Some years ago I received the Rail Road Degree in Skykomish Lodge. Last month, the Logger Degree in Forks Lodge. Tonight the Texican Degree in Naches Lodge. All of these were fun, quite funny, and one contained a powerful Masonic lesson.
I’ve often wondered if some Lodges, like some towns, wouldn’t benefit greatly by adopting a theme. It seems to have worked very well for Skykomish Lodge anyway.
A well done side Degree can serve as an excellent fundraiser for a Lodge.
Another benefit of the side Degree is the opportunity for fellowship created as the members of the Lodge perfect the Degree, and learn to perform it well.
A lodge could, like Skykomish, decorate, even build its Lodge room to reflect the theme of the Degree.
A costumed Master Mason Degree team could be created, and offered to assist surrounding Lodges with Third Degree Conferrals. Costumed to match the theme, Rail Road, Loggers, Cowboys, whatever it might be. If the Team performed extremely well, it would drive interest in the Lodge.
This seems to me like it could be very successful in some Lodges, but I am curious about what others might think, so I hope that we can discuss it…
At my former lodge we used to hold a pirate degree every summer. VWB Tig and I had developed the degree, and Tig spent a lot of money on his costume, props, lights, etc. Other brothers spent varying amounts of money on their costumes. We had pins and coins made up, the pins we gave, the coins, which were numbered 1-100, we sold. After the degree there was a nice meal (usually albatross, errr...chicken), a cash bar, and raffle prizes. It was always well attended and became a pretty popular event each year.
I agree, these things can benefit the lodge if done properly and raise a nice chunk of change. They are a lot of work to be done right. I've been to quite a few of these side degrees, and some of course are better than others.
Sadly, due to covid the lodge hasn't put on the degree in several years, and both Tig and I have stepped down from playing our roles. It would be nice to see the lodge continue with the degree we spent so much time building, but without someone driving the ship (so to speak) it will never happen.
The El Katif Shrine Moonshriners confer the Apprentice Hillbilly degree on the new Potentate. It’s a “tongue in cheek” takeoff of the Entered Apprentice degree. For everyone involved, and for the observers, it’s a lot of fun. The working tools are all those necessary to create that which runs down the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that elixir that is a powerful spirit. Our 24 inch gauge is actually divided into FOUR equal parts, allowing time for the more important activities that enrich our lives.
Whether for fun or for education, side degrees can enrich our Masonic experience.
Sounds like really fun degrees. I would definitely travel to different lodges and travel across the country to collect and receive these special degrees when I become a Mason after university
Edmonds Lodge has the Shipbuilders Degree and while we used to put it on ever 2 to 3 years recent attempts have not generated the required level of interest.
At my former lodge we used to hold a pirate degree every summer. VWB Tig and I had developed the degree, and Tig spent a lot of money on his costume, props, lights, etc. Other brothers spent varying amounts of money on their costumes. We had pins and coins made up, the pins we gave, the coins, which were numbered 1-100, we sold. After the degree there was a nice meal (usually albatross, errr...chicken), a cash bar, and raffle prizes. It was always well attended and became a pretty popular event each year.
I agree, these things can benefit the lodge if done properly and raise a nice chunk of change. They are a lot of work to be done right. I've been to quite a few of these side degrees, and some of course are better than others.
Sadly, due to covid the lodge hasn't put on the degree in several years, and both Tig and I have stepped down from playing our roles. It would be nice to see the lodge continue with the degree we spent so much time building, but without someone driving the ship (so to speak) it will never happen.
https://wa-masonicphotos.smugmug.com/Lodges-Washington/Lodges-1-99/098-PORT-ORCHARD-DIST-3/Port-Orchard-Pirate-Degree-First-Annual-1
The El Katif Shrine Moonshriners confer the Apprentice Hillbilly degree on the new Potentate. It’s a “tongue in cheek” takeoff of the Entered Apprentice degree. For everyone involved, and for the observers, it’s a lot of fun. The working tools are all those necessary to create that which runs down the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that elixir that is a powerful spirit. Our 24 inch gauge is actually divided into FOUR equal parts, allowing time for the more important activities that enrich our lives.
Whether for fun or for education, side degrees can enrich our Masonic experience.
Sounds like really fun degrees. I would definitely travel to different lodges and travel across the country to collect and receive these special degrees when I become a Mason after university
Edmonds Lodge has the Shipbuilders Degree and while we used to put it on ever 2 to 3 years recent attempts have not generated the required level of interest.