Who Am I Talking to Again?

As leaders in the Masonic Community, we find ourselves in situations in which we will need to prepare a speech. State Officers need to give speeches often to promote the program, speak to sponsoring bodies, and even to run for election at the annual Convention. Master Councilors and chapter members visit lodges and present a program to the group. How does one know what to say? The biggest challenge is knowing who your target audience is. Here are a few tips that can help you the next time you have to prepare a speech.

1. Get to know your audience before the presentation: A lot of Masonic functions have time beforehand that is dedicated to socializing. Talk to as many people as you can. The more you get to know before the presentation, the more people whose attention you have when it comes to time present. 

2. Make your talk fit the needs of your audience: It may help to do some research before you speak. Get to know what the audience will be looking for. It's important to know exactly what it is they sponsored and how it has helped you and your Chapter. For example, a lodge sponsors your Chapter in sending guys to the annual Convention. Tell them about the experience and express words of thank you to the lodge for their contribution. 

3. Create eye contact around the room: You never want to look straight down at your speech if you have it written. Look around the room. By doing this, the audience knows that they should be engaged in what you're presenting. 

4. Speak with conviction: Talk to the people. The tone in your voice can make or break your speech. Say it with meaning. For example, a Flower Talk presentation works best when the room can tell that you mean the words you're saying. It may actually make some of the ladies present cry.     

5. Dress to impress: Dress to fit your presentation. In most of our cases, a suit may be the best answer. 

Now that you've read these tips, you should be prepared to speak to the public. If you need any more tips, feel free to contact a State Officer for some guidance. They've presented plenty of times, and would be more than willing to help you feel comfortable.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin  

To view some of the information I found on this topic, click on the link below

http://wittcom.com/how-to-connect-with-your-audience-building-rapport/

Be Proud of DeMolay!

Since March is less than a month away, now is the best time to decide what your chapter will do for DeMolay Month. DeMolay Month is an entire month of celebrating the fun and exciting things that DeMolay has to offer. In Pennsylvania there is also a DeMolay Month Competition with awards presented at Convention to the top 3 chapters with the most points during the month.

So, what are some good ways to celebrate DeMolay Month? I put together a short list of ideas that your chapter may want to consider in order to make it the best DeMolay Month ever.

1. Have your chapter go on a visitation to another DeMolay Chapter. It’s always interesting to see a DeMolay meeting from a different perspective.
2. Invite Senior DeMolays to an activity, whether a meeting or fun activity. Most Senior DeMolays enjoy seeing their chapter again. It reminds them of why they enjoyed DeMolay so much when they were a member.
3. Present the “Hi Dad!” book to a local library or school.
4. Perform a community service project and a Masonic service project. DeMolay members take pride in providing service to the community and to the Masonic bodies.
5. Invite your chapter’s Masonic Sponsors to a meeting or a fun activity. This will help show that your chapter appreciates the support the sponsors have been giving.
6. Induct new members into the chapter. Membership is a big part of what makes DeMolay successful.
7. Send in an article and photo about your DeMolay chapter to a local newspaper. This will help promote DeMolay through the local community.
8. Contact local government officials and have them sign proclamations making March DeMolay Month.
9. Make the week of March 18^th, DeMolay Week.
10. Advertise DeMolay. You could wear a DeMolay shirt to work or school, display the DeMolay logo on your vehicle or backpack, or change your profile picture to be DeMolay related on your social media account. Be proud of DeMolay!

March is almost here, so plan the month now before it’s too late. Look at the DeMolay Month checklist to see all of the ways your chapter can earn points. Good luck to all chapters, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Until next time – “Dad” Joe Pullin 

How To Use Small Talk to Talk to Masons

With the Grand Banquet coming up in the next few weeks, most of you may be worried about meeting new people. What do I say to someone I've never met before? Where do I start? Should I ask them about their families? Should I ask them about work? Maybe I'll just ask about the weather?

In our daily lives we run into situations in which we need quick conversations to avoid those awkward moments. We may be waiting in an elevator or meeting someone new. In the DeMolay world, you may be seated at a banquet table with a Masonic leader, public official or another dignitary who you have never met before. A fellow advisor led me to a website that lists 48 questions that can be asked in order to make small talk easier. Click on the link below to see the full list of questions.

48 questions to make small talk easier 

Here are a few of my favorite questions from the article that will help with small talk:

Work

1. If you were guaranteed to be successful, what job would you want?

2. What is the best career advice that anyone has ever given you? 

Entertainment 

1. Are you reading any good books or watching any good shows? I'd like some recommendations.

2. If you could only watch one genre of movies, which would it be?

Travel

1. Where's the last place you traveled?

2. If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would you go? 

Life Story 

1. Who's the most important role model in your life? 

2. What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Totally Random

1. What's the strangest compliment you've ever gotten? 

2. If you could have any type of pet or animal, what would it be?

These are just a few of the 48 questions that can help stop the awkward conversations. Make your conversations a little bit more meaningful, by asking the right questions - and get to know the people around you. 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin   

  

DeMolay Makes Masonic Leaders

Last week, "Dad" Tom Labagh posted on Facebook about how many of the new 33rd Degree Nominees from Pennsylvania were involved in DeMolay. Here's a screencap of his of his post:

 

 

As you can see, the above is a pretty impressive list. This got me thinking about how many of our current national Masonic leaders are Senior DeMolays or have been involved in the DeMolay program:

 

• John W. McNaughton, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction - Senior DeMolay
• Ronald A. Seale, Sovereign Grand Commander for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for Southern Jurisdiction - Senior DeMolay
• David Dixon Goodwin, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the World - Active Member of DeMolay International
• Lawrence Eugene Tucker, Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the World - Senior DeMolay and Deputy Member of DeMolay International
• Jack H. Jones, Imperial Recorder for Shriner's International - Emeritus Member of DeMolay International and holder of the Grand Cross of the Order of DeMolay
• Matthew D. Dupee - Past Grand Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America and Past Grand Master General of the Knights York Cross of Honor.

... and that's just a short (and surely incomplete) list of national leaders! Nearly every sitting jurisdictional Masonic leader in Pennsylvania has had some connection to the DeMolay program - whether he be a Senior DeMolay, a member of an Advisory Councilor, or a recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

 

The obvious question to ask is "What does this mean for the DeMolay program?" I think it's safe to say that there is a high correlation between involvement in DeMolay and involvement in Freemasonry. It's also pretty safe to say that the leadership skills taught in DeMolay provide a solid foundation for the skills required to be a leader in the fraternity on many different levels.

 

Pay attention to your DeMolay training today, as you never know where it could lead you tomorrow!

 

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

 



 

DeMolay and the Knights of Pythagoras

This past weekend, Bro. Isaac Holtzer, State Scribe, represented Pennsylvania DeMolay at the 46th Annual Sessions of the Knights of Pythagoras of Pennsylvania. Many of our members know of the Knights thanks to our unity weekends, but many more haven't heard of our "brother" organization.

Bro. Holtzer with (from left to right) the Grand Master Councilor of the Knights of Pythagoras of New Jersey; Bro. Arrin Stallings, Past Grand Master Knight of the Knights of Pythagoras of Pennsylvania; and the Most Venerable Grand Master Knight of the Most Venerable Grand Council of the Knights of Pythagoras of the District of Columbia.

In Pennsylvania, the Knights of Pythagoras is a youth group for boys 12 to 20 years of age who believe in the Supreme Being and are of good character and reputation. The order is devoted to the Christian principles of freedom, justice, and equality under law for all human beings. The order promotes these ideals, together with love of God, parents and country.

 

The Prince Hall Grand Council of Pa Order of Knights of Pythagoras is a youth organization sponsored by The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, F&AM. The Knights of Pythagoras is not a junior Masonic organization but is only overseen by Master Masons with outstanding dedication to the order. The Cardinal Virtues of a Knight are Adoration and Reverence for God, Love of Parents, Righteous Thinking, Purity, Patriotism, Toleration, Courtesy, Friendship and Constancy. If those traits sound familiar, they should! "Dad" Frank S. Land assisted with the formation of the Knights of Pythagoras.

 

The Prince Hall Grand Council Order of Knights of Pythagoras was organized in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania in 1960. Grand Master A. William Hill, Jr., successfully started the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras in Pennsylvania in 1960. The following three years  twelve youth councils around the state were established. The state body was organized as the Keystone Grand Council of Pennsylvania. By the year 1968 eleven of the twelve active youth councils became dormant. In 1968, the Order was reorganized  by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Grand Master Thomas W. S. Logan appointed Worshipful District Deputy Master Leo .S. Holmes as the Worshipful State Director of Youth (essentially the Executive Officer.) The state body was then renamed The Prince Hall Grand Council of Pennsylvania. The International body re-chartered the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras. State officers were elected and presented later with silver metal collars containing the jewels of their of office.

New councils were formed and inactive councils reactivated. Herbert E. Millen No. 8, sponsored by Campbell Washington Joppa Lodge No. 37, is the only council to remain active from 1961. The Annual Grand Sessions from 1968 to 1982 were held in hotels and college campuses around the state. Donald U. Dade served as Worshipful State Director of Youth 1972 to 1979. He started presenting special designed Past Grand Master Knight aprons to the outgoing Grand Master Knight.

Grand Master Thomas Scipio appointed Edward Lindler as the Worshipful State Director of Youth along with Edward W. Perrine as the Director of Youth (East) in 1979. Since 1979 we have been enlarging the youth order and building its program base. Installation of Officer Service, Service of Light, and the Legion of Honor Service has been added to the order. Since 1983, Annual Sessions have been held at Patton Campus in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, except for one year which was held at Thiel College. A Brotherhood Retreat Fellowship with the Order of DeMolay of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge and the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras started in 1984 has become an annual event.

In 1997 Grand Master Thomas A. Jackmon, Sr. appointed Kevin D. Mahoner Worshipful State Director of Youth, a position which he holds to this day. The Prince Hall Grand Council Order of the Knights of Pythagoras now have an office on the second floor of the Masonic Complex at 4301 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Inaugural Oaths

The following was taken from the website of St. John's Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, of the Grand Lodge of New York. It details the history of the Washington Inaugural Bible, which is of interest to many members of the Masonic family.

After the conclusion of the War of Independence, New York City became the first Constitutional capital of the United States, and it was there on April 30th, 1789 that Brother George Washington was to be sworn in as the first President of the United States.

On a platform erected for the purpose, in front of the then City Hall, were gathered the Congress of the United States, with George Washington and Chancellor Livingston, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. In front of them was an immense concourse of citizens. It was indeed a great holiday occasion; the Revolutionary War was over and peace reigned throughout the country.

Everything was ready for the administration of the oath of office to the President of the new government, when it was discovered that a Holy Bible had not been provided on which the President-Elect could swear allegiance to the Constitution. Jacob Morton, who was Marshal of the parade, and at that time Master of St. John's Lodge, was standing close by. Seeing the dilemma they were in, he remarked that he could get the altar Bible of St. John's Lodge, which met at the Old Coffee House on the corner of Water and Wall Streets. Chancellor Livingston begged him to do so. The Bible was brought, and the ceremony proceeded. The stately Washington took his oath with his right hand resting on the Bible which had been opened to Genesis XLIX and L. His head bowed in a reverential manner, he added in a clear and distinct voice, "I swear, so help me God!" then bowing over this magnificent Bible, he reverently kissed it, whereupon Chancellor Livingston exclaimed in a ringing voice, "Long live George Wash­ington, President of the United States!"

To preserve the memory of this auspicious event, a page was inserted in the Bible with the following inscription:

"On this sacred volume, on the 30th day of April, A. L. 5789, in the City of New York, was administered to George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States. This important ceremony was performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, the Honorable Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State.

Fame stretched her wings and with her trumpet blew.
Great Washington is near. What praise is due?
What title shall he have? She paused, and said
‘Not one - his name alone strikes every title dead."

The Bible has since been used at four other inaugurations: President Harding in 1921; President Eisenhower in 1953; President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and President George Bush Sr. in 1989. It was also to have been used for the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2001, but rain prevented its use. It has also been present at numerous public and Masonic occasions, including Washington's funeral procession in New York, December 31st, 1799; the introduction of Croton water into New York City, October 14th, 1840; the dedication of the Masonic Temple in Boston, June 24th, 1867, and of that in Philadelphia on May 24th, 1869; the dedication of the Washington monument in Washington, February 21st, 1885 and its rededication in 1998; and the laying of the cornerstone of the Masonic Home at Utica on May 21st, 1891.

It was also used at the opening of the present Masonic Hall in New York on September 18, 1909, when St. John's Lodge held the first meeting, and conferred the first Third Degree, in the newly completed Temple. More recently it featured at the World Fair in New York, has been displayed at the CIA Offices outside Washington D.C., and at the Famous Fathers & Sons exhibition at the George Bush Memorial Library outside Dallas, Texas in 2001.

The Bible is the King James Version, complete with the Apocrypha and elaborately supplemented with the historical, astronomical and legal data of that period. It contains numerous artistic steel engravings portraying Biblical narratives from designs and paintings by old masters and engraved by the celebrated English artist, John Stuart.

The Bible is still in active use by the Lodge. When not being used by St. John’s Lodge or on tour, it is on display at Federal Hall, Wall Street, New York.