The 221st Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 3rd day of December 1975.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Hodges, WM in the East, Bro. Bartelson, JW, (Acting SW) in the West and Bro. DeLuna, JW, Yokosuka No. 20, (acting JW) in the South.
VW Bro. Hannon B. Jackson, Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No.1, was then received with Grand Honors and seated in the East.
The WM then recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date, and announced that this being our stated meeting for the Month of December, the first order of business would be the reading the minutes of our last stated meeting and all subsequent special meetings.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by Bro. Alaback and it was approved as presented subject to the usual audit.
W Bro. Williams moved and Bro. Alaback seconded that the Lodge donate 33,000 Yen thru the Grand Lodge for the annual Japan Times Wheelchair fund. Motion carried
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and Bro. DeLuna moved and Bro. Alaback seconded that they be paid as presented. Motion carried
The Secretary then read the names of the members to be suspended on 31 December, 1975 for NPD, as follows:
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: W Bro. Hodges reported NEG
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Bartelson reported NEG.
DeMOLAY: VW Bro. Nishiyama reported NEG.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Watson reported next issue of FTs ready in Jan.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Bro. Diel reported NEG.
COACHING: Bro. Bartelson reported that Bros. Zalewski, Harding and Negranza will give proficiency in the Third Degree on December 17th.
AUDITING: Bro. Watson reported that at the last special meeting he had audited the Treasurer's books thru Oct. 30th and found them to be correct.
SICK & VISITATION: W Bro. Hodges reported Bro. Zalewski had recovered from a bad cold and MW Bro. Robertson reported Bro. Oppenheim apparently recovered from heart problems.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: W Bro. Williams reported that Bros. Wilson and Smallwood had become Life Members Nos. 161 and 162 respectively.
CHARITY: W Bro. Hodges reported NEG.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. Alaback reported NEG.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Secretary reread letter from Bro Roar J. Bowman requesting to be restored to good standing, after which a written ballot was had and Bro. Bowman's request was approved.
A motion was then made by Bro. Alaback and seconded by W Bro. Williams to waiver the two years back dues for Bro. Bowman. Motion carried
Bro. Watson moved and W Bro. Williams seconded to purchase two 50-60 year lapel pins for two worthy Brethren. Motion carried
W Bro. Hodges moved and Bro. Poling seconded, that in view of the assistance given by Bro. Gilbert S. Howe in mailing of the FTs, that henceforth he not be required to pay dues and the Lodge shall transmit his per capita tax for life. Motion carried (Secretary to inform Bro. Howe of this action.)
NEW BUSINESS: W Bro. Hodges then read the appropriate sections of the Grand Lodge Cont'n and By-Laws along with the Lodge By-Laws pertaining to election of Lodge Officers. He then announced that we would now hold elections for Lodge Officers for the ensuing Masonic year and the following Brethren were elected to serve in the positions indicated as follows:
| WM | Bro. Leland L. Bartelson |
| SW | Bro. Richard J. Alaback |
| JW | Bro. James F. McGowan |
| Tre. | Bro. Cresencio V. Negranza |
| Sec. | W Bro. Thomas H. Hodges |
(All accepted.)
The Brethren were then called free from restaaint for the purpose of congratulations and to allow the Master elect to select his appointees. At the sound of the gavel in the East Bro. Bartelson, Master elect, announced the following appointments:
| Chp. | Bro. Robert L. Wilson |
| SD. | Bro. Matthew Zalewski |
| JD. | Bro. Ralph W. Vaughn |
| JS. | Bro. Perry C. Harding |
| SS & Marshal | Vacant |
| Tiler | Bro. Donaldson B. Poling |
(All accepted.)
He also appointed the Examination Committee to consist of the following Brethren: Bros. Zalewski, Harding and Wilson (all accepted). He also announced that the installation would be open here in the Temple at a time to be announced later, and appointed the following Brethren to be on Banquet Committee: W Bro. Hodges, W Bro. Williams, Bro. Alaback with Bro. McGowan as chairman (all accepted).
NEW PETITIONS READ: NONE
PETITIONS BALLOTED: NONE
W Bro. Hodges then announced the following schedule: next week nothing planned. December 17th 3rd Degree proficiency, Stated Meeting Jan. 7th, 1976 and installation on 10 Jan. 1976. Bro. Bartelson then thanked all for being selected to serve as Worshipful Master for the ensuing Masonic Year, and asked all to stand by him to make the coming year a successful one. Bros. Alaback, McGowan, W Bro. Hodges and Bro. Negranza also expressed their gratitude for being elected to their respective positions. Bro. DeLuna, Master elect of Yokosuka Lodge No. 20, then announced that his Lodge would hold installation of officers with open ceremonies and banquet in the Officers Club at Yokosuka Naval Base on Jan. 3rd, 1976, installation at 17:30 hours and Banquet at 19:00 hours. VW Bro. Jackson then congratulated the Officers elect and appointed and commended W Bro. Hodges on a meeting well conducted, and expressed his confidence of a very successful coming year, under the new officers.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons the WM announced that we would proceed to close. Peace and Harmony prevailing this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form 21:55 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. Bartelson in the West, and Bro. DeLuna in the South.
(There were 20 Brethren present.)