News Briefs
Bard Leads State to Positive Growth, Greater Masonic Involvement During Term
MARIETTA, GA - Georgia DeMolay's year concluded during the weekend of July 26-29 at the state's annual Conclave. Outgoing State Master Councilor Geoff Bard of Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter led the state during a year of exceptional growth, greater Masonic involvement, and greater member participation.
For the first time in six years, Georgia DeMolay achieved positive growth, measured from Conclave to Conclave. Throughout the year, 41 members were initiated while only 40 members reached majority age, resulting in a net increase in active members for the jurisdiction. Highlights of the membership push included Peachtree City Chapter initiating enough members to earn its Letters Temporary, thereby moving from "club" status to Chapter status; thirteen new members being initiated at the Grand Master's Class in April; and Albany, Cecil Cheves, and Columbus Chapters becoming active Chapters once again.
Greater Masonic involvement was also an important goal over the past year. Bard instituted George Washington's Chapter, a DeMolay Alumni Chapter, to achieve this goal. Over 150 Masons would join the Alumni Chapter over the course of the year, including the Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, MWB Eli Stafford.
Bard also made an effort to include members from across the state in planning of jurisdictional activities. The Georgia DeMolay Senate saw its debut during his term, and members from across the state participated, giving them an opportunity to voice opinions about upcoming state events. Thanks to the input received from the two State Senate sessions, new events and activities were added or brought back to Spring Jam, including canoe racing and swimming.
Bard spearheaded the effort to overhaul the Chapter of the Year program. The result was the Chapter of Excellence Program. A much-simpler and less subjective criterion-based method was used to determine various Chapters of Excellence from around the state in different areas of DeMolay and at different overall levels. The top-scoring Chapter using the Chapter of Excellence criteria would be named the Chapter of the Year. The program resulted in greater participation by Chapters and therefore, more Chapters receiving recognition for hard work done throughout the year.
Going forward, Bard intends to remain active with Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter and continue his studies at Kennesaw State University.
Bard shares a laugh with the Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, Eli Stafford.
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