DeMolay is the world's premier youth leadership organization. We are dedicated to building young men of character and making young men better people and leaders.
Providing a program based on timeless principles and practical experience, DeMolay strives to not only create the extraordinary leader, but a leader of character. DeMolays hold themselves to a higher moral standard, striving to constantly improve and be better each and every day.
DeMolay is a youth-led, adult-advised organization in which young men learn to plan, organize, and facilitate their own programs. DeMolays take part in a wide-range of activities, from athletic competitions, to public speaking tournaments, to community service events. All activities are guided by the interests of the local chapter. If you can dream it, you can do it in DeMolay.
DeMolay provides endless fun and friendships that last a lifetime, even with such a serious mission. When a young man joins DeMolay, he instantly gains over four million brothers across the globe. No youth organization provides such life-changing experiences like DeMolay.
But words are insufficient to describe DeMolay; it must be experienced. Give it a chance and we know you will discover what we already know; DeMolay is the greatest youth organization in the world.
What does the emblem signify?
The crown is symbolic of the high morals that we stand for that constantly reminds a DeMolay of his pledges and the seven core values of his organization. The ten ten red rubies honor the Founder and the nine young men whose ties of friendship drew them together in the formation of the organization. The helmet is emblematic of chivalry, without which there can be no fineness of character. The crescent is a symbol of our heritage and constantly reminds DeMolays of their obligation to remain faithful to their pledges and fellow brothers. The five-armed white cross symbolizes the purity of our intentions to always remember the motto of the organization, “No DeMolay shall fail as a citizen, as a leader and as a man.” The crossed swords denote justice, fortitude, and mercy. They symbolize the unceasing battle of DeMolay against arrogance, despotism, and ignorance. The stars surrounding the crescent are symbolic of hope, and should always remind us of those obligations and duties which one member of the organization owes to another.
Why the name DeMolay?
DeMolay takes its name from Jacques DeMolay. Born in Vitrey, Department of Haute Saone, France in 1244, DeMolay joined the Order of Knights Templar at the age of 21, and was a leading figure in the waning years of the Crusades.
The Knights Templar was an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre. The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades and earned a name for valor and heroism.
in 1307, at the age of 63, DeMolay was falsely accused by King Phillip IV of France and arrested. After the baseless allegations could not be proved, DeMolay was then charged with heresy. However this charge was also not proved and he was absolved of this charge by Pope Clement VIn 1308.
Despite this, King Phillip IV had DeMolay burned at the stake in 1314.
How it started.
It has been said that a day can be changed or a great moment launched by a single phone call, and such a call occurred in Kansas City, Missouri in January of 1919.
Frank S. Land, a local area business man and community leader answered a call from of Sam Freet, newly installed Senior Warden of Ivanhoe Lodge. “Frank, I have a favor to ask. One of our members died a year ago. Could you find a part-time job for the oldest boy, Louis? He is one of the finest young men I have ever seen." Mr Land agreed to meet the boy and set up an appointment for him after school the following day.
The next afternoon Louis arrived promptly for his interview. Shaking hands with this youth brought a response to Land that seemed to blend them into a common experience that would unite them for years to come. Louis radiated an honesty of character, a natural aptitude for leadership, and the grace of movement of the athlete. Mr Land thought, “If I had a son, I would want him to be just like this lad.”
They talked for a while about school. Louis told him of his aspirations for a place on the track team, of his position as a pitcher on a baseball team, and in response to a question said, “I am a fairly good student. Even with the hard time we are having, I want to finish high school and then help with the education of the others.”Frank responded, “It is a good goal. You will meet the challenge. Now, tell me about your father. I knew him but only from very casual meetings.”Louis hesitated as though reluctant to look into the past but finally said, “My father was the finest father a boy ever had.”
That evening, Mr Land talked to his wife Nell about the meeting with Louis. "This boy I talked to today is tremendous. One of the finest young men I have ever met. He is going to work with me in the office and I know I shall enjoy having him around. Perhaps we could take him to church with us Wednesday evening. The teachings of the church would be good for him and you could meet him.” Mrs Land agreed and suggested that Mr Land encourage Louis to bring some of his friends over to the apartment some evening.
The boys came early that Wednesday evening and each in turn was introduced to Mr. Land by Louis Lower with, “I want you to meet Ralph Sewell, Elmer Dorsey, Edmund Marshall, Jerome Jacobson, William Steinhilber, Ivan Bentley, Gorman McBride, and Clyde Stream. There are nine of us.” They were a group destined to form a great youth organization and each was to advance through his efforts and determination to prominence in his chosen field of work. Mr. Land acknowledged each introduction with a handshake and word of welcome. “Before we get down to business, let’s make a tour of this building. I think you will find it just about right if we should decide to form a Club and use it as a meeting place.” It was a radiant group that gathered about the long table in one of the meeting rooms that night. There was no doubt that they should continue to meet as a Club. The only question was a name.
One suggested they use Greek letters as the college fraternities did but this was instantly voted down as making them only a part of other organizations. The name must be distinctive and carry meaning. They turned to Land for suggestions. He pointed to a recent series of prints on the wall that showed the adventures of Sir Galahad and the Knights of the Round Table. There was a negative shaking of heads.The greatest of wars had ended only a few months before and the adventures of knights of old seemed far away. Then names were mentioned from history and from the Bible. Mr Land neither criticized or admonished the committee at the time. In fact they didn’t know whether he agreed or disagreed with any of their suggestions.
Stories such as Damon and Phythias, David and Jonathan and of Nathan Hale. Nothing seemed to click until one of the boys, Clyde Stream, said “Mr. Land, tell us something connected with Masonry. They must have great names and we are meeting here in one of their buildings.”
Mr Land smiled, “There are many names and stories directly connected with Masonry, but I think I should tell you about the last leader of the Knights Templar. His name was Jacques DeMolay or as they say in history books, James of Molay.”
The story and the name caught the imagination of the boys. Here was heroism. Here was a great example of loyalty, of courage. Here was a theme from knighthood and chivalry, at its best, and the name of a martyr to fidelity and toleration. The boys were ready without further consideration to accept this name as the name of the group. But Mr Land interrupted, “Now let’s wait just a little bit and sleep over this. Let’s not rush into it. Perhaps with a little more thought we can come up with a better name. One that might be more in keeping and more appropriate. It is growing late and you should all be going home. Come back next week and bring a few more of your friends. We will talk more together about it then. Good night and thanks for coming.”
The adjournment did not weaken their resolve and on March 24, 1919 the Order of DeMolay was launched. During the next few years, however, the date of March 18, the date in the past that had witnessed the death of Jacques DeMolay, came to be more frequently used.
Thirty-one boys, all from the same high school, came that night. Mr Land made each boy welcome and then explained briefly his ideas of a Club. He told them, “This is your meeting. I will serve as Advisor, but it is your meeting. Why not proceed with an organization and elect a few officers. I will take charge until you have completed your election.” During the next few months the group grew in numbers, in activities and interest. Then a fear came to some of them that they were growing into too large a Club. Someone suggested that a committee talk with Mr. Land and endeavor to convince him that membership should be limited to 75. Later when the meeting was called to order, the chairman reported and moved that the membership of DeMolay be limited to 75. The motion quickly received a second and was unanimously adopted.
It was then that Dad Land rose from the back of the room where he had been more or less out of sight for he wasn’t the type to take the spotlight, or the forefront in their meetings. He wanted them to conduct their own meetings.As he came to the front of the room that night, he proceeded to tell them—and in no uncertain terms—how selfish and how inconsiderate they were. He told them that they were operating and thinking absolutely contrary to every idea that he had in mind for this organization. He reminded them that there were three other high schools in Kansas City which had young men who were just as capable, just as qualified, and just as upstanding as they were. In fact, he indicated he thought they were probably much, much better than what they thought they were. He said that if it was good for one boy, it must be good for all eligible boys. He reminded them that ‘to become big, they must be big.’ The motion to limit membership to 75 was rescinded. It was then that DeMolay was permitted to grow and develop. And grew it did. DeMolay continued its growth initiating new member and instituting new chapters in all states of the continental USA. DeMolay then crossed the oceans and the organization was developed in many foreign countries.