1. Merit Bars

2. Merit Bars primarily are awards that recognize DeMolays for achievement in some phase of Chapter activity. Religion and scholastics are the two exceptions.
Merit Bars are awarded to individual members on the recommendation of the Awards Advisor.
The Advisory Council makes the final decision about whether an individual has met the requirements for each bar based on the input the member presents to support their application.

3. Each Merit Bar is produced in five colors.
Each color designates the number of times a DeMolay has received a bar in that category. The color designations are:
1st level - White
2nd level - Red
3rd level - Blue
4th level - Purple
5th level - Gold

4. Each time a DeMolay achieves the next level in a category, he turns in his present bar. As a result, at no time would he display more than 18 bars.
Most Chapters have a "Merit Bar Bank“ administered by the Awards Advisor. The bank is a depository for merit bars turned in by older members as they progress to different colored bars.

5. Athletic Merit Bar
For participating in a Chapter's athletic program for a full year, with a minimum of six sport events in one or more sports.

6. Membership Merit Bar For being the first-line signer on
three membership applications of individuals who
subsequently are initiated in the Chapter.
White – 3 members
Red – 6 members
Blue – 9 members
Purple – 12 members
Gold – 15 members

7. Merit Merit Bar For contributing 20 hours of service to
DeMolay in an area not covered by another bar
without payment to the individual or the Chapter.

8. Priory Merit Bar Priory for a minimum of one year and for attending
For being a member in good standing of a
Priory for a minimum of one year and for attending
two-thirds of the Priory functions.
The Priory must have held a minimum of six activities other than regular meetings.

9. For attending at least 30 regular weekly religious services per year.
Religion Merit Bar
For attending at least 30 regular weekly
religious services per year.

10. Scholastic Merit Bar For maintaining a "B" grade average
(or equivalent) for one full year of school.

11. Visitation Merit Bar For six visitations at regular Chapter
meetings of Chapters other than one's own, or for a
total traveled distance of 150 miles one way.

12. Ritual Merit Bar DeMolay Ritual parts with a minimum of 125 points
For near word perfect performance of
DeMolay Ritual parts with a minimum of 125 points
earned according to the DI point scale.
Points usually are based on the number of lines in a part. Points are awarded each time that part is given (see chart).

13. Ritual Merit Bar Point Scale
DeMolay Degree Initiatory Degree
Master Councilor Master Councilor 40
Jacques DeMolay Marshal
Master Inquisitor Senior Councilor 20
Junior Inquisitor Senior Deacon 20
Orator Junior Councilor 20
Senior Inquisitor Chaplain 10
Geoffroi de Charney 5 Preceptors 15
Senior Guard Senior Steward 5
Marshal Junior Steward 5
Lord Constable
Ceremony of Light 30 Points Flower Talk 40 Points
Majority Service
Master Councilor 25
Senior Councilor 10
Junior Councilor 20
Chaplain 5

14. Attendance Merit Bar
For perfect attendance at regular meetings for one year in a member's Chapter or; if away from home, for the same number of meetings at another Chapter.
Make-up meetings counted toward the Attendance Bar may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the Visitation Bar.

15. Civic Service Merit Bar
For 10 hours of service on behalf of the Chapter, without financial remuneration to the individual or the Chapter, in three different civic service projects.

16. For attending three jurisdictional events as a participant or visitor.
Conclave Merit Bar
For attending three jurisdictional
events as a participant or visitor.

17. These need not be DeMolay related.
Fine Art Merit Bar
For working with a musical group, with a minimum of three performances, or for participating in a minimum of two Chapter theatrical performances.
These need not be DeMolay related.

18. Fund Raising Merit Bar
For working on at least three different fund-raising projects for the Chapter, for a total of 20 hours, without direct financial remuneration to himself.

19. Installing Merit Bar
For participating in six Chapter installation ceremonies
as a member of the installing team.

20. Journalism Merit Bar
For submitting a minimum of six issues to a Chapter newspaper, public newspaper, electronic newspaper, web newsletter, web site, or any form of published communication, that are forwarded to the Service and Leadership Center.

21. Correspondence Course Merit Bar
For successful completion of each lesson of the five-part Leadership Correspondence Course. This bar is automatically sent to the individual member on completion of the course.

22. Masonic Attendance
For bringing 3 different Master Masons in good standing to a DeMolay Chapter meeting.
The list of Masons needs to be confirmed by both the
Master Councilor and the Chapter Advisor.
In order for the visits to count toward the award, which is limited to one bar a year, the visiting Masons may not
be an Advisor of any Chapter.

23. Masonic Service Merit Bar
For participating in three different Chapter Masonic service projects, for a minimum of 10 hours without payment to either the individual or Chapter.

24. Safe Driver Merit Bar Each year with a clean driving record,
the member will earn the next level of the bar.
An infraction can halt the earning of future colors, and a serious infraction could mean a loss of the bar itself.
The issue date of the license/permit would be the start date for determining the year of a safe driving record.

25. Questions ????

26. At no time should a member display more than _________ merit bars.
Question # 1
At no time should a member display more than _________ merit bars.
a. 12
b. 15
c. 18
d. 21

27. Question # 2
A DeMolay who has won a particular merit bar three times is awarded a __________ bar.
a. red
b. green
c. blue
d. white

28. Question # 3
The visitation merit bar is awarded for six visitations at regular Chapter meetings, other than your own, or a total traveled distance of _______ miles (one way).
a. 25
b. 50
c. 100
d. 150

29. The End