Universe

Does anyone here remember what Florida Demolay was like in the early 90's? I do. There were hundreds of people at conclave, dances and events every weekend, and 40+ chapters! I saw the recent membership numbers, and was saddened to look at all the closed chapters.
Any idea what caused this slide in new members?

Hi Jason,

You have to understand that the 40+ Chapters you remember was already a long way down a long slippery slope from the 101 we had at our peak, about 1971.

But we continued to do the same things we had done before, which weren't working, and, they continued not to work. Albert Einstein's definition of insanity...continuing to do the same things and expecting different results.

You will remember that I was always among the group who did not support continuing to go the way we were going, but we weren't being heard, or listened to.

Well, now that things have (we hope) hit rock bottom, everything is being rethought and retooled, from the Top Down and also from the Bottom Up.

We have changed from an "Association" setup to a "State Chapter" and things are actualy beginning to look up a little bit...new Chapters being formed and membership picking up in some of the old ones, too.

It's a long way to get back to 40+, much less 102, but I hope we are on the way.

W. Dale Dietzman
State Chapter Advisor,
Florida DeMolay

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dale Dietzman,

Well Dale, that is refreshing to hear! I can not imagine a world without Demolay. I would not be the man I am today if it had not been such an instrumental part of my personal development. Even though I have not been involved with the Order in many years, my best and closest friends are the brothers from my youth. I speak almost daily with old members of Sarasota chapter, about monthly with ones from Jupiter, and am having dinner tonight with Todd Horsely from Arlington chapter.

I recall running against 11 people (unless my mind is slipping after 30 years of rewinding!)for State Master Councilor and fearing certain humiliation everytime I got up to speak in front of 100's of people. In my life now, those fears are long since overcome. Still, once in a while when I get up to speak my peice, the image of Dad Hunt winking pops into my head, giving me the jolt I need to say what I mean, not what people want to hear.

I have a daughter now that just turned 10, and would love to get her involved with the masonic youth someday. I just hope it will still be on the uprise when she is ready.

I do not get much downtime in my life now, as I travel extensively from Orlando to Seattle and back, but would love to drop by an event sometime. Are any Orlando chapters meeting currently?

The Greater Orlando area is one of the strongest still for Florida.

We have Lake-Sumter Chapter in Eustis, Bahia in Orlando, West Volusia (new Chapter!) in Deltona, South Seminole is meeting now in Oviedo, and Greater Titusville has just been restarted.

The Florida DeMolay web site has all the Chapter meeting nights and locations:

http://www.fldemolay.net/demolay-chapters/

And we are working to arrange a State-wide Initiation at Lake-Sumter in early December.

You can sign-up for our email newsletter, the eCordon, which publishes on the 1st and 15th:

http://www.fldemolay.net/ecordon_register/

And you can check out the archive of past issues here:

http://www.fldemolay.net/eCordon/

We also have a state-wide email list, you are welcome to sign-up for:

http://lists.fldemolay.net/mailman/listinfo/demolay

Hope that helps. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

S&F,
Ron Blaisdell
Asst. Exec. Officer - Administration
FL DeMolay
ron@blaisdell.com

How do I Plave a message??

Hey, Jason! This is Jody (Meguiar). I remember those days, too. I remember when there were literally hundredS (that WAS plural) of people at Conclave, with a two-tier head table, and multitudes of people running for each office.

But, as Dad Dale mentoined, there seems to be a renaissance in FL DeMolay with the current administration. I can see the light of a clear, blue morning!

Jason,

I know what you're saying.

Florida DeMolay in the 90s was a lot of fun, but how about Florida DeMolay in the 80s.......

I began my DeMolay experience in 1976 as a member one of eight chapters at the time in the St. Petersburg.

I enjoyed my chapter, my brothers, the advisors and everything you could think of concerning DeMolay. It was a great part of my life.

I became a State Officer in 1979 when Rusty Miller and then Ricky Lyle were the State Master Councilor's for Florida DeMolay. The following year I was elected SMC and my brother Roger also held the position of State Treasurer. There were 81 chapters on the rolls, although all of them weren't active.

I don't know why there was a decline in membership but the enthusiasum among the DeMolay, Advisor's and state staff was as strong as ever. Dad Hunt I thought did an excellent job as the EO.

The following year my brother Roger succeeded me as SMC and the following year Ron Thompson succeeded him. I think all three of us had strong terms and in the end Florida DeMolay was a better organization.

When I joined the Army and left Florida I didn't return for almost 5 years, when I did I saw a change in the organization and albeit not for the best.

I truly believe DeMolay will gain popularity and with that interest will come members. I do also realize that there are a lot more opportunities for young people and we compete against those other interests.

For the organization to survive it has to constantly change. I don't mean the ritual or degrees, but in how we keep the interest and enthusiasum building. Of course if we knew the secret to this question we wouldn't be in the same boat as masonry, shrine and almost all of the other appendant organization.

Here's an even bigger question. Where are all the members from the 70s, 80s and 90s? And why haven't they returned as advisors and brought their son's in as members?

I know I haven't done a lot for the Order in the past 10 years, but my heart is still strong for it. Perhaps it is time for me and others to come back and do whatever we can to keep the candles burning.

Do what you can Jason, I'll do the same.

Rick C. Renn, PSMC 80-81
Master Mason - St.Petersburg # 139

Brother Rick --

I am fairly certain you are not registered to receive the Florida DeMolay eCordon - which is our twice monthly email newsletter.

You can sign up at:
http://www.fldemolay.net/ecordon_register/

That will help you know what is going on in Florida DeMolay.

S&F,
Dad Ron Blaisdell

Dad Blaisdell,

Thanks for the info. I actually registered forthe ecordon the same night I wrote the post.

Thanks!

Rick..........

Hello Rick! Long time no see. Feel free to contact me through this forum or via email. I and my family are now in Tennessee (after a MOST circuitous route) LOL Would love to catch up!

Gene Martino PSMC of Miss, 13th ICS etc etc etc
Geno@nctc.com

Sooooo,

How about the rest of you 90's and 80's Florida Alumni? Shawn? John? Jason? No comments?

Dad D.

Hello all! I just moved back into St. Petersburg area late last year, and during my move, I found some of my old DeMolay and Chevalier memorabilia.

I was Master Councilor for Jack Hardy Chapter in St. Pete back in the late 80s / early 90s. I have not been able to keep up with anyone for years now, but maybe that too can change!

I have three young boys now, and I am starting to think about getting them into DeMolay as well - albeit a bit earlier in life than I did

Anyone from Jack Hardy and/or the St. Pete area, it would be great to hear from you!

-Ray

I think that everyone will hopefully remember their days in DeMolay as a completely wonderful time. It's interesting to see the progressions of "Now see here...DeMolay was even better back in my day!!"
I know that as far as I am concerned, DeMolay is the cement that held my life together when I was 16 and that continues right into today. My best and closest friends are the people that I know and met through DeMolay. I live with 3 other members of Jupiter Tequesta chapter right now in Brooklyn, NY 15 years after joining DeMolay.
The years I spent in DeMolay are the reason I am who I am today. Dad Crowley, Dad Dietzman, and many others inspired me to be better than I thought I could be. Even if I did happen to have a ridiculous haircut at the time. My friends, like Phil, Jason Turner, Jason Webb, Pez, most of Sarasota Chapter, and the rest of my own chapter put me on a path that I wouldn't even known exists without them. It's something that I hope everyone will be be able to gain from DeMolay in one way or another.

I know the future holds a place for DeMolay, and DeMolay will always hold a place in my heart.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Patrick Patterson,

Everyone,

A couple of posts up this thread is a link to the Florida DeMolay e-CORDON, which, if you sign up, will keep you informed of what is going on today in Florida DeMolay.

Dad Blaze does a fantastic job with that...I'm so glad he moved down from the land of ice and snow so we could steal him from Michigan DeMolay!! (Tip of the Chapeau to Dad B.!)

Bro. Ray, St. Pete Chapter is the only one operating AT PRESENT on the west side of Tampa Bay, although we have a couple of prospective Letters Temporary in the area, where Senior DeMolays like yourself are wanting to open Chapters. Dad Jerry Meguiar, in Tampa, is an Asst. EO, and can put you in touch with them, or Dad Blaze can, too.

Bro. Pat, I hope you and your roommates from J-T are beginning to think about lending a hand with some of the New York City Chapters.

I truely never knew a Chapter so flush with real, flesh and blood type, Advisors that they didn't need more. You don't have to be willing to be the new Chapter Dad.

Even if you can only spare one evening a month, the Chapter will have some position that you can fill, and your help will "pay forward", to the next generation of DeMolays, what you recieved from those who came before you.

Degree Team Coach, Public Relations Advisor, Scribe Advisor, Treasurer's Advisor, RD and Awards Advisor, the list is endless, and your taking that job off the Chapter Dad's back will enable him to do his job better.

Fraternally,

Dad D.

i was wondering if there were any chapters in the fort lauderdale area...i am traveling to florida on march 15.

quote:

Originally posted by demolay rules:
i was wondering if there were any chapters in the fort lauderdale area...i am traveling to florida on march 15.

Westside Chapter meets in Hollywood, and South Miami Chapter meets in South Miami. Neither directly in Fort Lauderdale, but close enough. You can get more information on their meeting nights and locations by visiting the Florida DeMolay web site, and heading to the "Chapters" page:
http://www.fldemolay.net/demolay-chapters/

Hey Jason, yes I remember Demolay back in the 90's and whenever I hear the word conclave I always get a huge smile on my face as it was a ton of fun. I miss my earlier years and mainly because of Demolay...nothing besides my family has brought me such happiness and great memories. If I could relive any part of my life, it would be the early 90's in Demolay, listening to Young MC, Bel Biv Devoe, CC Music Factory...man those were the days.

I am considering joining again but I need to look into Demolay again as it has been so many years I have forgotten so much.

Mike, there is an active Chapter that meets in Eustis, Lake Sumter. And I don't know a chapter that could not use an extra hand.

Unfortunately, Orange Chapter closed in Apopka many years back.

I was actually a "pre-member", I was 10-12 when I went. I used to go to all of the dime-a-dips, meetings (although, I had to wait outside...lol), all dances and of course, conclave!

I will check into the Sumter or maybe the Orlando chapter, as that is what I was part of. I think the guy that was head of our chapter was Brian Thompson (aka, Dumbo), sound familiar?

To me, no, I don't know that name.

I'm a recent Florida transplant (2005) came down to work at Kennedy.

Bahia is the Chapter in Orlando. They meet at Composite Lodge which is located near the Executive Airport close to downtown.

Lake Sumter is having an installation this Saturday, 2p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Eustis.