The 312th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 31, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 10th day of March 1984.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1512 hours with Bro. Otani, WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, and MWB Nishiyama, CH, (Acting) 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 March 1984, 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 read.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by MWB Yamada. It was moved by MWB Yamada and seconded by WB Hodges that the Treasurer's report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and WB Hodges moved and MWB Nishiyama seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Hodges submitted a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges reported on the status of Brother Charles Seater who recently underwent by-pass surgery in Hawaii.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Ohashi submitted a negative report.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges acknowledged receipt of Bro. Otani's message "From the East", indicating that he would now complete the next issue of the FTs with a hoped-for publication date by next Stated Meeting.
COACHING: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Yamada submitted a negative report for Masonic Education and advised that he has prepared and submitted to GL the annual chronological lodge history, a copy of which will be submitted at the next meeting.
AUDIT: MWB Yamada sumbitted his revised lodge Financial Statement for 1983, a copy of which is attached as enclosure (1) and made a part hereof. He further advised that the Audit Committee could, at their convenience, conduct their audit.
INVESTMENT: MWB Yamada pointed out the various investments as reflected on Page 3 of his annual lodge Financial Statement.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: The Secretary advised there were no petitions for ballotting.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary advised that no petitions had been received for action.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read Special Dispensation Nrs. 60, 61, and 63-84 issued by the GM and the GL Bulletin of Feb 20, 84, together with two articles from the GL Executive Commitee meeting minutes of Jan 28, 84, concerning the irregularity of the Universal League of Free Masons (ULFM) and the GL of Cuba located at Grand Masonic Temple, 910 N.W. 22nd Ave., Miami, FL 33125.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: In order to clarify and establish eligibiity in the GOLDEN 100 CLUB as voted by the lodge at the stated meeting of February 1984, WB Hodges moved and MWB Nishiyama seconded a motion that the following rules be adopted.
In order to qualify for membership in the GOLDEN 100 CLUB, each Brother not a Life Member must
PROVIDING FURTHER that the 'effective date' for membership in the GOLDEN 100 CLUB shall be 01 January of the year following the year in which the Brother attains his 100th year, i.e. a Brother attains his '100' years on 01/01/86. He will not become a member of the GOLDEN 100 CLUB until 01/01/87. Furthermore, he must pay his dues for the year of attainment, i.e. in this example, he must pay his dues for the year 1986. MOTION CARRIED
WB Otani then called for the vote on the proposed amendment to Article III, Section 1 of the lodge Bye-Laws as proposed at the last stated meeting of the lodge. Without further discussion the Brethren voted 100% in favor of the proposed amendment which will change the meeting time of our stated meetings from 7:30 p.m. o'clock the first Wednesday of each month to 2:00 p.m. on the Second Saturday of each month. Actual implementation of amendment to be effective only after approval by the Grand Master.
NEW BUSINESS: The Brethren discussed the proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the GL (Article 83) submited by Kunitachi Lodge No. 4 F & A M under their letter dated 1 February 1984. It was decided that the lodge would not take an official stand on the proposed amendment thereby permitting the delegates to Grand Lodge to vote as their conscience dictates. MWB Yamada informed the WM that he will be unable to attend the stated meeting for April 84 having an unbreakable prior commitment. He will ask Brother Ohashi to pinch hit for him in the Treasurer's report for that meeting.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1643 hours with Bro. Otani, WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, and MWB Nishiyama, CH, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 5 Brethren present)
APPROVED
KATSUHIKO OTANI
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY