Be Different Spotlight: Carlisle 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 Carlisle Chapter embraced that challenge...

When our State Master Councilor challenged the chapters to one, do something new and different that we had never done before, and two, approach membership in a new light, many Master Councilor’s racked their brains thinking of what to do. Carlisle Chapters newly elected Master Councilor Brian Martin was no exception.

He reached out to the members of the Chapter for inspiration and ideas. Many ideas were tossed around but the Chapter weeded out the impossible options and focused on the ones that were the best. After much planning and with approval from the Advisory Council many new events were added to the term plan; a service project involving donating gifts to less fortunate households right before Christmas, a very successful Gettysburg Ghost Tour, plans to donate lap blankets to a local retirement home, and plans for a trip to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Along with all of these brand new events, they took the initiative to start their very own Sweetheart Program which began with the installation of Carlisle Chapter’s 1st Sweetheart, Mary Lichtenwalner, in early October. Plans for even more prospect parties and recruitment ideas are still being tossed around and are sure to bring in even more new members.

           

Way to go Carlisle Chapter for "Being Different!" Keep up the great work!

This blog post was written by Pennsylvania DeMolay State Scribe Aaron Muldowney. Thank you Brother Aaron for your contribution.

Carlisle 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.

Holiday Hiatus

The PA DeMolay blog is taking a hiatus for the holidays. We should return to our regular posting schedule on the week of January 6, 2014.

Happy holidays to everyone!

Different Day of Comfort Choice

With the Thanksgiving Holiday behind us, we now find ourselves in prime season for one of the DeMolaly Obligatory days - the Day of Comfort. This Obligatory day can be celebrated any time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so basically the holiday season.

Many Chapters have something they do year and year out to observe this day. My home Chpater, Erie, always rang bells for the Salvation Army. While everyone did their part, after several years, it was hard to get people excited for this program. If your Chapter is in the same boat, why not mix it up a bit?

Here are some great idea that your Chapter could use for your Day of Comfort observance (thanks to Ask.com for some of these ideas):

• Use your in-house talent to stage a charity Christmas Ball with a reception, raffle and prizes
• Decorate a hospital ward, children's ward, or Assisted Living, Nursing Community, or Geriatric Unit with garlands, snowflakes, and holiday cheer. (Use tape and ribbon loops to hang items, not hooks, and non-glass ornaments, so everything is safe even if grabbed later on
• Send performers out for special charity performance appearances at worthy locations like local libraries, community centers, or hospitals, with the addition of raffles or ticket sales benefiting the location recipient
• Donate a Christmas tree to a local charity then show up and decorate it as well!
• With help from your Chapter’s designers or artists, bring the supplies for making holiday cards, ornaments, and holiday decor, and set up a hospital, group home, or children's ward visit where group members pair off with a child or elderly patient to create a pretty and charming ornament, snowflake or holiday card
• Or use your designers’ special skills to create ornaments shaped like dogs and cats, then get your group members to help decorate them, then sell them off in support of your local animal shelter.
• Assemble a group of carolers to visit local hospital wards or nursing homes – and be sure to encourage interaction and sing-alongs!

It sounds cliché, but you are only limited by your ideas for this observance, so think outside the box!

~ Frat! "Dad" Seth Anthony

Embrace Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day, which is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring those who have served our country in every field of sacrifice and service. Many communities are having Veteran's Day services and businesses are offering discounts to those who have served. This, however, isn't really the importance of Veteran's Day. Rather, we, as DeMolays, should seek to understand what Veteran's have done for us and work to bring those lessons into our daily life.

Yesterday, I was visiting an antique store in Eastern PA. I came across a booth that was fairly sparse, with just a couple of tables set up at the front. On the tables were a number of artifacts from WWII. Behind the tables stood an older gentleman, bundled up against the cold of the building. As I perused his items, we struck up a conversation. He explained that he was a WWII Veteran who served in Germany. He talked about meeting Russian soldiers and trading goods with them. His knowledge of military history was wonderful and I'm quite thankful he shared his stories with me.

At the end of our conversation I thanked him for his service to our Country. While I didn't purchase anything from him, I could tell that just being able to connect with a young person and share his story meant something. Today, I would encourage each and every DeMolay to talk to a Veteran and learn about their service. You'll be glad you did.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Celebrating Independence

Today's post comes from "Dad" Peter Brusoe of Nation's Capital DeMolay. Enjoy!

“The government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

As DeMolays, we hear these words every time the Installing Officer presents the school books at the altar during an installation.  As a history buff, I sort of assumed that everyone knew where these words came from.  And then I was at the Lincoln Memorial with a couple of DeMolays and they were reading the Gettysburg Address and said “Oh wow, that’s like what’s in the installation ritual.”  This phraseology is pretty famous, and captures the essence of what a Democratic Republic is and should be. This phrase is so enduring that the Republic of France uses the same phrase in their constitution.

When the installation ritual was being written the memorization of the Gettysburg Address was a standard part of a public school education.  In the time since the ritual was written memorizing The Gettysburg Address has been removed in favor of other pedagogical goals.  I attended the 150^th anniversary, or the 7 score and 10 year ago anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and I was reminded of another part of our DeMolay ritual – the 7^th preceptor.

The 7^th Preceptor talks about young men dying for their nation and helping to secure the rights and civil liberties we enjoy.  There is not an induction ceremony that goes by that I do not tear up a bit after the presentation of that virtue.  In hearing historians, Park Rangers, civil war re-enactors and reading museum exhibitors discuss the battle at Gettysburg, and other civil war battles, you hear the age of the soldiers involved and you think that those are young men that if they were living today would be DeMolays.  The graves over in Gettysburg are filled with men we would be able to call our brothers.

This week marks the 150^th anniversary of the battle, if you have not had a chance to, sit down and do some reading about Gettysburg.  Or if you feel like you know enough about the civil war, learn about another battle in our nation’s history, from the Battle of Bunker Hill in our revolutionary war, to the battle of Fallujah in the Iraqi war.  Young men, of DeMolay age, acted bravely because their national called them to duty.

This Thursday we celebrate our American Independence. As we enjoy our hot dog and a parade, lets make sure we remember and honor those who have secured those blessings which we now enjoy.

Some recommended books:

The Killer Angels
http://www.amazon.com/The-Killer-Angels-Classic-Novel/dp/0345348109

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion
http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Invasion-Allen-C-Guelzo/dp/0307594084/

General Lee’s Army Victory Collapse
http://www.amazon.com/General-Lees-Army-Victory-Collapse/dp/1416596976/

Team of Rivals
http://www.amazon.com/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/0743270754/

Blue Eyed Child of Fortune
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Eyed-Child-Fortune-Letters-Colonel/dp/0820321745

Merry Christmas!

An assortment of Christmas Memes from PA DeMolay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was in the middle of trying to come up with something to post on this blog for the holiday. As if someone knew what I was looking for, I received this email from "Dad" Mark Rauschenberger, Executive Officer of Illinois DeMolay. "Dad" Rauschenberger is also an Advisor for Lorraine Chapter here in PA and a relation of our State Master Councilor, Alex Rauschenberger. As you can see, he is quite thankful...

Greetings from the Land of Lincoln,

At our FallFest Ritual Tournament this past weekend, my message to the Jurisdiction was all about being thankful for what we have and what I have as a member of DeMolay International.

God knows, this has been a rough year for me personally by getting nailed with health issue after issue along with the health struggles of a few of my close family members.  Through the grace of God, I am thankful for completing another year of my journey in this world and the opportunity to continue my service to DeMolay.

The most concerning for me this year was the progressive loss of my eye sight.  There are no words to describe the feeling of losing one of the most critical senses we have.  Thankfully, the condition was reversible, restoring my sight to an improvement over what I have lived with most of my life.  In masonry we talk about being brought from darkness into light and this year I literally experienced just that.

After the two surgeries it was amazing how much one misses when things change slowly over time.  Today, I have a new clarity of focus and a new appreciation of what is before me. 

Sometimes in DeMolay, we look through a fogged vision of what stands before us and what is important.  I am personally thankful for each and every young man we serve and the Sweethearts who give of themselves to make our program better.  I am thankful to each of our Advisors and staff members who give of their time and efforts to deliver quality to the youth we serve.  I am thankful to our State Officers, young men and our State Sweetheart, with a heart for our Order always looking to make DeMolay even better.

I am thankful for the new friends I have made.  This past year I have had the opportunity to attend the Installation of Officers for George Washington Chapter in San Dimas California where the Chapter was impacted with the passing of a key Advisor.  I was proud to be invited to attend the installation of Glendale Chapter in Glendale Arizona where we saw a “full” installation of officers and spend time with some outstanding young men.  These visits remind me that we are part of a worldwide brotherhood and the caliber of young man participating in DeMolay is unrivaled.

Tomorrow, as each of you share the day with friends and family, I encourage you to take a moment and think of what you are most thankful.  I hope you find that clarity of vision to see what is before you and appreciate those things even more.

God bless each and every one of you and may you and your families have a joyous holiday season!

Mark L. Rauschenberger

Executive Officer - Illinois DeMolay

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

Happy Labor Day!

 

Happy Labor Day everyone!

Stars and Stripes Forever

Today, June 14, is recognized as Flag Day by the government of the United States of America. Most people have no idea what Flag Day is or why it matters. I mean, c'mon... we have the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and other patriotic holidays. Why should we stop and celebrate Flag Day?

Commemorating the June 14, 1777, adoption of the flag of the United States, Flag Day became a holiday when President Woodrow Wilson declared it as such in 1916. It wasn't until 1949 that it was made national by an act of Congress. Interestingly enough, the only state to celebrate Flag Day as an official holiday is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The largest Flag Day celebration occurs in Troy, NY, and is capped off with a parade that regularly draws 50,000 spectators.

Pennsylvania has played a major part in the observance of Flag Day since it's very beginning. Mr. William T. Kerr founded the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania in 1888 and would remain its Chairman for more than 50 years. When President Truman signed the congressional act making Flag Day a holiday, Mr. Kerr was one of the people asked to witness the historic event.

Another, albeit legendary, tie of Flag Day to Pennsylvania occurred in 1908 when Theodore Roosevelt was dining near Philadelphia. A man at a neighboring table appeared to be blowing his nose with the flag. Upon seeing this, Roosevelt flew into a fit of anger and began to hit the man with a stick. Upon realizing it was just a star speckled handkerchief, and not the flag of our country, he hit the man once more for "riling him (Roosevelt) up with national pride."

Fraternal organizations have also played a major role in Flag Day. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which is somewhat similar to Freemasonry but entirely unrelated, petitioned President Wilson to proclaim such a holiday. They had been celebrating the holiday on June 14 since 1907 and wanted it to become a more recognized observance. President Wilson cited their involvement as a major factor in making his decision to publicly proclaim June 14 as the official Flag Day of the United States. To this day, all Elks Lodges are required to have an official observance of Flag Day.

So, just what are you supposed to do on Flag Day? Each year the President makes a proclamation declaring  the week of June 14 as Flag Week. Americans are encouraged to fly the flag during this time period. Parades are also another popular way to celebrate. In Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia holds a ceremony at the house of Betsy Ross, the creator of the first American flag.

It is too late for 2012, but what is your Chapter going to do for Flag Day next year?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the members, officers, and staff of Pennsylvania DeMolay!

For obvious reasons, posting will be sparse until January. We appreciate your patience and look forward to spending time with you in the new year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from PA DeMolay!

Remembering the 7th Precept

As we observe this Memorial Day, it seemed only appropriate that I put something on the Blog relating to the holiday. This information is taken from http://lemont.patch.com/articles/ten-things-you-should-know-about-memorial-day-2 and I appreciate their efforts.

How did Memorial Day get started, and why is it on May 30? Here are some facts about the national day of remembrance for America’s fallen heroes.

1. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
2. More than two dozen cities lay claim to being the site of the first Memorial Day commemoration.
3. Gen. John Logan officially proclaimed Memorial Day on May 5, 1868.
4. The first national commemoration took place on May 30, 1868, as flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
5. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day, citing a ceremony held on May 5, 1866 to honor Civil War dead.
6. It is believed that the date was chosen because by May 30, flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
7. Inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field” Moina Michael wrote a poem of her own, and came up with the idea of wearing red poppies in honor of Memorial Day.
8. Some Southern states have special observances specifically in honor of fallen Confederate soldiers, including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
9. In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act to encourage people to give back to the country, as well as promote commemorations of Memorial Day.
10. The National Moment of Remembrance Act urges all Americans to pause, wherever they may be, at 3 p.m. local time on May 30 for a moment of silence in honor of the country’s fallen heroes.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Happy Holidays

Just a heads up for everyone...

Fezzy is leaving tomorrow to spend the holiday with his family. He won't be back until after Christmas, but even then posts may be sparse. Look for the blog to resume it's regular schedule in January.

"Dad" Labagh and "Dad" Berry may post some articles in the meantime, but I can't be sure!

Have a great holiday and I'll see you on the flip side!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony