Surprising statistics accompany a proposed by-law in this jurisdiction concerning one-day classes; 31% of the members in 2003-2006 who became Masons in this state via one-day conferrals have been suspended for non-payment of dues or have left the lodges by dimit. Of members raised old-school, only 8% have requested dimits or have been suspended in the last 2 years. Further, there is a report that at least one lodge in this jurisdiction that lost 50% of their members that came
in through a one-day class since 2006, compared with a 9% loss rate for traditionally-raised men.
Perhaps these types of statistics are not news to anyone but me, but they seem to support the view that one day classes don't make Masons in many instances, but that they are rather good at making Former Masons.
Do your jurisdiction's statistics confirm this view also?
Someone could earn a thesis on this topic, surely.
8 comments:
To my knowledge Texas has never entertained the idea of One Day Classes. Though some lodges tried to skirt around the requirements (i.e. asking the first question and after the answer is given someone move to accept the proficiency). While some are quick to blame the shrine, most of the time it was lodges looking to beef up their active members and felt that this was the best way to do it. The outgoing Grand Master stopped that by edict, but now there is a proposal that the EA only has to learn the first section and not part 2 or 3.
I think that if the decline continues to be as sharp (mainly in our rural lodges) than they might try one day classes.
The dropout rate for one day classes seems to be particularly bad. However, if you reverse it, 69% of those who became Masons in a one-day class stayed and paid their dues. That's actually not a bad percentage.
So removing the one-day classes might debar 69% of those who joined a lodge in this way from joining.
Glass half-empty vs. glass half full.
I hasten to add that I was made a Mason in England, where one-day classes do not exist; however, the proficiency required to be shown by newly-made Masons upon their passing and raising is much less onerous than that required of men in many US jurisdictions.
The one-day classes require much more work on the part of the lodge to train the newly-made Masons and thus give them a chance to participate fully in the Lodge. Could it also be that prejudice against one-day class "graduates" might make them feel uncomfortable in Lodge and thus decide that Masonry is not for them?
Chris:
I'm not sure I agree with your concluding paragraph. Although, yes, one-day classes require the lodge to do a lot more work because these classes usually initiate, pass, raise many men at the same time (requiring - at least here - extra "minders" for each candidate, extra work for the lodge secretary, and a lot longer day for the people giving the degree)- beyond the presentation of the work, there is no "training" at all. They drive up, they pay, they get their Big Mac, and then, roughly a third of them go eat it elsewhere. I think our experience here shows that the men actually spend less time preparing for the degrees, and less time in lodge, than if they were raised traditionally.
I won't quibble with you that 69% is a healthy majority, and I know one-day men who are committed Masons - I think all American Masons can identify some easily. But the fact that 92% of men raised the old-fashioned way in this jurisdiction from 2003-6 have stayed with us places the 69% figure in perspective.
I won't quibble with you that 69% is a healthy majority, and I know one-day men who are committed Masons - I think all American Masons can identify some easily. But the fact that 92% of men raised the old-fashioned way in this jurisdiction from 2003-6 have stayed with us places the 69% figure in perspective.
I agree, that more of those raised the "old-fashioned" way persevere than those who are raised in "one-day" meetings. I guess that I am grateful that as many as 69% of "one-day" Masons persevere. The fact that there is no "aftercare" of one-day Masons is, to me, an opportunity for a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge both by the Masons themselves and for brethren who might be training them.
I am happy to have been raised the "old fashioned" way. However, my brother, who lives in Massachusetts and was raised a "one-day" Mason, is a faithful attendee and a supporter of Masonic charities. He would never have been able to advance the traditional way and would thus have been denied Masonry.
There will never be a resolution of this question...people get very hot and bothered on both sides. Me, I'm grateful for many more brethren with whom I can work in that love and harmony which should always characterise Freemasons.
Point taken. Thanks.
might seem a silly question but can you explain to me what's :
a One day classes
and
the traditional method
as in my Grand Lodge we do seem to have a different way.
thanks
Irmão J:
Tradicional macons na E.U.A. tomar em cada "degree" e, em seguida, aprender sobre o "degree" (grau?) antes de aceitar o próximo.
Mas alguns macons tomar todas as três "degrees" em um dia - nunca aprender nada depois disso. Esta é a chamada "classe um dia." Esta foi uma ideia por parte de alguns gênios, na década de 1990 para tornar mais fácil para se tornar um Macon. Esta técnica é suposto para encurtar o tempo que leva um homem a se tornar um Macon e assim atrair mais homens. Mas é uma espada com duas arestas. (Na minha opinião isso é semelhante a comer uma sopa por invadir a boca do invés de usar uma colher. Sim, ela é mais rápida, mas não quase tão agradável.)
Por favor, perdoe a minha pobre Português.
Thanks for the explanation Brother M.
Please feel free to answer in Portuguese, I can understand you perfectly ( our fellow commentators maybe not, but that's their problem).
Yes Degree is Grau.
I understand now your point.
In my opinion, based on 17 years in the craft, a man must learn silence before learning how to speak.
The time spent in the 2 degrees ( EA+ FC) should be the longest possible.
I beleive that a new brother should be Raised master by the master that was junior warden when he became a mason, thus spending at least 2 years before becoming a Master Mason.
In this time he will be instructed both philosofically and ritually.
If a man has the abbility to overcome this period of 2 years ( and in my lodge sometimes 3 or 4) then he his a Mason and fully understands Masonry.
But as I said in my previous comment, different countrys, different ways.
Keep well
TFA
Post a Comment