DeMolay, Politics, and Fraternity

This week our Commonwealth held its primary elections. Most of the candidates were for local offices, with some looking to gain seats in the State courts. As I've written in previous blog posts, I'm not a huge fan of the blatant political games, but I've come to realize that politics are a necessary part of any human social interaction. Whether you think about it or not, interpersonal politics play a massive role in our everyday lives.

I'm also drawn to this subject as I have been watching Game of Thrones, the new series on HBO. I actually read all of the novels relating to this series before it came out. It is one of my all time favorite pieces of literature. While it contains a large amount of sordid material, it's the politics in the series that really draws my attention.

So, as I sat down to write a blog post of some sort, I realized that a discussion about politics might be in order. "Politics" has become a dirty word in the English language. It's come to be associated with under-handed deals, back-stabbing, in-fighting, and every other kind of maltreatment in humanity. It seemed, in my mind anyways, that the best place to start with a political discussion would be at the definition of the word. According to Google, politics is defined as:

noun (plural) /ˈpäləˌtiks/ 

politics, plural

The activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, esp. the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power
• - the president's relationship with Congress is vital to American politics
• - thereafter he dropped out of active politics
The activities of governments concerning the political relations between countries
• - in the conduct of global politics, economic status must be backed by military capacity
The academic study of government and the state
• - a politics lecturer
Activities within an organization that are aimed at improving someone's status or position and are typically considered to be devious or divisive
• - yet another discussion of office politics and personalities
A particular set of political beliefs or principles
• - people do not buy this newspaper purely for its politics
The assumptions or principles relating to or inherent in a sphere, theory, or thing, esp. when concerned with power and status in a society
• - the politics of gender

What does that tell us? It seems that politics is generally divided into two categories - those dealing with administering and governing organizations and people or maneuvering for personal gain. I'm not going to deal with the temporal or governing ideas. Rather, I think it's important that we take a look at the idea of using politics to get ahead.

People are inherently trained to dislike the phrase "playing politics," but we all do it. It's a necessary part of life. If you didn't use politics, you'd never be a leader in any group or organization. You'd never accomplish much of anything. People get mad if they think you have used some method to get ahead of them. But, that's what this world is about. Getting ahead inherently means that you left someone behind, doesn't it? That's the nature of the beast, because we all want to get ahead. 

DeMolay is politics. I can't sugarcoat that. When you become a leader, it means you had to get elected, which means you played politics. Becoming a State Officer is a huge political game. We don't like to think of it as that, but it is. That's how elections are won and lost. However, there is a Brotherly way to go about this. Stating facts and saying what you are going to do as a leader is the right way. Slinging mud and tearing other people down is the wrong way. Learning to play the game as an upstanding citizen is the first key to the whole deal and that can take a life time by itself.

So, I encourage you - don't get angry or disheveled at the idea of politics. Learn to work within the political realm. If all else fails, remember the idiom - "Don't hate the player, hate the game."

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Are your ears open?

Today's article is a special guest piece by Bro. Branden Glass, PMC of Lorraine Chapter located in Butler, PA.

In the Installation Service, the Installing Officer reminds the Almoner that “the cry of need is ever sounding in our ears, and to it our ears must never be closed.”  But how can we, as DeMolays, answer this call?  One way is through community service.  This sort of service does not have to be a tremendous undertaking that will singlehandedly change the world – it can be a small act of generosity that helps someone or fills a need in our schools, or our neighborhoods – or, more ambitiously, our towns or our state.
  
This could be helping with community cleanup, planting a tree, organizing a food drive for the local shelter, spending time with the elderly – the opportunities are pretty much endless.  In the past, my Chapter (Lorraine) has annually participated in the Salvation Army’s kettle drive. If ringing the bell isn’t your thing, try playing or singing carols; people appreciate the extra effort.  We have also helped with community dinners and community clean-up days.  No matter where your chapter is located, these sorts of opportunities are available and in need of volunteers.  So why are you still reading this article?  Get out there and help. If we don’t, then who will?

PA DeMolay Antics

I know that many of the readers of this blog are from jurisdictions other than Pennsylvania. As we talk about some of the crazy programs we do here, I'm sure alot of it is lost on the readers who really haven't experienced some of the fun we have.

Thankfully "Dad" Labagh, EO of PA DeMolay, recorded the opening session of our recent leadership weekend, called "Get Into The Game." Have a view and enjoy the craziness... perhaps you'll want to join us next year!



Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

200 Posts and a Picture Tour

This post is number 201 on this little blog. We've been doing this for roughly a year a half and we are still having a blast doing it. However, it's been a long weekend here at PA DeMolay thanks to a very successful "Get in to the Game" Spring Leadership Weekend. You can check out the story over at the PA DeMolay website, but for today's post I wanted to share some of the great pictures taken with you during the weekend. Enjoy!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Tick... Tick... Tick... BOOM!

I'm having another writer's block day today. Failing to come up with anything new or witty to write about, I took a dive into the electronic archives to see if I could find some useful material to share with you. As usual, I found something funny yet on point.

Today's post was written by "Dad" Brent Richards and is meant to be taken lightheartedly. It tackles the issue of conflict resolution from a different angle than normal. For the sarcastically impaired:  This essay is an example of irony … saying the opposite of what you mean to make a point.  If you actually do the things suggested in this essay, you will lose most of your friends, and your Chapter may very well fall apart. Don’t say you weren’t warned! On to the article!

Imagine a calm and rational Chapter where disagreements are handled fairly and quickly, where resentment and in-fighting are not allowed to build into flaring tempers and rash words.  What fun is that?  Here’s some sure-fire ways to make sure your Chapter doesn’t get stuck in such a boring fight-free environment:

1. Don’t discuss disagreements.  Just let them simmer for months at a time.  This is particularly helpful if you assume that the other party “ought to know” how you feel.

2. When you must discuss disagreements, get personal.  Attack the other side, calling them names, if possible.

3. Portray the other person’s opinion in the worst way possible.  Your ideas aren’t “different,” they’re “right.”  Their ideas are “stupid.”  In fact, not only is the idea stupid, so is anyone who would suggest it.

4.   Never allow for middle ground.  Every problem has to end with a “my way” or “your way” solution.  There is no such thing as “our way.”

5. Raise your voice and swear a lot.  If you start getting angry, avoid taking deep breaths, or pausing to think about your words before you say them.  Say it when you think it, before you decide not to.  Some people are in the bad habit of getting out of a situation and taking time to “cool down” –if you must distance yourself, at least make a show of “walking out.”  Better yet, storm out of the room, slamming at least two doors behind you (if there is only one door, I recommend slamming it twice).

6. Take everything personally.  Everyone with a different opinion is obviously doing it just to make you mad.

7. Practice “Mind Reading” – Waiting for someone to explain their ideas is a waste of time.  You already know why they did or thought what they did, so don’t be mislead by explanations or details.  It might help to tell them you know their motives, like “We all know you’re just doing this to kiss up to the Advisors.”

8. When you can’t discuss, ridicule.  Sometimes you just won’t be able to think of a reasonable objection to the other guy’s perspective.  Don’t despair.  You can always just make fun of him.  Most people can’t tell the difference between a good argument and a good jab anyway.

9.   Interrupt whenever possible.  This keeps your opponent on their toes, makes them mad, and prevents any accidental reaching of consensus.

10. Don’t stick to the topic.  Any disagreement is a great opportunity to tell your foe everything else you don’t like about them.  See item 2.

11. Indulge in some archeology.  If the current situation doesn’t seem to be providing you with sufficient ammunition, go digging.  Bring up every past flaw or failure you can think of to make your opponent feel like dirt and look like an idiot.

12. Always disagree publicly.  Correcting a mistake or disagreement in private is far too constructive.  The middle of an open meeting, especially with important guests present, is a much better opportunity.  And, on a related note…

13. Go behind people’s backs.  There is nothing better than blindsiding your opponent… let them think you agree, but tell everyone else you don’t.  Complain to other people about them instead of discussing your concerns with them directly.  Alternately, “go over their head” to a higher authority without telling them.  Spread rumors.

14. Blame!  “This is your fault” or “If this fails, we’re gonna have you to thank” are great lines.  You can even blame somebody else for your own failures (“I wouldn’t have had to do that if you hadn’t…”) or your emotions (“You make me mad” is the correct phrase.  “I am angry right now” is not acceptable… it shows far too much willingness to accept personal responsibility).

15. Divide and Conquer.  Make every effort to get people on “your side” and to alienate people on “their side.”  Watch out for people who try not to take sides.  They are very dangerous to the cause of discord and dispute, and tend to have serious calming effects on everyone involved.

With these few simple rules, you can almost certainly prevent the outbreak of unwanted cooperation and unity in your Chapter.  If you can’t keep conflict going with these methods, then you’re obviously too stupid to be involved in a good fight, and that’s not my fault.  But call me anyway, so I can make fun of you.

So, what are you doing to help your Chapter implode? Oh, wait...

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony