Centennial Memory #16: Templar Likes To Travel

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

Traveling is something that our Chapters do a lot of during DeMolay Month. It helps build stronger Chapter bonds. Chapters such as Allentown, Elizabethtown, Reading, and a few others have already visiting Chapters this year during the month. In 1963, Templar Chapter, which meats in the Pittsburgh area, won the PA Visitation Competition. They locked in over 40,000 miles over the competition year. Although our Chapters love to travel currently, is this mark achievable today? I gues we'll find out. 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Top Ten: PA DeMolay in 2016

The new year has been upon us for roughly two weeks now, but this weekend is the official start of the new year for PA DeMolay with Cowboys VS. Aliens Weekend. Although 2016 is behind us, the year brought us some great moments. If you weren't around for 2016, then here is a top ten list of what you missed out on:

10. Jacques DeMolay himself joined us for this years Jacquestoberfest. In October, the members of PA DeMolay participated in an "Oktoberfest" style festival. The members ate German inspired food, drank plenty of Birch Beer, and competed in a DeMolay Decathlon. Jacques DeMolay arrived to enjoy the ceremonial festivities with the members of PA DeMolay.

9. Friendship-Bray Chapter hosts a meeting with over 150 Master Masons in attendance. This was also the first meeting that FBC returned home to their original location in Jenkintown, after several years in Hatboro. Its always great to see such great support coming from the Masonic Family.

8. Dodgeball for Dyslexia grows into a spectacular annual event. This year was the second event, and plans are already in motion for a successful 2017 tournament. Chapters and Masonic groups gathered to help raise money for a great cause. Nearly $1,000 was raised and donated to the Learning Centers in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. 

7. PA DeMolay accepted the mission to become secret agents at 007: Secret Agent Weekend. The weekend included a Sky Fall mission (a trip to Sky Zone,) and a Casino Royal event hosted by the Elected State Officers. Members enjoyed fancy drinks, played casino games, and enjoyed refreshments served by their favorite DeMolay Advisors (including the Executive Officer.)

6. The Judge is back on the road. For a short while, the traveling gavel, known as the Judge, was stuck in one location. Thanks to the help of Mitchell Holmes and the Elected State Officers, the judge is back on the road. Chapters that have already held it since September are Lorraine, Templar, Westmoreland and Northeast. 

5. PA DeMolay is still being different... by taking the show to Hollywood. Before Convention 2016 (If you weren't there, I'm sorry) SMC Adam Pritchard was encouraging PA DeMolay to "Be Different." During the 2016 Convention, in-going SMC Eric Dye introduced his theme for the year: Lights, Camera, Action: PA DeMolay Goes Hollywood. The year has been exciting with new events still to come.

4. NERF or Nothing! In January, PA DeMolay hosted the first ever all NERF weekend with Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend (Please ask Jake Beers what it stands for if you really want to know.) The function room was set up into a War Zone with games going on all day long. Congratulations to all of the winners.

3. PA DeMolay beats the Right Worshipful Grand Master in a game of Basketball. At Grand Master's Class, the RWGM of Masons in Pennsylvania, Raymond T. Dietz, challenged the members of DeMolay to a game of PIG, a basketball game in which a letter is given to a participant who misses a basket. Brothers Mitch Holmes and Kody Anderson won the game, $5 for every member, and bragging rights for all of PA DeMolay. 

2. "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. "Dad" Williamson has been a staple in the activities that are PA DeMolay for over 30 years. Since his resume is so detailed, I will save the length of this section, just know that PA DeMolay would not operate without his overwhelming support.

1. We brought in 100 new members this year. We had a really great year in membership this year, keeping the brotherhood going for several new young brothers. 

Wow! That's a lot to take in. 2016 really was an exciting year. So, how does PA DeMolay plan to make 2017 just as exciting? You'll have to wait and find out, but I can promise you that you will not be disappointed.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin         

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 

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!

 

Westmoreland Road Warriors

Today's article is brought to you by "Dad" Bruce Neubauer of Westmoreland Chapter, located in Greensburg, PA.

What do you think about when you hear visitations points? I bet you think about taking a trip to a DeMolay Chapter and getting points for the competition. I don't want to say that this is not important, because it is. When the guys from Westmoreland visit another Chapter we take the visitation form to to get signed and send it in for points. Our members enjoy traveling and want to win the competition. But, how about we think about visitation points in a different way. Instead of points, think about visitation ideas and thoughts.

What I've have learned about visitation points is that it is not just a number on a piece of paper; it is indeed a powerful tool. Our members  at Westmoreland Chapter first started traveling to get "the Judge" (the PA DeMolay travelling gavel.) That might be how we started, but it has grown from there. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. Westmoreland is still dedicated to bringing "the Judge" back to Greensburg. But now we look forward to travelling for other reasons too. As Advisors, we do not talk about the competition. We just say there is an activity coming up and the DeMolays ask at a meeting "...who wants to go?" Fortunately we have the advisors that like to travel and enjoy the events just as much as the young men.

I would like to take my story back to Key Man 2010 for a minute. Key Man proves the idea that in DeMolay, the members and advisors you don't know are just friends that haven't not met yet. We came home from Key Man and a couple months later one of our members said that he wanted to go to an installation at a Chapter that a friend he met at Key Man belonged too. Without asking where the Chapter was, the answer from the transperation advisor was "Sure!" Then we found out the Chapter was North East Chapter in Philadelphia. But you know what, the answer was still "yes."  Our member went on the visit out of friendship and brotherhood. He didn't want to make this visit for points - he wanted to make it personal.

This past Sunday one of our Appointed State Officers from Westmoreland Chapter was asked to help at an installation of officers at Friendship-Bray Chapter. We had three other members ask to come along. At the last minute another office needed filled and one of the guys coming along agreed to fill in. Again this does not sound like a cut-throat points based competition. It sounds like brotherhood. It also sounded like a chance to capture one of the most illusive pictures in PA DeMolay history - a shot of "Dad" Rick Freedman, a long time Philly area resident, wearing what can only be described as a Pittsburgh Steelers collar. Great work!

As I was riding home from Friendship-Bray I started thinking how important it is to support other Chapters. I feel that one of the most important days in a Master Councilor's term is the Installation. It would be great if you could get all the nearby Chapters to show support.

The advisors of Westmoreland DeMolay are very proud of our young men. They have certainly caught the spirit and gotten the meaning of DeMolay.

If you let Westmoreland know when you are having an installation, We might just be there.

"Dad" Bruce Neubauer is the Chairman of Westmoreland Chapter. He has attended the last two Key Man Conferences and is quickly becoming a familiar face around PA DeMolay. He is actively involved in the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, where he serves as a District Deputy Supreme Tall Cedar and was elected to the Board of Directors. He also does a great job explaining how important the funny hat they wearreally is (its called a "pyramid" by the way) . This editor certainly appreciated it and will wear his proudly.