What Is DeMolay?
Introduction
This guide has been set up to help introduce you to DeMolay. We'll tell you
all about who we are, what we do, and why we love our organization.
DeMolay... a Club, a Fraternity, or Both?
DeMolay is both a club and a fraternity. Like a club, we meet regularly,
plan events, and hang out together. But DeMolay is also a fraternity. We all share a bond, like a
family. We call each other "Brother", and we call our Advisors "Dad" because
they are like father figures to us. DeMolay is a great place to meet people who you'll be friends
with for life! However, unlike the stereotypical college fraternity, there is no hazing or drinking
in DeMolay. We respect our brethren enough to know that those activities don't promote a
"brotherly" atmosphere.
What Do You Do In DeMolay?
The possibilities are endless. We do anything we want to do (within reason),
because it is our Chapter. Our Advisors merely advise. They never tell us what to do, but they
are there when we need someone experienced to help us out or when we just need a step in the right
direction. Anything that we do, though, we have to plan.
But it isn't that bad, because after you've worked hard to put something together, it
makes it even more fun! Here are just a few things that we do...
Sports
In July, we have an event called Conclave where we hold multiple statewide sporting competitions.
At this event, we have competitions in Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Chess, and Tennis.
Dramatics
In DeMolay, there are two degrees new members go through to join our organization.
One of these is a play, which gives people who enjoy acting a chance to shine. The ceremony, called
the DeMolay Degree, is a dramatic interpretation of our namesake, Jacques DeMolay, and his final
trial before he was wrongfully executed for being loyal to his friends. Each February, we have a
statewide ritual competition, where we compete in the ceremonies of DeMolay to see which Chapter
is the best performer. This event is called Tournament of Champions.
Trips
Every Chapter takes trips. Almost all Chapters go to the State Functions like
Conclave and Spring Jam. Other Chapters plan more trips, like Skiing,
Caving, Hiking, Camping, and going to the Beach. Chances are, if your Chapter wants to go
somewhere, you can plan a fund raiser to pay for it and go!
Hanging Out
The best thing about DeMolay is just hanging out. DeMolays are all friends, and we
get together and hang out all the time. Whether it's going to the park and tossing around a ball,
going to a movie together, or going over to one of the guy's houses and playing cards, we enjoy
just hanging out and being with our friends and brothers.
Anything You Want!
You want to do it? Chances are, you can! Because DeMolay is your
organization, you decide what we do. Don't you want to be a part of a great organization
that let's you plan your activities and have some input in what you do? That's the best part
of our organization: the fact that we are in charge of what we do!
Opportunities in DeMolay
In DeMolay, the opportunity is yours...
...to make friends
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Like we said before, DeMolay is like a big family. You'll make some of the
best friends you'll ever have thanks to DeMolay. We offer so many things, there is bound
to be someone that you can relate to in our organization. You'll find that all of
our members will be happy to meet you and include you in our activities.
...to travel
We take a lot of trips in DeMolay, mostly on the weekends. There are four
state functions each year, one called Tournament of Champions in the Winter, another called Spring
Jam in the Spring, another called Conclave in the Summer, and the last one called Beach
Weekend in the Autumn. In addition, Chapters may also plan trips to the beach, to the
mountains, or to other places the members want to go.
...to meet girls
Hold on! How do you meet girls in an "all male" organization? Simple,
DeMolay has two sister organizations very similar to ours that are only for girls. They are called
"Rainbow" and "Job's Daughters". In addition to those two organizations, most Chapters have
female supporters called "Sweethearts". Sweethearts come to all our events and hang out with
us. (Often, the Sweetheart is a member of Rainbow or Job's Daughters!)
...to be a leader
DeMolay offers a lot of opportunities for leadership. Chapter members plan their
own events under the advisorship of adults. That means we do a lot of the planning and a lot of
the work. Organizing events requires someone to be "in charge". The leader of the Chapter
is called the "Master Councilor". He is the DeMolay in charge of the Chapter for a term of
three, four, or six months. There are also leadership opportunities at the State and International
level!
...to have fun
Fun is what DeMolay is all about! There is an element of fun in every event
we have. That's what makes DeMolay so great. No matter what you're doing, if you're with
your brothers, you can make even the most tiresome and boring task a whole lot of fun.
...to make yourself better
While all the traveling, leadership, and fun is going on, DeMolays are becoming
better men. Everything we do focuses on our development into becoming good citizens and
productive members of society.
Who Is Involved With DeMolay?
Lots of people are involved with DeMolay. But, I'm sure you're interested in the
most important people- the guys! DeMolay is a group of guys who you automatically know four things
about. (These are our qualifications for membership!)
In Order to Become a DeMolay, you must...
...be a male, age 12-21
Membership in DeMolay is limited to males, ages 12-21. If you are female, there are two "sister"
organizations called Rainbow and
Job's Daughters that you may want to look
in to.
...believe in a Supreme Being
DeMolay isn't a religion, but we do require that religious beliefs be a part of your life. DeMolay does not
discriminate based on your religious beliefs, and membership is open to young men of all religions.
One of the aims of DeMolay is to stress that religion should be an important part of every young man's life.
...be of good moral character
We require that our members be of good moral character. There are seven
cardinal virtues that a new member vows to uphold during his Initiation into DeMolay. They
are: Love of Parents, Reverence, Courtesy, Comradeship, Loyalty, Cleanliness, and Patriotism.
...be recommended by a Chapter member
If you don't know anyone in DeMolay just yet, don't worry about this one.
Anyone can fill out a Petition to join our organization. Once you do, you can come and hang out
with us and get to know us, and we'll get to know you. After that, we'll set up a formal visitation with you and
your parents to tell you, in detail, about the organization. By then, we'll know you, and one
of our members will probably be glad to recommend you for admission into DeMolay!
What's the Initiation Like?
The Initiation into DeMolay involves two ceremonies. The first ceremony, the Initiatory
Degree, explains about DeMolay's virtues and the symbols used in DeMolay. You will
make your first pledge, where you promise to be a good son and good
citizen, to be loyal to your brothers, and to honor all women. The second ceremony is like a play
you see performed at school. It is a dramatic interpretation of our organization's namesake,
Jacques DeMolay, and his final trial before he was put to death for being loyal to his
Brethren. Jacques DeMolay lived in the twelfth century, so all of us get
dressed up in complete costume and put on the play.
How Much Does It Cost to Join?
When you join DeMolay, you pay a one-time fee for lifetime membership. There
are no annual dues or fees to pay. (If we go on a trip or something like that, you may have
to pay for food, lodging, and registration expenses.) Different Chapters charge different
amounts to join. Chapters fees in Virginia are set at $25 for lifetime membership. See
the next section for information about how to contact us.
Information About Joining
Please contact Jim Schimmel at james.schimmel@cox.net
LEADERSHIP + TEAMWORK + BROTHERHOOD + CHALLENGE + TRADITION + EXCELLENCE = DEMOLAY!
