To: DeMolay Chapters in New York
Fr: “Dad” Brusoe
Subject: Honors Process for 2026
With positive growth achieved and our advisory council renewals in, we want to turn to the Honors process for 2026.
Because of the sheer number of e-scribe issues with Kansas City, Honors are going to be due from Chapters on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 11:59PM New York Time in E-scribe.
Honor bodies nominating need to contact “Dad” Brusoe by Monday, February 16, 2026, so we can arrange to submit the paperwork.
To be considered, the honors nomination must be:
– Complete with the appropriate paperwork in e-scribe by Sunday, February 22, 2026
– The minutes of the advisory council or the executive committee of the honor body met to discuss the nomination and had a positive vote (See local rules)
– Be paid in E-scribe by Sunday, February 22, 2026
– If the honor is not approved, the money will be returned.
To be eligible to nominate, chapters must be in good standing with DeMolay International and New York DeMolay. That means:
– No money is owed to DeMolay International or New York DeMolay by the chapter or its members
– The annual report is completed for the year 2025. (we know this is an earlier deadline than DeMolay International, but it is fine to get it in early)
Confidentiality: The honors process MUST BE CONFIDENTIAL. This means not only does the nominee not know about it, but that other people not involved in the vote do not know about it. When I was a young man, contests would often say, “Many will enter, few will win.” That applies to DeMolay honors. After they leave NY, they face rigorous review by the Honors and Awards Committee of DeMolay International, and then must be unanimously approved by all Active ISC Members. If the honor is not approved, we do not want to create hurt feelings. If it is discovered that someone has breached confidentiality, their own honors and position in DeMolay will be at risk.
If members of the advisory council wish to nominate someone who is on the advisory council, a special meeting should be called with the other advisors, BUT NOT the potential nominee.
May not be applied for or asked for: If someone is asking for an honor or applying for an honor, please notify your local governor and me at once. The honor may not be awarded.
Please make sure their E-scribe Profile is up to date: We use E-scribe to confirm details of the nomination. For example, if a young man is nominated for his Chevalier and the nomination mentions he earned the Representative DeMolay, and that’s not in the file, that could be a problem.
As a reminder of the Criteria
Chevaliers: Outstanding service to DeMolay by an Active or Senior DeMolay aged at least 17. They must also have at least two years of DeMolay Service.
Cross of Honor: Conspicuous service as an advisor for AT LEAST three years, the nominee must be a current registered advisor.
Active Legion of Honor: Outstanding service to humanity or professional excellence by a Senior DeMolay aged 25 or older.
Honorary Legion of Honor: Outstanding service to humanity by a Master Mason aged 30 or older. Must belong to the Grand Lodge of New York, or a Grand Lodge with whom we have mutual recognition. If they do not belong to the Grand Lodge of New York please contact me before discussing the honor.
Civic Legion of Honor: Outstanding service to DeMolay by a current Class 5 Member of DeMolay International who has been previously honored with the Cross of Honor and is on the advisory council of a chapter located in the Lakes or Rivers Region that achieved positive growth in 2025, or has achieved positive growth for 2026 by March 1, 2026. This may not be given to anyone who has been expelled from the Masonic Fraternity.
Local Rules:
Several chapters have local rules on the threshold needed for honors, the honors process, and criteria for honors. Provided those rules are in the chapter and/or advisory council bylaws and have been approved by the Executive Officer those rules MUST be followed. **
PDF of this memo:
PDF of how to submit:
Escirbe_how_to_Honors
