DeMolay of the Month
Richie Eells - October 2002
Richie Eells (second from left) with his family |
Richie Eells, a member of Mountain Park Chapter in Stone Mountain, was selected
as the Georgia DeMolay Online "DeMolay of the Month" for October
2002. Richie has been instrumental in promoting membership in his Chapter by
chairing Mountain Park's Membership Committee and setting the example in
the Chapter by being involved in the recruitment of three new members during the month
of September. Richie has been a member of Mountain Park Chapter since September
2000 and is currently Senior Councilor. He holds the DeMolay Lamp of Knowledge
Award and attends Parkview High School. We sat down with Richie to learn a little
more about him....
GDO: Richie, congratulations on your selection as GDO's October DeMolay of the
Month. We want our web site visitors to learn a little more about you and
your DeMolay career. How did you find out about and get involved with
DeMolay?
Richie: I became involved with DeMolay at the age of eight when my oldest brother,
Bob, joined. I started attending the functions with my family and was eager to join when
I was old enough.
GDO: What do you like best about DeMolay?
Richie: I enjoy the dances and the Brotherhood, but the most important thing, and
the thing I enjoy the most, is the leadership training. It has helped me in
school and all other aspects of my life.
Richie speaks in a Chapter meeting. |
GDO: Membership is a recurring theme in DeMolay. You've done a lot of work
recently with your Chapter in promoting membership growth. Explain some of
the challenges you faced when working to help DeMolay grow and how you
overcame those challenges.
Richie: Most of my friends are very active in other organizations, and have to pick
the ones that are most important to them. So I have learned that you have to
tell them the fun things and the important things that DeMolay offers you.
GDO: Your excellent work in promoting membership sets a standard to which all
DeMolays should aspire. What advice would you give the DeMolay community on
how to recruit new members?
Richie: When you first talk to a prospect, tell them about an event you went to and
then tell them that it was a DeMolay event. Also talk to them as a friend
and don't try to push them into it. When I go, I use the DeMolay Get Ready
mini-cd and then leave it for them to look over with their parents. Then
keep following up on them, and ask them if they have any questions. Make sure you
follow up because if you wait too long your prospect will lose interest. I have
found it twice as hard to get someone into DeMolay once they have said no.
Once you have the petition get an initiation as soon as possible.
GDO: What are your goals for your future in DeMolay?
Richie's enthusiasm shows! |
Richie: I would like to continue to better myself as a young man. I also would like
to help my Chapter and state continue to grow in membership and to its full
potential.
GDO: Outside of DeMolay, what are your other interests and activities?
Richie: I enjoy backpacking, swimming, and playing sports in my spare time. I also
am involved in Boy Scouts, marching band, and my church youth group.
GDO: Thank you for your time, Richie, and best of luck to you!
Richie: Thank you for giving me this distinction, and I will continue to strive to
better myself and the order.
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