The 271st 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 6th day of February 1980.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1930 hours, with WB Katagiri, WM in the East, Br. Judy, (acting) SW in the West, and WB Fogle, (acting) JW in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished brethren and first time visitors 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 WM then announced that the usual order of business would be suspended this evening for the purpose of taking lodge officer pictures and also for the purpose of installing some of the Lodge Officers who had not yet been installed.
Most WB Nishiyama was Installing Office and WB Barrs was Master of Ceremonies for the installation. The following bretheren were installed:
Brother Judy then took several pictures of all the officers present. The Lodge was then called back to labor.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
Next the Treasurer's report was given by MWB Yamada. It was moved and seconded that the Treasurer's report be accepted subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills. The Secretary announced that there were no new bills for the month and then recapped the bills which still remained to be paid.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Negative.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: Negative.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges gave a written report on his plans and requirements for the FTs to the WM. He outlined his report to the Lodge. The WM made appropriate remarks concerning the report.
COACHING: WB Hodges gave report on the progress of candidates. A report was given on Bros. Dodd, Koch, Colburn, and Eugenio.
SICK AND VISITATION: Brothers Barrs, Fogle, Judy and Robertson gave reports concerning illnesses of brethren and their families.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Br. Judy spoke on the need for more lodge instruction and education. WB dodge stated that he would schedule a lodge of instruction at the next possible opportunity.
AUDIT: WB Hodges commented that the Audit committee should meet at the earliest convenient time and attempt to reconstruct financial records of the Lodge which were lost when Br. Zalewski passed away.
HOUSE COMMITTEE: The WM commented on his policy regarding the Temple problem. His policy is made a part of these minutes.
FINANCE AND INVESTMENT: Negative.
BALLOTING: The petition of WB Fogle was balloted on for dual membership. He was elected and obligated as dual member by the WM.
The petition of Mr. Michael Anthony Colburn was balloted on for receiving the degrees of Masonry. He was elected.
There were no new petitions.
The Secretary read a representative piece of correspondence which reflected the interest of the Brethren outside of Japan in the Lodge.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM announced that the Grand Secretary had announced at the previous Executive Committee meeting that any proposals for resolutions or recommendations should be submitted in writing 30 days prior to the Grand Lodge Communication. WB Barrs read a proposal for a recommended change in Article 130 concerning expenditure of lodge funds. After much discussion, a motion was made by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Fogle that WB Barrs submit the recommended change to the Grand Lodge for consideration. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Barrs then read a request from the local High School for advertising support for its annual.
A motion was made by Br. Judy and seconded that we purchase an ad in the High School annual of one fourth gage costing ¥12,000. MOTION CARRIED.
Br. Judy then asked about the possibility of getting a schedule of brothers to provide meals at certain meetings and to go out for dinner after some meetings.
A motion was made by Br. Judy and seconded by MWB Robbie that we implement a plan to go out after lodge when possible to eat. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Barrs presented a letter from Br. Jewell proposing a schedule for degree work for the month. The WM announced that if the brethren and candidates were ready, we would have a second degree on the 13th, an initiation on the 20th, and a third degree on the 27th.
WB Barrs read a letter of information about the Grand Lodge Communication in March and stated that he would take reservations for Far East No. 1 brethren who would attend. Several brethren stated that they would be attending.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 2315 hours with WB Katagiri in the East, Br. Judy (acting) SW in the West, and Br. Reyna (acting) JW in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present.
APPROVED
SABURO KATAGIRI
MASTER
ATTEST
JACK C. BARRS
SECRETARY
Correction: These minutes are corrected to show that a DEMIT was requested and granted for Brother Bernard Joseph McSherry on February 6, 1980.
During the stated meeting held on January 2, 1980, two kinds of thoughts were expressed regarding the participation of the Brethren on the house issue, which fundamentally differ for each other.
Some Brethren requested full participation in the issue, because the issue involves a serious nature for the Lodge and they feel that each member of the Lodge has a right to keep himself up to date as to the issue. On the other hand, other Brethren expressed difficulties to discuss the issue openly, because of the confidentiality required for the issue particularly when the case is under the court.
In order to harmonize the differences, the Master clarifies the following policy concerning the depth of Brethren's participation in the house issue.
Ideally, all Brethren, as stake holders of the issue, should participate in making decisions on all areas of the issue. However, it is realized that it would not be beneficial for the Lodge to disclose all informations regarding the issue, our strategies in the court in particular. Therefore, the nformations appertaining to the issue are categorized into the following three classes and the degree of Brethren's participation to each class of information should be as follows:
Although the Brethren other than appointed by the Master will not be advised of the strategy being implemented, the Master will direct the House Committee to report to the Brethren of our status or progress in the issue from time to time, that the Brethren may know where we are. Such report, however, should be subject to the Master's approval in advance in order to protect the confidentiality required.
S. Katagiri
Worshipful Master