Nation’s Capital DeMolay

(Washington, DC) March 2008: In honor of DeMolay Month, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty presented Nation’s Capital  DeMolay with a certificate of appreciation for the hard work the young men do in serving the community and making DC a more pleasant place to live. Mayor Fenty serves as the chief-executive of Washington, DC and would be likened to the Governor for other jurisdictions that have been granted statehood.

(December 28th) TCC Chapter hosted a game night to mark the close of the year. The young men played several different card games, RISK, and enjoyed some tasty pizza, snacks and other goodies. This was a great chance for the members to get together, enjoy comradeship, good times, and a bit of a change of pace from their school holidays.  A surprise guest of the evening was  Marcus Trelaine, Worshipful Master of William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge #7, the sponsoring body of Tenleytown-Chevy Chase Chapter.

(Kansas City, MO) In an email notice sent out today by DeMolay International Sriram Raja of Tenleytown-Chevy Chase Chapter was determined to be tied as the #1 membership recruiter in DeMolay International! This is the first time that DC DeMolay has had a top membership recruiter this century. See below for a slightly edited (for privacy and other jurisdictions’ press release  requirements) email from Kansas City

Our CONGRATULATIONS to all for the tremendous efforts

on behalf of membership in 2007…

Top 5 First Line Signers:

Sriram Raja (DC) & Bruce S (MO)…..12 Each

Cory A. C  (MO)…..11

Edward M, V (MO) & Navdeep S (SoCal)…..10 Each

Stephen P (FL), & Benjamin S (OK)…..9 Each

Austin W (TN), John S (OH),

Christopher Baker (SoCal), & Benedict A (**)…..8 Each

Top 5 Chapters Initiating the Most New Members:

**** **** *******(*** ****)…..41 Initiates

Southwest Missouri Chapter (Missouri)…..27 Initiates

Robert Goldberg Chapter (Missouri)…..24 Initiates

Divine Chapter (Missouri)…..23 Initiates

Aruba Chapter (Aruba)…..22 Initiates

Top 5 Jurisdictions Initiating the Most New Members:

Missouri…..205

Florida & Northern California/Hawaii…..152 Each

Indiana…..117

Pennsylvania…..116

Southern California…..106

All Jurisdictions Reaching Positive Growth:

Missouri…..+108

Florida…..+88

Maryland…..+24

Pennsylvania…..+21

*** ****…..+20

Oregon & Ontario (DeCan)…..+17 Each

Tennessee…..+13

South Dakota…..+12

Connecticut…..+11

Aruba…..+10

Wisconsin…..+7

Delaware…..+5

Alabama, Arizona, Italy, & Virginia…..+4 Each

Georgia & Saskatchewan (DeCan)…..+3 Each

Japan…..+2

Nation’s Capital & New Mexico…..+1 Each

(Kansas City, MO) The Supreme Council has confirmed what DC DeMolay knew internally, DC DeMolay has positive growth! Each year DeMolay jurisdictions are challenged to ensure that their organization continues to grow and are given membership goals by DeMolay International.  This year DC DeMolay was one of 21 jurisdictions in the country to hit growth. (Putting DC DeMolay in the top third of jurisdictions for growth). This puts DC DeMolay in the same category as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Florida!
The credit belongs to two people: 1) our members and 2) our masonic family. Membership growth would not happen if they were not  sharing their DeMolay experiences, talking about how much fun they have, talking about the lessons they learn, and inviting their friends to DeMolay events. Of particular note are Bros. Sririam Raja, Rahul Monga and Darsh Nand who have ably provided leadership to Tenleytown-Chevy Chase, and developed exciting events.

The second is the masonic family of DC.  Without strong Masonic Support, DC DeMolay would be unable to do our programs, much less be able to grow in our membership. The Masonic Fraternity here in the District of
Columbia is amazingly supportive of our young men. From Masons like Bros. Alan Gordon, Ernie Palmer, Greg Bard, to lodges like #7, #10 that sponsor DeMolay Chapters, to the fiscal support we get from other lodges, use of the Scottish Rite Building in Adam’s Morgan, to the involvement that the Grand Lodge affords us in the annual 4th of July Day Parade.

(Adams Morgan) DeMolays from Tenleytown-Chevy Chase Chapter attend the meeting and installation of officers for the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Before the meeting the members had the chance to shoot some pool, play some chess and catch up socially. Afterwards the young men were able to thank Mr. Robert Heyat, immediate Past Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of DC, for his outstanding leadership and commitment to DeMolay over the Past year. The young men congratulated Mr. Akram Elias on his election and installation as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

(New York, NY)  DeMolay is about what the young men want to do.  Often times it takes the form of saying “we want to go see a movie.” In this instance it was the young men saying “We want to go to New York City.” A few phone calls, some months in the planning it finally happened.  On January 19th DeMolays from our Nations’ Capital took their first annual trip to New York City. Departing from Washington, DC early on the 19th arrived in New York City’s Times Square and had a nice relaxing breakfast at La Maison.  Afterwards the group headed east to go look at the United Nation’s Building over on 1st avenue (as well as Donald Trump’s building!)

After that the DeMolays from DC met up with members of Orange-Rockland Central Chapter at Grand Central Station and headed down to battery park. After clearing ferry security the DeMolays and their advisors went to the Statue of Liberty, ascended the over 500 stairs to the pedestal for an amazing view of the Great City of New York, the Majestic Harbor of New York, and Jersey City. After climbing back down the 500 stairs (which went much faster!) The DeMolays took a ferry to go see Ellis Island and then headed back to battery park.

Once arriving back on the Island of Manhattan the DeMolays enjoyed a tasty lunch in the financial district.  They were then able to see the New York Stock Exchange, arguably the financial center of the United States, and Federal Hall were George Washington took the oath of office.

From there it was a quick trip to the north to check out the mystique of Chinatown (and some pretty good dumplings!). After poking around for a bit and seeing all that Chinatown had to offer, the DeMolays headed to Times Square for shopping and seeing the heart of the City that Never Sleeps.  Eventually they made it over to fifth avenue to see the regal Rockfeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Flagship A&F store, the NBA Store and the Apple store. The evening ended with a delicious dinner just off of central park, one final trip through times square and then headed back to the Nation’s Capital.

The Trip was fantastic and a great time was had by all. We can’t wait for the next trip!

Special Thanks to The Masons of William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge #7 and Temple Noyes Cathedral Lodge #32 for their generous financial contributions to make this event successful.  Special thanks to Greg Schaeffer, Deputy Member of The Supreme Council, The R.*.W.*. Joseph Leo of the Grand Lodge of New York, and the young men of Orange Rockland for meeting up with DC DeMolay.

(Washington, DC) Nation’s Capital DeMolay congratulates The Reverend Ken Fuller on his election to Grand Senior Steward for the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Bro. Fuller is a Senior DeMolay from Connecticut and special events advisor for DC DeMolay including acting as a judge for MATOC, and other special events.

In Ken’s role he assists the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of District of Columbia in carrying out programs and ensuring that the Masonic Family continues to enhance our community.

Washington, DC: DeMolay Executive Officers have an awesome responsibility. They represent the Supreme Council within a jurisdiction and are responsible for ensuring the growth and promotion of DeMolay within their jurisdiction. They are also the chief liaison to the Masonic family, and helps to build support. DC DeMolay’s Executive Officer, Kurt J. Hamrock constnatly does this as well as proviisng leadership to the Region and the International Board of Directors.

This year, Bro. Hamrock also provided service to William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge #7 as its Worshipful Master, or President. During his year of service and leadership Bro. Hamrock oversaw many community service projects including blood drives, canned food drives and special Olympics. The Young men of Nation’s Capital DeMolay congratulate Bro. Hamrock on his year of service, and thank him for his tremendous leadership.

(PWB)

Kensington, MD: In the DeMolay Ceremony of Light, DeMolays are taught that they have an obligation to “make this life more pleasant for others.”  The Order of DeMolay does this through a series of community service projects and community service initiatives. Each November and December DeMolay chapters are required to observe a “DeMolay Day of Comfort” that specifically addresses this important value.  For the past few years DC DeMolay has helped Samuel Gompers-Benjamin Franklin Lodge and the Jewish Social Services Agency of Washington, DC prepare Thanksgiving baskets for the less fortunate. This year over a hundred baskets were prepared and shipped off to families.  DeMolay can’t wait for next year!

Washington, DC: DeMolay teaches the importance of patriotism to its members as well as teaching that patriotism cannot be mere words, but must also be action. This year DC DeMolay teamed up to help support veterans.  For the past several years Justice-Columbia Lodge #3 hosted a 10K in support of veterans. The event features runners as well as fun 2 mile walk around the Tidal Basin and awards given out by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. At the request of Senior DeMolay and Worshipful Master of Justice Columbia  TCC DeMolay volunteered to facilitate  the fun walk around the Tidal Basin. While the morning was a bit brisk all of the walkers appreicated the leadership that DC DeMolay provided on this walk, and enjoyed the tremendous event.