Bikers Cause Overflow

As we get closer to Convention 2013, to be held in Erie, PA, July 19 – 21, 2013, I find myself managing the last minute details and issues that come with running an event of this size. As I have said before, transparency in the Convention program is important to me. In keeping with that theme, I want to update everyone on Convention.

Planning this kind of event is a learning experience, no matter how long you’ve done it. Three years ago we signed the contract with the Bayfront Erie Sheraton to act as the HQ hotel for the event. At that time, we had to anticipate how many rooms we were going to use for the event. As a rule, it’s always easier to add rooms to the count rather than to subtract them. In fact, if we booked rooms that we didn’t use, we still would have to pay a portion of the cost. For those reasons, we low-balled the number of rooms we booked, expecting to be able to up the number later. That plan has worked every year for the past decade, so we weren’t too concerned. Then we got jumped by Bikers.

More specifically, Erie is playing host to a major biker event the same weekend as Convention. Titled “Roar on the Shore,” the event brings thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the Gem City for a weekend of riding and tourism. Those people need somewhere to stay and naturally started snapping up rooms at our hotel. When the day came that we had our final room counts, we discovered that we needed more rooms than we had booked. Uh oh. Sadly, the HQ hotel was out of rooms because of the bikers. So, the search was on for an overflow hotel. Thankfully, we managed to book another excellent option for the overflow rooms – the EconoLodge on Peach Street, which is directly across the street from Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark (our Saturday night activity) and is only 8 miles from the main hotel. The rooms at the EconoLodge are well apportioned and, as a bonus, each one comes with a whirlpool bathtub (that’s a Jacuzzi!) The hotel also has a pool and offers free shuttle service  to the waterpark.

So, the question that most people are asking is “Seth, who is going to be in the overflow hotel?” As “Dad” Berry and I discussed this, our first rule was that the DeMolays come first, as it is their organization. Therefore, more than half of my Convention staff is staying at the overflow hotel. Also, several members of the EO’s Leadership Team will be housed there. The Sweethearts will be staying at the overflow hotel as well. This left us with only a few DeMolays and Advsiors that would be affected. They have been informed of this change and we appreciate their cooperation and understanding.

I still firmly believe that Convention 2013 will be the best yet and I thank everyone for their support.

Frat! ~ “Dad” Seth C. Anthony

The Art of Falling on Your Own Sword

Long time readers of this blog will know that I'm very involved in the Knights Templar in Pennsylvania. I have proudly been a member of a two different Commanderies and am currently serving as a Division Commander (kind of like a District Deputy.) I really enjoy my time with the Sir Knights and I continue to learn things from them. Anyone who dismisses the value of the older members of the Masonic fraternity needs to rethink their stance. We may need more young people in the fraternity, but without mentors to teach us about what has come before, there would be an empty space when it comes to knowledge.

The one thing that seems to "irk" younger folks is when older persons point out when they have done something wrong or made a mistake. This often happens in our fraternal world, especially with ritual. Many times we get corrected and think to ourselves "... it was only a tiny mistake, what does it matter?" Sometimes the older guys are just being picky, but most of the time they are doing it to help you improve. They really do mean well, even if it comes off a little rough. Recently, I had just such an experience in Commandery.

To put it simply, I made a wrong call when it came to something one of my local Commanderies wanted to do. I told them it was okay when in reality it was not. It's as simple as that. They came to me for advice, I gave them the answer I thought was correct without consulting my resources and in turn, I made a mistake. Was it a big mistake? Not particularly, but it was a mistake none the less. When the Grand Commander found out about this mistake, I received an e-mail stating that I would be reprimanded for the action. I was sad to say the least. I had made a call and it was wrong and now I had to pay the consequences. No one likes being punished, but we all have to pay our proverbial debts.

So, I did the only thing I could do. I responded to the email and said that it was indeed my call, that I took responsibility for the action, and that I understood the consequences. In return, I received a pleasant email back from the Grand Commander who was obviously gratified by my reaction. It is his job to uphold the Constitution of the body and in my case, that is exactly what he did. However, I'm sure many men have a hard time accepting the outcome of events when they are wrong. It is unusual for someone to take responsibility in this day and age.

Which brings us back to DeMolay. As DeMolays, we are instilled with the Seven Cardinal Virtues - Filial Love, Reverence for Sacred Things, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Cleaness, and Patriotism. Notice what is missing from that list - honesty. It's such a simple trait that it is just expected that all DeMolays will strive to have it. It's not always the easiest trait to stick too, but it is incredibly important. The world respects men who can recognize the error of their ways, face the outcomes, and apologize.

We are all wrong at various times in our life. A real man will own up to his short comings and strive to make them right. He will not make excuses for his actions or try to hide them. Real men don't have to hide behind distractions and false reasoning.

Be a man and take credit when it is due and take the blame when it is squarely on your shoulders. You'll be surprised at how much respect you get.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony