The 338th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 13th day of June 1987.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1446 hours with WB Hunt, PM, WM in the East, MWB Nishiyama, PGM, SW in the West, and Bro. Oliver, MM, (Acting) JW in the South.
The WM then 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 June 1987, 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.
The Treasurer's Report was omitted due to WB Onishi being too busy at work to update his records.
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 Hunt reported no calls on charity during the period.
SICK AND VISITATION: A negative report was submitted by WB Hodges and other Brethren present.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges suggested an informal get together of the Brethren and friends. He volunteered to explore the matter and to report to the lodge at the next stated meeting. WB Hunt agreed with the proposal.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: MWB Nishiyama reported on the progress of his son, Bro. Jun. He fully expects Bro. Jun to be prepared to give his proficiency in the 1st degree next month.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: No report.
AUDIT: WB Ohashi advised that WB Hodges would be reviewing and updating the books prior to next stated meeting.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges reported that the GL has not yet identified the specifics of the $90,000.00 U.S. Treasury Bill investment. He will attempt to get specifics for the next meeting.
HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that the Yokohama Masonic House Committee has disestablished its bank account and that future bills will be paid by direct assessment of the using bodies. This was done to save the cost of maintaining a bank account which is a minimum of 12,000 per year.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read the petitions for Dual Membership submitted by WB Akira Takagi and Bro. Kazuhiro Watanabe, both of Harmony Lodge No. 18, and the petition for restoration submitted by Bro. Andrew Murl Ritchie. The WM directed that the petitions be allowed to run their course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletins for March, April, and May 1987; the Grand Secretary's letter concerning solicitations by Bro. LeFebre; the GM's Proclamation concerning MWB Carlos Rodriguez-Jimenez Week; and other appropriate correspondence.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: As is known, Harmony Lodge No. 18 rejected the proposal to consolidate with this lodge. Therefore, that issue is now dead. With regard to the proposal for this lodge to surrender its charter, WB Hodges withdrew his motion and WB Ohashi withdrew his second after which WB Hunt proclaimed this matter to be dead also. WB Hodges mentioned the need for annual elections now that the lodge intends to continue. WB Hunt indicated that we should tentatively plan for elections to be held not later than September and earlier, if feasible.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges spoke on the need to try to review our situation and to find ways to make the lodge interesting to attend for the Brethren and to make it a viable entity in the community. He pointed out that it is each Brother's responsibility to contribute something for the benefit of our lodge and the Fraternity in general. Ways must be found not only to get new members but to keep the older members attending. WB Hunt concurrred and asked each Brother to seriously consider what can and should be done.
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 1648 hours with WB Hunt, PM, WM in the East, MWB Nishiyama, PGM, SW in the West, and Bro. Oliver, MM, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 6 Brethren present)
APPROVED
ROWLAND P. HUNT, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY