Traveling Man
Premium Member
First off, I owe an apology to those brethren that choose to take umbrage with my derogatory term (which I will not use again). Although context is everything, it was meant to be humorous in that context. (See guarding the west gate allusion and that particular candidate.)
Making a mason on sight is truly a grand masters prerogative and in no way has ever been meant to be construed into ODC s. (If one wants to use it as a crutch, so be it.) Examples of that particular unique function are Bros. such as Bro. Richard Dreyfuss et al. Masonic Dictionary, Masons made at sight If one notes the candidates listed are not candidates of the ODC phenomenon that we are witnessing today, this function was reserved. (And in some jurisdictions both are deemed as irregular and illegal)
One has to wonder if a candidate does not have the time for the traditional IPR and mentoring, (the very foundation of our institution) will he have time for masonry? I also wonder what dates are imprinted on the inner bib of their apron? Again, what comes to my mind is the Tyler’s oath? That aside (I know my next statement will elicit the response; “who gives a flying fig”), does the candidate not realize that internationally the time between degrees is one year? Whether we want to acknowledge this or not, we are part of an international institution.
(And these actions (ODC s) are considered internationally with great disdain.) Are we that concerned about quantity over quality? Or is this a mechanism of bowing to the pressure of the de-pendant bodies political pressure on their loss of new candidates? For whatever reason, are we failing to recognize that maybe some lodges need to close or consolidate? Without a doubt the halcyon days of behemoth lodges are long gone.
I was regularly IPR as a single candidate but it took at least two stated meetings for me to come to the realization that none of the principle officers could confer my degrees and that it was a contest of individuals practicing “on me” as the candidate. Is this the impression one wants to leave with the candidate?
Has anyone surveyed these candidates after the appropriate time for progression into major offices about their feedback?
As far as the generational gap, I think perhaps the generations have different cultures, values and ethics.
Perhaps submitting oneself to be judged by others does not fit within their norms. As with other groups such as the Rotary etc. Have we become irrelevant? I do not have all of the answers to these questions, but just submit them as food for thought.
Making a mason on sight is truly a grand masters prerogative and in no way has ever been meant to be construed into ODC s. (If one wants to use it as a crutch, so be it.) Examples of that particular unique function are Bros. such as Bro. Richard Dreyfuss et al. Masonic Dictionary, Masons made at sight If one notes the candidates listed are not candidates of the ODC phenomenon that we are witnessing today, this function was reserved. (And in some jurisdictions both are deemed as irregular and illegal)
One has to wonder if a candidate does not have the time for the traditional IPR and mentoring, (the very foundation of our institution) will he have time for masonry? I also wonder what dates are imprinted on the inner bib of their apron? Again, what comes to my mind is the Tyler’s oath? That aside (I know my next statement will elicit the response; “who gives a flying fig”), does the candidate not realize that internationally the time between degrees is one year? Whether we want to acknowledge this or not, we are part of an international institution.
(And these actions (ODC s) are considered internationally with great disdain.) Are we that concerned about quantity over quality? Or is this a mechanism of bowing to the pressure of the de-pendant bodies political pressure on their loss of new candidates? For whatever reason, are we failing to recognize that maybe some lodges need to close or consolidate? Without a doubt the halcyon days of behemoth lodges are long gone.
I was regularly IPR as a single candidate but it took at least two stated meetings for me to come to the realization that none of the principle officers could confer my degrees and that it was a contest of individuals practicing “on me” as the candidate. Is this the impression one wants to leave with the candidate?
Has anyone surveyed these candidates after the appropriate time for progression into major offices about their feedback?
As far as the generational gap, I think perhaps the generations have different cultures, values and ethics.
Perhaps submitting oneself to be judged by others does not fit within their norms. As with other groups such as the Rotary etc. Have we become irrelevant? I do not have all of the answers to these questions, but just submit them as food for thought.
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