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conferring degrees in uniform

tomasball

Premium Member
I've been hunting through my lawbook. I'm certain I remember there being a rule that you couldn't confer degrees dressed in the uniform or regalia of any outside group. Does anyone know where that is?

Tom Ball
District Instructor 40-a
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
I don't remember such a rule. I know there are different degree teams to perform degrees in costume. I've seen the Knights of Mecca, the Hella Temple Degree Team, perform degrees in Texas Tuxedos and in ancient craftman regilia. I do believe there is a rule that they should be conferred in a respectful and serious manner.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
I found it. Art. 273. "In conferring degrees, officers may wear appropriate robes or costumes; and appropriate scenery may be used. The insignia or regalia of other orders or organizations may not be worn."

A strict reading of that would make it a violation for me to wear my Scottish Rite ring while conferring degrees.

There are a lot of these little landmines in the lawbook. The same article spells out what lodge officer collars may look like, and it doesn't include the metal chain collars that are popular with a lot of lodges.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
I would say that the spirit of that article would mean other fraternal orders or organizations. Plus Scottish Rite is considered an appendent body. Although that would a good article to submit for a resolution for clarification. Maybe change "organizations" to "fraternal organizations not connected to Freemasonry".
 

tomasball

Premium Member
I think to understand the "spirit" of the article, one would need to figure out when it was passed, and read the proceedings from that year. To me it seems to intentionally cast a very wide net.
 

robert leachman

Registered User
I've seen police degree teams and Texas Army Degree Teams. During the Texas Army Degree Team, they even had "period" aprons to wear if we wanted, whether we were in costume or not.
Alot of times, I don't have time to change before lodge and do wear a uniform
 

Casey

Mandalorian
Premium Member
East Texas has a very proficient fireman's degree team. They do outstanding.
 

Jamesb

Registered User
I think it would be awsome to see a degree where everyone dressed the same, the ritual and standard of dress would be fun
 

tomasball

Premium Member
A lot of lodges like to do their degrees in tuxedo, which is great...adds a great air of dignity to it. I also know some lodges that have a lodge blazer with their name and logo on the breast pocket...that looks pretty sharp when everyone is wearing it.

I'm not a fan of robes...For the most part, for reasons everyone will recognize, robes are for the benefit of the brethren watching on the sidelines, not the candidate. To me, it signals that the lodge has forgotten who they're there for.

Anyway, I wanted to point out this obscure rule, because I know it is frequently violated, and I was interested in stimulating discussion on it's merits or perhaps inspire someone to try to change it.
 

Jamesb

Registered User
I have heard of "period" degrees where everyone dresses in old time western wear, or civil war outfits with matching time period aprons. From what I've heard its supposed to be really breath-taking.
 
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