News Briefs
Eells Leads State to Positive Growth, Better Communication
CARROLLTON, GA - Georgia DeMolay's year concluded during the weekend of July 24-27 at the state's annual Conclave. Outgoing State Master
Councilor Richard Eells of Mountain Park Chapter led the state during a year of exceptional growth, better communication, and enthusiastic
member participation.
Unprecedented Membership Growth
The initial membership plan for Eells' term as State Master Councilor was called "Remember the Member."
Eells stated, "If you make the current members excited and
involved in their Chapter and the community, new members will be easy to recruit." The program has seen great success
this term: three new Pilot Chapters and one new DeMolay Club were started during Eells' tenure as SMC. Georgia DeMolay
achieved positive growth for the 2007 calendar year. At the turn of the year, Eells' announced a year-long membership
campaign called 88 in '08, the goal of which is to initiate 88 new members into Georgia DeMolay in 2008. This bold step
and lofty goal have been answered by the members of Georgia DeMolay, who have already achieved positive growth from
Conclave-to-Conclave by a wide margin of 12 members. The most exciting moment for membership during Eells' term was the Grand Master's Class
in March, when the largest class in Georgia in twelve years was initiated. Eighteen new members were initiated, with 22 receiving degrees.
Communication is Key to Success
The second focus of Eells' SMC term was communication. His communication program is based on creating effective,
coordinated, and comprehensive communication throughout the state. The foundation of the communication
program is the Georgia DeMolay Online web site. Anchored by exclusive
software called DeMobile, developed by Georgia DeMolay, members were informed about events via mobile phone text messages
and e-mail. Chapters were also encouraged to use DeMobile to send text messages and e-mails to their members about
Chapter events and happenings. In addition, the exclusive Georgia DeMolay Phone Broadcasting System was implemented, allowing
members to receive recorded announcements over the phone about Georgia DeMolay. Eells also stayed in touch with his members
using the web site, offering a monthly "SMC Corner" feature article including commentary about happenings across the
state. A member-favorite, the monthly PodCast allowed Eells to reach his members in a more personal way: recorded audio
that could be played through the Georgia DeMolay web site, iTunes software, or members' iPods.
Streamlining typical DeMolay processes was also a priority for Eells. With the rollout of an online payment system, Georgia
DeMolay began to offer online registration and online Form 10 submission during his term. With payment via
credit cards and electronic bank transfers, instant reporting of new members and an easier process for state event registration was well-accepted
by the members and advisors of Georgia DeMolay. Through Eells' efforts with technology in Georgia, he was named by
DeMolay International Grand Master Patton Hart as one of seven SMC's to serve as liaison from the International DeMolay Congress to the
Committees of DeMolay International, specifically focusing on technology. His efforts included recommendations about
improving the DeMolay International web site, which culminated in a complete redesign of www.demolay.org.
Elected to International Master Councilor
With a successful term as Georgia State Master Councilor coming to a close, Eells set his sights on the highest office DeMolay has to offer:
International Master Councilor. His campaign began at the International DeMolay Congress Session in Anaheim this June. "There's no need
to reinvent the wheel," said Eells. Having tested methods successfully in Georgia, many will apply on an international level. "However,
there are always ways to improve upon what's already there," he added. On Friday, June 20, Richard W. Eells II was elected by unanimous vote
to the office of 42nd International Master Councilor. "What an incredible honor. I can't wait to serve the Congress this ensuing year,
to better our Order, and to make it flourish in jurisdictions across the world," said Eells. Todd Stovall, Georgia's Junior Delegate to the
Congress, fellow member of Mountain Park Chapter, and newly-installed State Master Councilor was also very excited. "Richard's election
[to International Master Councilor] is a phenominal step forward for DeMolay International. I could not be more proud of my longtime
best friend," he said. On an international level, Eells plans to continue promoting membership via enthusiasm, as well as sticking to the theme
of effective, coordinated, and comprehensive communication. He plans to make use of the new Congress Cabinet for Program Development. The
members of this new cabinet will not just be a representative for their region, but will also serve as a working body for the Congress.
"I'm excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for DeMolay International," said Eells. "The future definitely seems bright for DeMolay,
and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Richard Eells with brother Christopher after
being installed as 42nd International Master Councilor.
Published: 11 August 2008
Article Credit: Jonathan Challen
Photo Credit: Cindy Eells, Michael Griggers
Related Links:
|
 |
|
Go Mobile with GDO2go!
wap.gademolay.org
pda.gademolay.org
|
|
|
|
|
Latest News Briefs
Latest Photo Albums
|
|
|
Fun FactFund Raising Idea: Have a car wash.
|
|
