PAST MASTER COUNCILOR’S
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
AUGUST 1997
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Nearly every member of the Order of
DeMolay has the ambition of serving his Chapter as Master Councilor. When this goal is in sight as you move up
through the Councilor’s chairs, you should set another - that of earning the “ Past Master Councilor’s
Meritorious Service Award.”
While the newly elected Master Councilor
is the only one that is qualified to apply and achieve the award, he can not do
it alone. The requirements can only be
met through the combined efforts of the entire Chapter. The Master Councilor must provide the
leadership and incentive to inspire and motivate the members of his chapter
towards a well-rounded program and over-all efficiency in Chapter activities.
The PMC-MSA was originated by the Founder
of DeMolay, Dad Frank S. Land. He
recognized the tremendous advantage gained by the Master Councilor in have a
pre-planned program for his term of office.
When such a program has been planned and distributed to the Chapter
membership in printed form, the Master Councilor has gone a long way in achieving
goals he has set.
Our goal here in Maryland is to have every
incoming Master Councilor apply for the PMC-MSA. This would insure that each and every Chapter
has a planned program of activities, and the Chapter members are aware of the
programs of the Chapter. With this goal
in mind, the following information is provided so that every Master Councilor
is fully aware of the requirements and procedures to apply for and qualify for
the PMC-MSA. Read carefully as the
requirements are very strict and will be fully enforced in order
to maintain the high standards of this award.
HOW TO
APPLY
You should understand that since this
award recognizes proper advance planning. Your initial entry into the program
must reflect your planing and program development
INITIAL LETTER OR FORM: The copy of
The Maryland Intent Form which is attached, cover two areas of concern. First, it serves as your approval as Master
Councilor-Elect by your Advisory Council.
Secondly, it also serves as the First (or Initial) Letter for the
PMC-MSA program. Once you have completed
the form and attached a copy of your term plan you have done the most important
step in applying for this award. Be sure
all required signatures are obtained prior to submitting the form as it will
be returned to you if it has not been properly completed.
SECOND (or FINAL) LETTER: At the
competition of your term as Master Councilor, you will need to submit a letter,
outlining your term and covering in detail how you met each requirement. We have not included a sample letter for this
part of the requirement as it is felt that it is better for you to submit your
thoughts in your own style. The vital
thing is that you cover each and every requirement in sufficient detail so the
Awards Director will know whether you satisfied that particular
requirement. As was noted in the First
Letter, please be certain to have all required signatures as your final Letter
will not be accepted unless it has been properly approved.
REQUIREMENTS
INITIAL ENTRY INTO THE PMC-MSA PROGRAM
Prior to your Installation as Master
Councilor, you will want to carefully review to be certain you have planned to
meet each of the requirements to re-cap those requirements, they are:
A. Prior to his Installation the Master
Councilor must memorize his portion in the Ritual of Secret Work.
B. He must present before his Installation
in printed form (and distributed to the membership of the Chapter) a plan of programs and
events for his term of office.
C. Submit the Maryland Intent Form which
must be signed by all three (3) Advisors.
TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF SECOND LETTER
A. He must see that both Degrees of this
Order are exemplified by memory during his term and that all ritual of Secret
Work is given from memory.
B. He must see that his Chapter initiates
at least three (3) new members during his term of office. (As order by the Executive Officer in
Maryland only)
C. He must hold at least one social,
civic, Masonic service, athletic and fund- raising activity in the Chapter.
D. A planned observance of each Obligatory
Day that falls during his term of office.
E. The Master Councilor must establish a
program which increases or maintains a high level of attendance at Chapter
meetings.
F. See that all Forms 10's reporting new
initiates reach The Maryland State Association of DeMolay Chapters and I.S.C.
within the ten (10) day requirement.
Also see that the
Chapter’s Annual Report reaches I.S.C.
before the deadline date, if that date falls within his term.
SUBMITTING FINAL LETTER
For the Final (or Second) Letter, you need to cover
the following:
A. Submit a complete explanation or the
items above (A-F).
B. Make an analysis of your printed term
plan, explaining results of each activity.
C. Provide an explanation of any program
changes that were made.
Your Final (or Second) Letter must
be signed by your Chapter Advisor and the Chairman of the Advisory Council, who
by signing are recommending that you be granted the PMC-MSA.
Be
prompt-- your final letter must be approved and sent to the Executive
Officer within ten days after the Installation of the new Offices.
APPROVAL OF THE MASTER COUNCILOR-ELECT
AND PMC-MSA LETTER OF INTENT
Date:______________
This letter and form is to inform you of
my intent to qualify for the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award.
Upon my honor as a DeMolay, I affirm that
I have memorized ALL of my portion of the ritual prior to my Installation, and
that all information contained herein, has been reviewed and approved by
my Ritual Advisor as indicated by the signature below.
Enclosed you will find a copy of the
Program for my term of office as approved by my Advisory Council. I certify that the enclosed Program was
distributed to ALL members of my Chapter prior to my Installation.
I further state that I have read and
understand All of the requirements for the PMC-MSA, and have included with this
letter all of the information required for my participation in this award
program.
The date my term began and will end (use
the approximate date of the end of your term if exact date is not known) as
well as my full name, mailing address, zip code and telephone number is
printed below.
Fraternally,
___________________________
Master Councilor-Elect
_____________________
Chapter
Name:______________________________________________
Phone:_______________
Address:__________________________
City:_______________ State:____
Zip:_______
Term began:_________________
Term ends:__________________
APPROVED BY:
Chapter
Advisor_____________________________
Date:_______________
Chairman___________________________________
Date:_______________
Ritual
Advisor_______________________________ Date:_______________