The Judge

I've been recently watching updates on our Traveling Gavel, the judge on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PADeMolayJudge) and I wanted to share some info and guidelines with anyone who doesn't quite know what the Judge is.

First and foremost,

WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

“The Judge” as we all know it was presented to Brother Justin D. Killian, PSMC, at the Installation and Induction Ceremonies of New Castle Builders Chapter in New Castle, PA in 2005.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

“The Judge” was created with one mission in mind: travel. It's purpose is to encourage visitation and travel between Chapters within Pennsylvania. (And to bodly go where no man has gone... oh wait, wrong show!) 

Rules of the Judge

Territory: The gavel is limited in its travel to the Chapters within the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. Who is eligible to obtain the gavel? A. Any Pennsylvania DeMolay Chapter. B. Any Pennsylvania DeMolay current Elected State Officer. Obtaining the Gavel: For any Chapter to obtain the Gavel, they must: A. Travel to the Chapter that currently has possession, with proper adult supervision in accordance with the Youth Protection guidelines of DeMolay International (minimum of 2 advisors) except when an advisor is only supervising his/her own family members. B. Have the most points of any Chapter present. C. Attend the entire meeting... from opening through the closing. Points System: When more than one Chapter is vying for possession of the gavel, the winner is determined by the most number of points earned. Points are determined by the following method: A. Number of active DeMolay members of the Chapter present multiplied by the number of miles traveled, one way, between the Chapter being visited and the Chapter visiting. B. In the event of a tie. The presiding Master Councilor will flip a coin, conduct a rock-paper-scissors contest, or use some other fair means to make the final decision. Gavel Travel Log: Contained in the travel box with the Gavel is a travel log. You must record your possession and other information as required upon receipt of the Gavel.

Obligations Concerning the Gavel

Chapter in possession of the Gavel must: A. Display the Gavel at all Regular Meetings, Installations, Awards and Honors Ceremonies and Induction Ceremonies held by the Chapter. B. Freely turn the Gavel over to any Chapter or State Elected Officer who arrives to receive it, and has the most points (see above). C. Record their possession in the Gavel Travel Log. D. Report their possession to the Pennsylvania DeMolay Webmaster for inclusion on this site. E. See that all Gavel materials (Gavel, storage box, Gavel Travel Log) are maintained and turned over to the next recipients upon the award. F. The Chapter in possession of the Gavel may, at its discretion, bring it to any statewide event to show it off to the other Chapters, and may, at its discretion, give it to any Chapter that has not yet received it during the competition year. Chapter in pursuit of the Gavel: A. Must follow all protocol and decorum while visiting the Chapter in possession of the Gavel. B. CANNOT make any attempt to steal or retrieve the Gavel in any way other than that listed above. C. Must have the most points of those present, based upon the system listed above to obtain the Gavel. An Elected State Officer in possession of the Gavel: A. Must visit a Chapter and turn over the Gavel within three weeks of his receipt of the Gavel. He MAY put it in his home Chapter, but this is his choice. By taking it, he is committing to promoting its purpose, which is to encourage Chapters to interact and visit each other. B. Must report his travels to the Pennsylvania DeMolay Webmaster for inclusion on this site. C. Must record his possession in the Gavel Travel Log. D. Must see that all Gavel materials (Gavel, storage box, Gavel Travel Log) are maintained and turned over to the next recipients upon the award. An Elected State Officer in pursuit of the Gavel: A. Must follow all protocol and decorum while visiting the Chapter in possession of the Gavel. B. CANNOT make any attempt to steal or retrieve the Gavel in any way other than that listed above. C. Can only take the gavel if no other Chapter is represented at the event. D. Must have the most points of any other Elected State Officer present, based upon the system listed above to obtain the Gavel. The Judge can be quite the motivator for the members to travel to other Chapters and visit - encourage your Chapter brothers to go where the Judge travels to next!  Hint, it's hiding away with the brothers of the Pike!