DeMolay Open House January 26, 2025

- March 16, 2025

Our second Open House was held on January 26, 2025. This was the first time that we met our fellow DeMolay and Job's Daughters from Alberta. The Meeting Minutes are as follows: (Surnames of the youth have been redacted for this Blog post.)

Saskatchewan DeMolay Chapter

Open House Info Session

January 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Attendance

-Similar to the first Open House in December, 2024 we had about 30 people. Of those 30 were the seven DeMolay candidates: Mason, Morgan, Bryan (Junior), John, Sebastian (Ziggy), Niel (Andrew) and Chael. The rest were parents, adults interested in becoming Adult Workers, Job’s Daughters from Alberta and DeMolay from Alberta. Former DeMolay Dad, Richard Gibbons of Ionic Lodge No. 31 also attended.

Meeting Discussions

-Norman introduced the guests from the Alberta DeMolay Association:

· Kevin Thompson- Executive Director of DeMolay Canada for AB and SK

· Eric Einarson- Communications Director of DeMolay Canada

· Seanne Silvestre- Provincial Master Councillor

· Liam Pike-Deputy Provincial Master Councillor

- Also present were Flannery, her sister and her mom from Job’s Daughters, AB

-Liam and Seanne both presented a general introduction to DeMolay.

-Eric presented a history of DeMolay in Saskatchewan. When identifying famous DeMolay, he stated that former Prime Minister of Canada, John Diefenbaker, was an honorary DeMolay, not an active DeMolay.

-Flannery gave a presentation about Job’s Daughters and her role as the Job’s Sweetheart. One of her duties is to liaison with DeMolay Chapters.

-Richard Gibbons discussed his experiences with DeMolay.

-Kevin discussed DeMolay in a broad sense. He emphasized that the boys would run their own Chapter with the guidance of the Adult Workers as advisors. He asked the boys what they may like to do for their Chapter activities. Discussion from the floor ensued.

-Kevin stated that a Chapter may typically meet twice a month. One meeting would be the business meeting held in the Chapter Room. The other meeting may be a social/fun event of the boys choosing.

-Kevin advised that our first-year dues be at least $100. $50 of that amount will be payable to DeMolay Canada. The other $50 will be retained by the Chapter for operating expenses.

- There was consensus amongst those present that our first-year Chapter Membership fee will be $100. It will be payable when the boys receive the Initiatory Degree.

- The Initiatory Degree will be performed by the Alberta degree team on a date to be determined. Preferably in February 2025.

-There was an understanding that our second-year membership fee may be reduced to approximately $50. This is because we will not incur the same $50 payable to DeMolay Canada as in the first year.

-After the presentations were completed in the Chapter room by the ADA representatives, all the adults exited the Chapter room. The senior and active DeMolay from Alberta; Eric, Seanne and Liam remained in the Chapter room with the seven DeMolay Candidates. They had further general discussion about DeMolay with Mason, Morgan, Bryan (Junior) John, Sebastian (Ziggy), Andrew and Chael.

-upon exiting the Chapter room after about ½ hour, the AB DeMolay reported that it was a productive discussion. The seven candidates had created a group chat platform amongst themselves via text message. Kevin Thompson was included in the group.

-the meeting was ended at 4:00 PM after refreshments were served.

Norman Tarasoff- Acting Secretary