What is DeMolay?

The Order of DeMolay is the oldest and largest Fraternity for young men in the world. It was founded in 1919 by Frank Sherman Land and nine young men in Kansas City Missouri. Its teachings emphasize leadership and personal growth. Locally a DeMolay Chapter is sponsored by a Masonic body that provides support and key advisors. Parents and other interested adults who are not Masons may be advisors. DeMolay has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. DeMolay is a safe environment for a young man to enjoy.

Who can be a DeMolay?

Any young man between the ages of 12 and 21 may join. They need to fill out a petition (application) for a local chapter and be sponsored by two members and an Advisor. Your application will be read and voted on by the members. An application is available online here.

What can I expect after I submit my petition for DeMolay?

You will be contacted by a group of members who will most likely want to ask some simple questions about you. They will also offer to speak with your parents and answer any questions you or they may have. After you have been accepted for membership, you will be contacted with the date of your initiation ceremony. Your parents or guardians are welcome at this and all meetings.

How much does it cost to join and how much are yearly dues?

DeMolay does not have a yearly due structure. When you join you pay a life membership fee and there is no extra cost. This fee will cover all dues until you reach the age of Majority (21) and become a Senior DeMolay. Parkersburg Chapter’s life membership fee is $35

What can I expect during my initiation into DeMolay?

The DeMolay initiation is a solemn and serious ceremony where you are formally inducted into DeMolay. There is no hazing in DeMolay. You will be instructed in our traditions and asked to keep the details private. We are not a secret society, but believe our ceremonies are more impressive and meaningful if kept only to our members and their parents. Our main tenets are love of parents, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, friendship, faithfulness, cleanness and love of country.

Who was DeMolay and is it true what I hear about the Knights Templar?

DeMolay was Grand Master of the Knights Templar in the 14^th Century. The Templars at that time were a crusading Order of Knights pledged to protect the Pilgrims on their trips to the Holy Land. There are many theories about the Templars and their activities. In DeMolay we seek to emphasize the fidelity that DeMolay showed to the end for his Order and its members. DeMolay was burnt at the stake as a martyr in 1314, rather than betray his brethren. This historical fact is exemplified in a solemn manner as a lesson in Fidelity. Recently movies and the media has popularized a fictional  account of Templar activities, that are just that, fictional. There are many excellent resources on the web and in most public libraries that will show a more realistic historic account of the Knights.  

This all sounds boring, do DeMolays ever have fun?

DeMolay is all about fun! Do a search for DeMolay on the web and you will see lots of pictures of DeMolays having fun! The regular meetings are run by the youth with the adults taking a backstage. DeMolay is a youth run organization. Each chapter has its own unique program. Each activity is planned and ran by the chapter members not the adults. Most chapters will have one or more fun activity each month. The list of events is endless… pizza parties, dances, movies, poker competitions and anything else you can think of.

On the state level most states host at least one annual state meeting (in West Virginia called Conclave and held in July). At this meeting you will participate in sporting events, dances, eat pizza and other fun stuff. It is usually held at a college campus (Conclave is held at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon West Virginia). West Virginia DeMolays also have a winter meeting (usually in February and called Winterfest) where we spend 2 days skiing, snowboarding, eating and having fun.

DeMolay is a unique organization and the simple fact is that the more you put into it, the more fun you will get from it!