2023

DeMolay International

Congress

& 

Supreme Council

It is once again that time of year. A time when the youth and adult leadership of DeMolay from across America and of all the world gather together. The importance of these Sessions can not be understated.

At these Sessions is when the International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary are elected by the Congress Representatives. This year your State Master Councilor Daniel Harrison and State Senior Councilor, Wyatt Kempf, were the Rhode Island Representatives. Also at this time the adult leadership, the International Supreme Council members, gather to vote for our Grand Master of DeMolay and the Senior and Junior Councilors as well.

It is once again that time of year. A time when the youth and adult leadership of DeMolay from across America and of all the world gather. The importance of these Sessions cannot be understated.

At these Sessions is when the International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary are elected by the Congress Representatives. This year your State Master Councilor Daniel Harrison and State Senior Councilor, Wyatt Kempf, were the Rhode Island Representatives. At this time, the adult leadership, the International Supreme Council members, gather to vote for our Grand Master of DeMolay and the Senior and Junior Councilors as well.

This year Sessions were held in Cincinnati Ohio. Rhode Island’s delegation went out via a road trip instead of flying. To say that this was fun does it no justice. Road trips with your brothers and advisors create memories that will follow you throughout your life! As we began our journey, we went through Massachusetts via 90 to upstate New York. Our first stop was to grab some Buffalo Wings, where else but Buffalo. If you have never been to Duff’s you are missing out on an experience. We had some fun, we had some excitement and after stopping to refuel and some Tim Horton’s, we were back on the road.

Around 8:45PM we pulled up to our hotel in Cleveland and had a well-earned rest. The next morning, we were off and running exploring Cleveland and of course had to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What an amazing experience this was. To see the depth and rich history of music that is honored and enshrined there and to do this with our brothers, made it all the better. To finish our day we grabbed some food and good laughs.

Wednesday morning, we were rolling again at 6:30AM. Oh by the way, if you have never gone to a DeMolay Sessions before, sleep is a rare commodity and this one is no different. We were 3 and a half hours out of Cincinnati and were heading to finally meetup with the rest of our DeMolay brothers from around the world. On arrival, we quickly checked in and off we went to join hundreds of DeMolay brothers and advisors at the Cincinnati Reds game.

Thursday was the day to kick off the Sessions and get into the work of the week. The guys worked on a service project making blankets and other items for a relief project. This was the beginning of the great work that all our DeMolay brothers undertook. That evening was the official kickoff with the opening sessions and introduction to our Grand Line, International Congress Officers, and visiting dignitaries. We all went over to the Vally of Cincinnati, Scottish Rite for this. At the conclusion Congress went into their first caucus and the International Supreme Council went into their first session.

Friday was the same busy schedule with Lunches and dinners. On Friday night Region 1 went out as a group to Dave and Busters in Kentucky for food and fellowship and a lot of good times. This is where we build our brotherhood, our friendships and continue to grow as a region and more especially as DeMolays.

And to quote our usual saying in Fidelity chapter, “and a good time was had by all.” Oh…..we had to stop at a White Castle since we don’t have any here and Dad Lawson provided a box of 30 sliders to be shared with the Region 1 reps at their meeting when we got back to the hotel.

                                  

              

Finally, we arrive at Saturday. On Saturday, we could say that is when the magic happens. We have our last meetings of Congress and ISC. We hold our elections, and final banquet. It is the ultimate culmination of our week of work and tired hours. This year we have elected as our Leadership on the adult side Dad Terry Peters as Grand Master of DeMolay, Dad Jeffery Brunson as Grand Senior Warden and new to the line, Dad William Gordon as the Grand Junior Councilor. With them is also Dads Crane and Chiles as Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer respectively. Also, congratulations to Dad Lawson on his appointment as the Grand Senior Steward this year!

		Grand Master “Dad” Terry Peters, GC
Grand Senior Councilor “Dad” Jeffrey Brunson, GC	Grand Junior Councilor  “Dad” Bill Gordon		Grand Secretary “Dad” Steve Crane,GC PGM	Grand Treasurer “Dad” Greg Chiles, GC PGM

Our youth leaders as selected by the congress are Brother Ryan W. Brown as International Master Councilor and Brother River Peatman as International Congress Secretary. These young men will lead our youth for the coming year, and we know that they will help usher in great new programs and represent our DeMolays and Order with dignity and dedication. Congratulations brothers!!!!

Ryan W. Brown      International Master Councilor

River Peatman International Congress Secretary

We would be remis if we didn’t also take time to congratulate our now Past Grand Master Jon Sellars for his outstanding year and leadership of the Supreme Council and adult arm of DeMolay. His dedication and love of the order and belief in the young men of this order was apparent throughout the year. Thank you Dad Sellars for everything you have and will continue to do for the young men of DeMolay.

To our Junior Past Congress Officers, Brother Cooper Crabtree, Past International Master Councilor, and Brother Sebastian Pesquera, Past International Congress Secretary, congratulations!!!! You both served your brothers and this order with distinction, dedication, energy and enthusiasm. All of your brothers and advisors are so very proud of all that you accomplished this year. Your love of DeMolay showed everywhere you went, and we cannot thank you enough for all that you did. A special shout out to Sebastian for showing the world what our Region 1 DeMolays can do!!!

Finally, our work was done, we departed for the 14-hour trek back home. Memories were made, friendships made or strengthened, and lives changed for the better. Every year brings more experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

 

– Dad James Ogilvie