Blackstar
Registered User
Brothers,
Every few weeks, I keep coming to this site in order to discuss my "One Day Class" experience. And then I keep changing my mind.
Right now, my experience is at three pages on Microsoft Word. If it's that long, it's probably too long to be posted.
So instead of all the details of my personal experience, I will leave these words for those contemplating entering the Craft this way, as well as those Grand Lodges who may be considering it.
Every few weeks, I keep coming to this site in order to discuss my "One Day Class" experience. And then I keep changing my mind.
Right now, my experience is at three pages on Microsoft Word. If it's that long, it's probably too long to be posted.
So instead of all the details of my personal experience, I will leave these words for those contemplating entering the Craft this way, as well as those Grand Lodges who may be considering it.
- Unless the Grand Lodge explicitly says so, don't assume that the ODC process is meant for "busy men of the 21st century." That was not my experience. (I believe that ODCs should indeed be marketed this way so that men who truly want the traditional process can experience it, and informed men who want or need an abbreviated experience can get it.)
- Tell your friends who are Masons that you intend to come in through an ODC. They might try to talk you out of it, and that's okay. I don't believe every process is for everybody. But if you don't tell anyone, you may miss the "celebratory" aspect of completing such an experience. I felt very much alone and not celebratory after I was raised.
- Bring cash or a checkbook to the ODC. There were things I needed on the day of the ODC that nobody had communicated to me. I don't carry cash and I haven't had a checkbook in ten years.
- Understand, ahead of time, what happens next after the ODC. Will you be assigned to a lodge? How will Masonic education be handled? What exactly are the expectations of time? What are the costs, really?
- Understand that people really will treat you differently for having come through an ODC. How people behave on the internet is nothing to the cold shoulder you can receive from people who just don't respect ODCs. It's never been a blatant or overt disrespect--but the word choices used toward me have been startling.
- If your Grand Lodge is contemplating ODCs: Do not underestimate the power of an orientation meeting before the ceremonies begin. Each of the things I posted above could have easily been communicated in an orientation meeting.
- Lodges need to assign a mentor to newly raised Masons right away. [I am going to have to elaborate on this another day--I was asked many times what I needed, and I said each time, I just wanted a relationship with someone who is committed to helping me. My receiving lodge wasn't interested in that.]
- Finally, invest in changing the culture of your Grand Lodge before you try ODCs. Lodges have to be receptive to the idea of getting new Brothers in this way. If the culture isn't ready for it, don't do it. or pilot it only for those Lodges who desire to participate in this way.