What are the requirements to join?
The requirements for membership are few, but each is important. To join DeMolay, a young man must:
-be between the ages of 12 and 21.
-be of good character and reputation.
-believe in a Supreme Being
-petition a DeMolay chapter.

What is the initiation like?
The DeMolay initiation consists of two "degrees," the Initiatory Degree and the DeMolay Degree. The
Initiatory Degree is a solemn ceremony during which the initiate dedicates himself to uphold the virtues of love of parents, reverence, courtesy, comradeship, loyalty, cleanness and patriotism. The DeMolay Degree is a dramatic portrayal by the members of the Chapter of the trials, torture and martyrdom of Jacques DeMolay. The ceremony is intended to teach the lessons of loyalty and comradeship, To the initiate the DeMolay Degree is much like watching a play that is set in the Middle Ages. The DeMolay initiation involves no hazing or horseplay. The ceremonies are intended to be serious moments during which the initiate is acquainted with the founding principles of the Order of DeMolay.

What is the ritual of DeMolay?
The ritual of the Order of DeMolay is truly what sets it apart from other youth groups. The ritual is a series of ceremonies, each of which has a symbolic meaning intended to inspire the young men who belong to the organization to be better citizens, better friends and better men. Included in these ceremonies are standard ways of opening and closing meetings, inducting new members and installing officers in their offices. The DeMolay ritual was written by Frank Marshall, a reporter for the Kansas City Star newspaper in the early 1920's and a friend of DeMolay founder Frank S. Land.

How does the life membership process work?
For each member initiated, a fee is paid to DeMolay International. This fee places the new member among the "life members" of the organization. No annual "dues" are collected from the member. Members are asked, however, to support their chapter's fund raising projects, since a portion of the money raised by the Chapter must be paid to DeMolay International to cover the cost of insurance, and another portion must be paid to the state DeMolay association, to cover a portion of the costs of services provided by the state organization.

What types of activities does a DeMolay chapter have?
Within certain parameters, the, activities of a DeMolay Chapter are limited only by the imaginations of its members. Members of DeMolay chapters plan and hold social functions, fund raising and civic service projects, and athletic activities, among other things. Insurance restrictions prohibit chapters from engaging in certain activities. However, overall, Chapters have a wide range of activities from which they can choose as they plan their activities and projects calendar.

Why haven't I heard of DeMolay?
Often DeMolay chapters become so involved in planning, organizing and enjoying their activities, they overlook promoting their Chapter within the community as they should. Even if you haven't heard of the organization, no doubt you have heard of some of its members. They include Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, actor John Wayne, comedians Tommy and Dick Smothers, professional football star quarterback Fran Tarkenton, news commentator Dan Rather and television weatherman Willard Scott, to name only a few. Many well-known personalities, as well as leaders of business, industry and government credit their success in part to their DeMolay experience.

Is DeMolay a Christian organization?
No. Among the requirements for membership in DeMolay is the belief in a Supreme Being, but not that the Supreme Being be that of one particular doctrine, sect or denomination. A young man's religious convictions are his own. DeMolay's ranks include Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and members of other religious groups.

Why does DeMolay allow members of all religions to join?
The value in having membership across the religious spectrum is in the opportunity it provides for members of one religion or denomination to understand the perspective of others. This philosophy has allowed tens of thousands of additional young men the opportunity to have the DeMolay experience--to develop themselves physically, spiritually and mentally, to develop their leadership potential, their sense of self and to determine their view of and approach to life. DeMolay is not intended to take the place of the Church in shaping a young man's spiritual life. Instead, it attempts to build on the foundation and value structure provided by the young man's own religious background to help him make decisions on the direction of his life.

Why does DeMolay use a Bible as a part of its Chapter-room furnishings?
The Bible is used as a symbol of the spiritual foundation that all DeMolay members are required to have before they can join. It is not intended to represent an endorsement of the Christian religion over any others. A DeMolay's belief in a particular religious doctrine is something that is between him and God. It is something that must be arrived at through consultation with his family, his pastor or others whose opinion he values, followed by his own deep thought and prayer. Generally the holy book of the predominant religion of that nation or area is the spiritual guide book that is used in the local DeMolay chapter room. However, should a chapter's membership include members from more than one religion, more than one holy book may be used in DeMolay ceremonies.

Where does DeMolay have Chapters?
Approximately 700 DeMolay Chapters operate in countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil,
Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the Republic of the Philippines.

Is there a way for the members' parents to be involved?
Many DeMolay chapters have a Parents' Club. Working under the general supervision of the chapter's
Advisory Council, this group of parents and friends of the Chapter work to support and encourage the activities and projects of the Chapter. Parents' Clubs often assist their chapter by helping maintain degree costumes, providing transportation to and from chapter and state DeMolay activities and supplying refreshments for the members to have after their meetings, among other things. They hold fund raising activities of their own to help with the finances needed to carry out their projects.

Chapter Sponsorship and Supervision

Who sponsors DeMolay chapters?
Each DeMolay chapter is sponsored by a group of Freemasons, a Masonic Lodge, or some appendant Masonic group such as the Scottish Rite, the York Rite or the Shrine. The responsibilities of the sponsoring body are: to provide the chapter a place to meet; to provide adult leadership and guidance through maintaining an active Advisory Council; to assist the chapter whenever and however needed. 

Who are the Masons?
According to legend, the earliest Masons were craftsmen such as stonecutters and metal workers in ancient Egypt and in medieval Europe. They formed guilds and pledged to protect and assist the families and the property of members of the guild who were away in foreign lands plying their trade. While it cannot be proven that this was the origin of the fraternal organization known as the Free and Accepted Masons, this is the belief that some have. Still others believe that today.s fraternal order is descended from the Knights Templar, a group of soldier monks who guarded the highways pilgrims traveled into and out of the Holy Land. In either case, the modern Masonic Order has roots that go back at least 700 years. Today.s Masons are men who have banded together for mutual improvement in an organization whose basic tenets provide a framework in which to improve themselves morally and spiritually, while giving back to the community through the conduct of various
community service and charitable undertakings. Traditionally, the caliber of men who seek membership in the Masonic Order are among the most charitable and civic-minded individuals in any organization.

Are the Masons a secret organization?
No. After all, in town after town Masonic meeting halls are prominently marked. In many locations the
meeting time and day of the local lodge is published in the newspaper. Hardly a way for a "secret" organization to operate. In addition to these things, many of the ceremonies and instructional talks used by the Masonic groups are published in books that can be purchased. Primarily, three things have contributed to the impression that the Masons are a secret organization. The first is that the meetings of the local lodges are restricted to members only. The next is the fact that Masons have certain modes of recognition that are kept confidential. Not revealing the modes of recognition to the world at-large provides Masons who do not know each other personally a way to determine that the other is indeed a member of the fraternity. This identification process also helps lodges ensure that unknown men who approach the door of a Masonic Lodge to visit are truly Masons and are not simply trying to get into the meeting out of idle curiosity. The third reason that leads some to
believe the Masonic order is a secret organization is the fact that, unlike most other organizations, men are not asked to join Masonry. They must express an interest in membership before conversation regarding their joining can begin.

How did DeMolay and Masonic Lodges come to be associated?
The founder of the Order of DeMolay, Frank S. Land, was himself a Mason. As the DeMolay organization began to grow and new chapters were being formed in the 1920's, Land realized that each DeMolay chapter would require a group of quality men to provide guidance and supervision for the young men. He felt that requiring DeMolay chapters to be sponsored by a Masonic lodge or a group of Masons would ensure that there would always be community service-oriented men to serve on the advisory council of a Chapter.

Is DeMolay a junior Masonic organization?
No. DeMolay's relationship to the Masonic order is through the sponsorship that Masonic groups provide
DeMolay chapters and through the members of a chapter's Advisory Council who are Masons.

Who supervises the activities of a DeMolay Chapter?
Activities and projects of a DeMolay Chapter are supervised by a group of men who comprise the Advisory
Council. Most often, this body is made up of Masons from the sponsoring organization. However, Masons who
are members of other masonic groups can and do serve as DeMolay advisors, along with Senior DeMolays. Senior DeMolays are members of DeMolay who have passed their twenty-first birthday. 

What do the Advisors do?
Ultimately the advisors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the operation of the Chapter and ensuring that the Chapter operates within the statutes set down by the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay, the international governing body. The advisors help the members plan and carry out programs and activities of the Chapter. They also supervise those programs and activities while they are
ongoing. The advisors are also responsible for sitting as a hearing board on disciplinary matters involving the members. In addition, they often help the Chapter by acting as the .record-keepers. and administrators of the paperwork that is required in order to keep the Chapter operating.

The DeMolay Emblem

What is its meaning?
Every part of the official DeMolay emblem has its significance to a member of the Order of DeMolay.

The Pearls and Rubies and the Crown honor the founder, Frank S. Land, and the nine young men whose ties of friendship drew them together in the formation of the Order of DeMolay. The pearls represent those of the original 10 (the Founder and the original nine DeMolays) who are living. A pearl turns to a ruby as the Founder and each one of the original nine DeMolays goes to his heavenly reward.

The Helmet is emblematic of chivalry, without which there can be no fineness of character.

The Crescent is a sign of secrecy and constantly reminds DeMolays of their duty not to reveal the secrets of the Order nor to betray the confidence of a friend.

The Five-Armed White Cross symbolizes the purity of intentions to always remember the motto of the Order: "No DeMolay shall fail as a citizen, as a leader, or as a man."

The Crossed Swords denote justice, fortitude and mercy. They symbolize the unceasing warfare of DeMolay against arrogance, despotism and intolerance.

The Stars surrounding the Crescent are symbolic of hope, and should always remind us of those obligations and duties that one DeMolay Brother owes to another.

Disclaimer- Information used on this page is taken from the "DeMolay...What's That?" packet.