Georgia DeMolay
Georgia DeMolay Connections
June 2008
Hampton Lodge #70 Really Comes Through For
Georgia DeMolay!
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Each NASCAR event at Atlanta Motor Speedway finds Georgia DeMolay managing 7 of the 10 campgrounds that surround the racetrack.  It’s a great fundraiser for DeMolay and requires almost 2,000 volunteer hours to get the job done.
Starting the Thursday before the race, we have to man the gates of each of the camping areas 24 hours a day.  Whether its raining or shining, 30º or 80º—we are required to be on station and greeting the campers as they arrive.  Dad Charlie Pruett from Peachtree City Chapter DeMolay is shown (bottom left) working one of the gates.  Our volunteers in many cases had to work out of their vehicles in in order to get in out of the weather.  But all that is changed now.
Thanks to the dedicated masons of Hampton Lodge, Georgia DeMolay now has 7 Host Booths for our volunteers to work in.  These portable booths have been wired for lights and small heaters to help our volunteers be more comfortable especially during the cold and rainy nights.  Pictured upper left is Dad Bohn, Executive Officer and Richie Eells, State Master Councilor proudly standing beside one of the new Host Booths.
“Georgia DeMolay fronted the money for the materials, but the members of Hampton Lodge were the ones that came together, built the booths and really made this happen” said Dad Bohn.  “Its obvious that Hampton Lodge has made DeMolay a priority and I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
A special thanks goes to Brother Barry Brooks of Hampton Lodge #70 who not only donated some of the materials, but also supplemented the construction effort by using his own paid employees while they were on the clock to help.  Another big thank you goes to Dad Mac McGee who spearheaded the project and coordinated volunteers to get the job done.  Georgia DeMolay considers these very special people.
The Pilot Chapter Program, conceived by DeMolay International and adapted by each jurisdiction to suit its own needs, is proving to be a valuable program in helping the growth of DeMolay in Georgia.

Since its introduction in Georgia, combined with the interest spurred by the George Washington Chapter Honorary Alumni program, we have seen three new Pilot Chapters started and have two more in the process of formation.  Rufus R. White Pilot Chapter sponsored by Gordon Springs Lodge was the first to launch with advisor training and initiation of boys in February.  Greater Augusta Pilot Chapter, sponsored by Martinez Lodge, got their advisory council trained in February too.  Currahee Pilot Chapter, sponsored by Toccoa Lodge, got their advisory council trained in March and all three of these Pilot Chapters brought their boys to the Grand Master’s Class on March 29, 2008.  Currahee has already held its first installation of officers.  Grady T. Bozeman Pilot Chapter in Canton, jointly sponsored by Hickory Flats and Pickens Star Lodges, received DeMolay Advisor training in May and Oostanaula Lodge in Rome/Floyd county has committed to sponsor a chapter and is currently recruiting advisors.

If you would like to see DeMolay in your community and have questions about how to get it going, contact our Director of Membership & Chapter Development, Dad Skip Mason at www.gademolay.org. 
Pilot Chapter Program Spurs Growth
The highlight of our DeMolay year, our annual conclave is coming in July.  The dates for this year's event are July 24-27 at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.  Once again this year we have been fortunate enough to procure tickets to Six Flags over Georgia to kick off conclave on Thursday, July 24.  The actual business session will begin on Friday when the new line of State Officers will be elected and a new State Sweetheart chosen.  
Friday evening will see our annual honors investiture.  As always the honors investiture will be preceded by an invitation only dinner and in tribute to a man who meant so much to us we are naming the Honors Dinner, The Eli A. Stafford Honors Dinner.
Following the dinner and investiture there will be the traditional Friday night party sponsored by the current State Master Councilor's home chapter.
Saturday morning is education time for the active members and time for the Statewide advisors, and parents club meeting for the adults.  The afternoon will once again feature the annual shaving cream battle and word has it that our Executive Officer is going to participate this year.
The day on Saturday comes to a climax with our annual Grand Banquet, awarding of Scholarships, crowning of the new State Sweetheart, and Installation of State Officers followed by the Grand Ball.
Sunday morning is end of the session, where the parents club awards are presented followed by the incoming State Master Councilor's speech.
Our Honorary Alumni are always welcome to attend, registration information is available on Georgia DeMolay Online, www.gademolay.org.
Conclave 2008
The Georgia Child Identification Program (GACHIP) has been kicked off in a really big way in Georgia.  Sponsored by our Grand Lodge, this program is a free service to the public and seeks to provide a measure of protection for families against the disappearance of a child.  GACHIP provides Law Enforcement with important tools to assist in the speedy and safe recovery of missing children.  
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) held a family day on May 17th, National Missing Children’s Day, and invited GACHIPS to be apart of the event.  Brother Frank Vexler contacted Georgia DeMolay and asked us if we would like to help.  We said yes, and SMC Richie Eells rounded up some volunteers.  “Georgia Masons and the Grand Lodge support Georgia DeMolay,” said SMC Eells, “and we want to do what we can to pay that back.  What better way to do that than to participate in a program that helps kids.”
At the end of the day, Brother Vexler said “Georgia DeMolay really did themselves proud today.  The boys did a great job for us.”
Picture above are the DeMolay volunteers along with Brother Phillip Wyatt—GACHIP State Director and Brother Frank Vexler—GACHIP Associate State Director.
SMC Richie Eells and SSC Todd Stovall help to prepare “GACHIP Packs” that are given to parents for safekeeping in case their child comes up missing.
Georgia DeMolay Gets Involved With GACHIP

Spring Jam Is A Big Success

Georgia DeMolay Keeps On Growing!
On the weekend of May 2nd-4th at the FFA-FCCLA Camp located in Covington, Georgia, DeMolays from all over Georgia came together to partake in brotherhood and a weekend of sports competitions.  Attendance was up again this year and noted the return of Columbus Chapter to this state event.
The weekend is based around a very simple idea, Brotherhood + Sports = Fun. There is not a lot of scheduling that goes into the event, except the layout of the sports brackets. This year the brothers from Georgia DeMolay enjoyed playing flag football, ultimate frisbee, dodge ball, putt-putt, and the ever popular Canoe Races.
One might believe that the most honor in the weekend is the winning of trophies based on performance, yet the most sought-after award is the trophy for sportsmanship. The young men of Georgia realize that above all else brotherhood reigns. This year Peachtree City Chapter brought home this most noble of awards
This year Georgia DeMolay has taken a great deal of time to focus on having fun and staying in tune with that idea the State Officers awarded for the first time ever the Most spirited Chapter award which was presented to Mountain Park Chapter, located in Stone Mountain.

Chapter
New Members
2008 Majorities
Net Growth
(2008 Annual)
Albany
0
1
-1
Peachtree City
4
0
4
Currahee Pilot
6
0
6
Don R. Roberts
0
2
-2
Columbus
1
2
-1
Panthersville
0
4
-4
Cecil Cheves
0
2
-2
Clayton
1
10
-9
Samuel S. Lawrence
1
3
-2
Middle Georgia
0
4
-4
Mountain Park
2
9
-7
Georgia at Large
3
8
-5
Georgia Total
24
46
-22
Rufus R. White Pilot
6
0
6
Walt Disney 
0
1
-1

The chart to the right shows the number of new members each chapter has brought into Georgia DeMolay from January 1 to May 12, 2008.

The “2008 Majorities” column shows the number of majorities for each chapter for the entire 2008 year.

Chapters shown in green are already showing positive growth for the 2008 year.

Take notice of the 2 new Pilot Chapters.  The Pilot Chapter program in Georgia is designed to allow new chapters to develop over time into a chartered chapter status.  Other pilot chapters are in the works but have not initiated any new DeMolays to this point.  The 3 initiated as Georgia at Large are from Augusta and are expected to become members of Greater Augusta Chapter when it restarts.

Chapter
New Members
2008 Majorities
Net Growth
(2008 Annual)
Albany
0
1
-1
Peachtree City
4
0
4
Currahee Pilot
6
0
6
Don R. Roberts
0
2
-2
Columbus
1
2
-1
Panthersville
0
4
-4
Cecil Cheves
0
2
-2
Clayton
1
10
-9
Samuel S. Lawrence
1
3
-2
Middle Georgia
0
4
-4
Mountain Park
2
9
-7
Georgia at Large
3
8
-5
Georgia Total
24
46
-22
Rufus R. White Pilot
6
0
6
Walt Disney 
0
1
-1

Go to http://gademolay.org/programs/membership/ to find out about the various membership programs being sponsored by Georgia DeMolay.  You and your chapter will be the big winners.

Calendar of Events
Details are available on-line at www.gademolay.org

June
Jun. 7: Talent Show JLP Scholarship Fund Raiser; Dinner at 6 pm, Show begins at 7 pm, location TBA
Jun. 14: Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter Raft Trip, Ocoee River, Benton TN; $35 Registration Fee; Contact Jim Bard 
Jun. 15: State Officer Applications Due; Contact Marc Bohn 
Jun. 18-22: International Supreme Council/DeMolay Congress Session; Contact Marc Bohn 

July
Jul. 10-13: Rainbow Grand Assembly; Columbus Trade Center, Columbus; Contact Marc Bohn 
Jul. 14: Piedmont Lodge Youth Appreciation Night
Jul. 24-27: Conclave 2008; West Georgia College, Carrollton; $65-$175 Registration Fee; Contact Jim Bard 

August
Aug. 2: Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter Installation; Contact Dad Jim Bard 
Aug. 1 - 3: SOAR Weekend; Contact Todd Stovall
Aug. 10: SMC Visit Cecil Cheves Chapter
Aug. 12: SMC Visit Don. R. Roberts Chapter
Aug. 14: SMC Visit Middle Georgia Chapter
Aug. 23: Rock Quarry 
Aug. 25: SMC Visit Peachtree City Chapter
Aug. 26: SMC Visit Albany Chapter

September
Sep. 4: Visit Clayton Chapter
Sep. 6: SMC/GWA Reception contact Mom Sue Stovall
Sep. 9: Visit Mountain Park Chapter
Sep 15: Visit Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter
Sep 20: Peachtree City Chapter Installation of Officers; Contact Dad Skip Mason
Sep 23: Visit Rufus R. White Pilot Chapter
Sep. 26-28: Cecil Cheves Chapter Beach Weekend;  Contact Dad Hugh D'Anna 

October
Oct. 11: SMC Visit Greater Augusta Chapter
Oct. 17-19: Knighthood Joust, Location TBA; Contact Dad Bill Carver
Oct. 18-26: NASCAR Project
Oct. 27 & 28: Grand Lodge, Macon, GA

November
Nov. 14: Georgia Leaders’ Academy, FFH-FCCLA Covington, GA; Contact Dad Bohn

December
Dec. 6: Holiday Formal
Dec. 31: New Years Lock-In and Bash
Currahee Pilot Chapter Installs Its First Officers
May 10 marked the start of a new era in Georgia DeMolay as Curahee Pilot Chapter in Toccoa became the first pilot chapter to install officers.  An installing team of members of Peachtree City Chapter traveled with Dad Skip Mason to conduct the ceremony.  The first slate of officers are C. Wilson, Master Councilor; B. Coffey, Senior Councilor; R. Lewallen, Junior Councilor; A. Wilson, Deacon; and S. Dunfee, Scribe Assistant.  Executive Officer Marc Bohn and State Master Councilor Richard Eells were in attendance to help mark this auspicious occasion.

The chapter is off to a flying start with their first fund raiser already scheduled for Saturday, Jun 7.  They will be holding a pancake dinner at Toccoa Lodge from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Stop by and see the enthusiasm for DeMolay and help support this new group of fine young men.
This electronic publication acknowledges authority and yields allegiance to DeMolay International, of which Frank S. Land was founder.
On March 29 at the Atlanta Masonic Center, the Grand Master's Class was held in honor of Grand Master Ted C. Collins. Eighteen candidates for membership were initiated into Georgia DeMolay, including candidates from three new Pilot Chapters: Rufus R. White Pilot Chapter in Rocky Face, Currahee Pilot Chapter in Toccoa, and Greater Augusta Pilot Chapter in Augusta. Four additional members who had previously received a short-form initiation into DeMolay received the full Initiatory Degree, bringing the total number of degree recipients to 22. This marks the largest single class of initiates in Georgia since a 19-member class at a Frank Hardeman Chapter Initiation in 1995. The degrees were held in the Scottish Rite Auditorium, using the Scottish scene backdrops and costumes. This was made possible through the efforts of Dad Bill Marsh. An all-star cast of active DeMolays performed the Initiatory Degree, including many Tournament of Champions winners. The Leon P. Edmondson Court of Chevaliers hosted the DeMolay Degree, including the 4th Section. A special ceremony was also held this year honoring the late Past Grand Master of Masons, Eli A. Stafford. A very moving DeMolay Memorial Service was held to honor this man who was a longtime supporter of DeMolay. 
Grand Master’s Class
MWB Ted C. Collins addresses the attendees of the 2008 Grand Master’s Class

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