The 406th 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 12th day of June 1993.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1428 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 announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of June 1993, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our 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 Hodges, PM. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by Bro. Welsh 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 Bro. Welsh seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Katagiri submitted a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Heath was pleased to receive a negative.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Welsh submitted a negative.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: No report.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Heath submitted a negative.
AUDIT: WB Katagiri submitted a negative.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges reported that semi-annual interest of ¥390,010 will be paid into our account by Merrill Lynch Japan on O6/2O/93.
HOUSE: WB Hodges advised that he intends to request Masonic Hall Ltd. to carpet the floor and stations and to provide new chairs for the lodge.
BALLOTTING: Bro. John Risser Stickle's petition for Restoration was by approved by the Brethren.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 May l993, a letter of appreciation from MWB Cripe, PGM, thanking the lodge for its contribution to the Second Annual Wheelchair Sports Training seminar and a letter concerning the Scottish Rite Scholarships. WB Heath then called on RWB Yamaya, DGM, who presented letters of appreciation to WB Katgiri and Bro. Masaki for their assistance with the Wheelchair Sports Training Seminar and left a similar letter to be presented to WB Ohashi who was not present today.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Heath requested WB Katagiri to read his motion to implement the lodge "Community Relations Program". WB Katagiri then read the motion attached hereto and made a part hereof which was seconded by WB Hodges. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Heath then spoke on his proposed "Masonic Appreciation Night" and tentatively suggested that it be held sometime in October or November. Final decision to be made at July's meeting. He then appointed WB Katagiri as Chairman of the "Community Relations Committee" and Bro. Masaki as a member. He requested WB Katagiri to identify two more members for appointment to the committee by July's meeting. WB Katagiri accepted the appointment and stated that he will be prepared to submit the names and our initial program at our July meeting. Bro. Tait then spoke on the "Community Program" followed by his mother lodge in Canada and advised that it was a most sucessful program for the fraternity.
NEW BUSINESS: Apologies were received from Bros. Yabe and Macomb. WB Heath then called on WB Hodges to speak on the Lodge of Sorrow held on the 5th for MWB Nishiyama. WB Hodges gave his impressions of the ceremony and noted that there were many Masons there who probably never knew MWB Nishiyama personally but they still wanted to pay their respects to a departed Brother. He concluded his remarks by noting that the ceremony was very moving and very well conducted by RWB Yamaya our Deputy Grand Master. WB Heath then called on RWB Yamaya for his remarks. RWB Yamaya responded with appropriate remarks and thanked the WM and Brethren for the opportunity to sit in lodge and apologized for not attending more frequently.
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 1544 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 8 Brethren present of which 2 were visitors.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary
12 June 1993
Worshipful Master:
In order to educate the non-masonic community and to promote their understanding of Masonry, a community relations program has been discussed during the Stated Meetings of Far East Lodge No. 1 in April and May 1993. In order to implement the proposed program, it is moved that:
Fraternally submitted,
S. KATAGIRI, PM
Senior Warden