Ohio DeMolay

From Dad Shaw

News and Views

May 14, 2008

1. State Dodgeball turned out to be a great event and for me personally it was especially good because unlike last year, I didn’t get hurt at the event this year. (Not sure if I got smarter, wiser, or the DeMolays’ just decided to protect me!) The state officers continue to try to provide events for the members of Ohio DeMolay which might be difficult for a small chapter to perform on their own. Please try to support these events.
2. I recently represented Ohio DeMolay at the Ohio Shrine Association meeting. We were given a nice opportunity to promote DeMolay and in addition they made a nice donation to Ohio DeMolay. From that meeting at least one new youth dance is now being planned for next year and several other Shrine Temples are discussing with me various ways they can increase their support of Ohio DeMolay.
3. Dad Tilden and Dad French (along with several other dedicated individuals) have been working to get a couple of major events planned in the 6th District. One of those events was the State Officer Reception (I will mention later) and the second being the revival of Barberton Chapter. Several thousand letters were sent out and on May 9th eleven young men were initiated into Barberton Chapter (One was also initiated for Youngstown). The best part was they originally had 10 committed for the initiation but 5 called and asked if they could be initiated later. Much to the surprise of some the 5 who did come to be initiated brought their friends with them so they could be initiated! When you have a good product even uninitiated members can sell it! We have a great product in DeMolay!
4. The State Officer Reception on May 10th was a great success. I was impressed with the manner in which the event was planned and even though many activities occurred that evening, there was plenty of time to enjoy each on its’ own merits. Congrats to Dad Small on receiving the Chevalier degree on that evening. I would say that a son helping to give his father the honor has to be fairly rare but I’m sure it will be a memorable milestone in both their lives.
5. I’m hearing some good things for our June 21 participation in the Grand Lodge parade and celebration. Let's come out in force! Bring all the Chapter banners your district can find for the event and dress appropriately. Remember this is a very important day for the Grand Lodge of Ohio and we want every person attending to be proud that the Masons of Ohio support our organization.

April 14, 2008

1. MEMBERSHIP.. This past weekend Tim Williams, Dad Ted Korn and I headed to Kansas City and we received several interesting ideas which can be used to help improve membership. Our trip to Kansas City was very exciting (plane delays, wrong terminal information, luggage woes, etc.) but we made it and considered ourselves lucky that more issues during the travel didn’t occur. An example of one very simple idea was to volunteer to help your lodge prepare the dues envelopes and request to put into the envelope a single card telling about DeMolay. One Chapter got 16 new members using this idea which cost the Chapter nothing!
2. Watch the web site for information on the overnight Statewide Initiation in June (13/14). I think there are several interesting ideas and activities being tried and you won’t want to miss out on any of them!
3. Several districts have indicated that they are helping out the Shrine (or have helped out) with the Shrine Circus. I think this is a great way to get DeMolay before the public but remember to act at all times as would be expected of a DeMolay.
4. Several DeMolays attended the Ohio Miss Jobs Daughters Pageant in Cleveland. Congratulations Holly on being selected as Ohio Miss Jobs Daughters, Nicole on Ohio Miss Congeniality, and Gwen on your reign over the past year as Miss Jobs Daughters/Miss Congeniality.

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