Communication: Why Do We Talk About it So Much?

The following blog post is from Brother Sean Reitze, State Junior Councilor for Pennsylvania DeMolay and a PMC of Pilgrim Chapter. 

Communication is something we all experience in everyday life. We often hear about its importance during Stated Meetings, Advisory Council meetings, and other areas of DeMolay. Why is it spoken of so much at DeMolay events? I hope that throughout the course of this blog post, and with my insight as a communication studies minor, I can help you understand why communication is so important — not just in DeMolay, but in life as well.

One of the major facets of DeMolay involves event planning. Imagine yourself as the chairman of a committee that is planning a regional dance for your local Chapters, Assemblies, and Bethels in the area. You tell your committee in advance that you want music, decorations, and refreshments for the dance. Fast forward to the night before the event: the “music” for the event is just a member’s laptop speakers, “decorations” include a few balloons, and the “refreshments” consist of a half-gallon of fruit punch (without cups nonetheless!) This is definitely not what you had in mind for your event!

While this example might seem a little extreme, let me offer an opportunity for improvement and illustrate one of the key concepts of communication theory. Right off the bat, the chairman should have met with the members of the committee a few times before the dance and should have been more specific with his requests. Moving past this part of the solution, let’s take a deeper look at where and how this miscommunication occurred.

The committee members were only told by the chairman that they need to secure music, decorations, and refreshments. While the committee members technically weren’t wrong in completing what they were tasked with, it is certainly not what the chairman had in mind. To look at this more closely, we are going to look at the Allowable Range of References, or an acceptable list of words that you could think of when someone says something. When the chairman said “music,” what was he really saying? On one side of the range you have the laptop speakers, while on the other end of the range you have a DJ with professional speakers (which is what the chairman had in mind). Bypassing occurred when the communicators (in this case, the committee members) chose different spots on the Allowable Range of References. This concept can be applied again with the decorations and refreshments.

From looking at this example, you can see that there are many aspects of communication we don’t actively think about. Miscommunication can happen very easily, but it can also be easily avoided by being specific with what you are trying to promote or convey. Keep the Allowable Range of References in mind if you find yourself planning an event, working on a committee, or involved in other aspects of DeMolay. This is one of many examples of communication theory I have learned so far, and I hope to share more with you as time goes on. Like the motto of KeyMan University says: Ancora Imparo!

Meet the KMU Staff: The Program and Event Planning Department

In a DeMolay Chapter you hold a lot of “fun events and programs” but contrary to popular belief they don’t just appear out of thin air! 

We are willing to spill the beans and let you in on the magic it takes to make these activities really POP, standout, and keep up the intensity in your Chapter!

Through this class you will learn:

• How to come up with an idea and what it takes to develop the plan.
• You will learn the difference between an Event and a Program.
• You will learn what a timeline is, how to develop one, and work with the framework.
• You will be able to make your Chapter your own and realize when you need your advisors advice to keep things on track.
• You will learn how to develop an extended Chapter project.

So, who’s going to teach you this? Well, let’s meet your Instructors!

“Dad” Jake Palo is a Technology Education teacher at Olean High School in New York.  He has been involved with DeMolay for over 50% of his life, as he joined Erie Chapter when he was twelve years old. This marks his twelfth year being associated with the Order.  He served as the Master Councilor of Erie Chapter and also as PA DeMolay’s 74th State Master Councilor.  DeMolay has played a tremendous role in his life and it is his goal to give back to the Order.

“Dad” Herald Casana works as a Network Support professional for Telus Communications Inc. in Alberta, Canada.  He is originally from the Philippines and immigrated to Canada in 2007 with his family. He also teaches Filipino Martial Arts in his spare time. He’s been involved in Freemasonry since 2012 and currently serves as one of the Advisors for Edmonton Chapter.

Chairing  the Department is “Dad” Bruce Neubauer who, over the past 40 years, has worked in private industry. Through hard work and dedication, he has worked my way up through the ranks to become the Pricing Manager for a Plumbing Supply company in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  He has been an Advisor for Westmoreland Chapter since May of 2009 and the Advisory Board Chairman since 2010. He was the Advisory Board Chairman of Irwin Assembly No. 42, Order of the Rainbow Girls, from 1986 to 1988.  Says “Dad” Neubauer – “If there is one thing I have learned through my life experiences it is that you need to set a goal and go after it!”