@ Fireman : "Ok, even though I am normally bashful, I guess I can speak up."
If you want to be taken seriously , you should not start your post with a lie , LOL . J/K
Now...
What brought you into the YR? I sat back and watched and listened to older brethren who were not in just one or the other Rites , but in both . I also looked into who were YR Masons and how serious they were about Masonry . And I asked those who were in both Rites , including a few who are 33rds , which they liked the best and they always answered "the York Rite" . After a few years in both Rites myself , I can safely say that I like the YR better also .
What interested you? The Royal Arch degree (well the Chapter degrees in general) is what interested me in the YR . After much studying , it just seemed like the proper and natural progression after the Master Mason degree . Also , we went through the degrees over a three/four month period , so we had time to soak them in and reflect on them and not be rushed around , then handed a book , told congrats and off you go . And it meets locally so I could be an active member .
What did you expect when you first joined? Answers , which I did receive . I had my forehead slapping moments as I went through the Chapter degrees , I actually received some chuckles during the degree work because I would make comments (pertaining to the Craft lodge and the Chapter degrees) while going through the degrees . Loved the Cryptic degrees . And awed by the Orders , absolutely beautiful . The Royal Arch , Super Ex and Order of the Temple are three of the most beautiful degrees in all of Freemasonry , including both Rites , when done properly .
What would you change or improve? getting rid of All the inspections , members tire of the Grand Line having nothing better to do than hound us about opening/closing and degree ritual inspections . It gets old having to do this EVERY year and scares off Companions/Sir Knights who would make fine officers . We spend more time practicing and preparing for inspections than actually learning about Freemasonry . Some of us quit worrying about them altogether , because what are they going to do , fire us ? Arrest our Charter(s) ? No , because they , like all the other bodies , do not want to lose those dues coming in . I am HP this year and can care less about the points .