Oregon DeMolay

On November 5th, Oregon DeMolay performed the Initiatory and DeMolay degrees in honor of the Grand Master of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Oregon, MWB Rich Martin.  The ceremonies were held at Tigard Orenomah Lodge.  Eight boys were initiated into five chapters – Pacific, Mt Hood, Milwaukie, Tigard-Orenomah, and Willamette.Thanks to all who attended and especially to those who took part in the Degrees.

The Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite in Oregon, Dad Gary Kuney, was honored at a Degree Class held on August 27, 2011. The Class was held at the downtown Portland Scottish Rite Temple, with a ritual class preceding the initiation.  DeMolay from four chapters were in attendance: Milwaukie, St Helens, Tigard-Orenomah, and Tioga. One new member received the initiatory degree and two received the DeMolay Degree.

Or was it the Weekend of Fights and Brawls?  In either case, WOFAB was tons of fun! It was held July 10 & 11 at Eugene Lodge No 11. The members present enjoyed the annual game of baseball. Sadly, the advisors beat the youth. After baseball, the members went straight into swordfights. Wait, swordfights you ask? Each member who was there got to craft their own sword to use in a sword tournament. Congratulations to Andrew Morton for winning the competition! After the sword fights, each chapter that was there designed their own banner and created it! There wasn’t much down time as everyone was sword fighting for hours, but the evening finally ended with a game of capture the flag! We would like to thank everyone who came to the event and supported us, especially the advisors who came as well. Thank you!

Please join me in congratulating Dad Lamb on this award and recognition of his service to Oregon DeMolay and commitment to new chapter development. 

Warren Cole, Director of Development, Oregon DeMolay

Contact: Tom Unger (503) 886-2051 ungert@wellsfargo.com

 May 27, 2011

Wells Fargo awards James Lamb with three months leave

to volunteer at Oregon DeMolay youth organization

PORTLAND, Ore. – Wells Fargo has awarded Milwaukie resident James Lamb a three-month Volunteer Leave so he can volunteer for the nonprofit Oregon DeMolay group while still receiving his regular Wells Fargo pay and benefits.

Lamb, a consumer loan underwriter for Wells Fargo in Beaverton, has volunteered for the Oregon DeMolay since 1973. He will start his leave on September 1, 2011. He is one of 26 Wells Fargo team members across the company – including one other in Oregon – to receive awards this year totaling more than 32 months of service.

Since 1919, Oregon DeMolay has provided character building and leadership skills for young men between ages 12 and 21. The youth-led organization gives young men the opportunity to learn planning, budgeting and program development skills.

Lamb is involved with DeMolay because he benefited through his membership as a boy. The men in his community were there for James and his brother, who at a young age were left without a father due to his untimely death.

“I experienced the impact dedicated adult volunteers can have on the lives of young people. Their mentorship makes an impactful difference in the lives of these young men,” he said.

Lamb will use his volunteer leave to expand the program into under-served areas of Oregon in an effort to reach more youths. The organization is in the process of building the foundation for new chapters in various areas around the state.

“It’s part of Wells Fargo’s vision for all team members to serve as leaders in our communities. As one of the few companies in America to offer fully-paid sabbaticals for community service, we believe it’s important to give team members an opportunity to act on their passion by helping to build capacity at a nonprofit of their choice,” said Don Pearson, Oregon Region president.

“Every day hundreds of Wells Fargo team members lead projects that help their communities thrive. James has shown incredible dedication to Oregon DeMolay. We’re pleased that he can devote more of his time and talent to this organization,” Pearson said.

Established in 1976, Wells Fargo’s Volunteer Leave Program annually awards team members up to four months off, with full pay and benefits, to work with a nonprofit of their choice to help address specific issues or opportunities important to them, and support the organization’s long-term sustainability. Wells Fargo team members who have been with the company for five years may apply.

Winners are chosen annually based on the team members’ personal commitment and dedication to the organization, their proposed project and the potential impact that their project goals will have on solving a specific social problem.

This is not the first time Wells Fargo has shown its support of Lamb and his volunteer work for Oregon DeMolay. The company has donated a total of $11,000 to the group in the past few years in honor of Lamb through its Volunteer Service Awards program.

In 2010, Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.3 million volunteer hours, including more than 77,367 hours in Oregon and Southwest Washington. That helped Wells Fargo earn the Governor’s Volunteer Award in Oregon for Outstanding Statewide Volunteer Program. Wells Fargo also donated $219 million in 2010 to 19,000 nonprofits and schools nationwide, surpassing $200 million for the third consecutive year.

About Wells Fargo
Serving Oregonians since 1852, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com) and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.