Thinking Outside the Box

One of the biggest challenges in DeMolay is for us to keep the program interesting for everyone involved, members and Advisors alike. In DeMolay and in Masonry, we're constantly battled with the mindset of "That's the way we've always done it, so that's the way it will have to be." What happens if we don't do it that way? What happens if we do something different and creative? The only real answer to this question is, "You won't know until you try." 

It's very easy to get complacent in our programs. The old saying goes, "If it's not broke, don't try to fix it." Although I agree in part with this saying, sometimes its needed to be original. The same thing that worked 20 years ago, may not work today. The thing that worked 20 years ago, may need to be revisited because it will work today. With DeMolay, I've learned that there is really no right or wrong way to do most things. Sure not everything works, but you have to be open to try new things. You have to be willing to adapt to the times and to the young men around us. I've also learned that even the necessary things that need to get done, should have some element of fun mixed into the program, otherwise you may lose people's interest.

"Dad" David Labagh taught a workshop at the last Patton Campus weekend about the 30 second elevator speech promoting DeMolay. He pointed out that the same words that were in that speech when him and I were in DeMolay, are the exact same words we use to promote DeMolay today. We need to be original and find a new way to promote the program that we all enjoy. The same can be said for lodge presentations, educational experiences, and even practicing ritual work. Most lodges may have seen the Flower Talk and Ceremony of Light so many times that their tired of it. It's OK to try something else. Maybe the Shield Talk and the Historical Lecture will keep their attention. Maybe do a question answer session or a quiz style program asking what members know about DeMolay. Try something new. If it doesn't work, try something else. Be creative in your approach. See what the other members want to do and build around their ideas. Think outside the box.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

  

I AM DEMOLAY!

November is finally here, which means that it's DeMolay Rush Month. DeMolay International has dedicated the entire month of November to promoting this great organization and attempting to bring in new members to DeMolay. This is a way to be proud of the organization that has turned us into the people we are today.

So what are some things that you can do to promote DeMolay in Pennsylvania? The first thing is to wear a DeMolay shirt to school or work. DeMolay International is making every Tuesday a day in which you wear a DeMolay shirt, but why limit it to just Tuesday. Social media posts are another way that can help promote DeMolay. Post a picture of you wearing your DeMolay shirt and post it to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other form of social media (maybe even Myspace.) When posting, please remember to use the #IAMDEMOLAY. This is an attempt to make DeMolay a trending topic all over the world throughout November. 

So what are your waiting for? Get out there and promote the greatest youth organization around. Start posting and start bringing in new members. Pennsylvania is currently in second place with 73 new members. Lets make our way to first place. We can do it!

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

#IAMDEMOLAY

Selling the DeMolay Product

In order for DeMolay to grow, chapters must find ways to sell the organization to the general public. DeMolay is a worldwide organization, however when brought up in conversation with our peers, a lot of people know nothing about us. As members and advisors, it is our job to get the word out to the community. Sometimes that means putting on the salesman hat and selling the organization the best that we can. How do we do that? Here are some examples of how to sell DeMolay, and some examples from chapters in Pennsylvania to prove that these methods work.

Advertise in Publications
One of the best ways to advertise DeMolay is to promote in the local community newspaper. Recently, Elizabethtown Chapter and Chester Pike Chapters have done just that. Chester Pike Chapter advertised their local flea market to the community, while also explaining briefly what DeMolay was in the advertisement. Elizabethtown Chapter publicized the activities they participated in within the community, including the Dodgeball for Dyslexia Tournament and the Chicken Pot Pie Dinner they hosted.

Promote within the local Schools
I've mentioned this example before, but since it deals heavily with the membership growth of Pennsylvania DeMolay, it's worth mentioning again. Friendship-Bray Chapter has recently sent flyers and other information to local school to help promote the organization to the young members of the community. Rob Caroselli, an FBC advisor, is also a Principal of Fox Chase Elementary School, which has helped promote DeMolay to the young men of their school. FBC has brought in 9 members to DeMolay so far this year because of this, and looks to bring in even more in the near future. Since this took place, other chapters across the state have started to put together programs to target local school districts as well.

Get your Government Officials to buy in to the product
This year for DeMolay Month, we had several DeMolay Chapters that received proclamations from local Government Officials. This means that they show support to the program. Congratulations to Allentown, Pilgrim, Friendship-Bray, Chester Pike, Elizabethtown and all the other chapters that have reached out and received support from their local Government Officials.

How did these chapters have so much success in promoting the organization? There are a few factors that go into selling your product:

Know your target audience: Recognize who it is you plan to reach out to, and find the right way to promote to that group. If you're reaching out to youth, you may want to impress upon them the fun activities that we provide. If you're trying to reach out to the parents, you may want to explain to them the scholarship opportunities, honor roll challenges and other activities that will make a parent happy. If you're reaching out to a local Representative, explain the community based activities and offer a helping hand. 

Confidence: This is one of the biggest keys to success. The way the product is presented is important to know whether a person is buying in. If your excited about what you're promoting, a customer will acknowledge that and be more likely to buy in themselves. Remain calm and remembers what drives you in DeMolay.


Keep it simple: The saying "less is more" is very true. Make sure all of the facts are covered, without dragging on for long periods of time. If they seem interested enough to ask questions, that means they are engaged and want to know more. If its a news article that you are writing, keep it to a few paragraphs.

Hopefully this helps give some insight into promoting DeMolay. Go out there and sell DeMolay proudly!

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin
  

Be Proud of DeMolay!

Since March is less than a month away, now is the best time to decide what your chapter will do for DeMolay Month. DeMolay Month is an entire month of celebrating the fun and exciting things that DeMolay has to offer. In Pennsylvania there is also a DeMolay Month Competition with awards presented at Convention to the top 3 chapters with the most points during the month.

So, what are some good ways to celebrate DeMolay Month? I put together a short list of ideas that your chapter may want to consider in order to make it the best DeMolay Month ever.

1. Have your chapter go on a visitation to another DeMolay Chapter. It’s always interesting to see a DeMolay meeting from a different perspective.
2. Invite Senior DeMolays to an activity, whether a meeting or fun activity. Most Senior DeMolays enjoy seeing their chapter again. It reminds them of why they enjoyed DeMolay so much when they were a member.
3. Present the “Hi Dad!” book to a local library or school.
4. Perform a community service project and a Masonic service project. DeMolay members take pride in providing service to the community and to the Masonic bodies.
5. Invite your chapter’s Masonic Sponsors to a meeting or a fun activity. This will help show that your chapter appreciates the support the sponsors have been giving.
6. Induct new members into the chapter. Membership is a big part of what makes DeMolay successful.
7. Send in an article and photo about your DeMolay chapter to a local newspaper. This will help promote DeMolay through the local community.
8. Contact local government officials and have them sign proclamations making March DeMolay Month.
9. Make the week of March 18^th, DeMolay Week.
10. Advertise DeMolay. You could wear a DeMolay shirt to work or school, display the DeMolay logo on your vehicle or backpack, or change your profile picture to be DeMolay related on your social media account. Be proud of DeMolay!

March is almost here, so plan the month now before it’s too late. Look at the DeMolay Month checklist to see all of the ways your chapter can earn points. Good luck to all chapters, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Until next time – “Dad” Joe Pullin 

The Hidden Kingdom

Many of you have heard inklings about a project known as "The Kingdom of DeMolay." Rather than go into specific details about it here, I'll refer you back to a previous blog post, written by "Dad" Tom Labagh, EO of PA DeMolay. In that post he talks about the background of the program and some of the finer points of what this exciting new way of promoting DeMolay is going to be like.

Recently, we came across some more test videos for the program and wanted to share them here with all of you. Remember - this program is for the active DeMolays and young men who may be interested in what we do. So, check it out and let us know what you think so far!

First up, we have a wide, sweeping view of the forests and vales of the Kingdom of DeMolay:

Check out this view of an armored DeMolay Knight, receiving the "blessing" of a ghostly hand.

Wow - this 3D interactive tour of castle ruins is pretty awesome! ... and check out that knight!

Here is another amazing view of the ruins - check out the water effects and the armor on those guys!

Holy cats! This cloister scene is fantastic - plus, you'll get to see a familiar face staring back at you from times long past!

Now, for the grand finale, we have the first preview of the Castle of Mont St. Michel (which really exists in France) and serves at the centerpiece for the Kingdom of DeMolay thus far.

If this doesn't get you excited about the Kingdom of DeMolay project, I don't know what will!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

The Kingdom of DeMolay

Have you heard about the KINGDOM OF DeMOLAY, yet? The KINGDOM OF DeMOLAY is a developing online virtual world, or community, where DeMolays, Advisors, Sweethearts and possibly even prospects will be able to gather and meet and interact using avatars (simulated characters) for gaming and competition, discussion, socialization and learning. Yes, learning-- this is not just a video game-- and the possibilities of this are mind-bending.

Can you imagine going to a DeMolay meeting, without ever leaving your home?

Or a Ritual practice?            Or a soccer game?           Or a sailing competition?

NO?            THEN, WATCH THIS, and come back to read the rest of this blog!

Interesting, isn't it? Just a little tiny peek at what is being "built" for us.

http://www.kingdomofdemolay.org/ will be the URL but access is not available, yet.

John E. Lester is the lead programmer on the project. He is well-known in the development of the Second Life community. His biography is included in the PDF file of an explanatory PowerPoint program presented to me at the Executive Officer's Conference. Check it out, here.   http://www.deldemolay.org/flyers/DeMolayInternationalMarketingPresentation.pdf

The Graphic Designer of this Kingdom

RJ Kikuchiyo, is a 20 year veteran of 3D design for media. His real-world experience in machining and set design for the film industry adds to the ability to use the tools effectively and produce works of realism depicting historic and accurate objects and places. He now finds the virtual reality world known as “Second Life” to be a creative expression of experience that can be shared, and he is using his skills in the tools of "Second Life" to animate an incredibly realistic environment for the KINGDOM OF DeMOLAY.

Here is a link to Kikuchiyo’s description of the selected central location site for the "Kingdom."      http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2528

Here you can see a tentative Map of the Kingdom has been revealed.  It is complex, and will have multiple levels of play and interaction.  Prospects and non-affiliated parties will be able to explore a basic level, and members will be able to progress further into the realm, and to access features reserved only for members. 

http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2515

Here are some links to other location scenes:
http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2488
http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2595
http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2652
http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2290
http://www.renecote.com/kiku/?p=2348

The following test videos will show you more of the complexity of the site where DeMolays will be able to meet and interact:


RHODES FLY-OVER



RHODES OLD TOWN GRAND MASTER'S PALACE



And, yes, it does look like that-- Dad Williamson and Dad Boyce and I were there a few years ago!

Here is an unsolicited (and very complimentary) review of the development of the Kingdom of DeMolay by someone who is active in the Second Life virtual reality world. He talks a language that I don't fully comprehend, but what I do understand further convinces me that DeMolay International is on the right track with a first-class team of visionaries who are going to give DeMolay International something that no other youth organization has!

http://metaversesailing.net/category/open-sims/kingdom-of-demolay/

Here is a link to a blog written by ONE of the animators or designers (of HAIR no less!) The video she refers to was removed, but, read of her enthusiasm for the project! This is new ground being plowed-- this is a cutting edge world, and people OUTSIDE of our usually secluded fraternal community are looking in and getting excited about something WE are doing! This hasn't happened for DeMolay since before Dad Land died in the late 1950s!

http://fashiondestiny.blogspot.com/

These are just a few glimpses of something that I think will be very exciting for the DeMolay program.  DeMolay International has committed a very large amount of funding to this project, which also includes some traditional radio, TV and poster-style promotion.  Hopefully it will also make use of a marketing campaign on Facebook and other social media. 

It will take a long time to build all the details of the Kingdom, and then it will take a lot of members using it to make it really valuable to us all.  Look for details in the future months, and we hope everyone can be active in the Kingdom by the new year!

“Dad” Thomas R. Labagh

Executive Officer

Haberdashery: Day 2

Well friends, within twenty four hours of putting our new, limited edition, PA DeMolay fezzes up for sale we have a quarter of them spoken for! Three individuals have expressed their interest in being a part of history and owning one of these fine hats. I mean, it is a fez, how much cooler can you get?

So, what are you waiting for? Get over to pademolay.org and get a fez!

In homage to this momentous occasion I have drafted the following poem (which may or may not have been based on a similar piece that was part of a famous book / movie.)

The One Fez of Power

Three fezzes for the first to buy,
Seven for the rest to wish to own,

Two for those who wait and try,

One for the great Fez alone,

In the land of Elizabethown where the office lies,

One Fez to fuel them all, One Fez to design them,

One Fez to bring them all and in the coolness find them

In the land of Elizabethown where the fezzes lie.

Frat!~"Dad" Seth Anthony

Fezzy was a bear... no, wait. Fezzy was a Jacques!

Some of you may have seen the big news over at pademolay.org – the new DeMolay fez! This item is a limited edition, high quality fez of which there will only ever by 12 produced! That’s it! One dozen and their gone! Ordering information is available over at the fez news story if you’re interested. All proceeds will benefit the PA DeMolay endowment fund. However, I figured the blog would be a good place to tell you the back story how these fine pieces of fraternal headwear were made.

Last fall, at Flag Football, "Dad" David Labagh and I were having a discussion about doing something fun for Halloween for our recently formed trivia team. I guess I should probably explain that the trivia team is composed of a group of friends from the DeMolay world who go play a game show type game each week. If you were at Key Man this year you saw exactly what it is we do.

Anywho, David and I were looking at possible goofy bowling shirts for a uniform. While looking around online I stumbled across Fez-o-Rama. Fez-o-Rama is an independent maker of all things fez. They create and manufacture their own designs using only the highest quality material. In fact, the founder of Fez-o-Rama teaches fashion and clothing design in San Francisco! How cool!

I was immediately smitten. I had to have one of these awesome fezzes. I had a tough time deciding on a design, so I waited for a few months until I bought my first one, but I ordered a simple black felt fez in the meantime. I wore it to trivia for Halloween, which garnered me the nickname “The Fez.” Most people still don’t know my real name at trivia; even the staff only know me as “The Fez,” which I sort of get a kick out of!

My original Fez-o-Rama Fez was No. 45. If you want an explanation of what it stands for you’ll just have to ask me in person! My next purchase was a “Fez” fez. My girlfriend purchased this one for me as it went perfectly with my trivia nickname. My third Fez-o-Rama fez was purchased only recently when they held a sale of their Pirate fezzes in honor of “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” It just so happened that I was getting my costume ready for Knights Night Out II: A Pirate Feast (which is a joint charity even between Elizabethtown DeMolay and Cyrene Commandery No. 34 with the proceeds split 50/50 between DeMolay and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.) I scooped up a black one just in time for the event and proudly wore it as part of my costume for the evening.

Where did the DeMolay fezzes come from though? I contacted the folks at Fez-o-Rama and told them just how much I loved their products. I knew that they did some commission work and thought to myself “Self, I wonder if they could make a DeMolay related fez for me?” DeMolays used to wear fezzes all the time, especially back in the 1930’s and 40’s. We even have several of them on display right here at Patton Campus! It seemed like a natural idea to create a new DeMolay fez for the current generation.

I sent off lots of artwork to Fez-o-rama and, lo and behold, they came back with an awesome design based upon an early version of the DeMolay logo which was then combined with a fez and moon design. It was great! I knew that we had to offer these to our members and supporters – plus it was just in time for Christmas!

After working out some of the details we settled on creating only twelve of these bad boys and making them limited edition collectables with the sales benefiting the endowment fund. Everything was all set!

That’s the story of the 2010 Limited Edition DeMolay fez. Do you want to be one of the twelve lucky people to own one of these? Head over to pademolay.org and order one today!

Keep on Jacquesing!

Frat!~”Dad” Seth Anthony