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Posted: 4/2/2023 4:59:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: PSI]
For the past several years we’ve conducted what we call Masonic Day of Light. They’re basically festivals where the three degrees are conferred. I’ll admit when the first started I was against it. However, the data has proven that new Brothers brought in this was have the same retention and participation rates as how it’s done traditionally. My home Chapter, Warren Chapter #8 Royal Arch Masons, has had a certified Entered Apprentice Degree team for 10 years and we’ve participated in several.
The current Grand Master has pushed this this year. There was even one day that up to three were conducted in different parts of the state. Yesterday was the last for his term, it was held in Oshkosh, sponsored by the York Rite. We conferred the EA, York Rite College #21 from Milwaukee did the FC and Oshkosh Lodge the MM. We had 29 in the class. In the past 10 months Wisconsin has raised over 300 new Master Masons! |
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Posted: 4/2/2023 5:05:34 PM EDT
[#1]
500! That's incredible. That would be a 40% increase in our total membership.
M.W. Tim Wheeland from Ohio presented some great data on one day class retention at COGMNA in 2019. Was a touch higher than the "traditional" way. (I put that in quotes because originally both degrees were conferred at the same time.). |
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Posted: 4/2/2023 7:31:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: grinning_bob]
[#2]
Originally Posted By PSI: For the past several years we’ve conducted what we call Masonic Day of Light. They’re basically festivals where the three degrees are conferred. I’ll admit when the first started I was against it. However, the data has proven that new Brothers brought in this was have the same retention and participation rates as how it’s done traditionally. My home Chapter, Warren Chapter #8 Royal Arch Masons, has had a certified Entered Apprentice Degree team for 10 years and we’ve participated in several. The current Grand Master has pushed this this year. There was even one day that up to three were conducted in different parts of the state. Yesterday was the last for his term, it was held in Oshkosh, sponsored by the York Rite. We conferred the EA, York Rite College #21 from Milwaukee did the FC and Oshkosh Lodge the MM. We had 29 in the class. In the past 10 months Wisconsin has raised over 500 new Master Masons! Not a Mason...... Nor ever likely to be...... But given what I understand about Masonry, I believe growth in Master Masons is a good thing. People are waking up. Growth in Orthodox Christianity is occurring too. This is also good. I'm not Orthodox either. 
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Posted: 4/3/2023 7:06:30 AM EDT
[Last Edit: PSI]
[#3]
My apologies. Apparently I miss heard the GM in Saturday, we made over 300 Masons in the past 10 months, not 500. 300 still a huge number.
I’ve corrected my original post. |
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Posted: 4/3/2023 11:08:18 AM EDT
[#4]
I'm kind of against it being a traditionalist, but with the declining numbers with older members passing away it may be a valid option.
I only have this month to lean an show proficiency for my 1st degree, or I guess i have to start over. The last year, family and work have keep me too busy and, I'm relay bummed about it. I had it down to 97% but now I'm probably down to 70%. I can pick it up fast, but having the time to get with my mentor has been nil. 
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Posted: 4/3/2023 11:09:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: medicmandan]
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sladekal: I'm kind of against it being a traditionalist, but with the declining numbers with older members passing away it may be a valid option. I only have this month to lean an show proficiency for my 1st degree, or I guess i have to start over. The last year, family and work have keep me too busy and, I'm relay bummed about it. I had it down to 97% but now I'm probably down to 70%. I can pick it up fast, but having the time to get with my mentor has been nil. You do know that originally they conferred both degrees (there were only two initially) at the same time?  Get your butt in gear and I'll see you at the Wild Horse in Phoenix the first weekend of June for Communication. 
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Posted: 4/4/2023 3:59:07 PM EDT
[#6]
Our secretary was a one day degree candidate.
He is amazing and definitely great to have in lodge. His memory is outstanding. We have had quite a bit of luck with the one day deal locally. We prefer not to do it, but it has its place. |
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Posted: 4/4/2023 5:45:51 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RogueShot12er: Our secretary was a one day degree candidate. He is amazing and definitely great to have in lodge. His memory is outstanding. We have had quite a bit of luck with the one day deal locally. We prefer not to do it, but it has its place. My thing is do those that go the one day route feel they earned it? I know they can live up-to it and perhaps that is right alone, but do they fell that sense of accomplishment? |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 12:47:12 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sladekal: My thing is do those that go the one day route feel they earned it? I know they can live up-to it and perhaps that is right alone, but do they fell that sense of accomplishment? OK, I'll push back a little. Earned what? Accomplished what? No one learns everything there is to learn about Masonry in the three degrees, whether they be in one day or spread out over a year. It's a lifetime study. If you missed my comment above, originally the two degrees of Masonry were conferred at the same time. If we want to be strict traditionalists, the one day class is the way to go. I'm not advocating for either. I think each has its place. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 9:41:50 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By medicmandan: OK, I'll push back a little. Earned what? Accomplished what? No one learns everything there is to learn about Masonry in the three degrees, whether they be in one day or spread out over a year. It's a lifetime study. If you missed my comment above, originally the two degrees of Masonry were conferred at the same time. If we want to be strict traditionalists, the one day class is the way to go. I'm not advocating for either. I think each has its place. For me it would be the earned right to call myself a Manson by showing some degree of skill as the Operative Masons did before Speculative Masons, and the accomplishment would be honoring those that came before. I agree about the life time study, and did not miss the part about the two degrees. I just never heard that before. I was told that at one time there were only two, but it was expanded to the three, but a few groups also wanted to push the fourth as a requirement for MM. However, at this time if the one day was offered I might take it, but would also like to have the opportunity to show proficiency before committee or before the lodge. Work life balance has been difficult sense Covid, as a mission essential employee I have to do everything everyone else gets to stay home and not do, we are just now getting back to normal. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 9:55:33 AM EDT
[#10]
I just sent our Grand Lodge a message earlier this week asking if there was any consideration of having a conferral day.
There has not been one in Maine in a long time that I am aware of. I know several people who have expressed an interest but are concerned with the amount of time and meetings required to complete their degrees. All said they would be willing to do a one day or weekend conferral though. I hope they agree to look into it. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 10:51:22 AM EDT
[#11]
My lodge just closed.
I demitted all together. I’ve had no time to participate for years. I believe the nails in the coffin, in our case at least, was the old guys driving off the new when membership started to decline. Too much competition for time that didn’t exist when they were coming up. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 10:52:36 AM EDT
[#12]
My lodge just closed.
I demitted all together. I’ve had no time to participate for years. I believe the nails in the coffin, in our case at least, was the old guys driving off the new when membership started to decline. Too much competition for time that didn’t exist when they were coming up. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 12:15:19 PM EDT
[#13]
If Freemasonry doesn't evolve it will go extinct.
Conferrals is one way to make changes. |
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Posted: 4/5/2023 3:20:16 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sladekal]
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By IceDiver: If Freemasonry doesn't evolve it will go extinct. Conferrals is one way to make changes. Anyone know if The Square Magazine.com - First Digital Freemasonry Summit/ is legit or a scam? |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 4/6/2023 9:17:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ButchA61]
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HELOBRAVO: My lodge just closed. I demitted all together. I’ve had no time to participate for years. I believe the nails in the coffin, in our case at least, was the old guys driving off the new when membership started to decline. Too much competition for time that didn’t exist when they were coming up. Here in Virginia, most lodges just get restructured, reorganized, and re-absorbed by a fellow lodge in the same location. Believe me, Brothers... believe me, as a Past Master (2015) I tried everything I could to get my lodge a little more "hip" if you know what I mean. No, no, no, I'm not talking about blasting a Metallica CD before the Stated Communication... But just have something different for a musical program, that might get the lodge to take notice and become more active by spreading the word. My good friend and beloved lodge brother, and amazing pianist, and I put together a "musical program through the years" as it was referred to on the Trestleboard Newsletter.... Bro. Dick Turochy sang "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra --- to a backing track on a CD player. We both collaborated on "Sentimental Journey" with me on Trombone, him singing, me harmonizing, him blowing a "train whistle" all to a backing track on a CD player. Lastly, I closed the program with "That's Alright Mama" by Elvis, on my Gretsch hollowbody electric guitar, to a backing track. That was it... I begged and pleaded, but to no avail, the "old timers" WOULD NOT allow me to play "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath or "Highway Star" by Deep Purple, or anything at all from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Rolling Stones, etc...  |
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Posted: 4/7/2023 7:41:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: PSI]
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ButchA61: Here in Virginia, most lodges just get restructured, reorganized, and re-absorbed by a fellow lodge in the same location. Believe me, Brothers... believe me, as a Past Master (2015) I tried everything I could to get my lodge a little more "hip" if you know what I mean. No, no, no, I'm not talking about blasting a Metallica CD before the Stated Communication... But just have something different for a musical program, that might get the lodge to take notice and become more active by spreading the word. My good friend and beloved lodge brother, and amazing pianist, and I put together a "musical program through the years" as it was referred to on the Trestleboard Newsletter.... Bro. Dick Turochy sang "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra --- to a backing track on a CD player. We both collaborated on "Sentimental Journey" with me on Trombone, him singing, me harmonizing, him blowing a "train whistle" all to a backing track on a CD player. Lastly, I closed the program with "That's Alright Mama" by Elvis, on my Gretsch hollowbody electric guitar, to a backing track. That was it... I begged and pleaded, but to no avail, the "old timers" WOULD NOT allow me to play "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath or "Highway Star" by Deep Purple, or anything at all from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Rolling Stones, etc... At the Annual Grand Assembly of the Grand Council, at the end of my second term as Most Illustrious Grand Master, the beginning up through the bagpipes of this played while I was escorted in, introduced and received. 🤣  Failed To Load Title |
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Posted: 4/8/2023 1:51:51 PM EDT
[#17]
If South Carolina begins to permit one day classes for the degrees, that will be my cue to quit completely. I've got no respect for these one day conferrals. If you want to be a Freemason, then put in the work to become one.
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Posted: 4/8/2023 6:33:39 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 57plymouth: If South Carolina begins to permit one day classes for the degrees, that will be my cue to quit completely. I've got no respect for these one day conferrals. If you want to be a Freemason, then put in the work to become one. A lot of the ones who did the one day class deal at my lodge were enlisted military guys. They were putting in work for this country. That's good enough for me. Remember that not everyone has the luxury of having enough free time to attend lodge all of the time. 
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Posted: 4/8/2023 7:06:56 PM EDT
[#19]
That's a lame excuse for laziness. About 1/3 of my Lodge is military and they got through just like everyone else.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 4/21/2023 9:52:38 AM EDT
[#20]
This has been an ongoing issue here locally. Most feel that we need to do things more formally.
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WI, USA
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Posted: 4/21/2023 7:27:39 PM EDT
[#21]
We've gained a lot of new brothers from the Day of Light events. There's been no difference in their participation in lodge or being active members in the community than those who joined via the traditional route.
I agree that the traditional route is better but if it means we gain new brothers while most are seeing membership shrinking, then I'm all for it. |
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Posted: 4/26/2023 2:53:02 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 57plymouth: If South Carolina begins to permit one day classes for the degrees, that will be my cue to quit completely. I've got no respect for these one day conferrals. If you want to be a Freemason, then put in the work to become one. I used to feel like you. In Missouri the one day classes are (were?) called C2A for Chance to Advance. It was available when I first expressed interest in the Fraternity to my amazing and then W:.M:. ex BIL. We discussed the options and after thoughtful consideration I decided to pursue the traditional EA-FC-MM path in Lodge. While I personally believe that this is the best way for new Brothers to understand and appreciate the obligations they've just taken upon themselves it's not the only way. Attitudes have to change or Lodges die. Five years after being raised I sat in the East. Our Lodge earned its 10th consecutive Truman Award. Growth is a factor and the work done by all members contributes to the success of the Lodge. Grow or die, Brother. The time of the Darklighters mumbling and grumbling from their seats in the North has to end. |
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Posted: 4/26/2023 11:06:06 PM EDT
[#23]
Take this for what its worth, as i havent been around too long. But from what I see, something needs to happen. My lodge is pretty large/active, and every year the membership declines (just from the short 3 years I have been around). I was in a group with 3 other EA's, then covid hit. We were 1 mo out from our second degree. Myself and one other brother (who I have developed a great friendship and brotherhood with), were the only 2/4 to continue. I dont have the answer to be honest, but what I do know is if things stay the way they are...membership is in trouble. I have grown so much since I have started this journey, and I would love for it to be around if my boys or grandchildren are interested when that time comes, even if it has to adapt slightly.
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WI, USA
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Posted: 4/29/2023 8:14:32 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By leemozoid: I used to feel like you. In Missouri the one day classes are (were?) called C2A for Chance to Advance. It was available when I first expressed interest in the Fraternity to my amazing and then W:.M:. ex BIL. We discussed the options and after thoughtful consideration I decided to pursue the traditional EA-FC-MM path in Lodge. While I personally believe that this is the best way for new Brothers to understand and appreciate the obligations they've just taken upon themselves it's not the only way. Attitudes have to change or Lodges die. Five years after being raised I sat in the East. Our Lodge earned its 10th consecutive Truman Award. Growth is a factor and the work done by all members contributes to the success of the Lodge. Grow or die, Brother. The time of the Darklighters mumbling and grumbling from their seats in the North has to end. Very well put brother! 100% agree with you. |
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Posted: 5/11/2023 3:36:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: PSI]
[#25]
Not that I don’t get the point, because I do. But those of you that are against this way of raising new Brothers, and are Scottish Rite and/or Shriners; how do you reconcile how those bodies do their degrees? Particularly since Scottish Rite is doing the majority of their’s via online video.
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Posted: 5/11/2023 4:43:36 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PSI: Not that I don't get the point, because I do. But those of you that are against this way of raising new Brothers, and are Scottish Rite and/or Shriners; how do you reconcile how those bodies do their degrees? Particularly since Scottish Rite is doing the majority of their's via online video. Now that I live in NH, it is supremely inconvenient to battle traffic into Boston and I'd still not know a soul when I got to Boston or Wilmington. The one blessing of Covid was that the Scottish Rite created super-professional plays of all the degrees and allowed us to watch them online. Therefore I am only missing 3 degrees at this point. During Covid I was able to watch 22 of the degrees for the first time. I call that a Win! I hope that they re-run them so that I can have the opportunity to see the 3 that I missed. |
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Posted: 5/11/2023 5:00:57 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LenS: I've been a Scottish Rite member since 1984 and Shriner since 1985. A number of old timers and myself used to go to the meetings in person when they were in Boston, Waltham, Lexington, Wilmington. As those Brothers died off, I found myself alone at a couple of meetings and just stopped attending. Now that I live in NH, it is supremely inconvenient to battle traffic into Boston and I'd still not know a soul when I got to Boston or Wilmington. The one blessing of Covid was that the Scottish Rite created super-professional plays of all the degrees and allowed us to watch them online. Therefore I am only missing 3 degrees at this point. During Covid I was able to watch 22 of the degrees for the first time. I call that a Win! I hope that they re-run them so that I can have the opportunity to see the 3 that I missed. That’s another thing I don’t get. A Brother watches four or five plays and they calls himself a 32° Mason for the rest of his life. Am I missing something? The math seems off. I’m being serious. How does one wrap their head around that being acceptable? |
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Posted: 5/11/2023 6:05:45 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PSI: That's another thing I don't get. A Brother watches four or five plays and they calls himself a 32 Mason for the rest of his life. Am I missing something? The math seems off. I'm being serious. How does one wrap their head around that being acceptable? |
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Posted: 5/12/2023 12:07:42 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LenS: I have no idea how they came up with that, but sitting thru 29 degrees to get there wouldn't likely get too many to join. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LenS: Originally Posted By PSI: That's another thing I don't get. A Brother watches four or five plays and they calls himself a 32 Mason for the rest of his life. Am I missing something? The math seems off. I'm being serious. How does one wrap their head around that being acceptable? This is precisely my point. I’m curious how so many are opposed to one day degree conferrals, but support giving away a title that isn’t earned, because not many would join otherwise. |
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Posted: 5/15/2023 5:21:26 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PSI: Not that I don’t get the point, because I do. But those of you that are against this way of raising new Brothers, and are Scottish Rite and/or Shriners; how do you reconcile how those bodies do their degrees? Particularly since Scottish Rite is doing the majority of their’s via online video. I fought and fought against that crap in my valley. I worked very hard to get a slow class created so you took all 29 SR degrees over a year's time. It was very popular and well attended. Then they started a BS one day class where you only got the mandatory degrees. I quit on the spot, and I'm not going back. I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a hypocrite. If SC goes to a one day class, that's the end of my involvement. If you aren't willing to put in the time to learn Freemasonry; then Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc. will gladly take you. |
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Posted: 5/15/2023 8:43:37 PM EDT
[#31]
I have a foot on each side of the fence. I’m not for the “buy a badge” thing. That’s one of the main reasons I pulled my son out of scouts. They would get together on a Saturday and set up stations and the kids would go around and do an activity and come away with 3-4 badges in a day. I think you should have to put in some time and be involved. I also realize that we live in a fast paced world and people are super busy and time is really important and of you have kids that are active you can get spread out pretty thin. But I have a friend who 2 coworkers and I are mentoring him in his journey. The other 2 brothers are good friends of mine and one of them we are in the same lodge. Well our friend wanted to be in lodge in the town he lives in to be involved in his community. Fantastic I think it’s a great idea. Now that I have moved I have even thought about switching lodges. But the one he picked he went to in the first week of January and the just came out to meet the family last week. When membership is declining and you want to increase membership just slow rolling a new candidate just doesn’t seem like a good idea to me.
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