Providing a safe haven for youth as well as opportunities for leadership and skills building, the DeMolay International and Rainbow Girls groups are each gaining a foothold in Traverse City.
Geared to young men ages 12-21, the local DeMolay chapter is based at the Traverse City Masonic Lodge 222. With six members and two prospects, the chapter is small but enthusiasm runs high among members who are determined to boost both numbers and activities.
"I joined four years ago and it’s helped me out in school," said Ian Stark, a tenth grade student from Brethren and who serves as the state junior steward. "A friend of mine, I brought him into DeMolay and he has more manners and patience."
Stark and two DeMolay members from Clio presented the Ceremony of Light after this year’s Officer Installation ceremony for Lodge 222. This event was held Saturday evening at the Traverse City Masonic Lodge and welcomed Masons from the lodge, region and state as well as family members and guests.
The solemn DeMolay Ceremony of Light proceedings featured Ian Stark plus Garry Lynn and Zach Friesorger using lights and candles to illustrate the seven basic virtues of DeMolay boys: filial love, reverence for the sacred, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanliness of body, thought, word and deed and patriotism.
"This is the first time in a long time that this has been presented at the lodge," said Joseph Riley, the incoming Worshipful Master for the lodge.
Membership in the 87-year-old DeMolay organization, which began just after World War I ended, is independent of family affiliation with the Masons. Famous DeMolay alumni include Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite and John Wayne.
The goal is to guide and shape young men as they grow into adulthood through the mentoring of DeMolay ‘dads.’
"We have a short window of time to affect the lives of these kids," said Randy Stark, the DeMolay advisor for the local chapter.
Imparting basic life skills and shaping responsible women who contribute to society are the goals of the Rainbow Girls assemblies worldwide. Rainbow Girls formed in 1922 to teach three basic virtues: faith, hope and charity. Famous alumnae include retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and United States Senator Olympia Snowe.
The local chapter of International Order of Rainbow Girls is based at East Bay Lodge 264 and has five members plus two prospects. Lodge officials revived the local Rainbow Girls assembly about a year ago when enough members had children and grandchildren in the right age range. Previously, the assembly had been inactive for 10-15 years due to lack of members.
Parents of local Rainbow Girls, who range from 11-20 years old, are pleased for their daughters that the group is back in action. Word of the renewed assembly spread quickly among Mason families; organizers also believe non-Mason families will become interested as Rainbow Girls share about it with their friends and at school.
"We’re all very comfortable with the lessons and morality involved with this," noted Rod Kuncaitis, a local Mason active in the Grand Lodge of Michigan whose daughter is a Rainbow Girl. "It provides a real good group of friends — good solid moral girls who are trustworthy friends.
To Kuncaitis, from his perspective at the state level as well as an avid proponent of Masons, there is a youth movement rippling throughout all levels of the organization.
"There’s been a real comeback, there’s a lot of people who are taking at what Masons have to offer," said Kuncaitis.
For more information about the local Rainbow Girls assembly, contact Barb White at 264-6471. For more information about the local DeMolay Boys chapter, contact Randy Stark at 590-1117.