OHIO'S ONE-DAY CLASS

Results and Reflections One Year Later By: George O. Braatz

Bro. Braatz has written an article about the one-day classes that have been held in Ohio. MSA receives many questions about one-day classes and felt this STB would address the issue, particularly in the summary "What happened to the new members?" This article originally appeared in the Nov. 2003 issue of The Philalethes and is reprinted with permission. George Braatz is a Past Grand Master of Ohio, currently serving as Grand Secretary, and an MPS of The Philalethes Society.

- Editor

While the concept of a one-day class has been around for quite a few years in a number of Grand Jurisdictions, attention in the last two years has focused on Ohio, because of its overwhelming success at bringing in new candidates by this means.

In April, 2002, the Grand Lodge of F&AM of Ohio raised more than 7,700 Master Masons on one day in 10 locations in the state. In March, 2003, on five Saturdays, Ohio raised about 3,100 Master Masons in 25 locations. In other words, within a 12-month period, nearly 11,000 new members were welcomed through the one-day class process.

There has been much misunderstanding by Masonic leaders and writers in other Jurisdictions about exactly what happened in Ohio and this article is an attempt to clarify those misapprehensions and answer some questions. The authority to have a one-day class was approved by a vote of the delegates at Ohio=s Grand Lodge Communication in October 2001. The legislation permits each Grand Mater to decide whether he wants to have a one-day membership event.

Did quality suffer?

There have been misinformed allegations that candidates were "recruited off the streets," and therefore the quality of the new Masons had diminished. Nothing could be further from the truth. All candidates were required to petition a Lodge, as usual, and all were investigated and balloted on in the normal manner.

Absolutely nothing was changed in the "recruitment" of one-day class members from those brought in during the previous 193 years of Ohio's Grand Lodge. In fact, many men of unusually high character, who, for a variety of reasons, were unable to petition before, became Masons. We raised elected officials, business executives, clergymen, and others of outstanding quality and stature in their communities.

Were the ceremonies shortened, or altered?

The degrees were presented in their entirety, and in an outstanding, impressive manner. Complete lectures, charges, and educational programs for each degree were performed. Tryouts were held in all locations, so a virtual "all-star" team of ritualists conferred the work in all locations. Numerous distinguished Masonic leaders in the state remarked that this was the best ritual presentation they had seen in years, if ever. The ritual work of these "all star" teams far surpassed the quality of work of any average Lodge. It was decided that each candidate must have a mentor beside him to assist in the degree work.

Each candidate was presented a Bible (or proper Holy Book of his faith), a lambskin apron, and a small specially engraved square and compasses. Therefore, each candidate, with his mentor's help, assumed obligations on his own Bible, square and compasses. Each candidate received and wore his own apron appropriately for each degree, and each candidate participated with his mentor in giving and receiving the various signs and grips. Each candidate was "raised" individually by his mentor from his seat in the auditorium. The words for these various activities would be given by the ritualist on the stage but each candidate participated with the help of his mentor. Other than the use of a hoodwink and the circumambulations, the participation of each candidate virtually matched traditional degree work.

Where are the 'One-dayers' now?

Now that Ohio's second one-day class in 2003 is history, many are asking, "What happened to the members of that first one-day class a year ago?" In 2002, more than 7,700 men became Master Masons on one day in Ohio. Are they active today? Have they become integral parts of their Lodges? Have they fallen away?

A survey of Lodges has revealed that 8% of 2002 one-day class members are currently serving in officer stations in their Lodges. And these new officers are doing more than just occupying a chair. There have been numerous examples of one-day class candidates from last year presenting "outstanding" degree lectures at Lodge inspections this year. In fact, a number of one-day class candidates from 2002 were selected to perform key ritual parts for the 2003 one-day classes.

A more impressive statistic from the survey is that 67% of Lodges in Ohio today have officers who joined in the one-day class in 2002. The one-day class has proven to be an amazing "shot in the arm" for many Lodges. About 550 of the 570 Ohio Lodges in 2002 participated with at least one candidate. The benefits to Lodges include not only service as officers and ritual participation, but also a stronger financial base, leadership in planning dinners, charitable events and other activities, and a general boost in Lodge enthusiasm and vigor.

The survey also has shown that 19% of the candidates in the one-day class are attending Lodge regularly. This means that, because of the one-day class alone, regular attendance statewide has increased by nearly 1,000 brethren per meeting.

Even though no statistics are available from previous years regarding attendance or moving quickly into officer duties, several veteran Masonic observers commented that these survey statistics demonstrate definite improvements over historic trends.

What are the demographics of class members?

A different survey was taken last year of the 2002 one-day candidates on the day they experienced the degree work. Here are some of the results:

$55% of the 2002 class were under 45 years of age; 30% were under 35, and 8% were under 25. Obviously, younger men were reached by the effort.

$ 69% had attended college; 36% had college degrees; 12% had graduate school degrees.

$ 33% of petitions were signed by relatives; 63% by a "friend"; 4% by both.

$ 5% are senior DeMolays.

$ 56% of the candidates came from Masonic families.

$ 49% of the class were joining Freemasonry with a friend; 34% were joining with a relative.

Why did they join in one day?

The 2002 one-day Master Masons were asked two questions related to their motivation for becoming part of the one-day class. Of the total, 91 % said that the shortened time (one-day) for receiving the degrees was important (59% said "very important" and 32% "somewhat important"). Some 8% said it was "not important."

Some 69% said the removal of the memory work and examinations was important (29% said "very important" and 40% "somewhat important"). Some 28% said it was "not important."

In other words, the shortened time was a more critical attribute than the removal of examinations or memory work.

How many are no longer members?

A somewhat discouraging statistic is that 61 members of the more than 7,700 in the 2002 class were suspended for nonpayment of dues, but the number equals about 0.8%, which is really very minimal. Sixteen members of the class have already passed away.

What are some of your conclusions?

On reflection, after experiencing two hugely successful one-day classes in Ohio, one of the major conclusions is that there are many individuals waiting "out there" who really want to be Masons. Many of them are family members of existing Masons. Many are EAs and FCs, who never completed their work (25% of Ohio's one-day class in 2002 were EAs or FCs).

The class also energized members to recruit their friends and relatives for the Craft. For the first time in the lives of most Ohio Masons, the Grand Lodge had given them a "reason" to talk to their nonmember friends. Their inhibitions about talking about their Fraternity and their reluctance to bring up Masonry in conversations with friends melted away. They had something to talk about. An excitement and enthusiasm exploded at the local levels. Masons were working hard to let their family members and friends know of this great opportunity. The excitement also led to many new candidates who wanted to join in the traditional manner. Conventional degree work in many Lodges has already increased, and will expand markedly in the next several years.

The one-day class concept may not be the right approach for all Grand Lodges. It may not be the proper procedure for all Masons. It is not universally accepted, even in Ohio.

However, in October, 2002, at the Ohio Grand Lodge Communication, a proposal to eliminate the one-day class legislation was overwhelming defeated. The rank and file delegates in Ohio have recognized the merits of the procedure.

It is hoped that this information will permit future discussions of the one-day class concept with a better understanding and more factual background. Note from your Education Committee of the Grand Lodge of LA. We thought this Short Talk Bulletin would be of special interest to LA Masons in light of the recent changes in Catechism requirements in LA. W. A. Morris, Member.