Each June, the International Supreme Council holds its annual session to discuss amendments to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations, to approve honors, to receive reports of DI committees, and to elect new international officers.

The Pennsylvania delegation was relatively small this year, with SMC Howard Wagner and DSMC Tom Moyer attending the International DeMolay Congress, and Dad Labagh, Dad Freedman, and Mom and Dad Ray attending the Supreme Council Sessions.

While in Dallas, Howard and Tom, and Dads Labagh and Mark Rauschenberger (EO in Illinois) took time to visit Dealy Plaza and the museum at the Texas Book Depository, to see the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.  Dad Rauscheberger was astute enough to observe that, of their group, only Dad Labagh was around to remember when that actually happened.  All agreed that it was an excellent tour stop and worth the time.

Dad Wesley D. Thornton was elected and installed as the Grand Master of DeMolay, and he appointed Dad Thomas R. Labagh to serve as the Grand Senior Steward and as Chairman of the Ritual and Regalia Committee.  Michael Benedetti of Georgia and Ryan Grazier of Nebraska were elected and installed as the 44th International Master Councilor the 44th International Congress Secretary, respectively.

Pennsylvania DeMolay was recognized with several jurisdictional and chapter awards which will be shared by the State Master Councilor at Convention in July. 

Changes to the Rules and Regulations of DeMolay International:

Effective immediately, the position of Chapter Treasurer will no longer be elected by the members.  It is now a position like that of the Scribe-- appointed by the Advisory Council to serve at their pleasure. The position may be held by an Active DeMolay who is at least 18 years old, or an Advisor, but, it should be someone who lends stability to the position. This change was adopted to conform with modern banking laws. The Treasurer and the Scribe positions may be held by the same advisor. Advisory Councils need to review the position of Treasurer at their next Council meeting, and either appoint a new Treasurer or affirm the appointment for the remainder of the 2010 calendar year, noting this action in the minutes of the meeting.  (NOTE:  Taking the election of the Treasurer away from the members doesn't take any power away from them.  They must still approve ALL expenditures, except in the transfer of funds collected for but belonging to DeMolay International, such as Initiation fees.) 

Another change to the Rules and Regulations that was approved allows an Executive Officer to make nominations for the Degree of Chevalier and DeMolay Legion of Honor to be approved and awarded posthumously to one who was otherwise qualified, within 12 months of annual Session at which the nomination is considered.

Lastly, after 18 years, an increase in the initiation fee was approved, effective January 1, 2011.  The DeMolay International fee for Lifetime Membership that must accompany the Form 10 initiation report will increase from $25 to $35 at the beginning of the next fiscal year.  Chapters should review their fee structure, and amend their bylaws to increase their Life Membership fee, if necessary, to conform with the new fees as of January 1st.