I definitely agree on the importance of exposure to other groups and traditions.
(I'm unusual in that all my formal training was solely in my tradition, but I've also, y'know, done nearly a decade organising public Pagan events, and been on a major Pagan forum for over 15 years, and so on. Plus various other rituals, festivals, and other exposures.)
I also agree on being explicit about what the degrees mean. For us, it's about taking on responsibility for the group and tradition, not about explicit skill, and there's plenty of space for people to contribute in varied ways, once they have the skills to do so.
So, for us, first degree is "capable of taking care of your personal ritual needs most of the time" (basically, barring crisis, when everyone can use a hand.) You can make your own rituals, figure out personal practices that work for you, participate in community events reasonably comfortably (which is a specific set of skills, really.) Build your own relationships with deities and other powers, usually starting with some introductions from rituals with the group.
First degrees don't have specific commitments than to show up at ritual and be a stable energetic presence, but obviously, most people make other commitments (taking on specific tasks) and keep those.
Second degree involves taking on some specific energetic commitments to and for the group (one specific yearly ritual and its implications, mostly.) On an exoteric level, this has been where people are involved in leadership decisions (figuring out how to tackle stuff that needs solving in the group, dealing with issues with students, etc.)
And third degree is a commitment to the tradition as a whole - which includes not changing some portions, and preserving the tradition. Not a thing everyone cares about or commits to. It usually also involves figuring out a significant contribution beyond the group in the larger community. (And in many traditions, the expectation is if you take 3rd, you are leading a group and/or teaching significantly.)
no subject
(I'm unusual in that all my formal training was solely in my tradition, but I've also, y'know, done nearly a decade organising public Pagan events, and been on a major Pagan forum for over 15 years, and so on. Plus various other rituals, festivals, and other exposures.)
I also agree on being explicit about what the degrees mean. For us, it's about taking on responsibility for the group and tradition, not about explicit skill, and there's plenty of space for people to contribute in varied ways, once they have the skills to do so.
So, for us, first degree is "capable of taking care of your personal ritual needs most of the time" (basically, barring crisis, when everyone can use a hand.) You can make your own rituals, figure out personal practices that work for you, participate in community events reasonably comfortably (which is a specific set of skills, really.) Build your own relationships with deities and other powers, usually starting with some introductions from rituals with the group.
First degrees don't have specific commitments than to show up at ritual and be a stable energetic presence, but obviously, most people make other commitments (taking on specific tasks) and keep those.
Second degree involves taking on some specific energetic commitments to and for the group (one specific yearly ritual and its implications, mostly.) On an exoteric level, this has been where people are involved in leadership decisions (figuring out how to tackle stuff that needs solving in the group, dealing with issues with students, etc.)
And third degree is a commitment to the tradition as a whole - which includes not changing some portions, and preserving the tradition. Not a thing everyone cares about or commits to. It usually also involves figuring out a significant contribution beyond the group in the larger community. (And in many traditions, the expectation is if you take 3rd, you are leading a group and/or teaching significantly.)