New Year, New Me: Tips to Follow Through on your New Year’s Resolution

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

Before we get things started: Happy New Year Pennsylvania DeMolay! I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2018.

At the start of each year, many of us find ourselves wanting to take on a New Year’s Resolution. A large majority of individuals end up breaking their resolution at some point during the year: hopefully these tips can help us all be a part of the proud 8% of Americans who have achieved their New Year’s Resolutions (according to Forbes).

Set goals. Make your resolution a tangible, specific, and attainable goal. If you find out along the way that your goal isn’t attainable, don’t be afraid to modify it slightly in order to make it possible.

Partner up with a friend to positively motivate each other to achieve your resolutions. You’ll be able to check in with each other along your journey and have a go-to person if you encounter any bumps along the road.

Let your friends and family know about your resolution (optional). By letting others know about your resolution, you are increasing the amount of people who can hold you accountable and, in turn, positively motivate you to stick with your resolution.

I hope these tips lead you in the right direction towards achieving your New Year’s Resolution. Good luck, and have a great year Pennsylvania DeMolay!

Be Different Spotlight: Friendship-Bray Chapter

The following post is part of a series entitled the “Be Different Spotlight.” This post will display a chapter’s effort to grasp the concept of the theme for this year. Each chapter was challenged by the State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard, to “Be Different.” 

Challenge Accepted! This is the story of how Friendship-Bray Chapter embraced that challenge...

On Tuesday, December 8^th, 2015 members and advisors of Friendship-Bray Chapter visited Baldi Middle School in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia. The event, which was organized by FBC advisor and Fox Chase Elementary School Principal “Dad” Rob Caroselli, was a first look at DeMolay for many young men in Northeast Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.

Young men and parents were invited to a question and answer session about what the organization has to offer. While the young men were excited to hear about events like Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend and Laser Tag, the parents were thrilled to hear that DeMolay and its advisors strive to help make its members better sons and good upstanding citizens. The Chapter was prepared with brochures provided by PA DeMolay and personalized for our specific Chapter and events.

Four of the seven young men present received their obligations January 3^rd and will receive their complete degrees at Patriots Class on February 13^th. Two other young men who have attended a few of the recent Chapter activates will also receive their degrees at Patriots Class.

The new members have already talked about bringing their friends into the Chapter after the amazing time they had at Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend. We expect the size of FBC to double in the coming months.


Friendship-Bray continues to stand out and BE DIFFERENT. On March 6^th at the stated meeting of Friendship-Bray Chapter, the members will kick off DeMolay Month by hosting dozens of visiting Masons including several District Deputy Grand Masters. This exposure and excitement will undoubtedly continue the resurgence of the once again Mighty FBC! Here we grow again!

This blog post was written by Friendship-Bray's Chapter Advisor, "Dad" Dennis Hunter.. Thank you "Dad" Hunter for your contribution.

Friendship-Bray Chapter has completed the challenge to “Be Different.” What has your chapter done in order to change things up a bit? Send in program details or write a post for your chapter and send it to me at JAPullin@pademolay.net.

Be Different Spotlight: Reading Chapter

The following post is part of a series entitled the “Be Different Spotlight.” This post will display a chapter’s effort to grasp the concept of the theme for this year. Each chapter was challenged by the State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard, to “Be Different.” 

Challenge Accepted! This is the story of how Reading Chapter embraced that challenge...

I am proud to announce that Reading Chapter has successfully thrown their first “Be Different” event. In order to explain the event, we all need some back story. For a couple of years “Dad” Dan Loughin has challenged Reading Chapter that if they can make positive growth, he would allow the members of the chapter who were first line signers to shave his head. Reading has been desperately trying to reach this goal for a while, but have unfortunately come short every time.

However, this year was a bit different. Reading Chapter was able to make positive growth for the first time in years due to the help of state incentive programs and chapter incentives. Now the problem continued: When is a good time to celebrate this auspicious occasion and officially get the clippers buzzing.

Reading Chapter’s Master Councilor Brian Henderson had planned a “Be Different” game night for his term. This game night was newer than game nights that Reading Chapter used to throw in the past, which usually involved card games and board games only. Recently our lodge hall had several parlor games installed in the lodge cafeteria, including billiards and air hockey. For the first time, Reading Chapter was able to utilize these items to take game night to a whole new level.

Members showed up with their families, as well as prospects (thus doubling this fun game night to also be a prospect party.) There were sodas, chips, cookies, pizza and fellowship for everyone. Throughout the night you could hear the constant clanking of air hockey chips as well as the cracking of a cue ball against the other pool balls. Members and friends played doubles so as to include as many people as possible. I sat at a table playing various card games with 3 other youth in attendance. The prospect party did not end there, with the opportunity to play Wii or ping pong still remaining as options before the night was over.

The night culminated in the long awaited and anticipated shaving of “Dad” Loughin’s head. The floor was prepped, the clippers were plugged in, and the members gathered. The first line signers took turns taking swipes across “Dad” Loughin’s head while others watched and laughed. At some point members began to forgo shaving everything off, but thought it funnier to cut irregular tufts of hair off his head, and then began to make fun patterns and unusual shapes. 

The night ended with shaving the rest of his head bald and clean up. Much fun was had and goodbyes were given (especially to "Dad" Loughin's hair.) The event was so successful that several prospects who were in attendance showed strong interest in joining, and younger siblings who came for the fun were looking to continue to be involved in chapter activities until they can join.

To watch the video of "Dad" Loughin getting his hair shaved off click here

This blog post was written by Pennsylvania DeMolay SMC Adam Pritchard. Thank you Brother Adam for your contribution.

Reading Chapter has completed the challenge to “Be Different.” What has your chapter done in order to change things up a bit? Send in program details or write a post for your chapter and send it to me at JAPullin@pademolay.net

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

What is Expected of Each PA DeMolay Chapter

Each year, at the Annual Advisory Council Meeting, a review of standards and goals for the coming year takes place.  Last fall, every Advisory Council reviewed general policies, and also the following Performance Standards which every Chapter should have adopted.  These are my expectations for Pennsylvania DeMolay Chapters. but the expectation is not about me-- it is about the health and welfare of each Chapter.  Where the members and Advisors are striving to meet these goals, the Chapter is performing at a high level of excellence. They are published here as a reminder for each Chapter to re-focus its efforts and stay on track to be successful in 2014! - "Dad" Tom Labagh, Executive Officer in PA
 

2014 DeMolay Chapter Performance Standards

Delivering the “Promise of DeMolay” to your DeMolays requires that Advisors insist upon the following DeMolay Chapter Performance Standards:

• Practice Risk Management and Youth Protection:  The safety of our young men is ALWAYS our first priority. 
• Provide for Written Communication: It helps to solve most problems and makes better Chapters!  Newsletters, printed calendars, memos, etcetera, are essential   Do not rely on telephone and text messages as your only communications.
• Teach the NEW (2013) Ritual: To instill discipline and teamwork, provide public speaking experience, build self-confidence, and help members absorb and understand the principles of DeMolay.
• Promote the Programs of DeMolay! The LCC, RD, PMC-MSA, Obligatory Days, scholarships, and competitions make your Chapter’s experience more valuable to your DeMolays.
• Attempt to Grow: Conduct organized membership recruitment drives—prospect parties, one-on-one visits, and make an effort to SELL to prospects and parents the VALUE of membership in DeMolay.
• Insist on Support of the State Charity:  EVERY CHAPTER is expected to contribute to the Children’s Dyslexia Centers.  No excuses!
• Insist on Attendance at the Key Man Conference:  Every PA Chapter IS EXPECTED to participate! No excuses! 
• Insist on Attendance at Convention: Your Chapter MUST be represented, at least at the Saturday meeting. No excuses!
• Involve the State Officers and the E.O. Leadership Team in your Chapter events to give your members a chance to work with some of the most knowledgeable members and advisors in the country.  Put them to work for YOU!
• Say Thank You to our Masonic Sponsors and Grand Lodge Leadership for all the benefits provided – Patton Campus, Outstanding Chapter Awards, Membership Awards, Call-em-All, Key Man Sponsorship, Insurance Fees – and so much more!