Freemasons of North Dakota One Day Class Policy

North Dakota Grand Lodge One Day Class Policy Change

MW Michael R. Bakken

Grand Master

My Brothers, having attended and participated in numerous one day classes I often walked away wondering if the newly raised MM would ever have the opportunity to visit their home lodge, let alone know what their own lodge looked like or who some of their brothers were. I strongly feel that candidates choosing to participate in a one day class need an “anchor” . This “anchor” is their home lodge. With that in mind I have decided to require all candidates opting for the one day class be required to be initiated an Entered Apprentice in their home lodge. After completing the EA degree they would be eligible to participate in a one day class offering the FC and MM degrees. I have instructed my District Deputy Grand Masters to start putting together district degree teams. These degree teams would be available to assist lodges in putting on EA,FC and MM degrees.

The purpose of this is two-fold.

1.     Blue lodges could work on their degree work and present the EA degree by themselves.

2.     Blue lodges that don’t feel that they can do the degree would need to contact their DDGM for help in the ritual work.

You may be surprised as to the reaction of the candidate. He may enjoy the degree work so much that he would want to continue with the FC and MM in his own lodge.

I also strongly suggest that each new candidate be given a copy of Approaching the Portals to take home and read. This document would then be brought to the lodge on the night of the EA degree. After the degree work is done, each new EA should be given the EA Proficiency. The candidate would take this document home, read and fill out the questions at the end of the document. Upon successful completion of the Proficiency the candidate would be duly and truly prepared to be passed to the degree of FC.

I would also strongly suggest that the Proficiency work by completed at the conclusion of the FC and MM degree. The FC proficiency would need to be completed before proceeding to the MM degree.

I know there are pros and cons concerning the one day class concept. There are states and provinces that don’t allow the one day class, maintaining that the candidates are not getting the full benefits of the degrees. Not all candidates want the one day class, but would rather be raised in the traditional way. I believe that requiring the EA in their home lodges along with Approaching the Portals, and the EA,FC, and MM proficiencies would provided a stronger base upon which the newly raised MM could grow.

Fraternally;

Michael R. Bakken

Grand Master

Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of North Dakota

On September 9th, 2007 the Grand Master and Grand Lodge Policy & General Proposes Committee unanimously approved the following statement of policy concerning One-Day to Masonry Classes.

• Hosts may be Lodges or Area Masters and Districts.
• A Grand Lodge Designee will be in charge of all ritual work designated by dispensation.
• Each petitioner will be attended by his 1^st line signer or member of his Lodge as a Mentor for all degrees and education.
• Entered Apprentice Degree should be encouraged by home Lodge when possible.
• Appendant Bodies’ Degree Teams in their attire is encouraged.
• An evening Banquet is optional and may be replaced with a suitable luncheon.
• A women’s program is optional.
• A dress code will be in place.
• Lodges will approve petitions by vote after two readings of petitions in open Lodge at stated meeting times unless waved by dispensation.
• The Master of petitioner’s Lodge may waive Investigation if petition is signed by two Master Masons but Investigation is recommended.
• Events will accept petitioners from any Lodge in the state. Courtesy work will be allowed if permission from petitioner’s jurisdiction is obtained.
• All events must be approved by the dispensation.
• Host Lodges will submit a written request 1 Month in advance.
• Events will be advertised in on the Grand Lodge Website and the Dakota Mason when possible.
• Events can be planned in conjunction with Shrine Ceremonials but not on the same day unless by dispensation from Grand Master
• One day Lodge events will take place on Saturdays unless Degrees are conferred over multiple days
• Follow ups with new members will be made by the individual Lodges, the Grand Lodge Membership Committee, and/or Grand Lodge.
•  Over all coordination of events will be the responsibility of the Grand Master or his designee.
• Grand Lodge has to be informed of who are the candidates and their mentors.
• A Welcome Letter shall be sent to the new members from Grand Master.
• The Grand Secretary will have input concerning event dates and administrative responsibilities to minimize GL office work load.