August 22, 2007
DeMolay International, Grand Lodge of MT, MT chapters, EO staff and state officers;
It has become very painfully obvious to me over the past few years that having a career in the Highway Construction Industry in Montana makes it very hard to meet the needs of the Executive Officer of MT DeMolay. All of the major activities for MT DeMolay, DeMolay International and the other MT Masonic appendant bodies happen in the months of May- September; the time frame within which my company is at its peak operations. For the last 10 years I have been able to pull off a juggling act, meeting the basic needs of MT DeMolay and my business; unfortunately both sides have made sacrifices to accommodate the overlapping of schedules. I am able to make up the schedule short falls at work with working extended hours and weekends, but missing a DeMolay event cannot be replaced and in the last 2 years I have missed way too many. I truly feel that I have been in and will remain in a situation where I cannot give MT DeMolay the attention it deserves and quite frankly needs. The story line to this point has had 2 main characters: Work and DeMolay there is a 3rd dimension – Family. My wife, whom I met at a DeMolay dance when she was the MT Grand Worthy Advisor, has been so very supportive. Jackie has done anything and everything needed to help me in my quest to promote MT DeMolay and ensure its future. All “vacation” days and road trips for as long as I can remember have been DeMolay related and the biggest sacrifices have been made by her. Jackie I thank you and want you to know I would have never made it to this point without you. The family aspect as most of you know has grown in the last couple of years with the arrival of my son Hunter and most recently with the birth of my daughter Haley. My family is my number one priority.
I cannot give MT DeMolay the attention it deserves and so greatly needs; simply put I am not fulfilling the duties as an Executive Officer and that is not fair to the young men of this great organization.
Montana DeMolay is at a cross roads; CHANGE must happen and it must happen NOW. There are currently less than 200 DeMolays in Montana and current membership demographics show this number continuing to fall sharply with little membership majority relief in sight. Combine this with very little activity in the area of new membership and you have a bad combination. There are currently only really 3 active chapters in MT. There are 6 chapters that have a registered advisory council and a sponsoring body, but there are only 3 that are able to even meet regularly. Over 33% of the entire states membership is housed in one chapter – Treasure State Chapter in Sidney, MT. Treasure State Chapter needs to be a guiding beacon for MT; a chapter which all should aspire to resemble.
I would like to make some recommendations:
1) Obviously the first thing that needs to happen is finding an EO replacement. And not just a male body with a heartbeat. Someone who knows the organization, the chapters and the young men we have- THEY DESERVE THIS. I have spoken with many of you and several other potential candidates in regards to this situation and this is what I would recommend. Sam Whitehead has been the State Chapter Advisor the last several years after finishing his DeMolay years as a state officer. He has also served on the MT Grand Lodge Youth Group Committee, the MT Masonic Home Board of Directors, he served as Master of the Cascade, MT Lodge. His passion for the youth of MT flows over into his professional life as well; he has worked for Shodair Children’s Hospital and continues to teach youth classes for the YMCA in Helena. Sam is up to speed on the status of MT DeMolay, he knows the chapters, advisors and the members all vital to being EO. He is also willing to accept this challenge! Sam would need to be appointed the Personal Representative of the GM of DeMolay International until voted on by the ISC at next year’s Session and would need to travel to DI for EO training. He would also need to receive the blessing from the Grand Lodge of Montana. I would recommend he be appointed P.R. for MT DeMolay.
2) I would want the new EO to continue focusing on the logistics of MT DeMolay and stay connected with the areas that comprise our membership. Make sure events are located in a geographical location that they can reasonable make it to and really promote what they have going. If something happens in Sidney or Bozeman DeMolay in MT is in BIG trouble. Use the ideas and momentum these chapters possess to help rebuild others. If the focus continues to be on what we had in the past instead of what we have in front of us it will all be history!
If you have any questions refer to the MT jurisdiction of Job’s daughters. For those of you at DI that may not know it no longer exists.
3) I would recommend that the new EO, EO staff, 2007/08 state officers, Chapter Advisors and members start thinking out of the box. If we cannot cognitively make a change in our processes we cannot expect our current situation to change. Don’t get me wrong I don’t have the answer but I do want to employ everyone of us to try new ideas to find the avenue to success.
4) I believe that the members of the Executive Officer Staff are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable individuals out there. They will be the foundation for DeMolay in MT! Keep them, capitalize on their gifts and thank them often. Current EO Staff members: You are the best in the business THANK YOU for the opportunity to work with you as EO and I hope to continue working with you going forward (if the new guy will have me).
I have gained so much from my involvement in DeMolay as a member, to State Master Councilor, to State Chapter Dad and onto Executive Officer that I will never be able to give back what the order has given me. This is my resignation as Executive Officer but definitely not a severing of all ties. I plan to stay involved as much as possible and hopefully return as EO someday if the opportunity presents itself. There are countless thing I can do for the order and my first focus will be on the disgraceful fact that there isn’t even an active chapter in my hometown. I would like to publicly thank so many people. The list is so long it would take up pages and I won’t do that to you but there are some that I cannot go without some form of recognition.
Ted Williams- This thank you alone SHOULD go for pages, but I will simply state that MT DeMolay is still here today because of your commitment. Wow the shoes you left me to try and fill.
Lance Averett – I just don’t have the words….
Wes Thornton and the Region VII boys - What a great act to follow – you guys are the best and you definitely haven’t seen the last of me.
Sam – Thanks for the commitment and all of your efforts. The boys truly look up to you for leadership and guidance. You have all the tools just don’t forget to learn everyday and use what you learn to make a better tomorrow.
My Family – I owe ALL of you so much thank you.
For God, For Country, For DeMolay!
Wade