The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation NOVEMBER 2023 MASONIC YOUTH TALKING POINTS The Masonic Youth Talking Points is published by the PA Masonic Youth Foundation to share ideas and to inspire Masonic leaders to creatively support the Masonic Youth Groups and the programs of the PA Masonic Youth Foundation. It is emailed to all District Deputy Grand Masters, District Youth Chairman, Lodge Youth Chairmen, and Masonic Youth Group Leaders. All Lodge Youth Chairmen are asked to make a short report at each Lodge meeting, using the information provided in this publication.
Youth Group Snippets Pennsylvania DeMolay will honor RW Grand Master Jeffrey M. Wonderling on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Grand Master’s Class held at the Masonic Conference Center – Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. Afternoon ceremonies will include the conferral of the Initiatory Degree and DeMolay Degree. All Masons are invited to attend. Job’s Daughters of Bethel 16, Chambersburg, are holding an Apple Dumpling Sale with orders due November 17th and pick up the week of December 10th. If you live in the Chambersburg area please consider supporting this fundraiser. Please contact Angie Pickel at: pickelang@gmail.com Great Ideas for District Youth Chairmen Bro. Kenneth Shinn, District Youth Chairman for District 8 has a robust program of supporting the youth groups in his District and areas adjacent to it. With the Approval of his DDGM he: promotes the youth groups in his district and the programs of the PMYF, at the District 8 School of Instruction He offers support to those serving as Lodge Youth Chairmen, while challenging them to do better with questions like: When was the last time you spoke at your lodge about a youth group or assisted in bringing a youth group for a presentation? When was the last time you attended a Youth Group Meeting? He encourages the Worshipful Masters of the District to be diligent in appointing Lodge Youth Chairmen who will be active and engaged. He also created a map that will assist the brethren in visualizing the Masonic Youth Landscape: where the youth groups meet and where the Lodges meet. The link to this map is https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1gE98gs6s66ltxL6YeDH aZ5rt9tvf09w&usp=sharing
Bro Ken can be reached at kenbshinn@gmail.com if you’d like to discuss his programs and plans for the future. Our thanks to him for doing a great job!
Fast Facts on the Youth Groups Do you know what the local organization of Job’s Daughters is called? Do you know what the youth leader of Knights of Pythagoras is called? Do you know how many Rainbow Girl Assemblies are meeting in PA? Here’s some information you’ll find helpful in understanding our youth groups. Organization DeMolay Job’s Daughters Knights of Pythagoras Rainbow for Girls Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls
Local Group Chapter Bethel Council Assembly
Leader Master Councilor Honored Queen Master Knight Worthy Advisor
# in PA 15 5 8 24
Unit
Companion President
9
PMYF Scholarship Opportunities Martin Stoner, a Past Master Councilor of Elizabethtown and Sophomore at Bridgewater College majoring in Education has shared his appreciation after receiving two PMYF 2023 Scholarships: “These scholarships allowed me to fully focus on my studies and gave me a reason to work hard. When you have someone supporting you and cheering you on from the sidelines it makes it easier for you to succeed. I recommend that anyone who is able should apply for these scholarships. Thank you to the PMYF for helping so many students like myself succeed.” The 2024 PMYF Scholarship Resource Guide, listing over 50 scholarship opportunities for youth group members, Masons, and the siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Pennsylvania Masons, and an application were mailed to every Lodge Secretary, District Deputy Grand Masters, and Youth Group Leaders last month. It is also available on the PMYF Webpage. Students are encouraged to complete the application online, print and then submit. In 2023 over $160,000.00 in scholarships were awarded to over 40 deserving students. PMYF anticipates that at least that amount will be available for 2024 scholarships. Please continue to promote participation in our scholarship program. Thank You! Permission is granted to make copies of this publication and to freely distribute them to all who have an interest in the youth of Pennsylvania. The Masonic Youth Talking Points is also available on-line at www.pmyf.org Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 David W. Berry, Executive Director 1.800.266.8424 X4 or 1. 717.367.1536 X4