Question 1

What is DeMolay?

Accepted Answer

DeMolay is the world’s largest boys’ fraternal organization, but mostly it is fun. DeMolay is and can be almost anything you would like it to be. We have sports, dances, all sorts of competitions.

Question 2

What do you do?

Accepted Answer

We do almost everything and anything. We have dances, parties, and picnics. We play most sports, from basketball, to softball, to volleyball. Members also learn how to conduct business meetings and how to perform the rituals, plays, and speeches that set DeMolay apart from other fraternities.

Question 3

How big is DeMolay?

Accepted Answer

DeMolay was started in 1919, and since that time over 4 million young men just like us have joined. Today there are about 1500 chapters, located in the United States, Canada, and sixteen other countries.

Question 4

Who belongs to DeMolay?

Accepted Answer

Young men, age 12-21, who like to have fun at great activities and to learn things that will prepare them for the future.

Question 5

What are the membership requirements?

Accepted Answer

To join DeMolay, you must be a young man between the ages of 12 and 21, believe in a supreme being, be a person of good character and good reputation, and submit a membership application to a DeMolay chapter.

Question 6

How much does it cost to join?

Accepted Answer

Richardson Chapter has a one-time initiation cost of $100.00, and there are no annual dues. Other costs may be from activities the boys choose to do or travel and competition fees. We do occasionally have fund raisers to help offset some costs.

Question 7

When and where do you meet?

Accepted Answer

Most meetings will be at the Richardson Masonic Lodge (528 Lockwood Drive), in Richardson, Texas. We meet Saturday mornings 9:30am – 12:00pm.

Question 8

Can I attend a meeting?

Accepted Answer

You cannot attend a business meeting until you join, but you are more than welcome to visit us any Saturday morning at the Richardson Masonic Lodge building and to attend any of our public functions.

Question 9

Are there any girls in DeMolay?

Accepted Answer

DeMolay is an organization for young men, but there are girls at some of our activities. There are other organizations for young ladies, similar to DeMolay, and sponsored by the Masonic Family, such as the Rainbow Girls.

Question 10

What makes DeMolay different from other young men’s organizations?

Accepted Answer

What sets us apart from the other young men’s groups is that we have a feeling of “brotherhood” that comes from belonging to our fraternity. Also, our boys set their own activities, under adult supervision. And DeMolays engage in speaking competitions that are unique to DeMolay. DeMolay will provide you with many lasting experiences.

Question 11

What are the ceremonies I would go through?

Accepted Answer

Ever since DeMolay began in 1919, all of its members have gone through the same initiation ceremonies. This includes such famous DeMolays as John Wayne, Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite, and Dan Rather.

Question 12

What is the initiation like?

Accepted Answer

To become a DeMolay, you will go through two ceremonies, which we call “degrees.” The first is the Initiatory Degree, where the Seven Cardinal Virtues (Precepts) of a DeMolay are explained to you by the members of the chapter. The second degree is the DeMolay Degree. It is a play about the trial of Jacques DeMolay. The story of Jacques DeMolay teaches the importance of fidelity and toleration, as he was faithful unto death to the trust reposed in him.

Question 13

Is DeMolay a secret fraternity?

Accepted Answer

While we have secret signs, words, and modes of recognition, we have no secrets from the world so far as our central purposes are concerned.
What are your secrets? The only thing that someone might consider secret about DeMolay are our passwords, signs, and handshakes. This is our way, like all fraternities, to make being a member really special.

Question 14

Where does the name DeMolay come from?

Accepted Answer

Jacques DeMolay lived around the 14th century in France, during the time of the great Crusades. He was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, which was the fraternity of Crusaders in France. He was a Knight and a leader of men who stood up for the less fortunate and was true and faithful to his cause and his friends, even in the face of death.

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