tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post8959910617390729447..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: Welcome Brothers: GL of Ohio Raises 780 in Statewide One Day ClassChristopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-89310208204560986712022-04-23T12:51:20.833-04:002022-04-23T12:51:20.833-04:00Whether these brethren stick around is not the poi...Whether these brethren stick around is not the point here - this (lack of) ceremony robs those brothers of an incredible initiatic experience that forges those first bonds with the members of your lodge. Thank goodness we do nothing of this kind on this side of the pond...Pete Steanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17600462602964257838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-25271553312541553412022-04-15T21:11:18.219-04:002022-04-15T21:11:18.219-04:00One of the things I find so beautiful and special ...One of the things I find so beautiful and special about Freemasonry is that it is definitely "a ceremonial approach towards truth".<br /><br />Many of the groups which imitate us fall short, whither, and eventually die. Quite honestly, it is not at all easy being us, but the old heads know it is definitely worth the effort in the long run. <br /><br />There are a few good Non-Masonic organizations out there for truth seekers which can actually initiate their candidates to membership by a superior form of instruction <br />by correspondence. For these organizations, beautiful group ceremonies often takes place, but they are considered secondary while experimentation is considered primary. <br /><br />Freemasonry is different. The personal experience of our Rites, Ceremonies, and Symbolism is of the utmost importance. There is no form of written correspondence which can make a man a Mason. There is no such substitute. <br /><br />Becoming a Freemason is truly a group effort done in person, man to man. Everything else, though it may be very good, is secondary. Thomas Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496528868148315705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-17649335906289729902022-04-14T10:46:56.506-04:002022-04-14T10:46:56.506-04:00Br. Stoops - let us now apply your ideas (there...Br. Stoops - let us now apply your ideas (there's likely no analysis that can be done) to the AASR - which, in at least my own Valley of DC, was still doing one degree at a time, in a Lodge conferral format, not an elaborate stage play, shortly before WWI, and men sometimes never advanced out of the Lodge of Perfection.<br /><br />I have met MANY AASR Brethren who think there is NO REASON to look at the old way of doing it, because no one still alive ever had it; but that making EVERYONE go through a One Day Class, with just one exemplar, should NEVER happen and COULD never happen, because everyone should have the opportunity to experience it the slow and individual way, if they want it.<br /><br />They cannot see that someone could eventually make the argument that we can get more Craft Brothers in in a ODC, than the older way, so why not JUST do only that?<br />Because THEY would never do it, they cannot imagine anyone else would . . . and yet, it happened in the AASR.MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15904412888243979076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-90076166131079167522022-04-13T11:50:17.563-04:002022-04-13T11:50:17.563-04:00There is too much in the degrees to absorb the mea...There is too much in the degrees to absorb the meaning of all three in a single day initiation.Bro. Paul Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06435030965629467739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-25811307370418097972022-04-13T09:00:17.872-04:002022-04-13T09:00:17.872-04:00👍👍👍👍👍👍Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02967164690314109938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-2714316674424085092022-04-13T02:53:00.256-04:002022-04-13T02:53:00.256-04:00It is my understanding that similar expedited meas...It is my understanding that similar expedited measures were undertaken to accommodate deploying servicemen during both World Wars, albeit perhaps not on such a large scale nor coordinated by a Grand Lodge.<br /><br />N.L. Curry<br />Conroe 748, Conroe TX, AF&AM<br />Utopia 984, Utopia TX, AF&AM<br />Old West 813, Newhall CA, F&AMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-20662510342496626122022-04-13T02:44:43.848-04:002022-04-13T02:44:43.848-04:00Though we usually see eye-to-eye, on this we do no...Though we usually see eye-to-eye, on this we do not totally agree.<br /><br />Results:<br />First, for the statistics of retention and activity. Kansas pulled 25 years of membership data and found the following:<br />• 66% of One‐Day participants dropped out of Masonry.<br />• 60% of C2A participants (2 degrees in one day) dropped out of Masonry.<br />• 49% of Standard Path participants dropped out of Masonry. (still a horrible retention rate)<br />• It is 2.5X more likely for C2A or One‐Day participants to drop out within the first 12 months.<br />• It is 13% more likely within the first 5 years for C2A or One‐Day participants to drop.<br />• Even after 22 years as a Master Mason, it is 2X more likely for C2A or One‐Day participants to drop.<br />• 2.5X less likely for C2A or One-Day participant to serve as Master of their Lodge.<br /><br />That which was lost:<br />If the candidate was not the one being led around our altar in darkness, something was stolen from him. If he did not get to experience that deep connection between a new Mason and his coach as he learned what it meant to be an EA, FC, and MM, something was stolen from him. If, when he returned your EA, FC, and MM proficiency, he was not actually describing the experience that he was part of, e.g. how he was dressed, entered the room, took his obligation, etc., something was stolen from him. And so on. I have no doubt that in most cases these events are a good experience for the candidate, but it is not the experience as thought to us by our founders and forefathers. The experience of our new Brothers should be that of being an active participant in their initiation. It was never designed, nor should it be, observing the experience of others.<br /><br />Value to the Members vs. Value to the Grand Lodge:<br />It is interesting that during my presentations regarding retention rates, I have focused on the value to the new Members, and why they stay of leave. I focus on what we can do to make sure that we are providing what they are wanting when they join our Fraternity. I never once commented on overall membership numbers or revenue from dues. <br />When the current Grand Master of Ohio gave his presentation about retention rates, he was very much focused on overall membership numbers and was happy to constantly equate that to a revenue number for his Grand Lodge. <br /><br />A matter of value:<br />Making it easier to become a Master Mason is one part of the overall value equation. What is the perceived value of an organization that rushes you in in one day, charges you $75, and then only charges you $50 a year to be a member? Unfortunately, the perceived value is very low. For too long, we have focused on cheaper, easier, and bigger. We did so to the point that we started losing our value. Cheaper, easier, and bigger did not work, and in 2010 the Grand Lodge of Kansas made the conscious decision to focus on excellence and value. We focused on excellence to regain the value that our Craft deserves. We focused on excellence in engaging our Members, especially during the critical first 3 years. With this renewed focus, Kansas has increased it retention rate during the first 5 years of membership from 50% to 72%. I believe the proof is in the numbers. Cheap, easy, and big equals a 33% retention rate for Kansas. Focusing on excellence and the true value of Masonry equals a 72% retention rate. I pray that we continue on this path.<br /><br />Brotherly Love:<br />I have never faulted a Brother for how they became a Master Mason. I never ask a Brother if they went through a one day class. At the one-on-one, Brother-to Brother level, it does not matter. They are my Brother and I treat them the same. <br />Mikel J. Stoopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15759007994085898142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-84026308598496835682022-04-12T22:56:56.480-04:002022-04-12T22:56:56.480-04:00When I travel, being from Ohio, I am often asked a...When I travel, being from Ohio, I am often asked about ODC outcomes. The lack of distinction between groups can be viewed two ways. Either ODC is just as good as traditional OR we do such a bad job with educating traditional candidates that it is no better than ODC alumni. I prefer the latter as lodges with intense and rigorous candidate education have retention/activity rates well north of 60%.Dan Hrinkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10570864700200011581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-86553286216908051642022-04-12T22:48:17.788-04:002022-04-12T22:48:17.788-04:00I was Entered in Lodge at a Robbie Burns Night . T...I was Entered in Lodge at a Robbie Burns Night . The experience when allowed to see the light and roughly 100 Brothers seated around me was one I would never forget. I could not sleep that night whatsoever with the sounds, words ,and the voice of my guide etched in my brain. I can not see how having all the degrees the same day would be anything more than a bunch of word soup when it was over. It takes time to absorb and learn. At least it did for me. IMO .Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03258995534307011503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-8045600253782940932022-04-12T18:29:38.628-04:002022-04-12T18:29:38.628-04:00Interested readers can find Paul Bessel's anal...Interested readers can find Paul Bessel's analysis here:<br /><br />Paul Bessel, “Evaluation of Grand Masters Classes in the District of Columbia, An,” Heredom, vol. 9(2001): 199–208.<br />S. Brent Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14889928440697257659noreply@blogger.com