The 425th 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 May, 1995.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:12 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Masaki, SW 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 May 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 for the Stated Meeting of 8 April, and they were approved as corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's report given by WB Hodges. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Watanabe 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 Watanabe seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: The Brethren present voted for a Yen 50,000 donation to be given to the GLOJ for their annual Children's Festival to be held on 21 May 1995.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges reported that WB Phil Hunt, an honorary member of this lodge, died on 22 April 1995. Upon hearing the news, the WM raised the Lodge for a moment of silent prayer and asked that a condolence card be brought to lodge at the next Stated Meeting to be signed by the brethren and sent to WB Hunt's widow. The WM also ordered that a $100 bill be sent with the card as a small token of our feeling of loss. WB Katagiri provided an update on WB Ohashi's medical condition.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WM Welsh suggested that we have a barbecue just before our next Stated Meeting, starting at 11:00 hours, in order to enhance fellowship among the brethren, especially the new EAs.
FRIENDLY TIPS: Nothing to report.
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that 3 EAs showed up on 13 May (an hour or so before the Stated Meeting) to practice for the first degree.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Nothing to report.
AUDIT: Nothing to report.
INVESTMENT: Nothing to report.
HOUSE: Nothing to report.
BALLOTTING: WB Welsh announced that the Committees of Inquiry had submitted favorable reports on the petitions of Mr. Godofredo Magno and Mr. Ramon Leyeza, and they were elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge. They are both scheduled to be initiated at a Special Meeting following the Stated Meeting on June 10th.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: Nothing to report.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read two pieces of correspondence from the GM.
The Secretary also read the GLOJ's monthly bulletin dated 20 April 1995, an invitation from Lodge 640 to attend a special meeting of that lodge on 1 June 1995, a communication from the GLOJ Youth Activities Committee, and a communication from the GLOJ's Speakers Bureau. Finally, the Secretary read portions of the GLOJ's Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of 25 February 1995.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A motion that was tabled at our last Stated Meeting was brought back to the floor for discussion. Specifically, an appropriate increase m the Secretary's monthly honorarium. WB Katagiri made a motion to increase the monthly honorarium from Yen 18,000 to Yen 20,000 effective immediately. WB Hodges seconded the motion, and it was carried.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges made a motion that the Lodge purchase a PM's Jewel, apron, and case so that they will arrive in time for presentation to the PM in January. WB Welsh suggested that we purchase three of each item before anticipated price increases occur. WB Hodges amended his motion accordingly, it was seconded by WB Watanabe, and 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 16:10 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Masaki, JW in the South.
There were 6 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
HENRY W. WELSH III
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Secretary