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Hello from Winchester, VA

Stephen

Registered User
Greetings all,

In my search for knowledge I discovered the 'Masons of Texas' iPhone application and wound up here. I have been interested in joining the Winchester, VA lodge for the last 6 months. I've lived in the Front Royal/Winchester/Berryville area now for over a year and a half and have befriended several Masons in the process.

I was surprised when I first saw the building (Winchester Hiram No.21) as it is located in a historic walking mall and not accessible by vehicle.

I have my application in hand and I'm just waiting on some technicalities before I can submit my application. My manager at work became a MM recently and he wants to make sure I'd be allowed to join (from a corporate standpoint.)

Regardless, I look forward to the knowledge and fun that will come from visiting these forums and even more perhaps beyond.

Thank you.
 

Beathard

Premium Member
Corporate stand point?

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------

Sorry, the corporate thing threw me...
Welcome future brother.
 

Stephen

Registered User
We work in the same company. He is one of my managers so he wanted to make sure it wasn't going to cause any problems with our jobs I suppose.
 

Benton

Premium Member
Yeah, I'll echo, corporate stand point? The fact that y'all work together should have no bearing on whether or not you can join any lodge you want.
 

Stephen

Registered User
@Benton

I would like to agree. I guess because he wants to be one of the signatures on my application.

EDIT: and because I wanted to be in the same lodge. I don't think it should matter - and it probably doesn't. He was just checking to make sure.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Greetings all,

In my search for knowledge I discovered the 'Masons of Texas' iPhone application and wound up here. I have been interested in joining the Winchester, VA lodge for the last 6 months. I've lived in the Front Royal/Winchester/Berryville area now for over a year and a half and have befriended several Masons in the process.

I was surprised when I first saw the building (Winchester Hiram No.21) as it is located in a historic walking mall and not accessible by vehicle.

I have my application in hand and I'm just waiting on some technicalities before I can submit my application. My manager at work became a MM recently and he wants to make sure I'd be allowed to join (from a corporate standpoint.)

Regardless, I look forward to the knowledge and fun that will come from visiting these forums and even more perhaps beyond.

Thank you.

Stephen,

First of all, Welcome to Masons of Texas! No matter how you found us, you're here now and that is all that matters! Second of all, there should never be an issue with you and your boss both being Masons. It is my strong opinion that HE should not carry the discussion any further than between the two of you.

It is in fact none of the corporation's business "what" you choose to do on your free time. If per chance his actions result in his "denial" of you petitioning the Lodge where he belongs, by all means go to another one in the area.

Corporate issues, Hogwash!
 

Stephen

Registered User
Bro. Stewart said:
Stephen,

First of all, Welcome to Masons of Texas! No matter how you found us, you're here now and that is all that matters! Second of all, there should never be an issue with you and your boss both being Masons. In fact it is my opinion that HE should carry the discussion no further than between the two of you.

It is in fact none of the corporation's business "what" you choose to do on your free time. If per chance his actions result in his "denial" of you petitioning the Lodge where he belongs, by all means go to another one in the area.

Corporate issues, Hogwash!

Thank you. And I do agree. I will just let the process unfold and the path will certainly be laid out before me. I've been patient. ;)
 

Beathard

Premium Member
BTW, patience will payoff in the long run. The application, Investigation, voting and initiation process can take a couple of months. Please participate in the fellowship on this site while you wait.
 

Stephen

Registered User
Beathard said:
BTW, patience will payoff in the long run. The application, Investigation, voting and initiation process can take a couple of months. Please participate in the fellowship on this site while you wait.

Thank you. I look forward to many more conversations on this site.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Welcome Stephen! Patience is one of the greatest gifts of freemasonry. Just wait until you start busting up that rock.

Can't wait to call you brother instead of friend.
 

Stephen

Registered User
Just an update on my application. Found out today that my manager cannot sponsor me as per our "employer relations" so I suppose I am a mason short. I've been electable since December 6th, 2009 and have been so excited for the process. I do know a member of the Clark County/White Post lodge I guess I could get him to sign it, but I was wondering if there was anything else I can do to get this ball rolling.

---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

I contacted the secretary of the lodge about my situation.
 

Benton

Premium Member
Well, I guess that's the manager's decision. I, however, would simply not report it to the manager, and no one would ever know. It's not the employer's business, if you ask me, what goes on within the lodge. The lodge ought to be a world separate from the outside world.

Anyway, sorry things turned out that way.

Why is the manager so concerned about this employer relations policy?
 

Stephen

Registered User
Benton said:
Well, I guess that's the manager's decision. I, however, would simply not report it to the manager, and no one would ever know. It's not the employer's business, if you ask me, what goes on within the lodge. The lodge ought to be a world separate from the outside world.

Anyway, sorry things turned out that way.

Why is the manager so concerned about this employer relations policy?

Oh I'm not worried about it. Whatever may come, I'll certainly embrace it. I just have to work a little harder to be seen.
 

Stephen

Registered User
Update:

I should have my two signatures by the end of the week. There is a stated meeting next Tuesday.
 

Beathard

Premium Member
Don't get discouraged if it takes them a while. The investigations need to be completed by the next stated meeting. There is a natural tendency to put them off until the last minute.
 

Stephen

Registered User
Don't get discouraged if it takes them a while. The investigations need to be completed by the next stated meeting. There is a natural tendency to put them off until the last minute.

No worries! I will be and let the process unfold before me!
 
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