Florida DeMolay
Florida DeMolay eCordon
Good to Great in '08!
In This Issue
Installations
Honors Nominations
LOH Observance
DSA Nominations
Election Reports
Dad Lynn is Grand Secretary
Knighthood Springfest
Chapter Arrests District Officers
National Basketball Tournament
Membership Scorecard
Form 10 Changes
What's Comin' Up?
Allegiance
Our Masonic Family
DeMolay International

Grand Lodge of Florida

Grand York Rite of Florida

Florida Scottish Rite

Florida Shrine Association

Florida State Association of High-12 Clubs

Grand Chapter OES of Florida

Grand Court Amaranth of Florida

Job's Daughters of Florida

International Order of Job's Daughters

Florida Rainbow Grand Assembly

International Order of Rainbow for Girls
Florida DeMolay Links
Form 10

Col. James "Nick" Rowe Priory

Pocket Petitions

Scholarship Guide

DeMolay Forms

DeMolay Monitor of Ceremonies

DeMolay International Alumni Association

Old South Tournament

Photo Gallery
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March 1, 2008
Welcome to the Florida DeMolay eCordon.

Help us land in your inbox by adding our newsletter's email address, ecordon@fldemolay.net, to your address book today. Here's how!

We hope that you will find the information in this publication useful and timely. And we welcome your suggestions to make it better
Installations
MC Gavel 
Here is the latest list of installations that have been provided to us:
 
Monday, March 3rd
7:30 p.m. Greater Titusville Chapter
Indian River Lodge No. 90, 19 N. Washington Ave Titusville (map)
Saturday, March 8th
7:00 p.m. Paul Revere Chapter
Hillsborough Lodge No. 25, 508 E. Kennedy Blvd Tampa (map)

Please send us your installation dates, and we will keep an  up-to-date listing on the Florida DeMolay web site.
Honors Nominations

DeMolay Honors Due March 3rd
Honor nominations for the Degree of Chevalier, Cross of Honor, and Legion of Honor (both Active and Honorary) are due to the Florida DeMolay state office by Monday, March 3rd.  This will allow us time to process them prior to the due date to DeMolay International of April 1.

Please remember, all nominations for the Degree of Chevalier, or Legion of Honor must have a biography of the nominee attached.  This should include their personal, DeMolay, and civic experience.  Nominations received without the attachment, will be returned.

If you need a form for an honor nomination, it may be downloaded from the DeMolay International web site.
Legion of Honor Observances
Legion of Honor
Here are the latest LOH gatherings planned during March:

Florida Preceptory No. 1
Wednesday, March 19 - 6:30 p.m. Colonnade Restaurant, 3401 Bayshore Blvd Tampa 33629 (map). Please contact Dad Jerry Meguiar for reservations.

Central Florida Preceptory
Tuesday, March 18 - 6:30 p.m. Sam Seltzers, 800 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 32701, 407-332-7267 (map). Please contact Dad Anthony Pereira for reservations.

Space and Treasure Coasts
Tuesday, March 18th, 7:00 p.m. at Rooney's, 2641 Palm Bay Rd, in Palm Bay (map). Please contact Dad Ron Blaisdell for reservations.
Distinguished Service Award Nominations

Distinguished Service AwardOur Executive Officer, Dad Richard Lynn, and the executive staff, would like to encourage every Chapter to select a nominee for the Distinguished Service Award.

Award nominations, with their accompanying supporting documentation, must be received in the State Office by May 31st. The brother chosen will be presented the Distinguished Service Award at Conclave in July.

You may download the nomination forms from the DeMolay International web site. For additional information, please contact a member of the executive staff.

Chapter Directory & Election Reports

FL DeMolay Directory 
This year, Florida DeMolay would like to start re-publishing the State Chapter Directory. 
 
In order to do so, we need each chapter to submit their Election Results on a new form that can be found on the Florida DeMolay web site.

Even if your Chapter did not elect new officers, this information is very important. Master Councilors and Chapter Advisors should see that this is submitted within 24 hours of their Chapter elections, or, if you elections have been completed, as soon as possible.

The State Chapter Directory will contain contact information for the Chapter Chairmen and Chapter Dads, names of the Councilors and Scribe, and the location, meeting dates and times for each Chapter.

Dad Lynn Appointed Grand Secretary

Dad Lynn 
Dad Lynn, who is a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida, was appointed by Most Worshipful Brother Robert Harry, Grand Master of Florida, to serve the Grand Lodge as Grand Secretary until the Grand Lodge session in May.
 
At the Grand Lodge session, Dad Lynn will stand election for the office of Grand Secretary, against a number of other candidates.

Make no mistake - Dad Lynn is still the Executive Officer for Florida DeMolay.

Please send all Florida DeMolay mail for Dad Lynn to:
Richard Lynn
Grand Lodge of Florida
PO Box 1020
Jacksonville Florida 32201-1020

UPS or Fedex:
220 North Ocean Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Dad Lynn, congratulations on your appointment!
Knighthood Springfest
Knighthood April 4-6
Hear ye, hear ye!

Calling all Sir Knights, Squires and Friends of Col. James "Nick" Rowe Priory, Order of Knighthood.

ANNOUNCING the annual Spring Festival for all the Knighthood family
 
When?
April 4th - 6th, 2008

Where?
Masonic Park & Youth Camp
18050 US Highway 301 South
Wimauma, Florida 33598 (map)

What to expect?
  • 4 meals, cooked & served by the adults
  • Foolish games & collective idiocy
  • Water balloon fights
  • A weekend full of fun, fellowship & fraternity
What to bring?
  • $12.50 per person (to cover the 4 meals)
  • Necessary camping items (tents, sleeping bags, etc)
  • Clothes (Casual ONLY)
  • Personal hygiene items & a towel (shower facilities available)
Please send you reservations, by March 30th to:

Dad Jody Meguiar
Ph: (813) 899-9569
-or-
Lady Barbara Sarner
Ph: (813) 634-9564

Chapter Arrests District Officers

DeMolay and the Lodge - A Team!
February 16, 2008, the young men of Escambia Chapter in Pensacola, Florida, arrested the heads of each of the Masonic Lodges and other affiliated Masonic bodies from Districts One and Two.  These respected leaders were summoned by the Chapter's acting Master Councilor, Brandon Lewis, PMC, to report to the DeMolay Chapter to post their bail and clear their names.

Upon arriving at the Chapter at the designated hour, the arrestees and their guests were pleasantly surprised by a wonderful spaghetti dinner and demonstrations of the Flower Talk, performed by Jeff Meister Jr., the Ceremony of Lights talk performed by Jon Marange and the Shield Talk performed by Brandon Lewis, PMC.  The Shield Talk, to the Chapter's knowledge, had never been performed in Northwest Florida as it was written in Pennsylvania.

The event was a huge success, both financial and fraternally.  Many of the participants had never witnessed any type of DeMolay demonstration and were impressed by the level of memory work they witnessed.  Several invitations to perform these talks at our local Lodges were issued that very night.
National Basketball Tournament
B-Ball! May 16-18
An invitation is extended to all DeMolay chapters to participate with no preliminary jurisdictional competition required.  The Executive Officer or Personal Representative in your jurisdiction must approve your chapter's participation. The 2007 and 2008 State Basketball Champions are highly encouraged to participate in the tournaments.  Jurisdictions can also enter a composite team if they wish.

The tournaments will be governed by the rules and regulations established by the National Federation Basketball Rules and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA).  The overall Classic will feature a junior division tournament for ages 12-16 and a senior division tournament for ages 16 and above.  The following additional rules will be enforced: a junior level participant or a senior level participant can only compete in one division, the individual may choose the division in which he wishes to participate in, a chapter may enter one team in the junior level and one team in the senior division, and a chapter that has a mix of junior and senior age players will be required to compete only in the senior level.  Tournament play for teams shall be designed for double elimination depending upon the number of teams participating in the tournament. 

Teams should conduct themselves in a higher standard of conduct in representing DeMolay and their jurisdiction.  Any form of unsportsmanlike behavior, (i.e., trash talking, arguing with officials, taunting, or fighting) will not be tolerated, and may be grounds for immediate ejection from the game.  Thus, un-DeMolay conduct and behavior are grounds for disqualification.

HOOP SHOOT EXTRAVAGANZA
(Individual Competition Sr. & Jr. Divisions)

If time permits during the tournaments, we will feature individual competition for Junior and Senior Divisions in a Hoop Shoot Extravaganza as a special event.    Each DeMolay participant will have the opportunity to shoot as many shots within one minute. During half-time and breaks that occur in tournament play, participants will have the opportunity to compete in this event.  Designated areas of the floor will serve as points for scoring purposes.  The individual with the most points is declared the champion.

All entry forms, team rosters, registration and room fees must be received by the Registration Chairman Dad William G. Hinton on or before May 01, 2008.

The headquaters hotel will be the Executive Inn, 978 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky  40209-1399 phone (502) 367-6161. Complimentary hotel shuttle service is provided by the Executive Inn Staff from the airport to hotel if traveling via the air. $99.00 per room each night's lodging.

Registration fee will be $350.00/chapter or jurisdictional Basketball Team (covers the use of gymnasiums, tournament officials, awards and tournament miscellaneous expenses). Individual registration is $35.00.

For additional information, please contact Dad Ron Blaisdell.
Membership Scorecard

How we doin'?2007 Membership Goal
Membership Goals for Calendar Year 2008

New Member Goal: 74

New Members in 2008: 24

SMC's Membership Goal: 120
SMC's Term Majorities: 61
SMC's New Brothers in Term: 91

All numbers based on the receipt of completed Form 10s. Have you sent in your Form 10s?

Meet our new Brothers

Bahi Chapter
Brother Lance was inducted on February 14th.
Greater Titusville Chapter
Brothes Gordon, Joe, and Philip were inducted on February 25th.

Chapters with Positive Growth for 2008

Chartered Chapters
  • Greater Titusville +2
  • South Seminole +2
  • St. Petersburg +2
  • South Miami +0
  • West Volusia +0

Letters Temporary

  • Mahi Chapter +5

Want to see how you or your Chapter is doing in the membership contests?
Membership Trophy Leaderboard
First Line Signer Leaderboard
DeMolay International "Show Me the Money" Contest Entries

We track the membership our State Master Council achieves during his tenure, but what about our Executive Officer?  Dad Lynn was appointed Executive Officer of Florida on July 9, 2004 and through this issue (March 1, 2008), we have positive membership growth!

New Members in Florida: 317
Majorities in Florida: 311
Net Growth: +6

Form 10 Submissions
Effective Today
Since August 1, 2005, Florida DeMolay has not collected the $25 fee for DeMolay International on all new brothers joining the Order.

However, effective March 1st, Florida DeMolay administration will begin sending chapters an invoice for any new initiates on a monthly basis.

Using the Form 10 system will not change.  No payment will be needed at the time the form is filed, and we encourage everyone to continue to use the Form 10 system for reporting new initiates.

In addition, for those Chapters who have not been collecting a fee from new members, we recommend that you start collecting that fee, or, determine how the Chapter will pay for new member registrations.
What's Comin' Up?
Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events

March
  • 3 - Honors Nominations Due to the State Office
  • 3 - Greater Titusville Installation, 7:30 p.m.
  • 7-8 - NE & SE Regional Scottish Rite Leadership Conference, Alabama
  • 8 - Paul Revere Chapter Installation, 7:00 p.m.
  • 8 - Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida Sesquicentennial Celebration and Homecoming for the Most Illustrious Grand Master, Orlando Scottish Rite, Winter Park
  • 18 - 6:30 p.m. Central Florida Preceptory, Sam Seltzers Altamonte Springs.
  • 18 - 7:00 p.m. Space & Treasure Coast Observance, Melbourne.
  • 19 - 6:30 p.m. Florida Preceptory No. 1 Legion of Honor Observance, Colonnade Restaurant, Tampa.
April
  • 4-6 - Knighthood Spring Festival
  • 19 - Masonic Home Homecoming in St. Petersburg
  • 22-24 - Grand Chapter OES of Florida
  • 28-30 - Grand York Rite of Florida, Lake Mary. Banquet to be held on Sunday, April 27th.
  • 30 - May 4 - Florida Shrine Association Convention, Orlando
Coming Events
  • May 22-24 - Grand Court of Amaranth for Florida
  • May 24 - SMC Reception and State Sweetheart Ball, Bahia Shrine, Orlando
  • May 25-28 - Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida, Orlando
  • June 7 - Knighthood Convocation
  • June 13-14 - Southeast Regional York Rite Meeting, Orlando
  • June 18-21 - International Supreme Council & International Congress, Anaheim, CA
  • June 20-22 - Florida Rainbow Grand Assembly
  • August 28-30 - Triennial Meetings General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International, and General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, Indianapolis, IN
  • September 5-8 - Florida DeMolay LTC, Florida FFA Training Center, Haines City
Allegiance
Frank S. Land
This electronic publication acknowledges authority and yields allegiance to DeMolay International, of which Frank S. Land was founder.
"Building young men of character
since 1919"

"DeMolay gives every young man the opportunity to grow in a moral and healthy way."

Brereton C. Jones - Public Servant - DeMolay Hall of Fame Member


Florida DeMolay: Bringing Back a Tradition of Excellence!

Florida DeMolay

Email: ecordon@fldemolay.net
Phone: 877-FL-DeMolay (877-353-3665)
Fax: 321-747-0382
Web: http://www.fldemolay.org/
Florida
DeMolay
eCordon
Vol. 3
No. 15

The Florida DeMolay eCordon is published by the Administration Department of Florida DeMolay, "Dad" Ron Blaisdell, Editor & Publisher.

Miss an issue? You can see all our previous issues in the eCordon Archives of the Florida DeMolay web site.

All comments or corrections, should be addressed to our email address eCordon@fldemolay.net.

The image at the top of our newsletter was taken from the painting "The Initiation of Jacques DeMolay in 1265" by the famous French artist Francois-Marius Granet. You may see the complete painting, or order a copy and help support DeMolay, by contacting DeMolay International.

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