Attention Chevaliers of Florida:
It’s time to come together for fellowship, friendship and fraternity. As you vowed at your induction, you are reminded to break bread with a fellow Chevalier or Court of Chevaliers, a member of the Order of DeMolay or a young man in his teens, as a memorial to our founder, Dad Frank Sherman Land.
We have received information on the following local Courts of Chevalier, which will be meeting on the date and location described:
- Central Florida Court of Chevaliers (Orlando) – Sunday November 8, 2009 at 6:00 pm at Nelore Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse in Orlando. For more information, please contact Commander Tom Jordan at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
- David A. Carr Court of Chevaliers (Tampa) – Sunday November 8, 2009 at 6:00 pm at Giordano’s in Brandon. For more information, please contact Commander David Puzzo at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
More observances will be added as their information is received. Please forward to email hidden; JavaScript is required.
Dad Robert W. Cockerham, Grand Master of DeMolay International, is most pleased to appoint Dad Stephen M. Berry to the esteemed position of Executive Officer for the Jurisdiction of Florida.
The announcement was made via e-mail on Friday September 11th, and will take effect on Saturday September 12, 2009.
Many thanks were extended on behalf of DeMolay International to Dad Richard Lynn for all of his hard work and dedication to Florida DeMolay, and the entire Masonic Family in Florida. These thanks, of course, are mirrored by the members and friends of Florida DeMolay!
Dad Lynn has seen much success as Executive Officer, and he is wished the very best in his future endeavors. He assures us that he will continue to work for DeMolay.
A public ceremony for Dad Berry’s appointment will be held at the Tampa Scottish Rite Masonic Center Saturday October 17th at the time of the DeMolay Degrees, to be held in honor of the Grand Master of Masons in Florida. Dad Berry’s first official event as Executive Officer will be the annual Knighthood Cotillion, to be held that evening.
We wish Dad Berry much success in his new role.
Florida DeMolay converged upon Gainesville, FL from July 25 through 29 for its annual Summer Conclave. The events throughout the several days at Conclave demonstrated strong brotherhood and fellowship, and the brothers of Florida DeMolay walked away from Conclave united to their own “greater good.”
Congratulations to the new Jurisdictional Officers:
Bro. Brian “JR,” State Master Councilor
Bro. Gregor, State Senior Councilor
Bro. Lonnie, State Junior Councilor
At the vote of the delegation, Dad Richard E. Lynn, EO, was voted as an Honorary Past State Master Councilor.
Dad William “Bill” Cobb was named the Advisor of the Year, and awarded the “Guild of the Leather Apron” for his many years of dedication to Masonic Youth.
Bro. Jesse, Illustrious Knight Commander, was named the DeMolay of the Year.
A full list of competition victors is being compiled from the Directors of Athletics and Ritual. Those, and all the other awards presented, will be included in the next eCordon and posted on the FL DeMolay web site. Check it out!
To: All Chapters that had Candidates at Conclave
Please submit your Form 10s electronically at the FL DeMolay website.
Form 10s are required to be submitted within 10 days of the date of Initiation, and we are already on Day #7.
The following Chapters have announced their Installation dates for the Fall 2009 term:
South Miami Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Saturday August 8th at South Miami Lodge #308. Brother Michael will be installed as the Master Councilor.
Lake Sumter Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Saturday August 8th. The ceremonies will commence promptly at 1:00 pm. Brother Timothy will be installed as the Master Councilor.
Greater Titusville Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Sunday August 9th at Indian River Lodge #90. The ceremonies will commence promptly at 2:00 pm, and refreshments will be provided afterwards.
Oleeta West Dade Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Saturday August 15th at the Miami Scottish Rite Temple. The ceremonies will commence promptly at 4:00 pm, and dinner will be provided afterwards. Brother “Mac” will be installed as the Master Councilor.
South Seminole Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Saturday August 15th at the Winter Park Lodge. The cermonies will commence promptly at 7:00 pm. Brother Eric will be installed as the Master Councilor.
Bahia Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Sunday August 16th at Composite Lodge. The cermonies will commence promptly at 5:00 pm. Brother Deion will be installed as the Master Councilor.
West Volusia Chapter will host their Installation of Officers on Friday August 21st at Landmark Lodge. The cermonies will commence promptly at 7:00 pm. Brother John will be installed as the Master Councilor.
Any other Chapters who have chosen an Installation date should forward the information to email hidden; JavaScript is required, and it will be included in an update to this post.
To: The local Chapter Advisory Council Leadership
Many regards to you for your patience and understanding with regard to the 2009 registration of your certified Advisors. There have been many conversations, e-mails, phone calls and other such communications throughout the state, and the Certifications are almost current.
One final set of AWAs and ACRs are being distribuited for completion and submission. Chairmen are remind to expedite these registrations and return them to the FL DeMolay mailbox as soon as possible.
Sir Knights and friends: The Cotillion is rapidly approaching!
The Illustrious Knight Commander invites all Sir Knights, DeMolays, Advisors, Ladies and friends to the Tampa Scottish Rite on Saturday the 17th of October. Cotillion festivities will commence at 5:30 in the evening.
Room arrangements are being made, and will be announced shortly.
At the request of the State Master Councilor, there will be a statewide conferral of the Initiatory and DeMolay Degrees earlier in the day. So, plan to bring your prospects to Tampa for a weekend of fun and fellowship!
Effective Immediately
The FL DeMolay mailing address has been changed to:
Florida DeMolay
3225 South MacDill Avenue
Suite 129-231
Tampa, FL 33629
Any official correspondence should be forwarded to that address.
Please note that the Jurisdictional Toll Free and Fax Numbers will remain the same –
Toll Free – (877) FL DeMolay (877-353-3665)
Fax – (321) 747-0382
To all Florida DeMolays and Advisors,
In the past several days there have been statements and rumors circulating through the State in regards to the removal of the State Master Councilor.
Bro. Anthony Pickren was removed from office. A full and complete report of the events that led to this action will be forthcoming at Conclave in Gainesville.
It is important that these rumors, as well as any discussion involving the action, now cease.
I have directed that he be reinstated as State Master Councilor effective July 14th.
I must point out this action was not initiated by the new State Chapter Dad, as he was directed to take that action.
Additionally, there is a rumor that we will not hold elections this year. This was discussed by some of the State Staff as an option to resolve several problems we felt needed to be addressed. The final decision is that we will hold elections in the customary manor at Conclave.
Considering the turmoil over the last several days, I have also decided to extend the deadline for letters of intent from July 5th until July 10th. Letters of intent, and all proof of statements therein must be prepared in accordance with the Florida Jurisdictional Chapter SOP, submitted to the requisite parties and be postmarked or e-mailed by that date.
If you have any questions in reference to the above statements that cannot wait until Conclave please feel fee to contact me directly.
Sincerely and fraternally,
/s/ Richard E. Lynn
Executive Officer
The Jurisdictional Chapter is now accepting Letters of Intent for the office of State Junior Councilor.
You must be a Past Master Councilor, have received the Lamp of Knowledge, the Representative DeMolay Award, completed the 10th grade, and not be older than 18 years 9 months, on the date of installation at Conclave (July 28th).
Your Letter of Intent must include a synopsis of the DeMolay awards and honors you have received (only list Gold Merit Bars), DeMolay offices you have held (both in the Chapter, and Jurisdictional Chapter as appropriate) and ritual proficiency in the office you are seeking (Junior Councilor parts in the Chapter Proficiency and Initiatory Degree). A candidate’s Letter of Intent to run for an elected State Office must include the following statement: “I have read and am familiar with the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of DeMolay International, and the Charter and Standard Operating Procedure of the Florida Jurisdictional Chapter.” It shall also include the statement “I am proficient in the Ritualism of the office I am seeking.”
Included with your Letter of Intent should be a letter from your advisory council indicating that they approve and endorse your candidacy, and a letter from your parents or guardians indicating that they also approve of your candidacy, and will assist with travel as necessary. Both of these documents must be signed by the appropriate party.
Your Letter of Intent packet must be sent to the State Scribe (email hidden; JavaScript is required), State Master Councilor (email hidden; JavaScript is required), State Chapter Dad (email hidden; JavaScript is required), and Executive Officer (email hidden; JavaScript is required) and be received no later than June 30, 2009.
