Congratulations Moundbuilders!

In the latest issue of the Ohio DeMolay e-Connection newsletter, Dad Martin Woodworth, Executive Officer for DeMolay in Ohio announced that Moundbuilders is only one of three chapters in the state to have reached it's 2010 Membership Goal as of May 1st.  In fact, we are second in the state, only one new member out of first.  If each of our members brings in just one more new brother before July 1, we should easily be able to be #1.  Keep those petitions coming in!  Since our Chapter has met our goal, our members will be invited by Dad Woodworth to participate in a special party at Conclave this year. 

Congratulations also go out to Dakota Kiger who is second in the state as a first line signer (and tied for 8th Internationally).  Great Job Dakota!  Other Moundbuilders members who have been first line signers this year are Devin Scanlon, Pat Farrell, Steven Bell, and Spencer Bell.

The Officers of Moundbuilders Chapter were installed on Saturday, May 8 by State Master Councilor Sean Carr at the Newark Masonic Temple.  Attendance was very good and the evening went very well.  A special thanks to the Installing Team:

Installing Officer - Sean Carr, State Master Councilor

Installing Senior Councilor - Mark Chong - State Junior Deacon

Installing Junior Councilor - Nate Washburn - State Senior Steward

Installing Marshal - Bob Laing - State Chaplain

Installing Chaplain - Andy Glass - State Standard Bearer

Installing Senior Deacon - Adam Marshall - State Marshal

The Tribute to Motherhood was given by Adam Marshall.  Dad Jeff Rannebarger, on behalf of Dad Woodworth presented the Chapter with a special recognition for reaching our 2010 Membership Goal.  Awards were presented to the members of Moundbuilders by Dad Scanlon.

Following the Installation ceremony, refreshments were served and the brethern enjoyed an evening of watching the movie, Avatar, and fellowship.  A special thanks to Mom Willeke for the refreshments and to Mom Judy Kiger for pressing our robes.

Earlier in the day, Dad Dan Rannebarger worked with several of the members in completing their Leadership Correspondance Course and Representative DeMolay. 

Don't forget - this coming Saturday (May 15) we will be assisting with serving lunch at the Grand Master's One-Day Class at the Heath Masonic Complex.  Be there at 11:00 am.

We will hold our Installation of Officers on Saturday, May 8 at 7:00 pm at the Newark Masonic Temple. 

DeMolays are reminded that we willl have a Leadership Correspondance Course/Representative DeMolay session that afternoon at 2:00 pm, after which we will set up the chapter room for the installation.  More details will be given at the May 5 stated meeting, or contact Dad Harris.

Advisors who need to take the "DAD" course - we will be doing that at the same time as the LCC/RD for the young men.  Contact Dad Kiger for more info.

We're off to a great start - keep up the good work!  Keep those petitions coming in.

On Wednesday, April 21, 2010, Moundbuilders Chapter intiated three more members into the chapter.   The evening was a huge success with many guests including District Deputies Lester Grennell and Gail Crago representing the Grand Master of Masons of Ohio, and State Master Councilor Sean Carr.  There were a large number of local Masons in attendance - many of whom expressed how impressed they were with the young men and the quality level of the ritual work.

Several of the young men in our Chapter took speaking parts in the cermonies and all did an excellent job.  Our thanks to the Brothers of Linden and Groveport Chapters for their assistance with the ritual work and especially to 4th District Senior Councilor Nick Bolyard for assembling the ritual team. 

We are still hoping to get a team together this weekend to travel to Perrysburg for State Devotional Day and Dodgeball.  Please contact Dad Harris if you wish to attend.

Don't forget - our next stated meeting is Wednesday, May 5. And our Installation of Officers will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 7:00 pm.  Please invite your family and friends.  Let's keep getting the word out about Moundbuilders DeMolay and keep growing!

Those who will be installed as Councilors and Brothers who are interested in becoming Councilors in the future should plan on being at the Temple at 2:00 pm on Saturday the 8th to complete the Leadership Correspondence Course and Representative DeMolay - More information at the stated meeting on May 5.

At our last stated meeting, March 3, the Chapter discussed who is interested in running for what office for the coming term, beginning May 8.  For the most part, officers for the term are selected, however the "official" election of officers will be held at our first stated meeting in April.

This past meeting, the officers began to plan the next few months.  Upcoming events include:

Relay for Life - Saturday, April 3

This is a civic service project.  We will assist with tear-down and clean-up from the Relay for Life event at Denison University in Granville.  We will meet at the IGA in Granville at 9:45 am and carpool to campus.

Campout at Dad Bell's Farm - Saturday, April 3

Following the Relay for Life event, we will go get lunch and then proceed on to Dad Bell's Farm, north of Newark for a campout.  Bring Prospects!  The young men are planning activities and the Advisors are planning the food.  Bring tents, sleeping bags, etc.  The charge for food is still to be determined, but plan on around $10.

Farmers Lodge Spaghetti Dinner - Sunday, April 11

Farmers Lodge in Fredonia is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and we have been asked to help bus tables, clean-up, etc.  More details to follow.

Initiation - Wednesday, April 21

Keep those petitions coming in.  This will be our last initiation before the Installation of Officers on May 8.

State Devotional Day & Dodgeball - Saturday, April 24

State Devotional Day is being held at the Masonic Home in Waterford, Ohio, with the State Dodgeball Tournament to follow in nearby Perrysburg.  You must attend Devotional Day if you participate in Dodgeball.  Devotional Day begins at noon.  We are currently planning to meet at the Newark Temple that morning and leave by 8:00 am.  For more details, see Dad Scanlon or Dad Harris.

Installation of Officers - Saturday, May 8

Details are still being finalized, but we will hold our bi-annual Installation of Officers on Saturday, May 8 at the Newark Masonic Temple.  Currently, we are planning on an evening installation.  More details to follow.

Grand Master's One-Day Class - Saturday, May 15

Details are still being finalized, but we are planning to help with serving breakfast and lunch and with cleanup for the 19th Masonic District's "One-Day" Class being held at the Heath Masonic Complex that day.  We will likely meet at the Heath Temple around 7:30 am, plan on a fun activity nearby while the degrees are taking place and return to serve lunch and help with clean-up.  This is a great opportunity for us to show the Masons throughout the area how great DeMolay is! 

These dates, and others, are on the Chapter Calendar.  For more information, please contact an Advisor.

On Saturday, February 20, an intiation ceremony was held at the Newark Masonic Temple.  We initiated 3 more young men into the Chapter - we now have 10 Active DeMolays and are still growing.

We were again fortunate to have the assistance of our fellow brothers in the 4th District to help with the degree work. Additionally, several of our members took ritual parts - and what a fine job they did!

A large number of Masons from the area visited to watch the degree work and we are very appreciative of their continued support of DeMolay.  Dad Harris reports that, later that evening at New Home Lodge's inspection in Hanover, many of these Masons expressed how impressed they were with the ceremonies and the young men of DeMolay.  The Masonic support of our efforts continues to grow throughout the area.

Many thanks to the members and officers of Linden and Groveport Chapters, Mom Willeke, Dad Ken Cohen (Groveport), and everyone else who helped make this initiation a success!