The 403rd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No.l, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama,, Japan on the 13th day of February 1993.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1424 hours with WB Heath, PM, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, 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 February 1993, 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 WB McCauley, PM. It was moved by WB McCauley and seconded by WB Katagiri that the Treasurer's report be approved as read, subject o the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and WB Hodges, PM, moved and Bro. Welsh seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Katagiri provided additional background and an update on the Grand Lodge's efforts to support the Spinal Cord Injured Person's Association. He advised that the Japanese Brethren all have agreed to provide physical assistance as well as the lodge's financial contribution. WB Heath thanked WB Katagiri and urged him to advise if additional assistance is required.
SICK AND VISITATION: Bro. Welsh advised that Bro. Robinson is out of the hospital and back at work almost full-time. It is hoped that Bro. Robinson will consider the advise of his doctors during his rehabilitation period.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: A negative report was submitted.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: A negative report was submitted.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: A negative report was submitted.
AUDIT: WB Heath extended the deadline to complete the audit of the books to the Stated Meeting of April.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges provided the Brethren a status report on the projected closure of the Yokohama office of Merrill Lynch and recommended we wait for formal announcement and receipt of appropriate correspondence
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read a letter from the Chairperson of the Yokohama International Women's Club thanking the lodge for its annual donation of turkeys & money, and the G/L Bulletin of 20 January 1993.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM then called the lodae free from restraint for the purpose of preparing for the installation of those officers who were unable to attend the installation in December.
At the sound of the gavel in the East WB Heath assisted by WB Hodges installed WB John A. McCauley, PM, as Treasurer, WB Jack P. Spiwak, PM, as Junior Steward and WB Rowland P. Hunt, PM, as Tiler, after which WB Hodges made Proclamation. After a round of applause, WB Heath then requested WB McCauley to place himself West of the Altar where he was pleased to present WB McCauley with his Past Master's Bar.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges spoke briefly on the idea of establishing a Lodge Benevolent Fund and asked the Brethren to think about it and if the idea is considered worthy, we should prepare a resolution covering the specifics of the proposed fund. He requested no action be taken at this time.
WB Heath then spoke on the need for a Harmony Fund and requested the Brethren to consider it for future discussions.
WB Watanabe reported on the installation of officers for Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11, nothing that with the exception of SEC/TR/MA all officers elected and appointed were Master Masons.
Apologies were received from Bro. Yabe. WB Spiwak spoke briefly and thanked the Brethren for the opportunity to affiliate with Far East Lodge No. 1 and informed the WM that he and WB Bettencourt, using their membership in this lodge, had the pleasure of installing the Officers of Rising Sun Lodge No. 151, under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, recently and noted that he would not have been so readily permitted to do such a thing if he had had to use his membership in Lodge Star in the East No. 640 as a basis.
WB Heath then announced that the lodge would go dark in March as he will be out of the country and that the Grand Lodge Communication will be held on 12/13th. Due to other conficing schedules, he had determined that it would not be practical to try to reschedule our meeting to another Saturday during the month. He then instructed to Secretary to request the necessary Special Dispensation for the lodge to go dark during March. Looking further down the time line, WB Heath noted that future meetings may be impacted by the schedule of the Secretary, who will probably be taking home leave during May and June of this year, as well as his own schedule. Everyone will be kept aware of the situation to try to keep the confusion at a minimum. He also spoke briefly on our goals for the year and requested the Brethren to put on their thinking caps and assist him to develop worthwhile goals and projects since it is impossible for one person to do all things and that a lodge is successful only to the extent that the members want it to be.
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 1600 hours with WB Heath, PM, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, JW in the South.
There were 10 Brethren present. (no visitors)
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary