Try to relate a story to make the prospect feel comfortable. If he likes to go to the beach, then tell him about something funny that happened on your chapter's last beach trip. This will show the prospect that the chapter likes to do the same kind of stuff as him.
Myth: Explaining DeMolay is too difficult. I can't bring anyone in.
Fact: Explaining DeMolay is difficult. If it wasn't then everyone would be a member of DeMolay and DeMolay would be a household name. However all because it is difficult doesn't mean that you cannot bring anyone in.
It does take some skill to get potential members interested in DeMolay, but this skill is something that anyone can learn. The key is to relate DeMolay to the candidates own life. Tell the candidate about the fun events that the chapter does that are similar to what the candidate likes to do. Often times DeMolay's will mention the word Initiation or Ritual, which are some of the best things about DeMolay, but to a 12 or 13 year old, these words might be intimidating and might scare the candidate away because he does not understand the full concept of an Inititation or of performing ritual.
The skill of "Explaining" DeMolay gets stronger the more you practice.
Where and How Do I Practice?
Practicing happens anywhere and everywhere. Many chapters have different ways of practicing this skill from holding special meetings to train members to actually practicing on real life candidates at a DeMolay event. Listed below are a couple ideas to get your chapter started:
Informational Training Meeting: Hold an informational training meeting at one of your chapters meetings. These training meetings would be a good time to have older members and advisors speak on what tactics worked for them when they brought new members in. Newly initiated members can even talk about what made them decide to join DeMolay. Make sure someone takes notes and prints them out for everyone so they can have a mini tip-sheet.
Realtime Tutor Sessions: Have the younger members team up with an older member when talking to new prospects at events. Have the younger member attempt to talk to the candidate about joining DeMolay. The older member is there to offer any additional comments to the candidate and will be able to work with the younger members on improving their skills.
Talk to Friends: One of the easiest ways to practice "Explaining" DeMolay is to talk to your friends. You feel most comfortable around your friends and they are unlikely to hurt your confidence. Especially in an organization concentrated on quality over quantity, your friends are more than likely the type of members DeMolay is looking for.
What are some good things to say?
"What kind of things do you like to do?"
"Do you like sports?"
"We plan our own activities and run the chapter."
"Your parents are invited to attend all our activities."
"We have a lifetime membership so there are no yearly dues."
"We are a large organization with chapters in all 50 states and several other countries."
"We have scholarships available."
"If you become an officer, you'll have the chance to run the chapter and learn leadership, public speaking and teamwork skills."
"We hold several events with the girls organization."
"A lot of famous people were DeMolays including Walt Disney, John Wayne and many more."
"You get the chance to travel, meet a lot of people and make friends from all over."
What are some bad things to say?
"You have to go through two initiation ceremonies to join." This can often scare members away.
"We sacrifice goats." Although this may seem out of place, it has happened and any kind of joking around like this will often scare members away and parents do not find these kinds of jokes funny. Many people ask if DeMolay is a cult and it is important to remove any false beliefs. Joking will only make getting members harder.
"Once you pay the membership fee, everything is free." This isn't true, events sometimes cost money so don't tell them it will be free once they pay the membership fee.
The members are smart enough to know what is and what isn't appropriate when describing DeMolay to potential members. Remember that if you want DeMolay to stay around then you should not make it harder for you to bring in new members. Always be truthful with the candidates and answer any and all questions they may have about the organization and always remember that DeMolay is not for everyone, some candidates will say no.
I've Talked to my friends about joining. Who else can I talk to?
DeMolay is an organization that wil allow anyone with good character to join. You don't have to stick within your circle of friends to find potential members. Here are some ideas of where to look:
- Your friend on the basketball team
- A guy in your church youth group
- The guy sitting next to you in class
- A member of your scout troop
- The guy that works with you
- Your sister's boyfriend
- Your neighbor who lives across the street
- A Master Mason's Son
- The guy you met on your families vacation
So now that you know where to look for potential members, get out there and make your chapters grow. New members are the only way that DeMolay is going to stay alive, so talk to everyone you know!
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