How to Join
We will be glad to send you more information on DeMolay and locate the chapter nearest to you!
Please email eo@tndemolay.org. Give us your name, city and state and the best way to contact you whether it be email address, telephone number or mailing address.
Visit with a local Chapter. Once you've found a Chapter near you, ask about some fun events you may attend. It's helpful to get to know the members and learn more about the organization. The Chapter's business meetings are “members only” but social events may be available for you to attend as a guest.
Obtain an application for membership. You can get a blank application here. The application will ask for some basic information about you, and needs to be signed by two members of DeMolay recommending you for membership, and by your parents to give permission for you to join.
Submit you application. Your application will need to be accompanied by your Life Membership fee. DeMolay does not charge annual dues for membership. Life Membership fees are set by local Chapters, so ask your Chapter how much is due.
Formal acceptance. From the time you express interest in DeMolay membership, your local Chapter will likely welcome you at many of their events. Before you can be formally made a member, however, your application must be acted upon by the members. Representatives of the Chapter may ask to meet with you and your parents before the Chapter votes to make you a member.
Reception into DeMolay. DeMolay maintains many impressive traditions. Among them are the formal ceremonies (“degrees”) for receiving new members. Your local Chapter may confer these ceremonies locally or offer you an opportunity to take the DeMolay “obligations” immediately and see the full ceremonies later. Your parents and other adult relatives over 21 will be most welcome at these ceremonies.
Parents – Frequently Asked Questions
We appreciate your interest in DeMolay and welcome the opportunity to discuss the many aspects of our organization specifically designed to provide your son with positive experiential training in leadership, organizational management, community service, public speaking, event planning and more.
Parents are encouraged to get involved with their son's DeMolay chapter.
The success of every chapter depends on the active participation of our Chapter Advisors and adult volunteers. We welcome the contribution of your time and talents to the extent your interest and schedule allows.
We realize that you may have questions about DeMolay and on this page we have attempted to answer some of those most frequently asked. You are always welcome to contact us directly with any question or concern at eo@tndemolay.org.
Who can become a member of DeMolay?
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
Petition a DeMolay chapter
What does DeMolay do?
A little bit of everything!
We plan and run our own activities which include sports, social activities, community service, fundraising, trips, dances and much more!
How much does it cost?
DeMolay charges a one-time initiation fee. Your local chapter can give you details on the fees, but there are no annual dues for the rest of your life! Some of our activities cost money, be we do fundraising to help with that.
Can I attend a meeting and see what it's like?
Sure! There is nothing in or about DeMolay that you as parents shouldn’t know. In fact, there isn't a DeMolay activity that you as parents or guardians are not welcome to attend. Most chapter have Parent's Clubs, and many parents become advisors for their son's chapter.
Can girls join?
DeMolay is an organization for young men, but there are girls at many of our activities. There are other organizations for young ladies, similar to DeMolay, which are also sponsored by the Masonic Family such as the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
What are the ceremonies my son would go through?
Ever since DeMolay began in 1919, all of its members have gone through the same initiation ceremonies, including John Wayne, Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. To be a DeMolay you must go through two ceremonies, which we call “degrees.” The first is the Initiatory Degree where the Seven Cardinal Virtues or “precepts” of a DeMolay are explained to you by the members of the chapter. The second degree is the DeMolay Degree where we dress up in costume and put on a short play for the initiates to watch. The play is about the trials of Jacques DeMolay (the person DeMolay is named after), and teaches us about the bond of friendship and loyalty we share as DeMolay members.