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My "One Day Class" Experience

Blackstar

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.
  1. 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.)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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?
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.]
  8. 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.
I will end with this: Whatever you do, do it with fidelity. If ODCs are simply a fundraiser, they will feel like a scam to the men coming through in this way, and they will disengage. But if it's truly an alternative pathway to membership, attracting men who ordinarily wouldn't be able to come in a more traditional way, then treat it as such, with equitable seriousness and solemnity.
 
Blackstar

Blackstar

Registered User
Thomas Stright said:
I personally don't agree with ODC, but to each their own...
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Okay.

The purpose of this particular thread is to share thoughts for those who may be contemplating One Day Classes on either side, as a prospective member, or as a Brother.

There have been many debates in this forum about ODCs. This is not a debate. This discussion is about, essentially, how to prepare yourself for the experience on either side, member or prospective member.
 
Brother_Steve

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
This is an open forum and unless someone is trolling or violating the ToS, they have the right to say what they wish.

My response to number 5)
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.​
Freemasonry is an initiatic fraternity. The ceremonies in which you participate have been experienced by the men who have gone before you. We all share a bond because of what we all went through. When someone hears that you did not do what they did, they may feel differently about you. That's human nature. I walked to school in 5 feet of snow in bare feet up hill-both ways! What do you mean you rode in a heated bus?!

Lodge is for making Masons. Making Masons requires ritual and memorization work. The ritual and degree work forms the basis of who we are and why we are Masons. In fact, the only ODC masons left in my Lodge are the Brothers who went through the chairs. Some Masons see this as a perversion of what Masonry is and what it should be. If we change the very basis of what it takes to become a mason, what does it mean for the future of the Craft?

I personally consider a ODC as an equal. They are also an equal regarding the rules and regulations of my Grand Lodge.

You cannot legislate the heart. Not everyone is going to agree with the practices and innovations their Grand Lodge comes up with. They should however, bite their tongue and keep their feelings to themselves. You are entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Master Mason just as they are.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Brother_Steve said:
This is an open forum and unless someone is trolling or violating the ToS, they have the right to say what they wish.

My response to number 5)
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.​
Freemasonry is an initiatic fraternity. The ceremonies in which you participate have been experienced by the men who have gone before you. We all share a bond because of what we all went through. When someone hears that you did not do what they did, they may feel differently about you. That's human nature. I walked to school in 5 feet of snow in bare feet up hill-both ways! What do you mean you rode in a heated bus?!

Lodge is for making Masons. Making Masons requires ritual and memorization work. The ritual and degree work forms the basis of who we are and why we are Masons. In fact, the only ODC masons left in my Lodge are the Brothers who went through the chairs. Some Masons see this as a perversion of what Masonry is and what it should be. If we change the very basis of what it takes to become a mason, what does it mean for the future of the Craft?

I personally consider a ODC as an equal. They are also an equal regarding the rules and regulations of my Grand Lodge.

You cannot legislate the heart. Not everyone is going to agree with the practices and innovations their Grand Lodge comes up with. They should however, bite their tongue and keep their feelings to themselves. You are entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Master Mason just as they are.
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While I agree with the thesis, if I may toss in a couple thoughts on the factual part?

ODC use ritual and, in my experience, very proficient ritual.

Not all jurisdictions have the devotion to memorization as seen in some US jurisdictions. In UGLE the questions are usually about 11, taking about three minutes.

Remember, the two degrees of masonry were conferred in the same meeting in early Scottish masonry. That was the very basis of the craft.
 
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Number4

Registered User
[I just wanted a relationship with someone who is committed to helping me. My receiving lodge wasn't interested in that.]

There is something seriously wrong here. I don't know what a 'receiving lodge' is but you should have been petitioned, investigated and balloted by a lodge already, who arranged the ODC?
 
Brother_Steve

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Thomas Stright said:
I doubt anyone that is fresh out of a ODC could debate Masonry much...
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In the US, you can be a MM in 56 days.

EA -> 28 days -> FC -> 28 days -> MM

A MM raised 56 days after becoming an EA may not be able to speak on Masonic topics as well.

It's the journey that counts.

I did my degrees and proficiencies in 56 days. The only thing a new MM knows how to do is recite certain ritual and vote.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Brother_Steve said:
In the US, you can be a MM in 56 days.

EA -> 28 days -> FC -> 28 days -> MM

A MM raised 56 days after becoming an EA may not be able to speak on Masonic topics as well.

It's the journey that counts.

I did my degrees and proficiencies in 56 days. The only thing a new MM knows how to do is recite certain ritual and vote.
Click to expand...
In some US jurisdictions, even shorter. Utah 3-8-5 sets two weeks and allows the GM to allow a shorter time if business requires the candidate to leave the jurisdiction or for an emergency.
 
JanneProeliator

JanneProeliator

Registered User
Brother JC said:
“Will you be assigned to a lodge?”
In every jurisdiction I’ve seen you have to petition a lodge long before you go through the degrees, ODC or not. Was your experience different?
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This was my question too.

In Finland we don't have ODC's but I know that in US there is and it can be fine for them who truly need that.

But I fin'd it odd that a candidate does not know the lodge he is petitioning to in advance.
Can I ask you brother what lodge and grand lodge you belong to?
 
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