Youth

What is DeMolay?

The order of DeMolay is a young men’s fraternal organization which was founded upon the basic principles of love of God, love of parents, and love of country. It tries to introduce these teachings to its members in various ways through the exercise of the seven cardinal virtues which compliment each other in rounding out and completing each DeMolay’s character.

These virtues are: Love of parents, Love of God, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Cleanness, Patriotism The name “DeMolay” comes from a thirteenth century French hero named Jacques DeMolay, who was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. King Philip, the “Fair” of France, who was interested in obtaining the vast wealth and land of the Templars, devised a plan which included arresting and torturing the members of the order, and thereby leaving him in control of their assets.

After being arrested and subjected to seven horrible years of inquisition and torture by Philip, DeMolay was put to death by order of the “fair” king because of his refusal to reveal the names of his fellow comrades, and for his fidelity to the ideals of his order. King Philip ordered DeMolay and one of his faithful preceptors, Guy of Auvergne, to be burned at the stake as a final demonstration of Philip’s authority.

Centuries later, in 1919, a Kansas City Freemason named Frank S. Land, noticed a need for a young men’s organization in the Kansas City area. After meeting with a local youth named Louis Lower, Land arranged a meeting with several other area youths at the Kansas City Scottish Rite building. With Land’s guidance and the ambition of the young men, the Order of DeMolay was born.

Almost instantaneously, the popularity of the new Order grew and in no time at all, there were chapters in every state in the union and soon there were even chapters abroad.

For over 80 years now, the Order of DeMolay has continued to teach it’s member’s the basic principles of life which will help prepare any young man for a good and clean manhood, and which will help them to develop a greater love and respect for their God, parents and country.

In its history, the Order of DeMolay has boasted a strong membership and has long lists of successful and influential members. Many notable figures of America’s past and present were members of the Order of DeMolay, such as Walt Disney, John Wayne, Pete Rose, Fran Tarkenton,John Steinbeck, Mel Blanc, and many, many others.

The requirements for membership into the Order are very simple.
The only requirements for membership are that prospective members:
• Be between the ages of 12 and 21
• Believe in a Supreme Being (God)
• Be of good moral character
• Petition a DeMolay Chapter for membership
Local groups of DeMolays are called chapters and are sponsored by a group of Masons.

The Knights of Antiquity, Order of DeMolay is sponsored by The Lodge of Antiquity No. 11 F&A M

The Knights Of Antiquity: 1900 Brentwood Road, Brentwood, NY 11717.

Chapter Chairman: R:.W:. Peter K Stokke

     The Organization of Triangles

If you were to ask a Triangle member, Supervisor or Masonic Supervisor, “What is the Organization of Triangles?” you may get the standard answer that it’s a Masonic youth organization for young ladies between the ages of 10 and 21 that teaches leadership skills and the importance of using those leadership skills to help others. But as each person would no doubt go into more detail about Triangle, what we do, how we do it, and how much fun it is to be a part of, one thing would shine through.

We are a family.

The way in which Triangle teaches its members to be leaders is unique in that we have three basic lessons we teach our girls, which are represented by three of our officers. The first lesson is the Duty We Owe to God, represented by the Bible and our Chaplain. While we are not a religious organization, we do ask our members to believe in a higher power, whoever that may be. It teaches our members to have faith, to understand that everyone has their own purpose in life, and that a promise made before God is a promise kept.

The second lesson is the Duty We Owe to Others and is represented by the gavel and our Senior Lady-in-Waiting. This is perhaps the aspect of Triangle that most people are familiar with. By holding fundraisers and participating in community service projects, our girls get a hands-on experience on just what it means to give back to others and why it is necessary. Our members also have the opportunity to choose which charities they donate to and which fundraisers they will hold in order to raise funds and awareness.

The third lesson, which completes our Triangle, is the Duty We Owe to Ourselves. This is represented by the crown and our Junior Lady-in-Waiting. In order to create a well-balanced life, we need to take time for ourselves, whether that means to relax and have fun, taking steps to live an active and healthy lifestyle, or pursuing a good education. It is just as important to take care of yourself as it is to help others and to have faith.

And as you can see, our meetings are held differently than other youth groups for girls. Our dress code and the formality of our meetings teaches our girls to be mindful of how they carry themselves. To value who they are, what they are capable of, and to present themselves in a way that reflects well upon themselves and the organization. Triangle doesn’t just create leaders. It creates leaders of quality, of good character, and of kind hearts.

But outside of these lessons, our girls learn more than how to be a good leader. They learn that no matter what happens, they will always have a place they belong and a family they can turn to.

As our members go through elementary school, middle school, high school, and a few years of college during their membership, they learn few things are constant. Friends you were close to when you were younger can turn distant, bullying becomes a bigger problem, and the very large question, “Who am I?” battles with the temptation to change who you are to fit in.

Triangle provides a safe space for our members where they can be accepted for who they are and where complete strangers become friends who then becomes sisters for life. That acceptance and that bond of sisterhood is something that goes beyond age, or distance, or a person’s background. It’s what keeps our members active. It’s what inspires our members to become Beloved Queen or a Junior Advisor or a State Representative. It’s what excites our girls about traveling across the state to other Triangle functions.

Being a Triangle Girl isn’t just about learning to become a leader. It’s also about learning just what it means to be a Sister and be a part of a family that extends all across New York State. It’s about having a positive role model in your younger years of membership and then being able to serve as an example to the next generation of girls as you get older. It’s about being there for one another through thick and thin. It’s really all about family.

It is our hope that our Triangle family will grow and with the help of the larger Masonic Family and community, help teach young ladies all across New York State what it means to have faith, help others, take time for yourself, lead with compassion, and be a real sister.

In a nutshell, that’s what the Organization of Triangles is all about.

 International Order of Rainbow

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a youth service and charity organization comprised of girls between the ages of 11 and 20 and sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity. Rainbow has helped girls build character, self-esteem, camaraderie, commitment, and superb communication and leadership since 1922.  In the State of New York  Rainbow strives to teach each of its members the skills necessary for a young woman to be confident, competent and successful in an ever changing world.  Our goal is for Rainbow and its lessons to be passed on to future generations throughout New York State.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was founded in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1922 by the Reverend W. Mark Sexson, a Christian minister, Past Grand Master, Free & Accepted Masons, and Past Grand Patron, Order of the Eastern Star in Oklahoma. Our order can currently be found in 47 states (exceptions are: Delaware, Utah, and Wyoming), as well as twelve other countries, including: Aruba, Australia (both Queensland and New South Wales), Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Romania, and Philippines/Guam.

If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful group for young women, please contact Ms. Beth Widera, Mother Advisor of Suwassett Assembly #38 either by email at  or call her at 631-374-5834.