Click the image at right to see a larger image. This advertisement was run in the 2011 DI Session book by PA DeMolay.)

2. I take a very Libertarian view of this issue. It's almost a "State's Rights" issue. Every Jurisdiction in DeMolay International must deal with a different Grand Lodge and must operate its program in a way that expands and grows the organization in that area. Some Jurisdictions don't need or want a Civic Legion of Honor and that's okay! Just like the Knighthood program, it could be used as an Executive Officer desires. However, there are areas that need this award. By denying it to those who could use it to expand their program, we are only hurting the organization. In an era of government oversight and regulation, many are crying for less involvement in their personal affairs. This is the same kind of issue - instead of punishing those Jurisdictions who want the honor or telling them what to do, why not give them the opportunity to succeed? In the mean time, you can do what is best for your Jurisdiction.

Now, notice what I didn't say in my arguments - I wasn't saying "Women should get the Legion of Honor." That argument is really what's at the heart of this issue for some people and is what causes such division among those who are able to vote. I chose to ignore that piece of the equation because, quite frankly, it's the smallest part of the problem. If you take out the concern that causes the visceral reaction, you quickly realize that the issues is about more than which "Mom" can get the recognition. Rather, it's about enabling your Brothers to grow the organization and giving them the tools to do so.

Why hinder a brother when you can help him? If you don't want to use the Civic Legion of Honor in your area, then don't. But, please, don't impair my ability to spread the word of DeMolay because of regional differences of opinion. I won't try to push you into using the program; all I ask is that you give me the chance to help DeMolay. Is that so much to ask?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Thanks to some special Advisors!

Today's post comes from a special guest - "Dad" Bruce Neubauer of Westmoreland Chapter. "Dad" Neubauer prepared this piece as a personal exercise, never expecting it to be used as a blog post. However, after reading it, I realized that he did a great job of summing one person's positive experiences with DeMolay. I hope you enjoy it!

Four short years ago I got involved in DeMolay. My wife thought it would be good for our son. We inquired and had a lot of questions but we agreed that it was the thing to do. Our son joined and really enjoyed the experience. We had a couple young men that held the Chapter together and an Advisory Council that cared deeply about DeMolay. Shortly after we joined, we had a few more young men added to the ranks. Our Master Councilor agreed to stay on for another year. In the meantime, our Council grew by a few more members when "Dad Holtzer" and I joined the board. We could see that our DeMolays wanted to travel. They got excited about "the Judge" (PA DeMolay's travelling gavel) and the road trips began. We were fortunate over the next couple years to grow the Chapter. We were up to 9 or 10 active DeMolays. We even added another advisor or two. We were a very active Chapter and traveled all over the State. At the last two Conventions we even won some awards; most miles traveled was one of the favorite of the Chapter!

During this time we adopted the "Unplugged Theory" of adult involvement and let the DeMolays run the Chapter. This was hard because we did not have any DeMolay leaders. All of our young men were new. At times other than the meetings the advisors worked hard to educate the DeMolays on how to run committees, have fund raisers, and many other things. During Isaac Holtzer’s term you could see some young leaders developing. During Adam Neubauer's term we again continued  to grow and you could see the ritual come along on top of  having more activities with the Rainbow girls. We still had our issues, but they were addressed at the Councilors meetings. We were not totally "Unplugged" in these meetings. At times we had the feeling that the DeMolays might have thought that we were too tough.

In the beginning of March we had our Installation of Officers and Bro. Dominic Bruno was installed as Master Councilor.  We currently have about 14 active DeMolays. After the Installation was completed, Isaac Holtzer and Adam Neubauer asked if they could come up front. At that time Isaac stated that they had two Advisors that they were going to honor. He commented about how these Advisors were always there and never said no. They took them everywhere they wanted to go. He then called up "Dad" Holtzer and myself. "Dad" Holtzer looked at me and I at him and said the same thing - "did you know about this?" We looked at the other advisors and they all shook their heads.The young men then presented us with the DeMolay Medal of Appreciation - a little known award used to show thanks for service to DeMolay.

We found out that  about  five months before Isaac and Adam, along with our other DeMolays,  felt they needed to do something to honor "Dad" Holtzer and myself. They took a vote of the DeMolays and it was unanimous. They took it upon themselves to complete the paperwork and mail it to "Dad" Dave Berry, Executive Secretary. The enveloped arrived full of cash and change (pooled together from the young men) as the members didn't want to risk the surprise by having the Advisory Council write a check. "Dad" Berry knew right away that this was being done by the DeMolays of the Chapter. Our DeMolays and "Dad" Berry kept this quiet all the time. The DeMolays were so proud of what they had done.

I can tell you words cannot explain how humble we were by the experience. Not many times in my life will I ever receive an award as important as this one. This came from the DeMolays and that means the world to me.

The Chair recognizes... you!

Recognition is a sticky issue in the world of Fraternal politics. It's the one "carrot" that a group can use to keep people involved and interested. It's certainly and important aspect of any organizations program, for if you don't show public appreciation to your volunteers, eventually they will go away. DeMolay is much the same way - although it is often quite a sticky topic to discuss.

On one hand, we offer dozens of awards and merit bars to our members; on the other, we try to impress upon our members not to be a braggart about their achievements and to be modest in their dress (at least here in PA.) We tell our members to wear a single lapel pin, a single neck award or honor (such as the RD or Chevalier) and a single pocket jewel (such as a PMC jewel or merit bars.) This keeps our young men from looking like Swiss Admirals, but doesn't it defeat the purpose of recognition? Perhaps not, but it's something we have to think about.

Recently, I read an article by Mr. Tim Bryce over at the website Freemason Information. In it, Mr. Bryce discusses the need for recognition amongst most people. It relates well to DeMolay, so I thought I would share it here. Enjoy!

"For the last several years our Masonic lodge has been hosting an annual dinner to honor the county’s “Deputy of the Year.” Senior officers at the sheriff’s office select a person they believe deserves the honor and informs the Lodge as to why the individual merits the award. The Lodge then prepares a respectable plaque, schedules a dinner and invites the officer’s family, colleagues, and of course Lodge members. A lot of nice words are spoken on the deputy’s behalf, several photos are taken, and a small honorarium is presented to the officer who typically donates it to a local charity. The Lodge prepares a press release regarding the award and distributes it accordingly to the local press. It doesn’t really require a lot of work and it is the Lodge’s small way of expressing its gratitude not only for the job the deputy has performed, but for the sheriff’s office overall. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for their service. It is certainly not a lavish affair, but it is still greatly appreciated by the department for the recognition they receive. The honoree is flattered by the attention bestowed on him by the Lodge and his superiors, the family looks on proudly, and the public is informed of the good work performed by the sheriff’s office.

As human beings, we all crave some degree of recognition, some more than others. Entertainers gorge on it in a frenzy of media events, but most professions do not have such awards. Some people, who have confidence in their abilities, do not need such recognition and even avoid it, but many of us do, particularly in business where a kind word is rarely offered by anyone, including the boss. We may be quick to criticize, but we tend to be rather lethargic when it comes to issuing a compliment.

No, not everything requires a major media event to express gratitude, sometimes the best recognition is nothing more than a few kind words and a sincere handshake. A gift card, tickets, or some other small token of appreciation may be nice, but I tend to believe taking the person out for dinner or a drink, where you can personally thank the worker, is a nicer touch. To be even more personal, you might want to invite the person to your house for dinner. Such familiarity forms a bond between people and is a convenient way for building trust among workers. In this day and age of political correctness, such familiarity is often avoided as people worry they may offend the other party by saying something out of context and misinterpreted. Consequently, personal dinner parties, which used to be the norm in yesteryear, tend to be avoided in the business world these days. “Show me the cash,” tends to be the preferred alternative in today’s world which I consider somewhat unfortunate.

Regardless of the size of the award, be it a large prize or just a compliment, try to present it with a sense of finesse so the recipient understands it is a genuine and sincere token of appreciation on your part. Sometimes levity is useful for making a presentation, but there should generally be an air of professional courtesy when doling out such awards. If presented too lightly, the recipient may not take it seriously and even be insulted by the gesture.

We have cultivated a positive relationship with the sheriff’s office by presenting the “Deputy of the Year” award for several years now. The recipients appear to be genuinely touched by the sentiment, not to mention the families and co-workers. The award may not seem like much, but when it is presented by the master of our Lodge with a standing ovation from those in attendance, the deputy appreciates our thanks. It’s the little things in life that make it worth living. Saying “thank you” is one of them."

What can your Chapter do to help honor those who deserve a pat on the back - and to keep your dedicated volunteers around?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

How do you say thank you?

Over this past weekend I had the privilege and honor to participate in the Annual Gettysburg Memorial Service with the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. Each year, usually in September, the Grand Commandery comes together to march up the hill that leads into the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. About mid way up the hill rests the Friend to Friend Monument, which was erected by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to commemorate the Masonic Brothers who fought on both sides during the American Civil War. It  is at this hallowed site, dedicated to Freemasons and soldiers, which is mere steps from where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg address, that the Grand Commandery remembers the Knights that have died during the past year. The service was very moving and provided great honor to those who have come before.

I know. I hear you. What does this have to do with DeMolay? C'mon guys, you know I always find a way to tie it back together!

As I stood guard for the service, I noticed that "Dad" John K. March, the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Pennsylvania (the State level president), was wearing a blue ribbon on his uniform. It looked very out of place, as Templar awards and medals generally are red, white, black, or purple. Blue is not a common color. Yet, there he was, wearing a blue ribbon. Upon further inspection, I realized that he was wearing a DeMolay Medal of Appreciation. That medal was presented to him by Bros. Matt Blaisdell (SMC) and Anthony Kallhoff (SJC) back in July at a testimonial dinner in his honor. As my eyes panned to the right, I spied "Dad" Kenneth J. Wyvill, Jr., the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Maryland. Lo and behold, he was wearing a similar jewel on his jacket! I was noticing a trend.

Pictured above (from Left to Right): Sir Knight and "Dad" John K. March (Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania), Sir Knight and "Dad" Seth Anthony (Division Commander, Division No. 5 of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania), Sir Knight and "Dad" Kenneth J. Wyvill, Jr. (Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Maryland)

Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the Templar organization, the uniform codes are very strict. They specify not only what medals and decorations you can wear on your uniform, but also what order they are to be displayed in. The code is very strict and adherence to it is an important part of the Templar tradition. To see two of the highest officers in their respective states wearing adornments that are not listed as official in the uniform code is very unusual. Uniform codes are usually left up to each state, so the Grand Commander can do anything he likes in regard to his uniform, but to see two Grand Commanders both wearing DeMolay medals on their uniforms at the same time was really special.

I spoke with "Dad" March after the service and asked to take some pictures with him and of his Medal of Appreciation. He said to me "I promised those young men that I would wear this medal for the entire year that I'm Grand Commander. They did me a great honor by presenting this (the Medal of Appreciation) to me and I'm going to return that favor by wearing it everywhere I go this year." When I asked "Dad" Wyvill about his Medal he said "The young men of Maryland DeMolay are our future. They gave me this Medal and in a couple of weeks I'm receiving the Legion of Honor. It means a lot to me."

The DeMolay Medal of Appreciation is one of the easiest awards to bestow, but that doesn't cheapen it! The only requirements include the following: it must be approved by a Chapter;  it can be given to anyone over the age of 20; it can be given to community leaders, Masons, and others who help the DeMolay program; and lastly, it must be approved by the Executive Officer.  It provides an excellent way to say "thanks" to those who make the DeMolay program successful.  And, as demonstrated above, the potential impact it can have is enormous.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Who Cares About History? Part Two

In our blog post of  June 27th we talked about our dismay that the Founder's Cross of "Dad" Paul Miller Moore fell into the hands of an antique shop that sold it on E-bay to an unknown purchaser, and an important piece of PA DeMolay history may now be forever lost to us. We'd still like to talk to the purchaser, if he/she ever stumbles across this blog.

We also discussed the general history of the Founder's Cross, and have since come up with some more specific information about the Pennsylvanians who received the Founder's Cross from "Dad" Frank S. Land.  There were NINE (9) total, and all were presented within 2 years; 6 at the same time, suggesting that "Dad" Land attended a PA DeMolay Conclave in June of 1939.

Louis U. Strassburger, Germantown, PA
R. E. Past Grand Commander of PA
Executive Officer for Eastern Pennsylvania, 1937-1939
Awarded December 15, 1937

James N. Deeter, St. Marys, PA
R. E. Past Grand Commander of PA
Executive Secretary for PA DeMolay, 1957-1961
Awarded June 22, 1939

James A. Wieland, Pittsburgh, PA
Deputy Emeritus for PA DeMolay, and Past Potentate and Recorder of Syria Shrine
Awarded June 22, 1939

Kendig C. Bare, Lancaster, PA
Past State Master Councilor of PA DeMolay, 1934-1935
A Lancaster attorney; Mayor of Lancaster 1951-1958
Awarded June 22, 1939

Wilbur L. Minich (Abe), Harrisburg, PA 
Chapter Advisor for Pilgrim Chapter
Awarded June 22, 1939

William A. Hoffman, Beaver Falls, PA
Affiliations Unknown
Awarded June 22, 1939

W. I. Hurst, Johnstown, PA
Accountant or financial officer for the city of Johnstown
Awarded June 22, 1939

James N. Wilson, Erie, PA
Affiliations Unknown
Awarded October 28, 1939

Paul Miller Moore, Aliquippa, PA
Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, and Most Eminent Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America
Awarded October 28, 1939

If anyone can give us more detail about any of these men-- family, education, employment, etc.-- we'd be glad to add it to their record.

And someday, perhaps, DeMolay International will post a listing of ALL the recipients of the Founder's Cross as a part of their commitment to preserving the heritage of the Order of DeMolay.

"Dad" Tom Labagh
EO of PA DeMolay

DeMolay International Sessions 2011 Wrap Up

As many of you know, DeMolay International held its Annual Session this past weekend in Grand Rapids, MI. From all accounts the event was huge success. PA DeMolay was well represented and the young men from our jurisdiction learned a lot about DeMolay on a National level.

This is also the time of year when many awards are given out, new officers are installed, and the the agenda is set for another term. So, I thought it would be valuable for everyone to know who won awards and who our leaders will be for the next year.

Let's start with elections and appointments (thanks to Proud DeMolay on Facebook for this):


DeMolay International Congress:
The 45th International Master Councilor:  Maxwell C. Shoemaker of the Jurisdiction of Southern California
The 45th International Congress Secretary: Michael A. Burge of the State of West Virgina

The Cabinet:
Region I: Tyler Anderson of the State of Connecticut
Region II: Andrew Prescott of the State of New Jersey
Region III: Hunter Sullivan of the State of Georgia
Region IV: James Bowling of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Region V: Christian Pierce of the State of Minnesota
Region VI: David Barnes III of the State of Kansas
Region VII: Aaron Record of the State of Utah
Region VIII: Tyler Davis of Jurisdiction of Southern California

The Supreme Council:
Grand Master: J. Weldon Clampitte of the State of Texas
Grand Senior Councilor: Gregory A. Chiles of the State of Indiana
Grand Junior Councilor: Mike A. Salazar of the Jurisdiction of Northern California and Hawaii
Grand Treasurer: James C. McGee, PGM of the State of Alabama
Grand Secretary: Joe A. Williams, PGM of the State of Oklahoma

Region Representatives:
Region I: Harry E. Needham, III of the State of Connecticut
Region II: William C. Eppig  of the State of Maryland
Region III: Marc B. Bohn of the State of Georgia
Region IV: Sherman C. Parker of the State of Michigan.
Region V: Michael W. Stuhr of the State of Nebraska
Region VI: Ron Minshall of the State of Oklahoma
Region VII: Gary E. Mueller of the State of Colorado
Region VIII: James H. Reid, Jr of the state of Washington.

The Appointed Officers:
Grand Senior Deacon Bart Henderson of the state of Texas
Grand Junior Deacon David B. Dibrell of the state of Texas
Grand Senior Steward: Gary E. Mueller of the state of Colorado
Grand Junior Steward: Victor A. Key of the of the Jurisdiction of Southern California
Grand Standard Bearer: Roger L. Ingersoll of the State of Texas
Grand Chaplain: Bruce A. Baily of the States of Texas and New Mexico (Border dispute?)
Grand Marshal: Lawrence E. Tucker of the State of Texas
Grand Orator: Thomas R. Labagh of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Grand First Preceptor: G. Wayne Morrison of the State of New Mexico
Grand Second Preceptor: James C. Lamb of the State of  Oregon
Grand Third Preceptor: James H. Reid, Jr of the State of Washington
Grand Fourth Preceptor: Michael D. Phillipus of Texas
Grand Fifth Preceptor: William K. Paisley of the state of Iowa
Grand Sixth Preceptor: Michael H. Acker of the State of Maine
Grand 7th Preceptor: Danny K. Coffey of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Grand Sentinel: Ronald J. Minshall of the state of Oklahoma

The big awards given out at DeMolay International are called "The Eagles." The following individuals / jurisdictions were awarded with Eagles for this year:

Builders Award - "Dad" Robert Cockerham of MI and "Dad" Donald P. Guecnoclo of TX
Communications - "Dad" Bill Sardone and the Jurisdiction of New York
Convention Planning - "Dad" Mike Salazer of Nor Cal
Most Improved Jurisdiction - "Dad" Sam Whitehead of Montana
EO of the Year - "Dad" Brian Noble of Mass.
ISC Member of the Year - "Dad" Dick Sayre of Washington
Life Time Achievement - "Dad" Mike Williams of Virginia
Visionary - "Dad" Jeffrey C. Kittsmiller of Missouri

Congratulations to all on a great year for DeMolay and a great Session!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A Taste of Humble Pie

Last evening I was watching one of my favorite TV programs on DVD. The Tudors, from the Showtime network, is a drama detailing the rise and fall of King Henry VIII of England along with his wives. The show is far from DeMolay appropriate, rating NC-17, but it does have some amazing characters and writing. I've just started in to Season 3, so, I'm pretty far into the series. In the first episode of the season I was struck by an amazingly astute observation by one of the characters. It appeared to relate directly to DeMolay and Masonry!

In this particular scene, a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church is talking to a priest. The priest, who is British born, is needed to write a pamphlet on behalf of the Church denouncing Henry VIII's rule and supporting a recent uprising. The young priest accepts and tries to go on his way to begin working on the pamphlet. The Cardinal stops him and says there is more to talk about. The Cardinal then tells the young man he is also going to be dispatched to France and Spain to act as a papal Legate (or ambassador) in an effort to try to sway the politics in England. Hesitantly, the priest agrees to this as well. The Cardinal then says he has one more matter to discuss. The Cardinal snaps his fingers and an attendant comes over with a biretta (a hat worn by Cardinals) and informs the young priest that he is to be made a Cardinal in exchange for his service. The priest is stunned! He says "I cannot accept this." The Cardinal looks at him, puzzled, and says "Why my son?" The priest responds "Because, I am not worthy." The Cardinal smiles and says "Young man, you have just committed the sin of pride. You are not being humble by denying this promotion. Rather, you are being prideful in thinking that your opinion of yourself is truer and better than that of the Holy Father and the Pope, who has extended this opportunity to you. A display of humility in this way is not humble, it's only self serving to make you feel better about yourself." (Editor's Note - I have paraphrased the actual language as I couldn't find the script or a suitable copy of the video to link to.)

Wow. I have never thought of it that way!

Many times in DeMolay and Masonry we are required to make the  "Humble Speech." Now, sometimes this speech is truly humble and other times it's only a show. Let me explain. When we are given an award or recognition in our lives the first response is usually something about not deserving the award, being totally surprised by it, or that you were only doing what anyone would do. In some cases that truly is how people feel, but more often than not, I'm willing to bet, that those speeches are just public shows of humility from the recipients of the honor. Those recipients are thinking to themselves "I'm glad I got this. I really deserved it. My hard work paid off." However, no one wants to hear a person say "You're darn right you should give this to me, because I earned it!" Rather, we go through the motions of a fake humility speech and accept the award with as much as grace as we can muster. That's what society has taught us to do.

Similarly, every once in a while a person will be nominated for an honor and receive notification as such. The person will then say "I don't deserve this honor and I can't accept it." Or, perhaps they didn't like a recent decision or something else being done by the organization giving the honor and use it as a bargaining chip to make themselves look like a martyr - something like "Well, since you didn't give John this honor last year, I can't accept it now." The only person this  behavior helps is the person who is denying the honor. It makes them feel better and makes them feel like they have leverage in the situation because they can point and say "Look, they tried to honor me, but I stood up for what I thought was right and denied it. Look at me, I'm a martyr for the cause!" While that may sway some people, it usually only serves to damage the relationship between the recipient and the organization. Also, it usually puts the organization in a bind because now they have to answer the tough question of why an individual hasn't been recognized for his achievements, or why the person wouldn't accept the award, thus damaging the group the person has worked so long to improve. Now, who does that really help? The answer is no one.

My Brothers, never commit the sin of prideful humility. When given an award or honor accept it, thank the person or organization offering it, and pledge to work hard and continue to validate their opinion of you. That's how we can all grow and better ourselves, our Lodges, our Chapters, and our lives.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony