Congress Watch 2008
Blogs, News and More - Direct from Anaheim
Welcome to Congress Watch 2008, GDO's exclusive coverage of the International DeMolay Congress Session with a uniquely
Georgia perspective. We'll follow our delegates and advisory team as they travel to Anaheim, California for the biggest
event of the DeMolay year. It's truly an international DeMolay event where members and advisors from around the world meet to discuss
the greatest youth fraternity in existence: DeMolay.
You'll hear primarily from Richard Eells, Georgia's Senior Delegate to the Congress and State Master Councilor.
Also contributing will be Todd Stovall, the Junior Delegate and State Senior Councilor. And there might be a few surprises along the way as well,
so even if you weren't able to make it to Anaheim, you won't miss out on anything!
DeMolay Leaders 2008 Logo Courtesy of DeMolay International
Latest Congress News
On Friday, June 20, at the annual International Congress of the Order of DeMolay, Richard W. Eells II was elected by unanimous vote to the office of 42nd International Master Councilor.
He succeeds Austin Whitaker of Tennessee.
Eells is a member of Mountain Park Chapter in Stone Mountain and is currently serving as the State Master Councilor of the Associated DeMolay Chapters of Georgia.
Read More...
Posted: 20 June 2008 at 6:49p Eastern / 3:49p Pacific
State Master Councilor Richard Eells, Georgia's Senior Delegate to the International DeMolay Congress Session, was nominated for the office of International Master Councilor on the afternoon of June 19 by Ben Turconi from Northern California.
That nomination was seconded by Justin Woods from Missouri.
Eells began his campaign for International Master Councilor just one day previously.
Read More...
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 7:40p Eastern / 4:40p Pacific
State Master Councilor Richard Eells has prepared his bid and is now beginning his campaign for International Master Councilor at the annual DeMolay Congress Session which is going on now in Anaheim, California.
The election for International Master Councilor will be Friday evening, June 20.
Read More...
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 4:02a Eastern / 1:02a Pacific
Congress Blogosphere
Georgia DeMolay's unique perspective on this year's Congress: words and pictures directly from those attending!
Final Thoughts
Posted: 22 June 2008 at 10:56p Eastern / 7:56p Pacific by Richard Eells
I have just touched down in Atlanta and returned to where my trip began.
Over the last few days I have had an amazing opportunity to share ideas,
stories, and brotherhood with brothers from all over our world. The
highlight of my trip was being installed as International Master Councilor,
and I couldn't be more excited. With my calendar booking quickly and my cell
phone buzzing away, I find myself thankful for the support of the members of
Georgia DeMolay. Without you all supporting me in my last year as State
Master Councilor and the countless text messages from friends wishing me
luck and giving their support, I would have not be able to obtain this great
honor. I thank the members of DeMolay in Georgia for believing in me, and for
working to make DeMolay happen in the state. It is the inspiration,
enthusiasm, and passion you all exemplify that enabled me to truly seize the
day! Thanks for following along on one of the most exciting weekends of my life.
In the light of the fourth,
Richard W. Eells, II
42nd International Master Councilor
DeMolay International
The International Eells
Posted: 22 June 2008 at 10:26a Eastern / 7:26a Pacific by Cindy Eells
It is a proud moment for the Eells family, as Richard follows in his brother's footsteps to the office of International Master Councilor.
Chris and Richard Eells, the 38th and 42nd International Master Councilors
Grand Banquet
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 10:52p Eastern / 7:52p Pacific by Todd Stovall
The biggest night of Congress is the Grand Banquet, featuring the Hall of Fame induction. This year, Edward T. Schafer and Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar
Mitchell are inducted.
Another packed house!
After the Installation
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 8:50p Eastern / 5:50p Pacific by Cindy Eells
The Georgia Delegation takes a moment to pause for a photo after this proud moment.
The Georgia Delegation
Installation: International Master Councilor
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 7:43p Eastern / 4:43p Pacific by Todd Stovall
Our very own Richard Eells is installed as the International Master Councilor.
Richard assumes the vow of the office.
Richard receives his collar from the Past International Master Councilors, including his brother Chris.
Installation: Grand Master
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 7:34p Eastern / 4:34p Pacific by Todd Stovall
C. Michael Watson is installed as the Grand Master of DeMolay International.
Dad Watson receives his collar from the Past Grand Masters.
Installation: International Congress Secretary
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 7:23p Eastern / 4:23p Pacific by Todd Stovall
JD Olsen of Montana is installed 42nd International Congress Secretary.
JD receives his collar from the Past International Congress Secretaries.
Newbury Luncheon
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 4:03p Eastern / 1:03p Pacific by Todd Stovall
The George A. Newbury Luncheon is a great lunch in honor of the most important man who started the International Congress.
At this luncheon we hear the final speeches of Austin and Buddy. It is a great honor to hear from these gentlemen who will
forever be remembered as the 41st Congress Officers. They also had an opportunity to thank the ones who meant the most to them.
A packed house at the Newbury Luncheon
41st IMC Austin Whitaker receives a Bible signed by all Congress members.
Selling DeMolay
Posted: 21 June 2008 at 12:31p Eastern / 9:31a Pacific by Todd Stovall
Dad Barr from Southern California addresses Congress on how to better sell DeMolay.
Dad Barr from Southern California
Jurisdiction Dinner
Posted: 20 June 2008 at 10:28p Eastern / 7:28p Pacific by Richard Eells
The Georgia delegation has gone out to dinner to celebrate the successful election. Everyone is really excited and things are going well.
Georgia's representatives out to dinner
DeMolay Leaders Luncheon
Posted: 20 June 2008 at 4:01p Eastern / 1:01p Pacific by Richard Eells
This morning was spent in focus groups coming up with a list of action items. We are working as a Congress to author goals for the next year.
Right now we are in the DeMolay Leaders Luncheon about to hear remarks from the incoming Grand Master Dad C. Michael Watson.
The head table at the luncheon
Grand Opening
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 10:46p Eastern / 7:46p Pacific by Richard Eells
It's the Grand Opening of Congress 2008!
It's a packed house.
The First Business Session of Congress
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 6:13p Eastern / 3:13p Pacific by Richard Eells
We just sat down in the first Business Session of this Congress. The room is full of top-notch leaders of DeMolay from around the world. I can't
wait to see what comes out of this year's Congress. Check out the photo of the group!
Austin gets things kicked off!
Getting Ready for the Congress Photo
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 5:32p Eastern / 2:32p Pacific by Todd Stovall
Getting ready for the Congress photo
Congress Gives Back
Posted: 19 June 2008 at 2:59p Eastern / 11:59a Pacific by Richard Eells
The DeMolay Congress is currently at the Senior Living Community for the Eastern Star in Southern
California. We are helping out with a lot of different tasks from painting walls and tables to
washing buses. It is great to see the entire Congress serving.
Some delegates clean a bus.
Other delegates paint a wall.
The Sheraton Hotel
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 11:16p Eastern / 8:16p Pacific by Todd Stovall
We're staying at the Sheraton Hotel, a gorgeous hotel just down the strip from Disneyland. There's an open courtyard
with beautiful palm trees and a large pool in the middle. The beds are large and comfortable.
The view from the hotel room
An Afternoon at Disneyland
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 8:40p Eastern / 5:40p Pacific by Richard Eells
We have been spending a lot of time enjoying the park. We're now headed to the haunted mansion, and then going to get a bite to eat.
So far it has been a lot of fun.
Space Mountain at Disneyland
Off to Disneyland
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 5:59p Eastern / 2:59p Pacific by Richard Eells
We're currently walking down Harbor Boulevard headed down to Disneyland. We're really excited to be hanging out with a couple of
delegates from Kansas as well as the Congress Officers. I'll be sure to send along some more pictures when I get to Disneyland.
It's Disneyland!
Lunch with the Congress Officers
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 5:39p Eastern / 2:39p Pacific by Richard Eells
I just sat down to get some lunch at Molly's Kitchen, which is on the first floor of the hotel. Brother Stovall and I are grabbing
a bite to eat with the congress officers, Austin and Brandon. Things are really starting to feel like session now.
I've already run into a lot of old friends, and I'm pretty excited!
Rich having a little lunch with the Congress Officers.
Off to Anaheim
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 3:42p Eastern / 12:42p Pacific by Richard Eells
We have loaded onto the shuttle and are on our way to the hotel and Disneyland. It should be about an hour
until we make it to the hotel. It is a beautiful 74 degrees, but there's plenty of smog in LA. Let's hope
the smog dies down when we get to the hotel in Anaheim.
The view on the way from LA to Anaheim.
Arrived in LA!
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 2:32p Eastern / 11:32a Pacific by Richard Eells
We just touched down in LA. The flight was smooth and uneventful. We flew airtran and landed on time.
Now we're about to head over to baggage claim and then to ground transportation to get to Anaheim.
I'll send a few more pictures for you guys to check out soon. Thanks for following along; this week should be a blast!
Mom and Dad Bohn exit the plane.
California, Here We Come
Posted: 18 June 2008 at 9:17a Eastern / 6:17a Pacific by Richard Eells
We have arrived at the Atlanta Airport with plenty of time to spare. Todd, Dad Bohn, Mom Bohn, and I are really
excited to meet up with all of our old friends and can't wait to meet some new ones. We are grabbing a bite to
eat at Chili's To Go in the airport. I'll blog when we arrive.
Good times at the Chili's before the flight
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