Demolay Basics

 

 

 

 

I was really Impressed with the whole thing especially the memorization and drama parts . I also

liked the idea that there were a few Adults who while staying in the background obviously had the respect of the Young men in the group .

Our meetings were conducted by Roberts rules of Order and we really followed them and respected the rules as well . Our discussions might get lively but they were formally civilized we were like Ambassadors only we didn't bomb each other .

It was in DeMolay I began to understand how to work in groups , and the importance of " paying your dues " The leading officers of the group were elected officers ...We elected a Scribe/ Treasurer . the Junior Councillor , the Senior Councillor and the Master Councillor. Once elected to the position of Junior Councillor you would usually run through the chairs and end up as Master Councillor . Besides those offices there were several others which were appointed by the Master Councillor . The route to be Master Councillor began with being appointed as a officer. I found that if they didn't know you wouldn't get appointed . And the way to get known was to participate in the work of the Chapter . and we did a lot of work . We held Car washes , and breakfasts , we volunteered for several things . And as one of the most popular Chapters in the State we were also invited to a lot of Outside events mostly involving girls . The girls involved were either Members of the Jobs Daughters / Bethel or Rainbow Girls . Bethel seemed more popular in the City and Rainbow was more popular in the Smaller cities surrounding Portland .

These groups also were connected to the Masonic Order . and they were set up similar to Demolay in organization. Three times a year they would change officers , and three times a year they would have a Installation of Officers . Demolay chapters were chosen by the various Girls groups to participate in the installation we would act as escorts and also provide an Arch of Swords for the duly elected Queen to walk under while escorted by our Master Councillor . The installation would end with a Dance and party and an opportunity to mingle . Its important to note that Mingling meant different things to different people , but all of this was done with the watchful eyes of well trained Chaperones . Many of the Demolay guys I know ended up marrying a young lady they met in Bethel or Rainbow . As a chapter we had a lot of events , events cost money . So we were constantly raising money . We had two go to Money raisers ...One was the Car wash . We did particularly well one year when Jerry Kirk dressed up in His Lime green short shorts with a tied died Tee Shirt and matching Socks was our front man . We also had a Yearly event the Demolay Pancake Breakfast which attracted crowds from as far away as Tigard and Hillsdale . This event was Huge with a line usually stretching around the block . Dad Woody was our go to Short order cook , but just about every active Member pitched in to help out , from cooking to delivering the goods and clean up . we had other money raising events I know once i tried to sell my brother , but he had gotten too old to be graceful about my efforts to market him .

I have reached out to several of my former Demolay friends and continue to urge them to contact me with their Memories ..about these events and obviously countless others i have forgotton . IN future chapters we will explore the Demolay work ethinc , Why Demolay worked , Dating and other miracles , also subtitled " why Basements ? " .

This to my Demolay friends from the past : Our cars : I remember Doug Atterbury's Pick up truck , Fred Mimms Dodge GT , John earls pristine 55 Chevy  and Jerry Kirk's Mustang ..what other cars were pulling up on Wednesday nights ? ...More later ...