Planning Meeting March 9, 2025

 

Saskatchewan DeMolay Chapter

Planning Meeting Minutes

Sunday, March 9th, 2025

1:30pm

- Sign in sheet completed to document attendees:

Mason, Morgan, Junior (Bryan), Ziggy (Sebastian), John, Chael, Norman Tarasoff, Deanna Henschel, Ryan Henschel, Bryan Syvret, Alvin

Laudinez, Chris Howe

- Letters Temporary to be displayed in the lodge room

- The financial report was summarized by Norman as prepared by Jeff Young (Treasurer). The

report includes initial funds provided by The Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, the member

fees paid and expenses submitted for open house items.

- Adult positions filled:

● Norman Tarasoff – Advisory Council Chairman

● Jeff Young – Treasurer

● Deanna Henschel – Secretary & Scribe/Financial Advisor

● Chris Howe – DeMolay Chapter Advisor (DAD) & Fundraising Advisor

● Raoul Gongora – Assistant Chapter Advisor

● Jose Macalino - Membership Advisor

● Nelson Prado - Ritual Advisor (appoint someone else while Nelson is absent)

- DeMolay Chapter positions to be filled and elected through majority vote

(6-month terms):

● Master Councillor

● Senior Councillor

● Junior Councillor

● Scribe/Treasurer

- DeMolay Chapter positions to be filled voluntarily with Master Councillor input

● Chaplain

● Senior Deacon

● Junior Deacon

These positions are to be determined through discussion with the DeMolay members and an

election amongst those members once the DeMolay degree is achieved. The possibility of casting

the votes electronically vs. in person was discussed.

Norman visited 3 different banks and determined that a credit union would be the best option for

the DeMolay Canada-Saskatchewan Chapter account due to their no fee and youth organization

account options. Innovation Credit Union presents as the best choice. All account transactions

can be completed electronically so any advisors, regardless of location, can be signers. The

account should be set up with 4 signers for authorization (2 adults and 2 youth). At this time, we will

appoint 3 adults (Deanna Henschel, Jeff Young & Chris Howe) as signers until such time that the

DeMolay Chapter positions are filled. Once those positions are established, two of the youth can

be added as signers on the account. Norm will go back to Innovation Credit Union to get started on

the application process. Signers can complete the personal identity verification process at any

Credit Union branch in any location.

- Memorization of the initiatory degree to ‘prove up’ should be completed within the next 3 to

4 weeks (prior to the DeMolay Workshop in Alberta). Once this is complete, members are

eligible to complete the DeMolay degree. Memorization tips and suggestions were made

such as consistent practice, repetition, recording yourself, practicing with another DeMolay

member or a Masonic member. The initiatory degree can be completed individually or as a

group. Chris suggested that the individual option is preferred. The degree can be completed

at any location with one Advisor and the Bible present. A prompter is always present to

assist with memorization struggles.

- DeMolay Workshop takes place at Camp Darwa Alberta from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April

6, 2025. Members would have the option to ‘prove up’ at this event and also receive the

DeMolay degree (the 2nd and final degree that needs to be completed). Any members who

cannot make it to this event will have the opportunity to complete their degrees at a later

time. All members present (6) were in agreement that they would like to attend the event as

long as their parents agree and transportation is available. The fee for this event is

$220/person. The Saskatchewan DeMolay Chapter will need to determine how much of the

available funds should be used to subsidize the cost of this event. Once confirmation of

who is attending is determined, the final costs can be discussed.

- Outstanding adult worker registration, training & criminal record checks were discussed

and it was emphasized that all of these steps need to be completed to act as an adult

worker for activities and to be a signer on the banking account.

- Membership building will be an important part of growing the Saskatchewan DeMolay

Chapter, especially as members ‘age out’ and need to be replaced.

- The next official in person meeting of the Saskatchewan DeMolay Chapter will be the

DeMolay Workshop in Alberta on April 4, 5 and 6, 2025. Any discussions that need to take

place prior to then can be done via video call, messaging, etc.

- The initiatory obligation was practiced with the members and Chris Howe.

Adjourned at 3:30pm

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Deanna Henschel- Secretary