I'm not suggesting we shouldn't adapt to the times, I'm saying the way in which we've adapted to the times is hurting us more than it's helping us. "

We are to be builder of men right? Taking good men and making them better? IF (big iffor some folks) that is the goal then we need to have more social interaction and I'm sorry but many of my older counterparts prefer to spend the evening watching "reality TV". We had an officer tell us that one night as we were getting ready to open lodge. That we were cuttting into his "Survivor" time. A bunch of us younger masons with families were sorely offended by his comment.

I'm not neccesarily FOR one day classes but I'm not against it either. A mentoring program is only as good as your mentors BUT it is a step in the right direction. I found that out myself. Proficiency in our lodge is set by the Master. So the levels of proficiency vary from year to year or rathte Master to Master. my feeling is also that if the Master is to set proficiency he SHOULD be involved in the training of the new candidate/brother. But then again in some lodges that is difficult at best with the mount of work they do annually. For us it isn't as much of a problem with usually one class/set of degrees per year. As for "reforming" the degrees, I don't see that happening in NY and would fight any major changes without good cause. As far as paying attention to the work regular practices help that and we continually get that the OLD GUYS knwo their work and do not need practice. Well let me tell you it is often the OLD GUYS in our lodge that mumble or stumble thru the work worse than the young guys. The young guys simply do not know it the old guys have forgotten it. Catch 22. Work on ritual is paramount and help in the fellowship and fraternal feelings or at least should!

Nothing comes easy and neither will a successful lodge. It takes work on teh parts of both the old guys and the newer members.