IMHO, it should be when they can do the work in that spot, purely
voluntary and be willing to advance at their own pace. To accept
a spot in the officer line and then not do it, is hard to overcome and
has UN-intended consequences on the other members. We are sworn
to help one another, but I don't remember promising to "carry" those
who won't/don't do the work after they accept the job!
It seems that the "it's your turn to move up next year" mentality
is woven into society inside and outside of Masonry. In our
Fraternity it is OK to believe in: the best man for the job, gets it.
The old laughable definition of insanity is: Doing the exact same thing
over and over, and then expecting different results...
Since the last 4+ decades have resulted in reduced interest in Masonry
and a dwindling membership base, we need to ADJUST something.
Do you think we as Masons should use the "from the top down
or from the bottom up" leadership models?