That degree has come up in my Lodge a couple times. Since it's still copy righted material, did the Shrines that conferred it have to pay royalties? If you Google Water Buffalo Degree the hits you get are all Shriners. I haven't heard that the Nile was holding this event.
I doubt that for something like this, royalties are paid. Wearing a costume doesn't infringe on copyright material, it's a costume. The costume makers, if they are using the flintstones logo, probably pay the royalties, not the end user.
It's funny that MW Cameron brought this up, a lodge brother who is a member of the Nile shrine, just mentioned it yesterday.
You are right to point out that we do have to be careful to not cross over from fair use to copyright infringement. And I don't know where that line is, but I do know that some years back we had a Lodge get into serious trouble because of a copyright violation. It wouldn't hurt to check, or to keep private things private.
Fun degrees are mainly a fund raising event, either for the lodge, or a specific charity or need.
At Port Orchard we created the Pirate degree at first simply as a lark, after attending the loggers degree, I asked "Why don't we make our own pirate degree?".
At first we actually made a few hundred dollars on it, but after a couple years, one of the guys involved started spending more and more money on raffle prizes, where we actually started to lose money, and that had to get reigned in a bit. Then covid hit and the two people most responsible for doing the degree stopped, and it languished for a few years. It was nice to see it get resurrected last year.
It was a lot of work (if you want to do it right) but the memories and fellowship was top notch. As long as everyone has a good time, that's really all that matters.
Mockingly referring to the Master as "Grand Poo Bah" actually has a Masonic origin.
From the "Masonic temple in Philadelphia" FB Page:
"The term 'Grand Poobah' has been a euphemism in Fraternal groups for more than a century. It is often used to describe the presiding officer of a body in a funny way, with a reference to the grandiose titles fraternal orders often use.
"Most people likely remember the term being used on the cartoon 'The Flintstones', or perhaps on the television show 'Happy Days' in reference to the fictional Leopard Lodge. But, the term is actually much older and more related to Freemasonry than most realize.
"'Poo Bah' originated with 'The Mikado', a 19th Century opera (sic) that satirizes British society. The authors of the show were a famous duo - Gilbert and Sullivan - who happened to be Freemasons themselves."
Last December my lodge hosted a bourbon tasting, complete with a very skilled bourbon expert. We used it as a combination holiday celebration and fund raiser for the local food bank. It was a smashing success so we decided to turn it into a degree where initiates become a Brother of the Cask, after which they are eligible to advance to the 100 Proof degree. The ritual is very simple: 1) enjoy a wonderful catered meal, 2) open your wallet when the envelope comes around, and 3) do not convert the working tools (working fuels?) into intemperance and excess.
And let's not forget that the Master should impart education at every stated communication. This degree educates the Brothers of the Cask about top shelf bourbons, the Kentucky Bourbon trail, and related matters.
That degree has come up in my Lodge a couple times. Since it's still copy righted material, did the Shrines that conferred it have to pay royalties? If you Google Water Buffalo Degree the hits you get are all Shriners. I haven't heard that the Nile was holding this event.
I doubt that for something like this, royalties are paid. Wearing a costume doesn't infringe on copyright material, it's a costume. The costume makers, if they are using the flintstones logo, probably pay the royalties, not the end user.
It's funny that MW Cameron brought this up, a lodge brother who is a member of the Nile shrine, just mentioned it yesterday.
I'd not heard of the Nile doing it. I heard that a Lodge down in my neck of the woods is considering it.
You are right to point out that we do have to be careful to not cross over from fair use to copyright infringement. And I don't know where that line is, but I do know that some years back we had a Lodge get into serious trouble because of a copyright violation. It wouldn't hurt to check, or to keep private things private.
Fun degrees are mainly a fund raising event, either for the lodge, or a specific charity or need.
At Port Orchard we created the Pirate degree at first simply as a lark, after attending the loggers degree, I asked "Why don't we make our own pirate degree?".
At first we actually made a few hundred dollars on it, but after a couple years, one of the guys involved started spending more and more money on raffle prizes, where we actually started to lose money, and that had to get reigned in a bit. Then covid hit and the two people most responsible for doing the degree stopped, and it languished for a few years. It was nice to see it get resurrected last year.
It was a lot of work (if you want to do it right) but the memories and fellowship was top notch. As long as everyone has a good time, that's really all that matters.
One of these days I'm going to have to get up there to become a Pirate!
Mockingly referring to the Master as "Grand Poo Bah" actually has a Masonic origin.
From the "Masonic temple in Philadelphia" FB Page:
"The term 'Grand Poobah' has been a euphemism in Fraternal groups for more than a century. It is often used to describe the presiding officer of a body in a funny way, with a reference to the grandiose titles fraternal orders often use.
"Most people likely remember the term being used on the cartoon 'The Flintstones', or perhaps on the television show 'Happy Days' in reference to the fictional Leopard Lodge. But, the term is actually much older and more related to Freemasonry than most realize.
"'Poo Bah' originated with 'The Mikado', a 19th Century opera (sic) that satirizes British society. The authors of the show were a famous duo - Gilbert and Sullivan - who happened to be Freemasons themselves."
I had no idea about this history. Thank you for sharing it with us Brother! I really appreciate it.
Last December my lodge hosted a bourbon tasting, complete with a very skilled bourbon expert. We used it as a combination holiday celebration and fund raiser for the local food bank. It was a smashing success so we decided to turn it into a degree where initiates become a Brother of the Cask, after which they are eligible to advance to the 100 Proof degree. The ritual is very simple: 1) enjoy a wonderful catered meal, 2) open your wallet when the envelope comes around, and 3) do not convert the working tools (working fuels?) into intemperance and excess.
And let's not forget that the Master should impart education at every stated communication. This degree educates the Brothers of the Cask about top shelf bourbons, the Kentucky Bourbon trail, and related matters.
That sounds like an absolutely perfect Degree to me! Now I have to strive to become both a Pirate and a holder of the 100!
Seems like harmless fun. Where's the Simpson Stonecutter degree?
Agreed. The Stonecutters do have the very best song.
They are great fun, and can draw charity donations with their exhibition.
And in my limited experience, at least a couple of them have imparted a valuable lesson as well.
They exibit a few of them in Wa Dc. at amd week, the order of the cork, and the Order of bath, or the wahoo band. proceeds help pay for the event.