Honors & Awards
The Degree of Chevalier
In the early 1930's DeMolay founder Frank S. Land had been thinking of an honor he could bestow on DeMolays and Senior DeMolays for outstanding
service to the Order. He wanted to honor them now, instead of waiting for them to be nominated for the Legion of Honor in years to come. He also wanted to honor Senior
DeMolays who had been working with chapters even though they were not Masons, but had performed outstanding service to the Order.
In those days, DeMolay was recognized by only about 50% of the Grand Lodges, consequently many Senior DeMolays were active in chapters due to the lack of Masonic support.
In November of 1936, "DAD" Land, assisted by Harold Bergstresser and John McKibben, proceeded to write a Ritual for the conferral of the Chevalier Degree. This became a
reality in March, 1937 and "DAD" Land began to nominate DeMolays and Senior DeMolays for this distinguished honor.
Mother Chapter, of course, had the first investiture and it was held June 2, 1937 at the Little Theater in the Municipal Auditorium. Forty-one active DeMolays or Senior
DeMolays of Mother Chapter were invested with the Degree on that date. John S. McKibben, Jr. was recognized as the first Chevalier, and the rest of the nominees were
numbered accordingly.
Today, the rolls of the Chevalier Degree number approximately 27,000, many of whom are organized into Chevalier Courts. These Courts are encouraged to be active in
their support of DeMolay and its ideals. Selection Criteria
Members of Advisory Councils will soon be meeting throughout DeMolay to discuss recommendations for the Degree of Chevalier. It is vital that each Advisory Council
have a clear understanding of its responsibilities in making the proper selections so that this coveted Honor maintains its quality and prestige in DeMolay.
- Has he been active in all phases of DeMolay?
- Has he worked for the best interests of your chapter and promoted DeMolay by his actions and efforts?
- Has he earned other DeMolay awards, such as the RD, Blue Honor Key, Merit Bars, and has he attempted to further his DeMolay knowledge by completing the Leadership Correspondence Course?
- If he has served as an officer, did he fulfill his office in
an outstanding manner and go beyond the normal discharge of his duties?
- If he is a PMC, has he continued his efforts on behalf of
DeMolay AFTER he left office?
- Has he set an example for the younger members to follow and emulate?
- Has he contributed to the growth of the chapter by continuing to bring in new members?
- It the nominee is away from your chapter, has he continued his efforts with DeMolay and shown concern over his chapter, even though he may not be present to be active? Using these basic guidelines, you should be able to determine if these nominees really measure up to the meaning of this Honor. The Chevalier Degree is given annually to approximately 1% of the DeMolay membership, and it is your responsibility to be certain that the future holders of the Honor are qualified in every way. With your cooperation, the Degree of Chevalier will continue to be held in high esteem.
The establishment of the Chevalier Degree was based on a need to recognize those DeMolays who have given service to the organization in an outstanding manner and "above and beyond the call of duty." To simply award the Chevalier Degree to a Past Master Councilor who did a good job while he was in office, is contrary to the intent of the honor and defeats the purpose of the degree; and eventually it will destroy the meaning of it within your chapter. Indeed, the Past Master Councilor Meritorious Service Award was designed for Past Master Councilors who did a good job while in office. Here are some good guidelines to consider when recommending an individual for Chevalier:
- Has he been active in all phases of DeMolay?
- Has he worked for the best interests of your chapter and promoted DeMolay by his actions and efforts?
- Has he earned other DeMolay awards, such as the RD, Blue Honor Key, Merit Bars, and has he attempted to further his DeMolay knowledge by completing the Leadership Correspondence Course?
- If he has served as an officer, did he fulfill his office in
an outstanding manner and go beyond the normal discharge of his duties?
- If he is a PMC, has he continued his efforts on behalf of
DeMolay AFTER he left office?
- Has he set an example for the younger members to follow and emulate?
- Has he contributed to the growth of the chapter by continuing to bring in new members?
- It the nominee is away from your chapter, has he continued his efforts with DeMolay and shown concern over his chapter, even though he may not be present to be active? Using these basic guidelines, you should be able to determine if these nominees really measure up to the meaning of this Honor. The Chevalier Degree is given annually to approximately 1% of the DeMolay membership, and it is your responsibility to be certain that the future holders of the Honor are qualified in every way. With your cooperation, the Degree of Chevalier will continue to be held in high esteem.
