Brotherhood at it's Finest

"Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man's survival."

Carlos P. Romulo

DeMolay International is recognizing today's date, November 17th as Brotherhood Day. What does brotherhood mean to you?

The term brotherhood refers to a bond that cannot be easily broken. It means having a friendship that will last the length of time. In DeMolay, brotherhood is one of the sole purposes of the organization. We build friendships with people we otherwise may never have gotten to know. We as DeMolay's are expected to work together, have each others back, and support each other. 

To me, brotherhood is a group of people that will always be by your side. Because of DeMolay, I have close friends who I consider my brothers all over the world. I've had brothers from my home chapter who have helped me solve several problems as a team. I've had friends from across the state, including Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Erie. I've even had the privilege of meeting friends from all over the world. I've worked with DeMolay members from New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Texas, Tennessee, Utah and Canada. Brotherhood and DeMolay go hand in hand. 

Take advantage of that bond. A lot of the members that attend KeyMan University had the chance to meet DeMolay members from jurisdictions other that Pennsylvania. Get to know them and stay in touch. You may find a bond worth keeping. Continue the brotherhood that has made DeMolay great for nearly 100 years. 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Happy Brotherhood Day

#IAMDEMOLAY

    

The Rules of the Game

Created for use at the Key Man Conference several years ago, the Brotherhood Contract was liberally "borrowed" from the Full Value Contract concept of the PA Masonic Youth Foundation's LifeSkills Conference.  It has been a very successful way of framing any DeMolay program, and it resonates with all of our members.  The Fidelity Pledge is used at the beginning of every Conference as a way of reminding the DeMolays what their responsibilities are during the time they share together.  These two elements have worked hand in hand to create an environment for growth and learning in DeMolay.

“The Brotherhood Contract”

All DeMolays agree to conduct themselves according to these basic ground rules:

·        SAFETY FIRST – The physical and mental/emotional safety of our brothers is paramount and must be protected by all.  We carefully consider how to conduct any activity to minimize physical risk.  No horseplay.  No name-calling or bullying. No unnecessary risks. No physical violence.  Period.

·        SHARED VALUES – We believe that the Seven Cardinal Virtues of DeMolay are the building blocks of adulthood, and to be treated like adults we need to act appropriately and take responsibility for our choices.

·        POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE – DeMolays agree to support and encourage one another by practicing “valuing behaviors” like active listening, giving encouragement and supporting with positive reinforcement.  We value individuals as well as the group, and treat everyone with respect, kindness, courtesy and caring. Tolerance is a primary teaching of DeMolay, and we celebrate our differences, rather than divide over them.


·        LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER – Each DeMolay has the right to respectfully express his opinions, desires, and needs. Giving and receiving honest and constructive feedback is the beginning to finding one’s true self, and helping each other grow in our skills and relationships.

·        OPEN TO NEW IDEAS – Nobody “knows it all.”  DeMolays and Advisors are still learning about the Order, about leadership, about people, about themselves. Be open to new ideas and understanding a different perspective on what you think you already know.  When you stop learning, you stop living.

·        ACHIEVE – Moving forward in life means setting goals, and working hard to reach them.  But, you can’t step all over those around you to get where you want to go.  Serving others and helping your brothers to reach their goals will take you further along the path toward accomplishing your own objectives!

 “The Fidelity Pledge”

I promise that I will try to live by the DeMolay Virtues  in all that I think, say and do, and will expect the same effort from my brothers and Advisors.

When I fail to do so, I will take responsibility for my decisions, make appropriate amends, if possible, accept the consequences of my actions, and be as forgiving of my brothers as they are tolerant of me.