DeMolay International facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
DeMolay International

Heraldic badge of the fraternity
Countries with active chapters
Named after	Jacques de Molay
Formation	March 24, 1919; 106 years ago (1919-03-24)
Founder	Frank Sherman Land
Founded at	Kansas City, Missouri
Type	Masonic Sect
Location	10200 NW Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153
Region
Membership (2019)	15,887
Volunteers	> 4 million worldwide
Website	demolay.org

DeMolay International is a special group for young men aged 12 to 21. It helps them learn how to be good leaders. This organization has connections to Freemasonry, which is a fraternal group for adults. DeMolay was started in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919. It was named after Jacques de Molay, who was the last leader of the Knights Templar, a famous group from history.

DeMolay is open to young men who believe in a higher spiritual power. It has about 12,000 active members all over the world, except for Antarctica. You can find active groups, called "chapters," in many countries. These include Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and many countries in South America and Europe.

While young women cannot join DeMolay as members, chapters can choose "sweethearts" and "princesses." These roles allow young women to support the chapter's activities. There are also other groups like Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters for young women that are connected to Freemasonry.

How DeMolay Started

The Order of DeMolay began in 1919 with nine original members. Most of these young men lived close to each other in Kansas City.

The symbol of DeMolay includes a crown with 10 rubies. Each ruby stands for one of the first nine members and the founder of the organization, Frank S. Land. Frank S. Land was a member of a Masonic lodge. When the group first started, the crown had pearls. As each founding member passed away, their pearl was changed to a ruby.

Important Values

DeMolay teaches its members seven Cardinal Virtues. These are basic ideals that members are encouraged to live by. They are seen as qualities that make a good leader and a good person.

• Filial love: This means showing love and kindness to your parents. They are the ones who raised you and taught you important lessons.
• Reverence for sacred things: This is about believing in a higher power, no matter your specific religion. It also means respecting what others believe.
• Courtesy: This means being kind, respectful, and generous to others.
• Comradeship: This is about being a loyal friend, not just when things are easy, but also when times are tough.
• Fidelity: This means being strong enough to stick to your own values and promises. It's about being loyal to your beliefs, your country, and your friends. Jacques DeMolay himself chose to die rather than betray his friends or break his word.
• Cleanliness: This means having a pure heart and mind. It's about keeping your thoughts away from anything that goes against being a good citizen.
• Patriotism: This is about respecting and being ready to protect your homeland, your democracy, and your community. It includes taking care of public places like schools and hospitals that help people in need.

DeMolay also supports three main freedoms:

• Religious Freedom: This is shown by any holy book, no matter the religion.
• Civil Freedom: This is shown by the national flag.
• Intellectual Freedom: This is shown by scholar books, representing knowledge and learning.

DeMolay has an Ethical Code, which is a list of statements members try to follow:

• A DeMolay serves God.
• A DeMolay honors all women.
• A DeMolay loves and honors his parents.
• A DeMolay is honest.
• A DeMolay is loyal to ideals and friends.
• A DeMolay works hard and honestly.
• A DeMolay's word is always trustworthy.
• A DeMolay is polite.
• A DeMolay is always a gentleman.
• A DeMolay is a patriot in times of peace and war.
• A DeMolay is clean in mind and body.
• A DeMolay strongly supports public schools.
• A DeMolay always has a good reputation as a law-abiding citizen.
• A DeMolay must always live up to the high standards he has promised to follow.

The group's motto is: "No DeMolay shall fail as a citizen, as a leader and as a man."

How DeMolay is Organized

A local DeMolay group is called a Chapter. The leader of a Chapter is the Master Councilor. Members of the Chapter elect the Master Councilor, who is usually one of the older members. A Senior Councilor and a Junior Councilor help the Master Councilor. Other officers are chosen by the Master Councilor, except for the Scribe, who is chosen by the Chapter's adult advisors.

Adult men and women guide and supervise each Chapter. These adults are often Masons or former DeMolay members who are now over 21. They can also be other adults from the community, including parents of members.

Beyond the local Chapters, DeMolay also has leaders at a larger level, like for a whole state or region. These leaders are called a State Master Councilor or Jurisdictional Master Councilor. Some countries even have a "National Master Councilor." The main adult advisor for a state or country is called an Executive Officer. The top adult leader for DeMolay worldwide is the Grand Master.

In the United States, past Presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Gerald R. Ford have been Honorary Grand Masters of DeMolay.

Female Youth Leaders

Some DeMolay Chapters choose young women for special leadership roles. These young women help support the members and their activities. These roles are approved by the local adult leaders.

Chapter Sweetheart

A DeMolay Chapter can elect a "Chapter Sweetheart." She is the female representative for the Chapter, even though she is not a DeMolay member. Her job might include going to Chapter events and being an ambassador for DeMolay. Young women from other Masonic youth groups, like Job's Daughters or Rainbow for Girls, are often chosen for this role.

Chapter Princess

A Chapter can also elect a Chapter Princess. Her duties are similar to the Sweetheart's. She attends Chapter events and helps represent DeMolay, often assisting the Sweetheart.

Chapter Duchess

Some Chapters may elect two Chapter Duchesses. They also attend Chapter events and act as ambassadors, helping both the Sweetheart and Princess.

Chapter Little Sis

A Little Sis is usually between 14 and 16 years old. She helps the Princess and the Sweetheart with their duties.

State and Regional Leaders

Each state or region holds a big event every year or two, called a Conclave or Convention. At this event, members vote for their State Master Councilor and other elected positions. Sometimes, they also elect a Deputy State Master Councilor or a Sweetheart for the state. In some places, these officers are chosen by the adult executive officer.

These state or regional officers are the leaders for their area. They plan and lead events for DeMolays in their state. They also help other DeMolay members with activities and ceremonies.

International Leadership

The International Supreme Council is the main group that runs DeMolay International. It is made up of adult leaders from around the world. They are in charge of managing DeMolay globally. The Grand Master, Grand Senior Councilor, Grand Junior Councilor, Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer are the main elected leaders of this council. In some parts of the world, like Brazil, DeMolay International has allowed local groups to manage DeMolay in their own regions.

The DeMolay Congress is like a student government for DeMolay. Two members from each DeMolay region vote in this group. They meet once a year to elect an International Master Councilor and an International Congress Secretary. These two young men lead the Congress for one year. They also discuss and vote on important issues for the organization.

Adult Support and Guidance

Every DeMolay Chapter needs to be sponsored by a local Masonic group or another group made up only of Masons. This sponsoring group helps by providing adult advisors and a place for the Chapter to meet. These adults form the Chapter's "advisory council." The advisory council chooses a chairman, who connects the Chapter to the sponsoring group. Another advisor is chosen as the "chapter advisor," who connects the advisory council to the Chapter members. This advisory council is responsible for guiding the Chapter and its activities.

Activities and Fun

DeMolays take part in many different activities. These can include camping trips, joint events with members of Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters, various sports, and longer trips. Both Chapters and individual DeMolay members can compete in events at state and international gatherings. Locally, each Chapter plans its own activities for its members.

Famous DeMolay Members

Many former DeMolay members have become very successful and well-known in different fields. Some of these famous alumni have been chosen for the DeMolay Hall of Fame. This is a special recognition for their achievements.

Here are a few well-known people who were inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame:

See also

• Delta Sigma Lambda
• Theta Alpha