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Originally posted by LXAAlum
I belong to the Moose Lodge, and, I don't know if Mason's "compete" to see who's best, we do (thankfully, we are the current international champions...) - but I have seen all kinds of weird things happen...from bowties unclipping, to someone sitting, and literally blowing the seam of his tux pants all the way around AND NOT EVEN NOTICE IT FOR THE REST OF THE RITUAL....wow.
In college, during one LXA ritual - we had two new members going through, with FOOD POISONING. Made for a very long, interesting, nauseating evening.....'nuff said.
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In a way, we Masons do. We have annual certification exams on ritual, depending on the level of proficiency "A", "B" and "C" certificates are awarded. The "A" covers everything in the ritual of all three degrees, opening and closing the lodge (both normal and funeral Lodges of Sorrow) and the Tiler's Oath. The "B" covers all of the "A" except the explanatory lectures, and the "C" covers only the categorical lectures, opening and closing and the Tiler's Oath. Members who exhibit proficiency in any level for at least three years only have to renew every three years; those who maintain proficiency for at least 25 years earn a lifetime certificate.
Lodges sometimes assemble degree teams for a graded Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft or Master Mason degree. Start off with a perfect score of 1000 points, then count off points for errors in the language, floor work etc. To receive recognition in Grand Lodge (and a nice certificate the Lodge can display) you need at least 901 points. On one EA graded degree team we scored 980 out of 1000.