Mark T. Ronn, 32°, K.C.C.H.
3101 E. Spruce Street, Garden City, Kansas 67846-8447

A point system is proposed whereby only those who have contributed work to the Lodge have the right to complain.

I was listening to some Masons complaining the other day, and I noticed something. The ones doing the most complaining were the ones who were doing the least work. I thought back to all the times that I have been forced to listen to diatribes by various people who have not done a thing to help.

In response to this all-too-common phenomenon, I have formulated a plan. It is called the "License to Gripe." We will need to formulate some sort of equivalency table. I would suggest something along the lines of a certain amount of work, in hours, would equate to a certain amount of complaining allowed, in minutes. Of course, we would assess certain complaints more severely than others.

A simple complaint, such as "We need to spruce up the outside of our building," would only cost a few points, since it has as its goal a positive improvement. In fact, that could be seen as a positive and, given the immediate volunteering of the Brother saying it to head up the project, could even earn points for the fellow.

On the other hand, anything starting with such phrases as "In the old days we..." or "We never did it that way before..." or the dreaded "That won't work, we tried it..." could all cause the immediate loss of all griping points and put the utterer in a deficit that he could only dig out of by attending many meetings or participating in many sessions of cleaning, painting, and coaching.

This would provide two important benefits to the Lodge or group involved. First, more work would get done. This is a given, since some people just have to get their two-cents worth in no matter what. The guys who were already working will keep working and probably won't complain any more than normal. Secondly, if the rules are strictly followed, we will hear less griping than before because it takes work to earn the right to complain. Most chronic gripers just won't put in the time.

A set of penalties will have to be written to keep people from simply complaining "black market" so to speak. I would like to suggest a listing that will not only get the idea across but will also be fairly enjoyable for the rest of us as well.

If someone gripes without the requisite points, he could simply be shunned. All those in the area could loudly and repeatedly declaim, "No right to gripe! No right to gripe!" The perpetrator will then slink away to find something productive to do to redeem himself in the eyes of his peers. I am certain this would be the result. The following list would be an example of the idea.

Sample Gripe with Suggested Points Deducted

Now we will also have to have a corresponding table of how to gain points.

Comment or Action with Suggested Points Awarded

These are just some suggestions to get you started. Of course, every Lodge will need to tailor this program to suit its individual needs. There is a possibility that fines could even be assessed in order to raise money. Keeping track of the points can be assigned to one of the appointed officers in the line. Of course, it could also be dumped on the Secretary, since all they do is sit and gripe about Grand Lodge and try to take over the Lodge from the sidelines. Or one of those doggone PMs, all they do is... Oops! There went all my points. Gotta find something to clean. Where's that mop? Let me help you with that, Brother!

Mark T. Ronn was raised in Tyrian Lodge No. 246, Garden City, Kansas, in 1994 and served as Master in 1998. Past District Deputy Grand Master, Dist. #39, 2000-2001 and 2002-2003, Bro. Ronn served as Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Lodge of Kansas for 2001-2002 and presently serves on the Membership Committee of the Grand Lodge of Kansas. Currently Area Deputy Grand Master, Area #9 of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, he has been a member of the Valley of Wichita, Kansas, since 1994 and received the K.C.C.H. in 1999. A Founding Member and Secretary of the Southwest Kansas Scottish Rite Club, Bro. Ronn has a BA from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay and an MA from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He is now Administrative Dean at Garden City High School in Garden City, Kansas.