The 223rd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F&AM, was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 4th day of February 1976.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Bartleson, WM, in the East, Bro. Alaback, SW, in the West and Bro. McGowan, JW, in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the Month of February, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the 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. Negranza. It was moved by Bro. Alaback and seconded by Bro. McGowan that the Treasurer's Report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. Motion carried
Bro. Alaback then gave a detailed report on the Financial Statement for the year 1975.
The Secretary read the bills for the period and WB Williams moved and Bro. McGowan seconded that the bills be paid. Motion carried
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that the House Committee had met as scheduled on 20 January 1976 and that (1) RWB Myron G. Bettencourt, WM of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, SC, had been elected as new chairman of the Yokohama House Committee, (2) WB Hodges had been appointed as Secretary/Treasurer, and (3) the financial condition of the Commitee was more than adequate, so much so that the Committee expects to lower the quarterly assessment for the three Bodies, the exact amount yet to be determined.
ENTERTAINMENT: WB Bartelson reported on the Annual Installation Banquet and gave a detailed report of the condition of the Harmony Fund. He then thanked the Brethren for their generosity and assistance in making the preceding year a very successful one.
DeMOLAY: RWB Nishiyama gave a negative report.
PUBLICATION: WB Hodges reported that the next issue of the FTs was being worked on with the end of February as being the target date to get the next issue to the printer.
COACHING: Bro. Alaback reported Bro. Livernois was ready to give the 1st Degree proficiency at any time.
Balance of Committees (AUDITING, SICK & VISITATION, LIFE MEMBERSHIP, SIGHT ASSISTANCE, LAPSATION, MASONIC EDUCATION) all reported negative.
BALLOTTING: Negative.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Bartelson called the Brethren briefly free from restraint for the purpose of changing officers and at the sound of the gavel in the East, MWB Floyd J. Robertson, Installing Officer for Far East Lodge No. 1 for the year 1976, assisted by WB Bartelson, Installing Marshal, proceeded to install the below named Brethren in their respective offices for the ensuing Masonic Year:
After which WB Bartelson made Proclamation.
OLD BUSINESS: Bro. Alaback then asked for a show of hands of those who would be attending the Fellowship Get-together sponsored by Lodge Star in the East No. 640, SC. Bro. Alaback then clarifed the cost for the Fellowship as being $7.00 or ¥2,000.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Bartelson then announced the assignment to the various Committees for the ensuing year as indicated by Enclosure (1) hereto. WB Hodges recommended that the WM consider establishing a standing LIBRARY COMMITTEE to oversee our library to ensure its continued well-being. WB Bartelson indicated that he would take the matter into consideration.
WB Bartelson then announced the projected budget and schedule for the year as shown in Enclosure (2) hereto.
MWB Robertson pointed out a possible error in the action taken by the Lodge at the Stated Meeting of 2 December 1975 to transmit the per capita tax for life for Bro. Howe. After considerable discussion, WB Bartelson directed that the matter rest until he had time to consider the problem and determine the proper action to be taken.
NEW PETITIONS READ: None.
WB Bartelson then made the following announcements:
WB Williams announced that the next meeting of the GL Executive Committee would be held on 28 February 1976 and that at the request of many Brethren, the GL would repeat the program on "Masonic Leadership" that was presented at the Masonic Education Workshop last October. These discussions will be held in connection with the GL Executive Committee meetings over the next 3 or 4, with the first portion scheduled for 12:00 hours on 28 February. All were urged to attend.
MWB Robertson then announced that the Installation of Officers for Moriyama Lodge No. 7 would be held at KTMA on 7 February 1976 commencing at 14:00 hours. Banquet to follow.
MWB Robertson again requested the names of those who plan to attend the GL Installation on 14 March and also those who would attend the Banquet.
WB Bartelson then read a letter from VWB Napier, Senior Grand Lecturer and Chairman of the Grand Lodge Education Committee which sets forth the requirement for each Lodge to read certain articles from the Constitution at the meetings to be held during the month of February. They are:
WB Bartelson then proceeded to read all articles in Chapter XXVIII and indicated that the other articles would be read at subsequent meetings this month.
Bro. Poling reported that Bro. Kaoka's wife was sick and in hospital. At the request of WB Bartelson, WB Williams volunteered to purchase and deliver flowers to Bro. Kaoka's wife in the name of the Lodge.
MWB Robertson congratulated WB Bartelson on a most efficient and thorough Stated Meting. WB Bartelson responded with appropriate remarks and announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, we would proceed to close.
Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 22:10 hours with WB Bartelson, WM, in the East, Bro. Alaback, SW, in the West, and Bro. McGowan, JW, in the South.
(There were 16 Brethren present)