Thankful for DeMolay

The following blog post was written by Brother Tyler Moyer, Deputy State Master Councilor for Pennsylvania DeMolay and PMC of Pilgrim Chapter. 

Last Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving, a day where we reflect on what we’re thankful for. We often take what we have for granted; whether it be the roof over our heads, the food on our plates, or the clothes on our back. One of the biggest things that we take for granted are the opportunities presented to us in our daily lives. We live in a time and place that gives us the opportunity to get an education, be who we want to be, and most especially, grow ourselves to be able to succeed in the world. How many of us take advantage of these opportunities? 

DeMolay affords so many opportunities to each of us; such as a place to find ourselves, develop lasting friendships, try new experiences, all while giving us a welcoming and safe place to hone a variety of skills. Sometimes, instead of recognizing this gift presented to us, we may complain or not participate. I see it all too often. We do our ritual to teach ourselves more about those valuable life lessons that are at the foundation of DeMolay and to improve our public speaking skills. We forget that planning our events, is teaching us about time management, communication and foresight planning. We forget that being a Councilor in our Chapter, develops and strengthens our leadership skills. We forget that bringing in new members, is about sharing the gifts that DeMolay gives each of us with our friends and future brothers. 

                                                                                     

Don’t just sit back and let DeMolay go by you. Seize the opportunities and share this awesome experience with others. DeMolay is OUR organization and the success of it ten years down the line is dependent upon our efforts today. As has been said in the Ceremony of Light, "each of us holds within our hearts a flame." Has that flame gone out in some of us? If so, then why? And furthermore, what can WE do to get it back?

I hope you are thankful for your time in DeMolay and that you see that there are many opportunities still for you with DeMolay. I hope this motivates you to want to share your experience of DeMolay with others and invite them to a Chapter meeting or event. Show them the opportunities that await them. We've all heard the saying, “You get out of DeMolay what you put into it.” My final question to you is; “What will you do to get the most out of DeMolay?”

Thank you, "Dad" Seth Anthony!

Even though "Dad" Seth Anthony will no longer be working at the PA Masonic Youth Foundation office and handling all of our public communications, he certainly isn't going far from DeMolay.  He will continue as our Convention Director, and will engage in other activities as his time permits.

I am excited to see how "Dad" Anthony can create a positive internet presence for the Masonic Villages and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. If he attacks that problem with the creativity and genius he brought to the PMYF over the past 6 years, they are going to be very pleased with his work!

"Dad" Anthony is just one more outstanding success story who grew his leadership and public speaking skills through his time as an
Active DeMolay, and then immediately began to give back to the fraternity as an adult leader.  While we will miss him around the PMYF office, we'll be seeing a lot of him at local fraternal events.

Thanks for 6 great years, Seth, and congratulations on the new position!  I think I can speak for ALL of Pennsylvania DeMolay when I say, "We wish you success in everything you do!"


"Dad" Thomas R. Labagh
Executive Officer

All good things...

As I write this post, I’m reminded that this blog has run continuously for more than four years. We’ve had close to 600 posts, with nearly 200,000 page views. These have included contests, thought provoking discussions, historical discoveries, event coverage, and more. Yet, all good things must come to an end.

This will be my last post as the lead writer of this blog.

After more than 6 years of employment with the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, I’ve accepted a transfer to begin working for the Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania. It’s an excellent opportunity and one that I’m excited to begin. However, this will leave me with little time to operate and update this blog. It is my full intention that whoever fills my shoes at PMYF will take over the writing of posts, but it may take some time for things to get back into the full swing. I hope to guest post here from time to time, so I won’t be gone forever – I just won’t be posting on any regular schedule.

Thank you to all of the loyal readers. I hope that you’ve enjoyed the ride as much as I have. I know that DeMolay has benefited from the existence of this site. That, in and of itself, is the best reward.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

“Dad” Seth C. Anthony

Happy Thanksgiving from PA DeMolay

Enjoy your holiday - Oh, and learn something while you're here thanks to this infographic! (Click the image to see it larger...)

 

Thank You's and Updates Galore

Since I'm just getting back from PA DeMolay Convention 2013, this is going to be a short blog post. If you're looking for something to read, I'd encourage you to head over to pademolay.org and check out all of the updates that are coming down the pike. We've got new leadership for the next year, along with several new programs for DeMolays and Advisors. Take some time to read it over - there is a ton of good stuff there!

Now, I'd like to thank everyone that helped make Convention 2013 possible. Bro. Matt Traverso, Youth Director, and Bro. Mike Donahue, Asst. Youth Director, both did fabulous work and made sure all of the little things got done behind the scenes. "Dad" David Labagh was my second set of eyes all weekend and if it wasn't for his ability to think on his feet, many things would have fallen through the cracks. "Dad" Zack Panitzke, my tech guru, saved the day more than once, but most especially when he wrote a computer program, on the fly, to handle ballot counting. "Dad" Denny Morse continued helping at Registration, while "Dad" David Berry managed to keep everything flowing. Without these guys, I couldn't make Convention happen. They are great friends and brothers - I want to once again extend my thanks to them.

Thanks to Erie Chapter for their work in preparing the hospitality bags and for inviting all DeMolays to their club room on Friday afternoon.

Lastly, I'd like to thank those who attended - especially those who stayed in the overflow hotel. I know it wasn't ideal, but you made it work and for that I'm very appreciative. We had no issues with the hotels or the Convention Center and all of the DeMolay's showed their true character by acting like respectable young men.

That's all til Thursday - see you then!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony