News Briefs
Geoff Bard Ends Remarkable DeMolay Career
KENNESAW, GA -
April 27 marked the 21st birthday and as such the majority date of Past State Master Councilor Geoff Bard. Bard was initiated at Clayton Chapter on June 9, 2000 at the age of 12. He rose quickly through the ranks in Samuel S. Lawrence Chapter, becoming Master Councilor in August 2002. During his term, Bard earned the Past Master Councilor's Meritorious Service Award and was named State Junior Steward by then-State Master Councilor Mike Riley at the Holdiay Formal in 2002. Chapter necessity forced Bard to serve an immediate second term in January 2003. During his second term, he again qualified for the PMC-MSA and led Samuel S. Lawrence to Chapter of the Year honors.
Bard was known throughout his career for his love of and ability to perform the DeMolay ritual, becoming certified as Junior Ritualist at his first Tournament of Champions in 2001 and eventually earning the title of Master Ritualist. During his career he was a frequent winner of TOC contests including winning the Ceremony of Light six times, the Flower Talk four times, and winning many other individual contests. He also won numerous contests at both the Old South Tournament and Mid-Atlantic Tournament of Champions.
Bard was an innovative and creative State Officer throughout his tenure in State Office. While serving as State Chaplain in 2003-2004, was asked by 37th International Master Councilor Peter Brusoe to serve as Chaplain for the International Congress Session in Denver in 2004. As an elected officer he believed that the State Leadership should be responsive to the needs of the individual members and the chapters and as such, actively promote their areas of responsibility. He was the first State Junior Councilor to hold LCC nights at various chapters around the state, increasing participation in the program. As State Senior Councilor, he was the first to ask and receive funding for membership incentive programs from the Executive Officer's Steering Committee.
Upon assuming the office of State Master Councilor Bard believed that the rank and file members should have more input into state issues and activities. To this end, he held the first Georgia DeMolay Senate meetings. He also sought to improve ties to Masonic community and instituted the George Washington Chapter Honorary Alumni program. He saw a lack of participation in the old Chapter of the Year program, and felt that the program was too subjective in nature, so he spearheaded the creation of a criterion-based and more objective Chapter of Excellence program which rewarded multiple chapters for their work throughout the year. Finally, he helped to write the State's Pilot Chapter Program that was approved by the DeMolay International Board of Directors in March 2007. His year as State Master Councilor marked the first year of positive Conclave to Conclave membership growth for the first time in six years.
Bard was the recipient of many honors and awards throughout his career, including the Founders Membership Award and Blue Honor Key, the Representative DeMolay, PMC-MSA, Lamp of Knowledge, DeMolay of the Year in 2006, and Degree of Chevalier. He plans to petition for membership in Samuel S. Lawrence Lodge, continue his schooling at the University of Georgia, and attend the majority service at Conclave this year.
Bard shares a laugh with the late Grand Master Eli Stafford.
Bard assumes the vows as State Master Councilor.
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Fun FactWhen DeMolay was originally founded, the minimum age requirement to join the organization was 16.
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