Universe

Over the history of DeMolay we have seen the MB Progam change in several ways. There were the one time color coded Petitions Bars with Numbers. There were many old catagories than have been consolidated into a few. There have been new catagories added. Now we have the five level color coded system for all Bars.

I have seen Chapters where Merit Bars were not even used, but in most they are an integral part of the Awards and Honors program.

What catagories of Bars don't exist that should?

We have a Conclave Bar, why not one for LTC/DLC attendance? For participation in a multi-Jurisdictional Ritual Tournament? For other major DeMolay functions?

What other areas of DeMolay activity are not covered by out current Merit Bar catagories, the catch-all catagory of "Merit" excepted?

Dale

Hey Dale,

First of all, let me introduce my self. My name is Arthur, I'm a DeMolay from Brazil and PMC of Cidade de Fortaleza Chapter...

About the Merit Bars, I agree when you say that it is a interesting method to reward those who are dedicated to have a healthy and pure youth...

But, here and Brazil, we don't have any kind of rewarding, except Chevalier and etc. and we are not suggested to win anyone...

What could be done?

Thx and Hugs and sorry about the english, long time without practicing it, It got rusted!

Arthur Petrola
PMC - Cidade de Fortaleza Chapter
Supremo Conselho da Ordem DeMolay para a República Federativa do Brasil (Supreme Council of the Order DeMolay for the Federative Republic of Brazil)

Hi Brother,

Interesting that you do not use Merit Bars in Brazil.

Do you use ANY of the Awards...FMA/BHK, MSA, DSA, RD?

Or only the Honors...Chev, LOH, COH?

Dale

Hi Dale (Bro or Dad?),

Sorry, but I didn't realize what FMA/BHK, MSA, DSA, RD mean...

Here in Brazil, the constitution only says about Honors and prizes...

Like the ones you told and adding medal for saving human life and acting like hero!

And that's all...

Arthur ;D

To clarify:

Founder Merit Award (FMA)- Awarded to a DeMolay who brings in 5 new members.

Blue Honor Key (BHK)- Awarded to a DeMolay who brings in 10 new members.

Meritorious Service Award (MSA)- Can't remember at the moment, but I bet Bro. Dale can fill this one in.

Distinguished Service Award (DSA)- Same as above.

Representative DeMolay (RD)- Award given after completion of a package that is designed to get you to take a better look at yourself and what you can do to improve.

MSA is awarded to a Past Master Councilor for outsanding service during his term.

The DSA is also known as the DeMolay of the year award

I can't recall hearing the PMCMSA refered to merely as MSA, so I assumed it was something else. Its definitely easier to say.

FMA = Founder's Membership Award

I am a member of R.W. Moore chapter in Midvale Utah. For Four long years my chapter did servings and fundraisers until we had the money to go to the Old South ritual tournament.(In case you wanted to know we did quite well) I know for a fact that my boys could be stacked with merit bars, myself included, but I do not have a single one. It is not that I am complaining. I did the things which earn me merit bars not for the award. I know it is reaching a little, but I don't like the idea of awarding boys everytime they do something right. I need no merit bars to prove to myself that I am a good DeMolay.

I am not saying that the award is completely useless, I quess that it could be good for new members to fit in with the rest of the members. Or to get some guys feeling good about DeMolay. But I do not think that it should be pushed really hard. I do things because it is what I have been taught to do, not for awards.

Brothers,

I used the term "MSA" as a "generic" for either the PMC-MSA or the PIKC-MSA (much rarer!).

The DSA is the Distinguished Service Award, awarded by the EO of a Jurisdiction, upon Chapter Nomination(s), not more than twice a year. Almost a "DeMolay of the Year" (for DeMolay liftime achievement) sort of recognition.

Fraternally,

Dale

Mat,

Look on the bright side, you belong to one of the BEST chapters West of the Mississippi, take pride in that.

P.W. Brusoe,
Thank you. I am very proud of my brothers. they worked very hard.

Mat,

Let's not be Eastern chauvinists, and say "one of the BEST Chapters". Period.

Any Chapter, or Individual, who makes the extra effort to attend and compete in ANY multi-jurisdictional Ritual Tournament [and (IMO) expecially the Old South Ritual Tournament] should be congratulated and know that they are among the true Elite of DeMolay Ritualists, no matter where they place.

Whether in Championship Division or Open Division, EVERYONE who competes is a Winner. The loosers are the ones who didn't enter and try.

Dale

I am not being eastern chauvinist.

Our Western Chapters face several unique limitations including HUGE distances to travel, less population to draw from, fewer Masons.

To compare RW Moore to say a Knickerbocker Chapter would be tantamount to saying that the Yankees are better than Real Salt Lake. Which is to say, not a very good comparrision.

pwb

quote:

[and (IMO) expecially the Old South Ritual Tournament]

We can only hope that there will be an Old South Tournament next year. Germania Lodge, which sponsors Concorde Chapter is a total loss.

http://tinyurl.com/cx4kz

S&F,
Dad Ron Blaisdell

I think the idea was to perhaps move it to Atlanta if New Orleans cannot be salvaged in time.

hi, just to introduce my self, i am chris van steeter. i belong to r.w. moore chapter in midvale utah.

in my own personal opinon i have to agree with my sc mat, merit bars are atta boy awards and are appeling to the newer boys. i guess that what im saying is why should i get an award for going to a conclave when i go because it is one of the best events to build brother hood in the state level, or becaues i do the ritual that is the building blocks of demolay? all of the boys in r.w. moore and most of the other chapters in utah are not decroacted in merit bars and i dont conisder them to be any less of demolays.

peace,
jc chris

I used to be really big on getting Merit bars... the only one I'm worried about is getting my Gold ritual bar (Which I would have had I only kept track of my points, oh well).

I'm more worried about what goes on with my chapter, and putting on good ritual for the candidates.

As a matter of fact, I'm going to talk to one of my advisors (Dad Isaacs, commonly known as "JIsaacs" on here) About me starting a class using the LRG (Leader's Resource Guide) and going through and helping others to understand some of the stuff, as well as learning planning, and other misc. stuff, as well this class would also help with Ritual Study, more especially the Obligations.

I just don't care about the Merit bars, not because I believe they are a waste of time or anything, but because I believe my time can be better spent helping the chapter than earning awards to show myself off.

S&F

Some people see merit bars as "little" awards and that members should do the action for the reward of helping the chapter or for the benefit to themselves. I see merit bars as the active history of that DeMolay. What he done for himself, his chapter and DeMolay. It shows others not only the member was active but what is available in DeMolay and perhaps spark interest in new members and more importantly, prospects. I wore my merit bars with pride until I received my PMC-MSA and PIKC-MSA where my suit got too "busy". But I feel merit bars are still useful as an incentive and history of accomplishments.

I don't see merit bars as just awards, but also, as "been there done that got the bar" tokens. When a new member sees somebody with a lot of merit bars, and starts asking about them, it opens all sorts of oppurtunities to talk about past events, and activities.

I was in the navy and had quite a few ribbons. A couple were actual awards, but most of them were just representative of where I had been, and what I had done.

Besides, you're not cool unless you have the green ritual bar!