Attention, Florida DeMolay:
The State Master Councilor has appointed Bro. Dean “Guy” Sutton as the State Junior Councilor. We wish Bro. Sutton well, and expect great things from this choice.
Please watch for communications from the State Line by way of the local District Deputies soon.
My Brothers of Florida DeMolay:
It is my honor to be appointed to the position of State Master Councilor. Obviously, I know the great responsibility that this position holds and I intend to meet it head on.
The first thing I would like to accomplish in my term is to get out there and meet the chapter level DeMolays and begin working with them on a personal basis through the use of our newly appointed District Deputies. However, it is not my intention to let them do all the work. I did not climb the ladder of DeMolay to be lazy, and I surely do not intend to let this God-given opportunity slip through my fingers. The other collars and I will meet all the needs of Florida DeMolay, and please notice that I did not say “try.” Trying leaves the possibility of failing, and my friends, failure at this point is simply not an option. Our success is vital, and we can only achieve success with the efforts of every single person that contributes to DeMolay; that includes Knights, Advisors, especially the DeMolays at the Chapter level, as well as the Rainbows, Job’s Daughters, and even guests.
On another note, there are a few things as the head of DeMolay that I simply will not tolerate. If anyone is caught politicking, backstabbing, etc., I will immediately ask you for your letter of resignation; that goes from the Chapter level to me. In any organization, we cannot expect everyone to agree or even to get along, but I can and do expect everyone who gave an oath to DeMolay to fulfill it.
Finally, guys, I am super excited about this opportunity! I am motivated and ready to get things rolling immediately. Just remember that even the State Master Councilor will make mistakes, and if you catch me making one, let me know so we can change it and make things better. No matter how long I am alive I will never stop learning, and mistakes are one of the best ways to learn. Nobody is perfect, but if we strive for perfection, we cannot go wrong.
Sincerely,
Brother Lonnie J. Cox
State Master Councilor
Florida DeMolay
Effective Monday February 15, 2010:
Bro. Brian Dwayne Ferdon, Jr. has resigned his position as the State Master Councilor of Florida DeMolay, due to personal commitments with school. He shall retain his position as a Past State Master Councilor.
As a result, an Executive Directive was issued, naming Bro. Lonnie Cox as the State Master Councilor, pro-temp. Bro. Cox shall serve the remainder of the term, and is due all the power and authority of said position.
The Florida Educational Foundation is a scholarship foundation led by several individuals who are dedicated to Masonic Youth.
Applicants must either be enrolled or accepted at an accredited secondary educational institution, and be an Active or Senior member of DeMolay, Rainbow or Job’s Daughters, or the child or grandchild of a Florida Mason.
The application for the scholarship is available below, and the application deadline is April 1, 2010.
Mark your calendars for April 24 – 25, 2010!
The Florida John W. Bates DeMolay University is sponsoring a weekend of Leadership Training and fun events for DeMolay leaders in Florida!
Registrations packets are being prepared for distribution to your Chapters, so watch for them in the coming weeks.
Specifics include:
Location – The Masonic Home of Florida (St Petersburg)
Dates – April 24 – 25
Cost – $25.00 per attendee
Dress – Casual
For those who closely monitor the Kighthood State Schedule, this LTC event “replaces” the Spring Festival for this year. The Knighthood leaders are currently revamping the Spring Festival program, and have offered their weekend to the Director of LTC, since JBU is a Knighthood program, to benefit the DeMolays in the local Chapters. Spring Festival WILL return, but will be taking a break in 2010.
Attention: Chapter Advisory Councils – -
Nominations for DeMolay Honors are due to the Florida Jurisdictional Office NO LATER THAN March 15th. This will allow time for review, completion, approval by the Executive Officer and submission to the DeMolay Service & Leadership Center by their deadline.
These include nominations for:
Degree of Chevalier
Active Legion of Honor
Cross of Honor
Please remember that all nominations for Degree of Chevalier, and both classes of Legion of Honor must be accompanied by a brief biography of the nominee.
Nomination forms are available for download and printing at the DeMolay International website (Resources/Forms) or by clicking here.
Dear Brother and Friends,
Passing of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General
Illustrious Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General for Florida, and the Grand Prior of the Supreme Council passed away on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Illustrious Goldsmith had a long and distinguished career in Freemasonry. In addition to his work in the Scottish Rite, he also served as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida in 1983.
He petitioned Harbor City Lodge #318 F&AM and was raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason on December 10th, 1969. He served as Worshipful Master in 1973.
He is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Lake Worth, receiving the 32° in May of 1970. In 1981 he was elected Commander in the Council of Kadosh. In 1985 he served as Master of Kadosh
He was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1977 and on December 10th, 1983, he was Coroneted an Inspector General Honorary 33°.
On May 3rd, 1989 he was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council (Mother Supreme Council of the World) of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., in the Orient of Florida.
On October 13th, 1989 he was unanimously elected Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Florida and on October 18th, 1989 was Crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. At the Supreme Council Meeting in October 2005, he was elected Grand Prior of the Supreme Council.
He was a life member of the Cocoa York Rite bodies, a recipient of the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor, and an Honorary Member of the DeMolay International Supreme Council.
He moved to Melbourne, Florida in 1953 and in 1957 married Evelyn Claire Meadows. They had three children; two daughters, Roxie and Robin and one son Robert Lee. They have seven grandchildren, and one great grandson. Evelyn passed away on August 30, 1991 of cancer.
On July 30, 1999 he married his lovely wife and constant companion, Joan, and made the move to Jacksonville, Florida where they resided.
A Public Viewing will be held at the Valley of Orlando on Monday, January 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, January 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A Masonic Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, with refreshments to follow. Graveside services will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon.
Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.– The Scottish Rite Creed
For those interested, the list of “Grand” Masonic Conventions within Florida will be added to the Calendar of Events page as they are received by your Webmaster.
So far, the following conventions have been posted:
– Grand York Rite (Grand Session of the Florida York Rite Bodies)
April 15 through 17, 2010 in Lake Mary, FL
– Grand Chapter (Grand Chapter of Florida, Order of the Eastern Star)
April 20 through 22, 2010 in St. Augustine, FL
– Grand Court (Grand Court of Florida, Order of Amaranth)
May 25 through 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL
– Grand Lodge (Most Worshipful Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Florida)
May 30 through June 2, 2010 in Orlando, FL
Please visit our Calendar of Events page for more information.
For those interested, Dad Roger has issued the following as the tentative schedule for Mini Conclave. Obviously, changes to this schedule are possible (probable), and your patience and understanding is appreciated. But, we will try to stick as closely to this schedule as possible.
We wish you safe travels to Daytona from your hometowns. See you on Saturday!
SATURDAY Jan. 16th
9:00am – Noon – Registration
9:00am – Noon – DeMolays Assemble
Noon – 1:00pm – Lunch (On your own)
1:00pm – 2:00pm – J.B.U. Class – Understanding Ritual & Ritual Competition
2:00pm – 3:00pm – J.B.U. Class – Delegate Sessions
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Sweetheart Meeting
3:00pm – 4:00pm – J.B.U. Class – Girls, Girls, Girls
1:00pm – 5:00pm – Ritual Competition
3:00pm – 5:00pm – Chess Competition
4:00pm – 5:00pm – State Chapter Elections
6:00pm – 7:30pm – Dinner
8:00pm – Basketball Competition
Midnight – CURFEW
SUNDAY Jan. 17th
7:00am – 8:30am – Continental Breakfast
8:00am – 8:30am – Devotional Service
8:30am – 10:00am – Flag Football
9:00am – 10:00am – J.B.U. Class – Mock Investigation
10:00am – 11:00am – J.B.U. Class – Knighthood
11:00am – Noon – J.B.U. Class – Guns, Guns, Guns
8:30am – Noon – DAD Class
10:00am – Noon – 8 Ball Doubles Competition
Noon – 1:00pm – Lunch (On your own)
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Initiation
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Initiation
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Advisors Meeting
3:00pm – 5:30pm – Ritual Competition
4:00pm – 5:30pm – Special Class
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Dinner
8:30pm – SMC Fun Time
Midnight – Knighthood Meeting/Investiture
Midnight – CURFEW
MONDAY Jan. 18th
8:00am – 9:30am – Awards Breakfast
9:30am – Checkout
To: The local Chapter Advisory Council Leadership
By now, you should have received your 2010 reapplication package, and should be well into its completion. A quick reminder that all these need to be sent from the State Headquarters, after being signed by the Executive Officer. Please return your completed package to the FL DeMolay office NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 10TH!
Again, many regards to all of you for your patience and understanding with regard to the 2009 registrations. There are very few outstanding items for 2009, and I trust those will be rectified with the return of the 2010 packets.
If you did not submit your ACR for 2009, your paperwork was not generated for 2010.
Any paperwork should be expedited and sent to the FL DeMolay mailbox as soon as possible.
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