The 422nd 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 4th day of February 1995.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:07 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
The WM then 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 February 1995, 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 Hodges. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by Bro. Warnell 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 Bro. Warnell moved and WB Hodges seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Nothing to report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Katagiri reported on the medical conditions of Bros. Ohashi and Masaki. WB Hodges reported on the medical condition of WB Hunt.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that the installation banquet went very well and that he hoped everyone had enjoyed themselves.
FRIENDLY TIPS: A negative report was submitted.
COACHING: Nothing to report.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: A negative report was submitted.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted.
INVESTMENT: A negative report was submitted.
HOUSE: A negative report was submitted.
BALLOTTING: WB Welsh announced that the Committee of Inquiry had submitted favorable reports on the petition of Mr. Kiyoshi Ogiu and he was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge. He is scheduled to be initiated at a Special Meeting on 18 February 1995.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: Nothing to report.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read two communications from the GM, the first, information regarding the Kansai Earthquake which included a request for financial assistance to our stricken Brethren there. The second communication from the GM was an addendum to the first communication regarding the earthquake. Among other things, the addendum authorized all Constituent Lodges under the jurisdiction of the GLOJ to hold a special meeting for the purpose of providing relief for our distressed worthy Masonic Brethren. The final piece of correspondence read was the GLOJ Monthly Bulletin dated 20 January 1995.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Welsh, after requesting that WB Katagiri present himself West of the Altar, informed WB Katagiri that he had been made a member of the Lodge's "Golden 100 Club" and presented him with a Life Membership Certificate and his dues card attesting to the same. A hearty applause followed the presentation, and WB Katagiri thanked the Brethren for the honor.
WB Welsh then declared the Lodge free from constraint at 14:53 hours.
At the sound of the Gavel in the East at 15:02 hours, WB Welsh stated that the most important purpose of our meeting was to discuss and vote on relief for our stricken worthy brethren in the Kobe area. WB Welsh started out by saying that he felt that WB Yuya Hirose should receive special recognition for the work he did in the Kobe area following the earthquake. According to the WM, Hirose was up for five days and nights without sleep, trying to determine the well being of our Masonic brethren in the area.
After some discussion regarding relief for our Brethren in the Kobe area, WB Katagiri made a motion that Far East Lodge #1 donate a maximum of one million yen, 500,000 yen initially through the GLOJ, with the caveat that the money go directly to our worthy distressed brethren, and if needed, an additional 500,000 yen to be dispatched at the discretion of the WM. WB Watanabe seconded the motion, and the motion was carried.
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 15:50 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West and WB Watanabe, PM, (Acting) JW, in the South.
There were 5 Brethren present.
Special Dispensation to open this very important meeting (relief for our distressed worthy Brethren in the Kobe area) with less than 7 MM members will be requested from the GL.
APPROVED:
HENRY W. WELSH III
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Secretary