Hello New York DeMolay!
As many of you may have seen from the Ambassador, I have been asked by Grand Master "Dad" John Whitaker to assume the role of Personal Representative for our Great State of New York.
I am excited to work with an amazing group of talented DeMolay leaders, the young ladies involved with our program, our committed adult mentors and advisors, our alumni and our great New York Masonic Family.
I know there are probably a lot of questions, and we will be reaching out to every chapter shortly. In an effort to answer some of the most frequently asked ones we have this quick FAQ. In the coming days, weeks and months we will be unveiling some new ideas, some projects, and ways we can make New York DeMolay even better.
Our state motto, Excelsior, says it best: Ever upward!
Yours for a Stronger New York DeMolay!
"Dad" Brusoe
1) What is a Personal Representative of the Grand Master?
Under DeMolay’s governance structure, the Supreme Council of DeMolay International is our governing authority. Outside of their sessions, that authority is vested in the Grand Master of DeMolay, currently “Dad” John Whitaker of Tennessee. Grand Master Whitaker has the ability to appoint DeMolay advisors to operate and supervise DeMolay in the various jurisdictions. These advisors take two forms, Personal Representatives and Executive Officers. Executive Officers are members of the Supreme Council by virtue of their office while Personal Representatives are not.
Simply put, Grand Master Whitaker has charged me with growing New York DeMolay and empowering our young men, young ladies, and advisors to be the best they can be.
2) So what should we be doing?
Keep being the amazing DeMolays and advisors you are now. Please register for LeadCon, to be held in Utica in November. State Master Councilor Altman and “Dad” Schneider have put together an awesome program!
If you’re an adult, complete your change no change form. The annual deadline is November 30.
If you know of a young man who would benefit from DeMolay, or an adult who would be a great mentor, ask them to get involved! I was really excited to see Ridge Council welcome a new brother just a few days ago!
I will be taking time over the next several days to reach out to chapters, staff members, alumni and others. I ask that you be a little patient as we work through this.
3) What is your goal in this role?
Our goal as a jurisdiction is to provide a program where young men feel empowered to run activities and programs that embrace the DeMolay values while being fun and enjoyable to the youth of today. Youth are challenged to grow their skill sets through the mentorship and support of caring adult mentors.
4) Will there be changes? What will they look like?
As with any organization, a change in leadership means there will be changes in how we do things.
I do not believe in change for change’s sake, but will be done with an eye towards our goal of improving the experience of young men. Simply put, we’re going to do more of what is working, and less of what is not working. When changes are made, you will be notified and given a rationale.
5) What’s your DeMolay background?
I was asked to join DeMolay by my friend Patrick Filiberto and it was a life changing decision. On December 27, 1997 I joined St. Andrew’s Chapter during a joint degree with Mohawk Valley Chapter. (End of the year degrees do work!)
Later working with my chapter, we would go on to earn the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award for that term. After serving as Master Councilor, I was elected to serve as Hudson Valley Division Councilor (a portion of present day Rivers Region and, at that time, a portion of the northern part of Metro), Deputy State Master Councilor and State Master Councilor from 2001-2002.
In 2003, I was elected International Master Councilor in Buffalo, NY. As International Master Councilor, I was able to see a number of great programs and activities being run across the country. I still maintain a lot of their friendships and see a lot of great ideas we can bring into New York.
My adult experience in DeMolay is varied. I have served in a variety of different roles on the chapter level ranging from special projects advisor, scribe advisor, chapter advisor. On the jurisdictional level, I was a Deputy Executive Officer for many years and most recently an advisor to the convention committee. I have held other jobs along the way, including serving as a Deputy Congress Advisor for DeMolay International, a staff member for the Ohio DeMolay Leaders of Excellence conference, KeyMan conference, a staff presenter at Garden State LTC, and have chaired MATOC for the past 7 years. In each of these, I worked with the local Masonic organizations and the Grand Lodge. Our success as an organization is predicated on strong working Masonic relationships.
What has all of this experience taught me? DeMolay works best when youth leaders, both our DeMolays and our young ladies, are empowered to make positive decisions and supported by caring and engaged adult mentors.
6) What’s your favorite preceptor?
It varies from day to day, thankfully there are seven days of the week and seven preceptors. In general I would say Comradeship. The unique brotherhood we experience in DeMolay is what sets our organization apart from other youth serving organizations.
7) What’s your educational and professional background?
I graduated from Amsterdam High School (Go Rams!), graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in European History and American Political Science from the University at Albany, State University of New York (Go Danes!), a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at Albany (Go Danes X2!) and a PhD in political science from American University (Go Eagles!). I have taken special programs around statistics, education, and social science education.
I currently work for a New York based technology company as a Campaign Finance and Lobbying Data Analyst. Previous to that I worked at a non-profit research institute, as a professor and as a graduate assistant.
8) What’s your favorite piece of ritual?
That’s a tough question. I generally say the DeMolay Degree 4th section because of how important that paragraph is for how we live our lives as DeMolays. My favorite public ceremony is the Flower Talk. Overall, I love all of it and each of it speaks to me.
9) What’s your least favorite piece of ritual?
Any ritual that is read! If I had to give an answer I think the Ceremony of Visitation (If you had to go google what that is, great!) It just seems superfluous.
10) How would you describe your leadership philosophy
I am a positive thinker who really loves Steven Covey and his 7 habits, plus his eighth! I also really enjoy David Allen the Art of Getting Things Done and Andy Cope the Art of Being Brilliant. Couple that with a quantitative data bent, and a fierce commitment to openness and transparency and you get my leadership style. If you are familiar with Myers Briggs, I am an INTJ bordering on an ENTJ.
You are going to hear some key phrases from me:
“How does this benefit the youth?”
“What do the youth want?”
“How can I help?”
“Why?”
“Are we being a PIOP or a NIOP?”
“The fierce and sudden urgency of now.”
“Make it work.”
“If you can't measure it, you can't manage it and you can't fix it.”
11) What’s your Masonic Background?
On my 21st Birthday I went out to dinner with my parents and then went to Empire Chapter’s meeting to present my petition for Freemasonry to “Dad” Bob Walenta for Master’s Lodge #5. Why? Because I saw the outstanding character and spirit of service from my DeMolay Advisors I was initiated, passed and raised in Master’s Lodge #5 of Albany, NY.
Just as we tell our DeMolays, my education came first and was not able to attend as much as I would like in NY because I was at American University in DC. I joined William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge #7 in Washington, DC. Why Singleton? Because they sponsored the local DeMolay Chapter.
I currently serve as their treasurer and community service chair. I would go on to be a charter member of Eagle Lodge #1893 and eventually served as their Master and served as the Charter Junior Warden of Eireann Lodge #98. I have served in a variety of officer roles in lodges, generally doing what needed to be done.
Beyond Blue Lodge, I am a companion and Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch, a companion of Cryptic Council, a Sir Knight of the Knights Templar and a companion of the Allied Masonic Degrees. I belong to the Valley of Schenectady AASR, proud sponsors of St. Andrew’s Chapter, I am a Past Wise Master of Evangelist Chapter of Rose Croix of the Valley of Washington, AASR. A Noble of the Shrine, a Prophet of the Grotto and a Past and Current Patron of Eastern Star. I currently hold a few directorships and corporate officer positions with the DC versions of the MCC and Brotherhood fund.
12) That sounds like a lot. Will you have time to do this job right?
Yes. We talk to our young men about time management, and the same is true for our adult leaders. Part of my taking this role was dialing back some of my other obligations and shifting some responsibilities. The success of our Jurisdiction is going to rely upon all of us working together. Plus, I don’t sleep much to begin with.
13) I have a suggestion, or an idea, or a concern.
Great! All are welcome, please shoot me an email at PBrusoe at NYDeMolay.org with NY DeMolay in the subject line.
List of favorites:
Baseball Team: The New York Yankees
Football Team: This will not make anyone happy, but remember my commitment to honesty and transparency? The Eagles
Lacrosse team: The Great Danes of Albany!
Superhero: Batman: Just an everyday guy making the world a better place, Spiderman is a close second place.
Song? Piano Man by Billy Joel of course!
Ice cream? Stewart’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Season? Fall in upstate New York.
Favorite book? The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles
Favorite film? Once Upon a Crime
Favorite author? John Irving
Book you’re currently reading? The Battle for Spain
Favorite OES Heroine? Esther, she stepped out of her comfort zone to do what was right.
Favorite DeMolay Degree part? As a youth it was Guy of Auvergne, now that I am an adult, I would say Geoffroi de Charney.
Favorite State event? All of them!
Personal hero? My parents.
Favorite Color? Albany Purple and Gold.