DeMolay International

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DeMolay International (originally known as the Order of DeMolay) is an international youth fraternity for young men between the ages of 12 to 21 (members who reach the age of 21 are referred to as 'Senior DeMolays') with slightly over 18,000 members in North America. The organization helps prepare young men to lead successful, productive and happy lives through the development of civic awareness, leadership skills and personal responsibility. It is modeled after Freemasonry, and like Freemasonry, members are initiated into DeMolay through ritual and an allegorical program. Though not directly connected to Freemasonry, DeMolay is considered an appendant body to it; every DeMolay chapter is sponsored by a Masonic Lodge or other Masonic body. DeMolay is also considered to be part of the family of Masonic youth groups along with Job's Daughters, and the Rainbow for Girls. DeMolay is an independent organization that was incorporated in the 1990's and is classified by the IRS as a 501(C)(3).

1 History
2 Structural Organization
3 The Cardinal Virtues
4 Famous DeMolays
5 Notes
6 External links

[edit] History

The organization is named after Jacques DeMolay, a knight and crusader who was the 23rd and last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. Members are encouraged to model their conduct after his example of loyalty and fidelity.

The Order of DeMolay was founded in 1919, in Kansas City, Missouri, by a young man named Frank S. Land. Land was a community leader who, at the age of 28, already had a successful business career as a restaurateur behind him. Land was also an alumni of the Missouri Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity, a masonic based Greek fraternity.

The main event that led to the founding of the DeMolay movement was World War I. This was a time when the nation was caught up with a passion and desire to bring democracy to the world. When the United States joined in the fight against German power, every resource of men and materials was poured into the war effort.

America suffered not only the loss of its men who had fallen in battle, but on the home front as well. A positive response to this critical situation came about with the development of many charitable organizations. Frank S. Land was selected to act as the Director of the Masonic Relief and Employment Bureau of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. This charity would come to help hundreds and hundreds of families.

Near the end of the war, Land became concerned with the problems of boys who had lost their fathers. He thought "how lonely it must be for a boy not to have a man to talk with, or a man to provide some type of inspiration and direction." Frank decided there was a need for an organization where boys would have the opportunity to associate with other boys, a place they could share common interests, learn responsibility and other skills that would benefit them throughout their lives. His ideal model for this organization included having business or professional men, Masons, taking interest in the young people, being a friend to them, advising them, and perhaps even providing them with employment opportunities.

In March, 1919, Land met with young Louis Lower. Louis' father had died, leaving the young man without a father figure in his life. Land took the time to listen to Louis, learn about his dreams, and to help him. He learned that others, like Louis, sought companionship, leadership, inspiration and competition. He asked Louis to invite some friends to a meeting, the original group of nine DeMolays: Louis G. Lower, Ivan M. Bentley, Edmund Marshall, Gorman A. McBride, Jerome Jacobson, William W. Steinhilber, Elmer Dorsey, Clyde C. Stream, and Ralph Sewell. At the second meeting, there was a total of 31 young men present.

March 24, 1919 was the day in history that launched the Order of DeMolay. During the next few years, however, the date of March 18, the date in the past that had witnessed the death of Jacques DeMolay, came to be more frequently used.

Dad Land, as he came to be called, provided the philosophy and principles to be embodied. As interest in DeMolay spread, Land answered many requests for information and authority to start chapters.

By the end of 1921, Dad Land realized he had to devote full time to this new organization and become a full time DeMolay employee. As DeMolay chapters grew in numbers and strength, the organization as a whole grew in prestige. With this greater prestige, interest developed in the Masonic fraternity. Official recognition and approval by Masonic groups began in many states.

DeMolay continued its growth initiating new member and instituting new chapters in all states of the continental USA. DeMolay then crossed the oceans and the organization was developed in many foreign countries.

Since then the organization has spread to all 50 U.S. states and many other countries around the world including Canada, Philippines, Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Panama, and Colombia .

[edit] Structural Organization

A local DeMolay organization is known as a Chapter and is headed by a Master Councilor. The Master Councilor is elected by members of his Chapter and is usually among the older members of the group. The Master Councilor is assisted in his duties by a Senior Councilor and a Junior Councilor. The Senior Councilor is usually considered to be next in line as Master Councilor. All the officers of a Chapter are appointed by the Master Councilor, except for the Councilors and Treasurer, who are elected, and the Scribe, who is appointed by the chapter's Advisory Council.

The Officers of a Chapter are:

Master Councilor
Senior Councilor
Junior Councilor
Senior Deacon
Junior Deacon
Senior Steward
Junior Steward
Orator
Scribe
Treasurer
Chaplain
Marshal
Standard Bearer
Almoner
Sentinel
Seven Preceptors, representing the seven Cardinal Virtues of a DeMolay

Senior DeMolays, Masons, or other adult mentors supervise the Chapter and are usually referred to by the moniker "Dad," a term hearkening back to one of the first members, who thought of founder Frank S. Land as the father he never had, and took to calling him "Dad Land." In recent years, women have also served as advisors for the group, and are affectionately referred to as "Mom". DeMolay Chapters may also periodically elect a member of a neighboring Job's Daughters Bethel, Rainbow Assembly, Triangle, or Constellation as a "Chapter Sweetheart." To be a sweetheart, a young woman does not necessarily need to be a member of any of these organizations, but it makes the job easier, as she must communicate with them. She must only meet the age requirements of a particular jurisdiction or chapter, usually set at fifteen to twenty-one. Some chapters also elect a "Junior Sweetheart" in addition to the Chapter Sweetheart.

The next level above the Chapter is the State level. A State Master Councilor or Jurisdictional Master Councilor is the head of a statewide DeMolay organization. There are also other state positions based off of the officers of a chapter, which vary for each jurisdiction. The lead advisor (usually a Master Mason) in a state is called an "Executive Officer" and the lead advisor (usually a Master Mason) nationally is known as a "Grand Master." The International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary are the heads of the International DeMolay Congress and serve on the Board of Directors. These officers are usually past State Master Councilors.

An honorary title that is given on rare occasions to a Senior DeMolay who has had some outstanding contribution to the DeMolay movement or humanity at large is the title of Honorary International Master Councilor.

[edit] The Cardinal Virtues

The seven Cardinal Virtues of DeMolay are:

Filial Love
Reverence for Sacred Things
Courtesy
Comradeship
Fidelity
Cleanness
Patriotism

[edit] Famous DeMolays

Over the years, DeMolay has had many alumni who have gone on to achieve wide recognition outside of the organization. Some of them have been elected to the DeMolay Hall of Fame. ^[1]. However, not all DeMolays who have received recognition have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Some of them can be found on other lists ^[2]. Notable Senior DeMolays include: