What Is DeMolay?
DeMolay is an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.
What do you do?
We do almost everything and anything. We have dances, parties, and picnics. We play most sports from basketball to softball to volleyball. For many members, DeMolay is a chance to meet new friends, have new experiences and learn about what they can accomplish.
How big is DeMolay?
DeMolay was started in 1919, and since that time over four million young men just like us have joined. Today there are about 1,500 chapters, located in the United States, Canada and around the world.
Who belongs to DeMolay?
Young men, ages 12-21, who like to have fun at great activities and to learn things that will prepare them for the future.
What are the membership requirements?
To join DeMolay, you must be a young man between the ages of twelve and twenty-one; believe in a supreme being; be a person of good character and good reputation; and apply for membership in a local DeMolay chapter.
How much does it cost to join?
Iowa DeMolay charges a one time life membership fee of $35. We do have to pay for some of the activities we do, but that's to be expected.
When and where do you meet?
Most of the Chapters meet in Masonic Lodge Halls. We meet twice a month, once to conduct business and plan projects and activities, and once to initiate new members or work on some type of project, like finishing last minute details for a softball game or a dance.
Can I attend a meeting?
You can't formally attend a meeting until you join, but you can come to our activities and meet some of the guys. If you really want to attend a meeting to see what it's like, you can come down to our next meeting for a while and you will be introduced to all the guys.
Are there any girls in DeMolay?
DeMolay is an organization for young men, but there are girls at some of our activities. There are other organizations, for young ladies, similar to DeMolay, and sponsored by the Masonic Family, such as the Rainbow Girls.
What makes DeMolay different from other young men's organizations?
What sets us apart from the other young men's groups is that we have a feeling of "brotherhood" that comes from belonging to our fraternity. DeMolay will provide you with many lasting experiences.
What are the ceremonies I would go through?
Ever since DeMolay began in 1919, all of its members have gone through the same induction ceremonies. When you join, you will go through the same one that all DeMolays went through, including John Wayne, Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite, and Dan Rather.
What is the induction like?
To be a DeMolay you must go through two ceremonies, which we call "degrees". The first is the Initiatory Degree where the Seven Cardinal Virtues (Precepts) of a DeMolay are explained to you by the members of the chapter. The second degree is the DeMolay Degree. This one is great, it's where we dress up in costume and put on a play for you to watch. The play is about the trials of Jacques DeMolay (the person DeMolay is named after), and teaches us about the bonds of friendship and loyalty we share as DeMolay members.
What are the seven cardinal virtues?
They are the basic principles that we feel help us to be better people. They are:
-Filial Love (Love of Parents)
-Reverence for Sacred Things (Respect for things you feel are important, or for things others feel are important)
-Courtesy
-Comradeship (Friendship)
-Fidelity (Being true to your friends and beliefs)
-Cleanness
-Patriotism
Is DeMolay a religous group?
No, DeMolay is not a religious group. DeMolay teaches no religion but expects each member to profess a belief in a Supreme Being and be tolerant in your opinion of others.
What is a fraternity?
A fraternity is an organization whose members have a special bond with one another regardless of age or position. It is a brotherhood built on common interests.
Is DeMolay a secret fraternity?
We are not a secret fraternity, and hold no secrets from non-members as to our type of organization, our purposes, activities and beliefs.
What are your secrets?
The only thing that someone might consider secret about DeMolay are our passwords, signs, and handshakes. This is our way, like all fraternities, to make being a member really special.
Where does the name DeMolay come from?
Jacques DeMolay lived around the 14th century in France, during the time of the great Crusades. He was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, which was the fraternity of Crusaders in France. He was a Knight and a leader of men who stood up for the less fortunate and was true and faithful to his cause and his friends until death.