Of Leadership and Ham

Spring time comes with lots of connotations. Some say it's the time for love, others the time for rebirth, and still others the time for Easter Eggs! In PA DeMolay, spring is marked most (un)usually by Spring Leadership Weekend. What is Spring Leadership Weekend? Well, you've probably heard it called lots of other names... Superhero School, Call to Duty, Clue, and others, but around the PA DeMolay office we call it Spring Leadership Weekend to keep our heads straight!

So just where did this tradition come from, and what exactly is it? Well, jump in your Hot Tub Time Machine and take a trip back with me to the heady days of 2002! "Dad" Labagh had been EO for only about 2 years now, "Dad" Brent Richards was holding down the fort as the webmaster, "Dad" Anthony had only been a member for about 4 months, and "Dad" Marvin A. Cunningham had just been installed as Right Worshipful Grand Master. Things were looking up for PA DeMolay, and the folks here at the office were looking for something new, invigorating, and fun to add to the DeMolay calendar. After a storm of thinking, "Dad" Brent Richards had an idea (not to mention a much fuller head of hair!) What if the adults of PA DeMolay provided a weekend-long leadership conference that played on their talents for acting and general hamming it up? Brilliant! So the planning began...

Back in the 1980's the board game CLUE was very popular. Not only did it sell lots of copies, it also had a movie made about it starring Tim Curry. If you haven't seen it, it's a comedy classic that you should definitely check out. Anywho, back to the story... the planning team had this idea that advisors would wear costumes and pretend to be the characters from CLUE, all the while the members would attend workshops, gathering clues to find out who murdered "Mr. Body." The best part was that even the characters didn't know who had done it, so it was a suprise to everyone at the end of the day! Having attended that event as a DeMolay, I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable DeMolay experiences I ever had. PA DeMolay had a hit on it's hands, and the time was ripe for more of these kinds of shenanigans.

The Original Cast of CLUE!
(Pictured above: (Seated) "Mom" Kathy Prazenica as Miss Scarlet, "Dad" Allen Moyer as Professor Plum, (Standing) "Mom" Yolanda Weider as Mrs. White, "Mom" Donna Brown as Mrs. Peacock, "Dad" Ray Gottschall as Colonel Mustard, "Dad" Jim Ray as Mr. Green, "Dad" Brent Richards as the Butler. )

Flash forward a year, the flowers were once again blossoming, and "Dad" Richards was hard at work planning a follow up event. CLUE was so popular that he didn't want to stray too far away from the idea. So, his brain hatched up CLUE 2 for Spring Leadership Weekend 2003. This time around the characters would be medieval, but the premise would remain much the same. With another round of advisors willing to make fools of themselves, costumes were once again created, and CLUE 2 was a smash hit! From pompous Chancellors, to angry Queens, and twisted Bishops, it was a fantastic time! A tradition had now been started in PA DeMolay, and ideas were churning for future events.


The Cast of CLUE 2!
(Pictured from left to right: "Dad" Dave Berry as the Bishop, "Dad" Brent Richards as the Jester, "Mom" Missy Smith as Princess White, "Dad" Ray Gottschall as the King, "Mom" Jan Harms as the Queen, "Mom" Mary Knapp as Lady Scarlet, "Dad" Rick Freedman as the Knight, and "Dad" Allen Moyer as the Chancellor.)

In July of 2003 Bro. Steve Prazenica was elected State Master Councilor, and began planning his year and membership campaigns. The fall would be a superhero theme (sound familiar?) called Clash of Titans. The spring membership campaign was still up in the air, though. After some conversations with his other Elected State Officers, it was decided that pirates would be a great theme as several pirate related movies had just come out. But how to do it? Signal the advisors, because this began "Membership Mutiny!"

After some preliminary planning it was decided that members and advisors would be encouraged to dress as pirates and make "raids" on Chapters. During these raids the State Officers and EO's Leadership Team would drop in, give the Chapter a treasure chest filled with membership ideas and goodies, and encourage the Chapter to participate in the campaign. What a campaign it turned out to be! With Spring Leadership Weekend right around the corner it was only natural that the pirates would be there to spice things up. There wasn't a mystery to be solved, but a certain well groomed advisor did end up walking the plank at the Patton Pool (here's to you "Dad" Freedman!) The tradition of a crazy conference was once again complete, and lots of great memories were certainly created during that year!

The globe continues spinning however, and soon it was the spring of 2005. Bro. Justin Killian had ascended to the office of State Master Councilor, and it was once again time to plan Spring Leadership Weekend. Bro. Killian and his crew had come up with a military based theme, working around the idea of a game of Risk (again, sound familiar?) The program was called "Risk It!" and once again it was time for some folks to make fools of themselves. The State Officers took up the flag this time though, but "Dad" Ray Gottschall was there to lend his support as "General Arthur McPatton." This time the attendees of Spring Leadership Weekend gained points and territories to try to prove their portion of the State was the best. While this program wasn't quite as entertaining as the others had been, it was still a success. It did however mark a temporary end to advisors putting on costumes and acting strange.

From 2006 to 2008 the program continued, but it slowly moved from silly to serious. There were still themes, like Bro. Jake Palo's "Spring Break," but the program was morphing into something different than what had made it popular in the first place.

This brings us to 2009, and "Call to Duty" weekend. I had been on staff with PA DeMolay for about 6 months at that point, and I thought it was a fine time to bring back of the outrageousness of previous events. I drafted my "go-to" guys, "Dad's" Richards, Gottschall, Moyer, and Freedman, who were all veterans of earlier conferences. This time they would be taking up the mantle of crazy foreign diplomats in an effort to prove that their home country was not responsible for a downed spy plane found on Patton Campus. At the end of the day it was determined that the French were guilty (I didn't even think they had planes!) and the French diplomat was led away. Spring Leadership Weekend was back, and everyone in attendance had a fantastic time!

The Cast of Call to Duty!
(Pictured above, from left to right: "Dad" Brent Richards as Dan Washington, "Dad" Allen Moyer as Jean Teallouetta, "Dad" Rick Freedman as James Blonde, and "Dad" Ray Gottschall as Comrade Badanov.)

So here it is, 2010, and we're coming up on "Superhero School," our latest in the Spring Leadership Weekend series of events. Some old favorites are back, including "Dad's" Freedman and Gottschall, and some new advisors are also participating in the fun. Have you checked out the "Rogues Gallery" over on pademolay.org yet? If not, you better go see who the crazy characters are for this year's event... it is sure to go down in history as another fun-filled Spring Leadership Weekend!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Why be a member?

DeMolay is a unique organization in that the benefits of membership are, for the most part, intangible. It's hard to describe to a prospective member what "brotherhood" is, or define why you love "fellowship" so much, but they are indeed major draws to the program.

There are, however, some real life, physical, benefits. One that we at PA DeMolay have seen get little use is the Masonic Blood Donor Club. While there are limitations on who can actually give blood(specifically age requirements) ANY DeMolay in Pennsylvania can become a member if someone donates in his name! Once a DeMolay becomes a member of the Blood Club, that means that HE AND HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY are ALL covered under the program. It sounds like a great program, but what exactly is it and how does it work? Well according to their website at http://www.pagrandlodge.org/programs/donor/index.html

"It is any group of people who join together and agree to donate blood on a current routine basis in anticipation of the future blood needs of the group's members. It is a unique opportunity to protect you and your family and at the same time to save the life of another. Your participation in the Group Blood Assurance Plan offers cost-free blood replacement on a nationwide basis, if the hospital in which you or your family member is a patient is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks. Most health insurance policies do not pay for blood, therefore this is valuable protection."

So what happens after you give blood and then someone has an emegency and needs it?

"Inform the hospital that the patient is a Member of the Masonic Blood Club of Pennsylvania. This is normally all that is needed. If the hospital bills the patient for the blood, DO NOT PAY FOR THE UNITS. The patient is responsible for the cost of the administration of the blood, but not the blood itself."

What does this really mean for you? If you, or a member of your immediate family, are registered with the Masonic Blood Club, and you're in an accident that requires emergency workers to supply you with blood, you (and your family) will pay NOTHING for the blood itself. It's really that easy!

Now get this; now only do you get the health insurance benefit, but your DeMolay Chapter can get a financial benefit too! How? "

We are pleased to announce that any Blood Drive sponsored by a PA Lodge or appendant Masonic organization or Masonic youth group, will qualify that organization to designate for each blood unit collected, a gift of $10 per unit to a Masonic Charity (501c3 classification) of their choice, if pre-approved by this committee. Use this request form to sign up for this program. ... which will also need to be added to the list of forms on the right side of the page, just ABOVE the link to the Schedule of Bloodmobile Collections.)"

That's free money for your Chapter and a FREE benefit to you! This is a fantastic program that all Youth Group members and Master Masons should be involved with. Recently, Bro. Tyler Bausinger, of the recently re-opened Delaware Valley Chapter, participated in a Blood Drive with the club. Check it out here... http://www.pagrandlodge.org/programs/donor/bloodclubnewsletter2010.pdf

Now, go donate some blood, or get your Mom or Dad or any adult to donate in your name!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A History of Berrys

Like so many DeMolays, when I joined Clearfield Chapter back (way back!) in 1976 I did it to calm the pressure of family and friends who knew how good the organization would be to me. I begrudgingly went to meetings, but found the emphasis on sports to be a real turn off to me. I attending meetings for several months and then disappeared and fell into the inactive status for the better part of a year.

One day in early September, as the school year was beginning, I received a phone call from Bobby Ingram, the Junior Councilor of Clearfield Chapter, who I vaguely remembered was just beginning to get active having joined a few months before I did. He told me about an upcoming meeting and then told me that his Dad wanted to talk to me. I wasn’t sure where this was heading, but I figured it was worth talking to “Dad” Ingram.

After telling me that he was the new Chapter Advisor, he told me that things were going to change at the Chapter. He promised me that the local program was going to expand into much more than a softball team in the summer and a basketball team in the winter. He wondered what things I was interested in and assured me that anything was possible if the members made it so. (In many ways, he was a generation ahead of where most Chapter Advisors were back in the late 1970’s – he knew that empowering the young men of DeMolay was what would make the program successful.)

“Dad” Ingram explained that he and Bobby had reviewed the list of all of the members who had joined in the past couple of years and that both agreed that I was someone whose future could be in DeMolay if I just came back and gave it another try. (Are you taking notes, Advisors? This single phone call changed my life, and perhaps we need to take a closer look at those young men who have lost interest and try to get them back to “give it one more try!”)

My Mom and Dad were surprised and delighted that I wanted to go back to a meeting. My paternal Grandfather, who was the one who wanted me to join the most, was thrilled. Next thing I knew I was in the card room of the Masonic Temple talking with Bobby and his Dad. They were a persuasive tag team. When we discussed my interests and they learned that I liked to write, “Dad” Ingram told me that the Chapter really needed a newsletter and he asked me to work on a sample and bring it to the next meeting. He gave me some samples from other Chapters, but told me to make it my own.

So I did. In about six weeks we were publishing a monthly newsletter, “The Precepts” and I was totally immersing myself into the program – so much so that I decided to run for Junior Councilor, and in an election I really shouldn’t have won, I was elected, beating the popular athlete who really was the heir apparent! Less than a year after that fateful phone call I found myself Senior Councilor when Bobby Ingram was Master Councilor and I was preparing for my own term as Master Councilor.

Fast forward 10 incredible and memorable years after that phone call, and my “return” to the DeMolay Organization (a place I have obviously, never left!), and I’m preparing to take over as Chapter Advisor of Clearfield Chapter – the third since “Dad” Ingram filled the position, and in a sentimental reversal I found myself working with “Dad” Ingram’s youngest son, Rodney, who was the Junior Councilor of the Chapter. It was a remarkable experience being able to do for Rod what his Dad had done for me. His term as Master Councilor was extremely successful and his work was recognized with the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award.

That was in 1988. What of the next 22 years? While the Ingram Family was growing with weddings and children, I was still working with DeMolay, dabbling in politics, returning to college to earn a teaching certification and taking my job with the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. I kept in touch with the Ingram family and in 1999 the Ingram Brothers crafted a magnificent set of new candlesticks and preceptor stands for Elizabethtown Chapter – both Bobby and Rod followed in their Dad’s woodworking hobby footsteps and are recognized as two of the best woodworkers in Pennsylvania.

And they have continued to embrace the Masonic tenets that were instilled into their lives as DeMolays: Bobby has two daughters, Charleigh and Bailey, and Rodney has a daughter and son, Raven and Gus. Charleigh is a Past Worthy Advisor of -Moshannon Valley Assembly, Order of Rainbow for Girls, who just installed her sister Bailey as Worthy Advisor and her cousin Raven as Associate Worthy Advisor. What about Gus? A little too young for DeMolay, but definitely looking to that as his future, even if Grand-dad is driving him to al-Aksa Chapter in Altoona.

The Installation was a great experience! Lots of reminiscing with the entire family, including sister Paula, who provided the artwork for the cover of “The Precepts” newsletter in 1977 and who joked with me that she still makes the best meatballs because of many years of making thousands of homemade meatballs for the DeMolay Food Booth at the Clearfield Fair; Mom Betty, who was one of the first Presidents of the Clearfield DeMolay Mother’s Club (long, long before we had “Mom” Advisors!); and Bobby’s wife Tammy, a Past Worthy Advisor and current Mother Advisor of Mo Valley Assembly (I still remember that we joked as active DeMolays that he won her heart during the fast dances because I did too much toe-stomping during the slow dances!)

Thanks for spending some time with me as I rambled through over 30 years of personal history. “Dad” Ingram and his family will always have my respect, friendship and appreciation because if he hadn’t convinced a disinterested 16 year old that he should give DeMolay “one more try” I doubt that any of you would know me as PA DeMolay's Executive Secretary today! Thanks “Dad” Ingram for taking a chance on me!

"Dad" Dave Berry
es@pademolay.org

Sneak Peak at a New EO Policy

We've had a busy week here at the PA DeMolay office. With Superhero School fast approaching, and Convention and Key Man on the horizon, the staff are starting to kick into high gear for summer planning. However, this doesn't mean we take any time away from doing all we can to make the DeMolay program better.

With that in mind, we have had some heated discussions on ways to improve the Order in Pennsylvania. Lots of ideas were tossed around, but the one that seemed to consistently show the most prospect is very simple, and easily implemented. Below you'll find a preview of the statement, soon to be issued by the EO, and created a policy within PA.

"Pennsyvlania DeMolay takes its Masonic Heritage very seriously. In recent years PA DeMolay has gotten away from some significant traditions that relate back to the fraternity. Therefore, as of April 1st, 2010, all DeMolay Chapters are now required to adopt some form of hat or headgear, to be worn at all official meetings, and when in public. Examples from the past include pill box style hats, fezzes, peaked caps, and others. This policy will be enforced by the Deputy Executive Officers."

All DeMolay Chapters operating within PA will be required to send a sample version of their hat to the PA DeMolay Office for approval and recordkeeping purposes.

So, what kind of hat do you like to wear?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Super Ritual Brothers? Grand Theft Ritual? Final Ritual VIII: The Gong?

Alright, we all know that DeMolay ritual can be boring. Heck, even people who really enjoy ritual can find it mind numbing at times (although this usally only happens when it's performed poorly.) So what can you do to help your Chapter get a bit more excited about ritual? How about ritual as a video game? Impossible? Not at all! Thanks to "Dad" Greg Schaeffer, it's now available to you at the low, low, cost of free!

That's right folks, "Dad" Schaeffer wrote a nifty a little program that can show where people are supposed to walk, and how they should move during the presentation of DeMolay ritual. While it's not Duke Nukem' (for the older gamers out there) or Call of Duty, it is an easy and effective way to help DeMolays grasp the floorwork in the ritual.

Head on over to http://code.google.com/p/demolay-floorwork-simulator/ and grab the program. It's really easy to use, and simple to install. Give it a whirl-- you might find ritual a little less boring next time!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony