WWII DeMolay

Recently, PA DeMolay presented a 65 Year Pin to "Dad" Robert L. Engel. "Dad" Engel has been a long time friend of PA DeMolay and holds an Honorary membership in the Supreme Council. Here in PA, he is most widely known as a Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania.

After receiving his pin, "Dad" Engel made copies of some old photos he had from his days in DeMolay. He sent them to the PA DeMolay office and we thought that it would be nice to share them with you. Most of his photos come from around the time of WWII, an era when DeMolay was in serious jeopardy in PA. However, "Dad" Engel was a DeMolay in the Cleveland, OH, area. From the photos, it appears that DeMolay did very well there!

Enjoy this pictorial history of DeMolay from the mid-twentieth century! (Click the photos to enlarge.)

You can learn more about "Dad" Engel's 65 Year Pin presentation over at the PA DeMolay Website.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

I have a delivery for Mr. Ritual...

One of the things that we don't spend much time talking about on this Blog is the DeMolay ritual. While it is an important part of our program, it's not something that's easy to talk about in a public forum. However, there are aspects of the ritual and its performance that we can discuss without giving away information we shouldn't. Today, we are going to discuss one of "Dad" Labagh's pet peeves in ritual performance - speaking.

Learning how to use your voice to deliver a memorized part is an important lesson in DeMolay. Some guys are just naturally talented at ritual, while others have to take some time to practice it. When we learn ritual, most of us concentrate on the memorization and forget that the delivery is really what matters most. The biggest challenge that many of our young men face is something they don't have much control over - their voice.

During our teen years, our voice changes a lot. For some guys, it gets very low, while others remain high pitched and nasally. There isn't much you can do to change the voice you have, but you can learn how to use it to its full potential during ritual delivery. Over on the Art of Manliness page they have an article titled "Develop a Strong He-Man Voice." In the article, the author discusses ways to use the voice you have to be a more effective public speaker. Check it out and try some of the exercises. You'll be surprised how much of a difference they make.

On a side note, I will be on the road beginning on Wednesday of this week. I will be in and out of the office over the next two weeks, so updates may be erratic and / or sparse if they are from me. This is a great time for those of you who read the Blog to submit your own articles and ideas to be published here. Just jot down your thoughts and send them via email to webmaster@pademolay.org.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Not Your Ordinary Obligatory Day

As DeMolays, we observe seven Obligatory Days each year (as discussed in one of our recent posts.) Of the seven, the one that is listed last in the Rules and Regulations of DeMolay International is Frank S. Land Memorial Day. According that document, to observe this Obligatory day,

"it is the duty of each Chapter to arrange a memorial program in honor and memory of Dad Frank S. Land, Founder of the Order of DeMolay, andto carry out a special fund raising effort with the proceeds being donated to a Masonic charity."

Sounds pretty simple, right? It's true - it really is that simple; and that, my friends, is just the issue with it. Many Chapters just "phone in" their Frank S. Land Memorial Day observance. They raise some money, give it to a charity, and then wash their hands of it. They meet the requirements quite ably, but it's not a very exciting Obligatory Day to observe. However, we recently received a copy of an invitation to a different kind of Frank S. Land Memorial DayObservance - enter Allentown Chapter!

Allentown Chapter has been going gangbusters for the past two years. They have continually produced quality young men with several Past Master Councilor's Meritorious Service Awards being presented to their leadership. They have had a string of Chevaliers, Legionairres, and one of their Advisors, "Dad" Eric Blew, was presented with the Guild of the Leather Apron at Convention 2011(otherwise known as the Advisor of the Year.) This Chapter is really on the move and they are proving it with their Frank S. Land Memorial Day observance.

Just what are they doing? Well, on Monday, November 28, 2011, the members of the Chapter have organized a charity dinner in observance of the day. Sounds pretty normal, right? Think again! Instead of just another dinner, admission to this feast is conditional on two things. First, you have pay $5, which will go to a charity. Then, you have to bring some kind of Thanksgiving left over to share with everyone else. Oh, did I mention that you don't start with any utensils either? If you want a fork, you can shell out another dollar towards the charity. Yep - this isn't a banquet - it's a medieval feast! That's right, you feast on the food with your fingers, toss the scraps on the floor, and enjoy fellowship with Brother DeMolays, all while raising money for charity in honor of "Dad" Land!

This is one of the most creative observances we have ever seen here at PA DeMolay! Congrats to Allentown Chapter for spicing up their program, thinking outside of the box (or is that bun?) and making Obligatory days fun in the process!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

What makes DeMolay special?

We all know that DeMolay is a special organization. The lessons it teaches, the  Brotherhood it engenders, and the dedication its members and advisors feel are all signs of how wonderful it can be. While each of us takes something different away from the DeMolay program, we all get something out of it. That's what takes DeMolay to the next level. It provides an opportunity for young men to run their own organization and to make it suit their wants and needs. There really is no other youth organization out there doing that same thing.

Fulfilling a members wants and needs has become the cornerstone of our system of government and values in DeMolay. We have a diverse group of members, especially here in Pennsylvania. We have young men who have grown up in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Some of our members come from the farmlands of central Pennsylvania, near Lancaster and York; while even more come of the coal laden hills of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Each of these areas has it own set of values and beliefs - and DeMolay embraces them all! That diversity is what drives our program to evolve for the next generation of members.

Recently, as a Jurisdiction, we've had to evolve in another way. Because of our ability to adapt, we've seen an influx of members with special needs. Those needs run the whole spectrum, from mobility and accommodation concerns, to young men with Aspbergers. These young men are no different and should be given the same opportunity to benefit from DeMolay as any other member. This can be a challenge for some, especially on the local Chapter level. Advisors are being asked to work with young men who have needs they may have never encountered before; and they are doing it with a grace and ease that amazes all. I can proudly say that in Pennsylvania, these young men are getting the same opportunities as everyone else. The key is providing a program that works for them.

Recently, I received a copy of an article from Scouting Magazine, dated March / April 2011. The article was entitled "Structure and Support - Ideas from the field: Helping "Aspies" succeed." In a previous issue of the publication, members and adults were asked how they had modified their local Scout program to better suit young men with special needs. Here are some of the suggestions, adapted to DeMolay:

• Provide Structure - DeMolay, by its very nature, is hierarchical and structured. These young men want to know their place in the structure, so take the time to explain that to them.
• Make a List - provide lists of activities and achievements that can be earned. Definitive goals are a great way to help young men excel.
• Show the Visuals - Don't just talk about awards or paperwork; have physical things on hand so that they can see the reality of what you're talking about.
• Use the Buddy System - find two members and pair them up. This kind of friendship only serves to strengthen local Chapters.
• Cut Some Slack - Remember, not every DeMolay is going to be a model member. Using teachable moments is why the program exists in the first place.
• Ask - If you're having trouble communicating, talk to the member's parents / teachers and find out how you can better meet his needs.

These are just some ideas from the real world of the Scouts. Every young man is different. Rather than try to fit him into the "DeMolay Mold," why not mold DeMolay to fit him?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Suit Up for Success

One of my favorite TV shows is "How I Met Your Mother." This sitcom seems to mirror where I am at in life and I find that I easily relate to it. I often realize that parts of the character's personalities are tied very closely to the behaviors I see some of my real world friends display. Of course, like most viewers, my favorite character is Barney Stinson. Portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, Barney starts the series as a soulless ladies man, always on the hunt for his next female conquest. Later he cleans up his act and becomes a pretty astute gentlemen. However, the importance he places on being a "Bro" and his impeccable fashion sense are what really get me; the key, of course, are the suits!

As I've written before, fashion is one of those things that many guys shy away from. We have it in our head that "fashion" is for girls. Alternatively, we think that fashion is for Abercrombie and Fitch models or for the guys who feel the need to buy $50 tee shirts at Hollister because they perfume the air around their stores. This is utter nonsense. Real men's fashion has nothing to do with fake palm trees, over priced jeans, or brand names. No, every man should be aware of some basic fashion tips.

In this vein, I recently came across a great video from the website "Real Men - Real Style" that seemed perfectly appropriate for DeMolay. The image you project as a DeMolay is very important. It's okay to be in jeans and a tee shirt while you're making pancakes at a fundraiser, but if you're standing in front of the door to a local store asking for money, you better look professional. It seems that young men today (myself included) have a poor sense of what we should be wearing to look like proper gentlemen. This video does a great job of summarizing what we should do. Take a look:




So, there you have it! Now, some of the advice offered is pretty pricey. However, there are ways to do all of this on a budget. Never underestimate the power of Goodwill or the Salvation Army Thrift Stores. Check them out! You never know what you might find! "Suiting up" is the first step to looking like a respectable young man. Remember our Precept of Cleanness - in thought, word, and deed. Just because you bathed today doesn't mean your clean. Isn't that part of what DeMolay is all about?

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony