dfreybur
Premium Member
Where at in WA?
I was affiliated roughly mid 2002 through mid 2004. Evergreen in Everett. We didn't stay long enough for me to purchase a life/endowed membership.
Where at in WA?
This is the way that I took it also. Maybe we are confused? Don't know.What you described is being told that you would need to be voted on to become a member. At which point you left utterly ignoring being welcomed as a visitor.
I didn't see you there, how do you know more about what happened than I do?What you described is being told that you would need to be voted on to become a member. At which point you left utterly ignoring being welcomed as a visitor. No wonder the word confused is in the subject line.
I didn't see you there, how do you know more about what happened than I do?
You seem determined to put me in the wrong here. I was welcomed as a visitor by the WM and the SD. Then the Secretary took me aside and told me to sod off until after I'd been investigated and voted upon. Most people with an opinion here seem to think that the Secretary shouldn't have done that. Yes, I left to avoid having at least one Lodge officer embarrassed. I had clear messages from three people: two (the WM and SD) said I was welcome; one (the Secretary) said I wasn't.
Why am I the one who has done wrong here?
I take it the same way.I don't know if anyone is saying your have done wrong.
Very true.In most jurisdictions, if you haven't paid annual dues in more than a decade, a man can not attend a tiled meeting; it doesn't matter who invited him.
Agreed.Good counsel is only good if it is taken as such.
I don't know if anyone is saying your have done wrong. We are saying there was some confusion or miscommunication on the part of multiple people, and it turned into an unfortunate incident.
Based on your described scenario - although admittedly unfamiliar with your jurisdiction - the WM and SD might have over extended, and the secretary was trying to tidy things up. In most jurisdictions, if you haven't paid annual dues in more than a decade, a man can not attend a tiled meeting; it doesn't matter who invited him.
Or, perhaps the secretary was confused on your desired intent.
Many of us here are long-time Masons who have served in some pretty senior positions. We are familiar with the workings of the fraternity and its practices. By your own admission, you were active for no more than four years and have been out of the craft for 11. Good counsel is only good if it is taken as such.
Same here.In my jurisdiction, you would need to reapply for reinstatement, possibly be investigated and have a clear unanimous ballot to return to your mother lodge.
True.The secretary could have been more tactful about it.
... If you are not current in dues, you cannot attend a tiled meeting. The WM and SD should have asked to see a dues card. If you were out of state, you could have been denied by simply not going up and through Grand Lodges to announce you as a visitor..