From Eric Small,

Welcome to another great year in Ohio DeMolay. I'm happy to welcome you and be your tour guide throughout this year with Ohio DeMolay. First off I'd like to direct your attention to OhioDeMolay.org our excellent website which has all the latest information on the goings on of Ohio DeMolay. Next we take a look at the Ohio DeMolay E-Connection. In the E-Connection you'll find the latest news on upcoming state events and articles every month that will help your local chapter with fund raising, membership and other chapter related issues. Also the latest in what's happening around DeMolay International and Ohio DeMolay from Dad Shaw our Executive Officer. Now to whet your appetite with what's coming up this term: The Statewide Initiation and Paintball Outing. The initiation will be put on by the Ohio DeMolay State Council and some of the best ritualists in Ohio DeMolay. Afterwards we'll be heading to The Land Paintball which features 2 speedball courses and a woods course. We're looking forward to seeing all of Ohio DeMolay turn out for a great term.

From Jimmy Johnson,

As the summer draws to a close, the time for "summery" (not a word, I made it up) fundraising ideas is quickly passing bye. When you think of fundraising ideas in the summer, every chapter hears the same old ideas: car washes, candy sales, garage sales, etc. Just because we aren't women doesn't mean that we can't be creative, come on, think harder. Have you ever seen that rather large parking lot in your area that nobody ever uses or have you notice that on the weekends your school parking lot is completely empty? This is an opportunity, not a coincidence. There are numerous ways that you can use this to your advantage. For example, I was part of a group at school that needed some extra money at the end of the school year for prom, so we started brainstorming. Since our group was mainly guys and we were all into cars, we decided that we were gonna have a Cruise-In. For those who don't know what is meant by a "cruise-in", it is basically a day where people from around the area come to show off their cars and boast about who's bigger, badder, better. We thought about where we were going to have it at and then noticed that we have 2 huge parking lots at school that aren't used on the weekends. So, we asked our administration and they said it was fine. We determined a date, made some phone calls, drew up a map, marked off the lots, made some flyers, passed them out, got food donations (because what event would be complete without food?), and started promoting. The best way to promote was using the flyers. A friend and I spent about 2 hours driving all around the county, and then some, to pass out flyers to every car dealership, custom shop, car audio place, mechanics, gas stations, and even some malls. This got our event everywhere, and i mean EVERYWHERE. When people showed up to the show we asked them how they heard about us and 75% of them said they either saw our flyer or they had it with them. It works. Now for the fundraising part, we charged a $10 fee per parking spot for those who wanted to show and $3 per person that wanted to come but not show. We made close to $1000 and then, as advertised, we donated a quarter of it to Children's Hospital. So we got close to $800 AND got ourselves involved in the community. Part of DeMolay is doing your role to help the community, donations like this are always appreciated, no matter how small. So do what you do Ohio DeMolay! Need help planning? Let me know, I've done it before.

From Sean Shuler,

Brothers in the state, bringing in members is one of the hardest things for a DeMolay to do, but there are some easy ways of doing so. This year I think that Ohio DeMolay needs to have a big jump in membership and this can be easily achieved if everyone puts there mind to it because, bringing in members is only as hard as you make it. This year I am planning to have a lot of perks for the individual as well as for the chapter that brings in the most members because this is the most important thing in keeping Ohio DeMolay a live, and if we keep going at a the pace we are at then one day there could be no more Ohio DeMolay. So lets try to get back in that game and keep the organization that we love so much alive.

Please take time to read the e-connection in its entirety. You'll find out details about many interesting things happening throughout Ohio.

At Conclave, we will be announcing several new programs and requirements for the Districts and the Individual Chapters. All Chapters should be represented at Conclave. Some of the new programs being introduced were part of the Grand Masters program but many are going to be in conjunction with a plan, which I presented to the DeMolay International members from Ohio. I have asked that they each take a much more active roll in helping to more Ohio DeMolay forward. This new plan WILL affect each Chapter. We are also going to announce some programs this year, which are specifically aimed at getting Ohio DeMolay ready for the next Grand Master of DeMolay International who will be our own C. Michael Watson. We are also planning a reception right now in Ohio for Dad Watson after he becomes Grand Master. Membership MUST be a key part of all our plans for the next year. Our goal is going to be 200+ new members and at least five new Chapters. In addition, we are going to ask the State Officers to play a much more active roll in helping to assist the local Chapters with planning and membership programs. We have an opportunity to show a growth during this next year but only if everyone works to make it happen.

In DeMolay Service
Dad Shaw

All Chapter Websites and addresses can be accessed at the Ohio DeMolay Website.

State Master Councilor Elect-Eric Small
State Scribe Elect-Alexander Marshall
State Senior Councilor Elect-Jimmy Johnson
State Junior Councilor Elect-Sean Shuler

This publication is the Official Publication of Ohio DeMolay operating under the authority of DeMolay International, Founded by Frank S. Land, whose see is in Kansas City, MO.
Ohio DeMolay