May 3, 2006
Oregon DeMolay
Welcomes each of you to this the 28th weekly update for the Jurisdiction of Oregon DeMolay.
In these emails we have talked about leadership, friendship, the future, and the past....lets talk for a minute though about DeMolay. Let's talk about what it is that makes DeMolay the best youth fraternity for young men in the world. I'll give you a couple examples from various chapters in Oregon DeMolay.
This past weekend, Mt. Hood Chapter in Portland spent 7 hours working for Habitat-4-Humanity. Seven young men and one adult were working hard helping the landscaping structure of a housing development in East Portland. Whether it was spreading gravel before cement was put down, or down to the nitty gritty of pulling weeds and planting...plants, haha, the work these young men put forward in the words of the site foreman Chris, "The work done today was equal to what it typically takes the 3[staff members] of us to do in a week." That is just one chapter. Lets travel south now, how about Medford DeMolay and all the canned food they collect at their monthly dances for a local food bank in Medford. One more example. We'll go right in the middle of Medford and Portland....Eugene DeMolay. When Eugene Chapter was called upon by Al Kader and Hillah Shrine to help sell coloring books at the Shrine Circus, though small in membership numbers, they helped raise substantial money for the Shrine Hospital Transportation fund. My "Hat's Off" to these chapters and to all the chapters for placing themselves out in the community, not just spreading the word about DeMolay, but for all the work your giving back to your community. Keep up the good work!
How about an update on Craig...
For those reading this for the first time, Craig is a member of Tigard-Orenomah Chapter and just weeks prior to Thanksgiving was diagnosed with Leukemia (cancer of the blood). He has been going to the hospital on a regular basis for chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and even a spinal tap. Typically Wednesday's are Craig's day to have Chemo. Today, his blood cell counts were so high, (ps. that's a GREAT! thing) that he didn't have to stay in the hospital. So please keep him in your prayers, and cross your fingers, i would love to see him down at Congress this weekend, so we can formally present him with his game jersey.
And Tom, don't you worry, we've made a jersey specially for you also. And we'll find a great time at some point before the game to present both you and Craig with your official basketball jersey's.
Tom is one young man, battling and living with Type 1 Diabetes who came out last weekend and worked diligently to help with Habitat-4-Humanity. And don't worry Mom and Dad Barclay, he ate just fine at lunch. : )
Upcoming Events in Oregon:
Congress 2006
My friends we are just 3 days away from this milestone event in the history of Oregon DeMolay. Not only will we be electing the future leaders of Oregon DeMolay...but we will be making our mark on the Masonic Family in Oregon.
With this basketball game alone, we will be benefiting and assisting two separate but very worthy causes. Without the numbers right in front of me, I can't say for sure how much money we've raised so far, however what I can tell you is that by the end of Saturday night, we potentially could be pushing the $5000 mark. Yes! That is correct, three 0's after the 5, $5000. And it is not going stop after Congress alone, NO WAY! We're going to be assisting however we can all the way through Conclave and hopefully into the coming years. Be ready! Get your game faces on and let's achieve great things together.
Please help us welcome our special guests to this event...
Stephen Ashman
39th International Master Councilor
Greg Wilhoit
Region 8 Coordinator
Corey Kent
State Master Councilor-Washington
Nick Walker
DeMolay International Field Representative
Here is all the information you need to know for Saturday.
Congress Session and Leader Training
9am - 9:55am Registration
10am Session begins
12:30pm Lunch provided by Oregon State University
3:45ish State Officer Elections
Pizza Dinner
Dinner at Papa's Pizza stretches from 5pm - 6:30pm
Community Basketball Game
Game is set to tip-off at 7:05pm with a special presentation at 7pm
Cost is $30
Locations: LeSalles Center-Oregon State University
Papa's Pizza
Corvallis High School
We look forward to seeing many of you there this weekend.
International Supreme Council
Dad Bishop, Executive Officer, is prepared to help defray costs for any chapter wishing to attend the Election, Installation, and Hall of Fame Banquet the Saturday of International Supreme Council.
Look for a big announcement to come from him this weekend at Congress. Just as a reminder,
ISC is in Seattle this year June 14-17th. Make plans now to come up on Saturday the 17th to be part of and share in this truly amazing experience. This is hands down, one of the best opportunities to meet fellow DeMolay's from literally across the world. Its less than 3 hours away, lets show the country how Oregon represents.
CONCLAVE '06
"Back to the Gridiron"
This event continues to get better and better as each day passes. While most of the effort recently has been put into planning for this weekend. Conclave is going to be a kickin' good time.
The event has relocated back to the Valley River Inn in Eugene. July 21st-23rd Oregon DeMolay owns Eugene for our Annual Conclave. This is a weekend filled with Ritual, Sports, Gambling, BBQ'ing, and everything that makes DeMolay what it is.
The cost has been raised to $154/youth and $199/adults
This shouldn't pose any excuses, we have several opportunities for you too raise money to help cover your way to Conclave. By now many and all of you should have received your Conclave Booklet Ad's forms. USE THEM! Continue to be out there in the community and get community businesses to sponsor ad's for your chapter. You all can do it. If you want any suggestions on how, email Jason Gould the Northern District Officer at turbo1charger@lycos.com he and the members of Tigard-Orenomah Chapter have a few days planned to go out and sell ad's. I'm sure he'll help you out with ideas.
More information will come as the days get closer but let's start making the waves now and getting our way's paid to Conclave.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I am a believer that for DeMolay to grow, not just in Oregon but across the country, we should share the ideas of each jurisdiction. Maybe an event in Oregon could help in Arkansas. Maybe a membership strategy in Georgia is the one that would open the door for Illinois DeMolay. Just keep up the good work everyone and I look forward to seeing many of you very soon.
Sincerely & most fraternally,
James Conner II
State Master Councilor-Oregon DeMolay
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