Centennial Memory #66: Evolution of the Convention Yearbook

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

At the annual Convention, every member and Advisor of DeMolay is accustomed to receiving a PA DeMolay Yearbook. The Yearbook has had many forms over the years. It started as a Convention program, providing information of the Convention location and activities, messages from the Executive Officer and State Master Councilor, and providing a few ads from sponsoring bodies. The book turned into more of an ad-book, in which Chapters sold ads to local businesses and lodges to send a message that they'd like to have featured in the book. Some Chapters took it upon themselves to start sending photos to add to their message. The concept advanced to focus more on DeMolay photos rather than just ads in the early 2000's. In 2007, the Convention book turned into a Yearbook. The cover was given a colorful makeover, while the inside pages remained black and white print. By this point, more photos were added to make it more of a Yearbook than a program or ad-book. In 2012, the Yearbook had turned into a full color production. Chapters are encouraged to buy photo pages of their best memories throughout the year. Advertisements are still welcome, but encouraged to place photos within the pages. Below you will see photos from the Convention books to see the progression that has been made over the years.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Increasing the Incentive to Sell Yearbook Ads

The following blog post is a message from "Dad" Mike Larkin, Director of the PA DeMolay Yearbook. 

Just a few months ago we were in Allentown at Convention getting ready to install a team of State Officers commencing the beginning of their new term. During that weekend, we distributed the DeMolay Yearbook, marking the end of a long process which resulted because of the hard work of many members, Advisors, and a few creative people at 1244 Bainbridge Road. State Master Councilor Jacob Beers did an amazing job with the layout of the book. I appreciate his hard work, his attention to detail, and most important, that he was sure to include lots of great photos of our members. Looking forward to 2018, it is my hope that together we will be able to make our Yearbook grow with more pages and more photos representing every Chapter in Pennsylvania. 

To encourage you to sell more pages, we will be offering an improved rebate program. If you attended the recent Supreme Tall Cedars Class at Patton Campus in December, you may have heard me talk about a few changes to the Yearbook program for 2018. This year we will be using a new publisher. As a result, our printing costs will be lower, allowing us to improve the rebate program. Last year we payed each chapter a flat 40% rebate for each ad dollar sold. This year we will roll out a new tiered rebate program that will increase the percentage as you sell more pages. Our hope is that this change will encourage you to sell more pages, resulting in more money for your chapter treasury. 

Great Yearbooks are full of photos of the past year’s activities. Last year we created a new photo page for the PA DeMolay Yearbook. Members submitted a short paragraph on how DeMolay has made them a better person. We selected 2 great submissions, added some photos and created 2 new pages for the Yearbook. We are doing this again this year with a slight format change. Any member can participate, just complete one of the two questions listed below and submit to the PA DeMolay Office. 

“The five most important things I’ve learned in DeMolay” 

“The five things I like most about DeMolay.”

From all the submissions that we receive, we will choose the best 4 members’ lists, add your photo, and will publish them in the 2018 Yearbook. Look for more details in the Yearbook mailing that is being sent to your Chapters soon. 

Finally, I am excited to say that we are off to a great start, $1,200 of Yearbook ad pages have been sold for the 2018 Yearbook. As always I appreciate the participation in this program and look forward to another great year.  

Reasons to be at Convention 2017

Convention 2017 is roughly a month and a half away. Are you registered yet? If not then what are you waiting for? If you're looking for more reasons why you should be there, then look no further. Here are the top ten reasons why you should be at the PA DeMolay Convention in Breinigsville, PA. 

10. Members will have the chance to participate in Ritual Competitions, from the Flower Talk to Ceremony of Light. 

9. You'll have the chance to stay at a fancy hotel, the Holiday Inn of Allentown, for the entire weekend. 

8. The hospitality suite will be a nice place to relax with plenty of food and drinks, hosted by the members and Advisors of Allentown Chapter. 

7. You'll get your very own copy of the 2017 PA DeMolay Convention Yearbook, with pictures and memories that remind us of the year's activities and adventures.

6. Friday, there is a optional opportunity to play Laser Tag at Lehigh Valley Laser Tag. The cost is only an additional $17 with registration. 

5. Also on Friday, participants will go to a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs baseball game (the Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies). There will be a firework presentation, and the first line signer on the most petitions from last Convention to this Convention will throw out the first pitch at the game.  

4. Your chapter will have the chance to receive awards during the business session and luncheon. Awards include Outstanding Chapter, RD of the Year, Visitations, Publications and many more. 

3. You'll get the chance to vote on your Elected State Officers for the 2017-2018 term. This includes the election of the State Sweetheart as well. 

2. After the luncheon on Saturday, participants will enjoy the rest of the night at Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom. A traditional picnic dinner will also be provided at the park.

1. Convention gives you the chance to see friends from the entire state of Pennsylvania for a great brotherhood atmosphere. 

Are you convinced yet? Registration is due June 1st, so don't wait too long. Hope to see you in the Lehigh Valley area this summer.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin 

Perfect Way to Market DeMolay

Every year at Convention, members and advisors in attendance receive a book called the Pennsylvania DeMolay Yearbook. It started as a book that introduced the officers and staff of Pennsylvania DeMolay, provided some words of encouragement and congratulations to the members of Pennsylvania DeMolay, and provided written speeches from the Executive Officer and State Master Councilor. Over the years, this book has gone from a non-color program type book, to a full color marketing tool for Pennsylvania DeMolay.

The PA DeMolay Yearbook is just what it's advertised to be, a yearbook that displays all of the events that took place in the previous year. Photos from events, whether chapter specific or statewide, are highlighted to remind us of the good times that we had throughout the year. Advertisements from businesses and lodges are also provided to show their support of Pennsylvania DeMolay. One thing that PA DeMolay is proud to say about the Yearbook is that an active DeMolay has been responsible for it the past few years, with this year being no exception. 

This book is a lot more than just an annual handout at Convention. The distribution of the yearbook has become a marketing tool that can be used to promote the activities that make DeMolay great. A copy is sent to sponsoring bodies to show them what their money is going toward. For PA DeMolay, a copy of this publication is provided at display table events such as Autumn Day and Community Day. A parent or a young man can look at this book, see the fun that the members are having, and instantly become hooked in to ask more questions about the organization. Although a number is not available, several members have joined due to efforts of such marketing techniques. 

The sales for this year are due on April 15th. Have you bought or sold any ads for the yearbook? Please help make sure that this year's book is just as good, if not better than years past by selling ads to local lodges and family members. PA DeMolay appreciates the continued efforts to make this publication a yearly success.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin  

    

Top Ten Reasons to be at Convention 2016!

Its the middle of May, which means the clock is ticking and Convention is right around the corner. This year, the annual Convention will be held at the Seven Springs Resort in Champion, PA from July 15 to 17, 2016. If you've never been to a PA DeMolay Convention, your probably asking yourself "Why should I go to Convention?" Below are the top 10 reasons why you should be at Convention 2016.

10. Members will have the chance to compete in Ritual Contests, from the Flower Talk to the Ceremony of Light.

9.  You'll get the chance to stay at a fancy hotel for the entire weekend.

8.  You'll get a free copy of the 2016 Convention Yearbook, with pictures and memories from all of the year's great activities. 

7.  Convention will be loaded with fun activities to fill the entire weekend. We start at the Caddie Shak Family Fun Center, which will have Mini Golf, Go Karts, Bumper Boats and much more. Then on Saturday, the Seven Springs Resort has several fun activities including the Alpine Slide, Disc Golf, Paddle Boats and Summer Tubing.

6.  Convention will provide food for every meal.  

5.  Your chapter will be able to receive awards based on the accomplishments they have performed throughout the year. 

4.  You'll have the opportunity to congratulate "Dad" Sam Williamson on being elected to the DeMolay Hall of Fame in person. The actual induction takes place on June 17 in San Diego, California.

3.  You'll have the chance to vote on your Elected State Officers for the 2016-2017 term. This includes the election of the State Sweetheart as well.

2.  This will give you a chance to get out of the house for the weekend.

And the number 1 reason that you should be at Convention 2016...

1.  Convention gives you the chance to see friends from the entire state of Pennsylvania for a great brotherhood atmosphere.

Hopefully this is enough to convince you that you should be at Convention this year. Registration is due June 5th, so get it in soon to guarantee that you won't miss out.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin     

A Slow Day

I just returned from a big Masonic convention in Florida, so I was having trouble coming up with something to write about. Thankfully, the PA DeMolay Yearbooks came in today, so I thought you might like a sneak peak. Take a look!