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Masonic Week 2017

goomba

Neo-Antient
Site Benefactor
Well this is two years I've lived in Maryland and two years I've missed Masonic Week. One of the things I wanted to do when I got here. But alas life happens.

I was supposed to be instructed into the Masonic Order of Athelstan tomorrow at 1:00 pm. But since I work night shift I had to decline and choose sleep.

Are any of you in Virginia for the event?
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Sadly, no, I've never been. If I ever fly that far east I'll need to take a month to even touch on all the visiting I need to do.
 

KSigMason

Traveling Templar
Site Benefactor
I can't make it there this year. With a new job comes some problems like this. Next year definitely!
 

KSigMason

Traveling Templar
Site Benefactor
I was hired by Tapestry Solutions (a subsidiary of Boeing) as a Field Service Representative. Essentially, I'm an instructor for certain computer programs used by the Army. I will travel all over the Western US States and Territories.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
I would love to go to Masonic Week, but the timing of it simply isn't practical for me.
As with all things Masonic, the schedules are made by old, retired guys who don't have too great a concept of the calendar. Around here, they like to drop major gatherings on the Saturday of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends or the Saturday of the Tennessee/Florida or Tennessee/Alabama football games. When you point out "Hey, that's a three-day holiday weekend (or a major event), and people might like to do things with their family," the response is "It's a holiday weekend? Wellll, that won't matter." Then, they get mad when attendance isn't what they expected.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
I would love to go to Masonic Week, but the timing of it simply isn't practical for me.
As with all things Masonic, the schedules are made by old, retired guys who don't have too great a concept of the calendar. Around here, they like to drop major gatherings on the Saturday of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends or the Saturday of the Tennessee/Florida or Tennessee/Alabama football games. When you point out "Hey, that's a three-day holiday weekend (or a major event), and people might like to do things with their family," the response is "It's a holiday weekend? Wellll, that won't matter." Then, they get mad when attendance isn't what they expected.
You can never schedule a good time. There's always a reason why it was a bad time. I held a conference for lodge education officers. Other than my presenters, eight showed up. I heard "it was a nice weekend in the summer!" Well, if I make it on a weekday (I'm retired, I could do that) I'd be told "people have jobs!" If I make it in the winter, I'd be told "it's Minnesota, I do ice fishing and snowmobiling on weekends!"
 

Bloke

Premium Member
You can never schedule a good time. There's always a reason why it was a bad time. I held a conference for lodge education officers. Other than my presenters, eight showed up. I heard "it was a nice weekend in the summer!" Well, if I make it on a weekday (I'm retired, I could do that) I'd be told "people have jobs!" If I make it in the winter, I'd be told "it's Minnesota, I do ice fishing and snowmobiling on weekends!"

We've been organising lodge weekends away for years in 2 lodges. We take our family. One lesson we've learned the hard way, never do it on a long weekend. It's time people use to catch up with families and friends. In one of those lodges comprised of young guys, 9 am Sunday is the time that works for the team. It's only cost us 3 team members ( not lodge members) but we almost always have extras to act as candidates, even for multiple degrees.... survey, then choose a time for maximum participation.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
I totally agree there is never a good time for everyone. Even locally, we've finally decided to quit worrying about what other bodies may or may not have scheduled. You just have to pick a time and go with it.

9 a.m. on Sunday morning? We can't do anything on Sunday until after 2 p.m., and then you can't open for work or business. We can have practices or officer installations.
 
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