The 228th STATED MEETING of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 7th day of July 1976.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with WB BARTELSON, WM in the East, Bro. ALABACK, SW in the West, and Bro. McGOWAN, JW in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished brethren as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of July 1976, 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 WB HODGES and seconded by Bro. ALABACK that the Treasurer's Report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary than read the bills for the period and WB WILLIAMS moved and Bro. ALABACK seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: WB HODGES reported that the meeting of the House Committee scheduled for 6 July 1976 was not held due to the Chairman Bro. BETTENCOURT being unable to attend. The meeting has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, 13 July 1976, at 1900 hours at the Temple.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. McGOWAN reported that our Second Annual Picnic will he held 31 July 1976 in Area 1 adjacent to the Navy Dispensary.
DeMOLAY: Negative.
PUBLICATIONS: WB HODGES reported that the next issue of the F.T.s was at the printers and due back next Friday. He also reported that he intends to have next issue ready to go to printer NLT 1st week of September and requested inputs from EAST/WEST/SOUTH NLT mid-August. Bro. HUNT offered to assist in any way possible in getting the F.T.s published and mailed.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Negative.
MEMBERSHIP: WB BARTELSON reported Negative. WB HODGES reported that he has initiated correspondence with all Brethren suspended for N.P.D.s since 1971 to see if their interest in the Craft can be revived. Results will be reported at future meetings.
COACHING: Bro. McGOWAN reported that Bros. WEAVER, LIVERNOIS, OKUYAMA, WALKER, EADS and WILSON were not yet proficient but that these Brethren were being urged to pursue their labors.
AUDITING: Negative.
SICK & VISITATION: Negative.
LAPSATION: WB HODGES reported that he is still receiving responses from the Brethren who have not yet paid current and prior year's dues. Results are gratifying but encountering problem of outdated addresses.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: WB WILLIAMS reported negative.
CHARITY: WB BARTELSON reported that at last G.L Executive Committee meeting that the Charity Committee has requested each Lodge to donate to the Emergency Charity Fund, it being almost depleted. Bro. ALABACK moved that the Lodge donate ¥20,000. Bro. HUNT seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. ALABACK reported negative.
LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: Bro. ALABACK reported that Bros. LIVERNOIS and WEAVER soon to be scheduled for final reading.
LIBRARY: Negative.
BALLOTTING: WB BARTELSON read Article XI of the By-Laws. He then reported that the Committee of Investigations for the petition of Mr. DEH-LEE, (NMN) William had returned an unfavorable report. He therefore declared the petition REJECTED and ordered the Secretary to return the fee. He then reported that the Committee of Investigations for the petition of Mr. FERRER, Jose Mendones had returned a full and favorable report. Secret ballotting was then held on the petition of Mr. FERRER, Jose Mendones and he was elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition of Mr. NORMAN, Charles Emric to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge was read.
NEW BUSINESS: WB HODGES then read a request from Bro. VENABLE, Herbert Hastings, Jr., an Entered Apprentice Mason of this Lodge who was dropped for non-progression in 1965, requesting that he be permitted to continue his work having returned to Japan and now working at NAF Atsugi and if approved that Sagamihara Masonic Lodge No. 13 be permitted to perform courtesy work. WB BARTELSON asked if there was any objections by any of the Brethren to Bro. VENABLE'S request. Hearing none, the Secretary was instructed to advise Bro. VENABLE that he could continue his work and that Sagamihara Masonic Lodge No. 13 could perform the courtesty work if agreeable; the Secretary to contact Sagamihara Lodge No. 13 to determine their receptiveness.
BALLOTTING: WB BARTELSON then announced that ballotting would be had on the petition of Bro. HOUK, Robert Howard for Restoration (N.P.D.). By secret ballot, Bro. HOUK was restored to good standing.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: WB BARTELSON reported that the By-Laws Committee has submitted a proposed revision to the By-Laws and instructed the Secretary to read the proposed revision to the By-Laws. WB HODGES read the proposed changes to the By-Laws (enclosure (1) hereto) after which WB BARTELSON instructed the Secretary to inform all members residing in Japan that the proposed revision to the By-Laws would be voted on at the August 1976 Stated Meeting and that all those who possibly could are to attend.
WB BARTELSON announced that at the last G.L. Executive Committee it was announced that the G.L. would have a Workshop for its Midyear and that it will he held on 16 October 1976. It has been proposed that the Workshop be held at Kyoto Masonic Lodge No. 5 in Kyoto, Japan if sufficient Brethren will attend. The Executive Committee has requested that the Lodges signify their desire and that they be notified of the results NLT next Executive Committee meeting. WB BARTELSON called for a show of hands and 6 Brethren (four, possibly five, with their wives) indicated that they would attend. WB BARTELSON indicated that he would attend if his work schedule will permit.
WB HODGES moved and WB WILLIAMS seconded to purchase two dozen Lambskin Aprons at a cost of $145.00. MOTION CARRIED
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: WB BARTELSON asked Bro. WALKER to stand West of the Altar where he presented Bro. WALKER with a gold Masonic Pin as a present from his home Loge Wisconnett No. 297.
WB BARTELSON then announced that next week would be a First Degree for MR. FERRER, Jose Mendones and that during the months of July and August we would not meet unless we have Degree work to perform, the August Stated Meeting further excepted.
The WB then 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 21:32 hours with WB BARTELSON, WM, in the East, Bro. ALABACK, SW in the West, and Bro. McGOWAN, JW, in the South.
(There were 12 Brethren Present)