My second lodge does what we call a "Re-Obligation Night" . Though we are allowed to have "Rusty Nail Degrees" , it is a way around using the word "Degree" and would be classified as a "Lodge of Instruction" . So if your GL lodge does not allow side degrees , this may be a way around that rule . We send out letters formally inviting every member to lodge , and those who have not been to lodge in years , and in some cases a few decades , we have a big dinner , make a big deal out of these long lost brethren , we then run them through all the obligations , steps , signs , grips and words for each degree .
To be completely honest , I see it as a waste of our time . It may bring back one or two older members for a meeting or two but the simply disappear again . BUT , I will continue the tradition next year in hopes that maybe some will come back , but I do it begrudgingly .
ETA : Your mileage may vary , we have never had any luck with them and it can not be because of boring meetings as we do not have them . Our meetings are fun and enlightening .