Heck yeah they should pay dues.
Cutter: I like your term "EA oblivion"That sums it up just right.If they have to pay dues regardless perhaps they will be a bit more motivated to learn the work of the degrees and not pass into EA oblivion?
What do you think the reason for the difference in opening in the first in Canada in the 3rd in America?
In Kentucky the initial fees you pay when petitioning include the three degrees and the first year dues.
Agreed.Simple answer; yes they should pay.
I would rather one committed EA than 10 who are not.
EAs get full voting rights in subordinate Lodges. Further, since Dec 2015 comminication - EAs, FCs and MMs can vote at GL. Not sure I am keen on the latter as it changed the voting pattern from warrants to number of members per lodge. Producing one PM per year mean each lodge got a new vote per year (and if recycling PMs it cancelled that canceled the new vote out), now one lodge of 140 member can outvote 6 lodges of 20 members..
What is the minimum time someone must stay in the EA in your Jurisdiction? Do EA's receive a dues card? Can they hold an office? In America the minimum time is 30 days per degree. So you're only in the first 2 degrees for 60 days. I believe that's why we include the dues in the degree fees for the 3 degrees. It's assumed that you will take all 3 degrees that year. So you could look at it like we pay a portion of the dues as an EA and as an FC. But EA's and FC's (in America) aren't always considered "Full Members", cannot vote, don't receive a dues card, and don't hold offices. So if a Brother here stayed in the EA for over a year I'm not sure if he should be required to pay, or pehaps just not the same amount, as someone who is a full member.